What is "it"?

[Guest Redhawk]

In Beyond the Mat, I thought Paul Heyman gave a good description of a wrestler having "it" when he talked about Jake Roberts. Paul said "it" was that thing that draws you to the screen. I'm sure everyone has their own definition of "it." What's yours?

 

For me, the best word to describe "it" would be energy. That's why I like Goldberg and don't really understand why so many fans hate him. Even if he's not the best worker, even if he was booked to be unstoppable, even if he squashed your favorite wrestlers at the time....Goldberg just had energy. And it's not really about moving around the ring fast. He just made it seem like something worth watching was happening when he was on camera. The Rock has the same thing, as does Booker T, Rhyno, and even Kane (sometimes). "It" can overcome bad angles, stupid storylines and even weak opponents.

[Guest RavishingRickRudo]

If people could narrow down and classify "it", "it" wouldn't be called "it" - it just is "it".

 

Ah shit, I think I just confused myself.

[Guest Angle-plex]

I wouldn't say Booker T has "it". He has charisma, but I don't think he has "it".

[Guest Vitamin X]

I remember the good ol days when HHH had "it"

 

..*sigh* (hopes for the old HHH to come back at WM)

[Guest Your Olympic Hero]

I remember the good ol days when HHH had "it"

 

..*sigh* (hopes for the old HHH to come back at WM)

We hoped for that last year and even Jericho could barely pull a decent match out of him. A year later I doubt anything will change.

[Guest Deebo]

There is no way to define "it", it is just..."it. Edge is a guy who is a perfect example, he has been on the brink of main eventing, but I think most people agree that they can't see Edge ever main eventing because he just doesn't have "it", whatever it is.

[Guest razazteca]

HBK lost IT with his smile, right now I would say Jericho has it.

 

Booker T did have it in WCW when he was given the oppertunity to be the TV Champ, in WWE Goldust helped him rediscover it but HHH took it away with the current push.

[Guest CoreyLazarus416]

I think the "it" factor is a certain "Je ne sais quois" that draws a person to a certain wrestler. For me, the wrestlers that had/have "it" so badly it comes out in their sweat and flatulence are Mick Foley and Raven.

[Guest Vitamin X]

I remember the good ol days when HHH had "it"

 

..*sigh* (hopes for the old HHH to come back at WM)

We hoped for that last year and even Jericho could barely pull a decent match out of him. A year later I doubt anything will change.

Well, a quad tear is something pretty bad and nasty to come back from, and HHH probably pushed himself too hard coming back, obviously judging by his muscle mass..

 

look at how much more toned he's looking now, he might still have it...But that won't matter to anyone until he starts putting people over

[Guest Brian]

It's a charisma that allows you to connect and draw in fans. For some, it only works in certain situations with the right gimmick.

[Guest ViciousFish]

It's a charisma that allows you to connect and draw in fans. For some, it only works in certain situations with the right gimmick.

 

 

Its true to a point. Look at The Rock, he has it but no one could give a shit about him when he was Rocky Maivia, the bluechipper JR wet dream. He gained 'it' when he became The Rock. Then look at Mick Foley. I personally think he had 'it' no matter what gimmick he had. Cactus Jack was a great gimmick, late era Mankind was a great 'gimmick', Dude Love was a great gimmick. The early days of Mankind was a horrible gimmick in my opinion. I don't think it was really that great at all but Mick Foley still had 'it', no matter what gimmick.

[Guest evilhomer]

"It" is just that thing where you look at a wrestler and just know that he is destined for greatness. He doesn't need to have great ability, but the presence that he carries with him into the ring is impressive.

 

For an established wrestler, I see "it" as being able to have a great match, even if the workrate is sub-par. Rock/Hogan last year is a perfect example, a horrid workrate match, but two performers who exemplify "it" made it a great match.

[Guest CanadianChick]

I think that everybody has a different defination of "it" as everybody has different favorites. For example, I might think that Edge has "it" but I know that a lot of people would disagree with me. But if I had to have a defination of it, I would say a certain charisma, whether it would be out-ring, in-ring or both.

[Guest Vitamin X]

Chris Jericho I think always had it, the guy exudes confidence and charisma, even when he was giving the absolute worst booking as a champion, EVER.

 

..and I still don't complain about it as much as a lot of the Angle marks do about Angle's...

[Guest Hulk Hogan]

"It" is me, brotha!

[Guest Banky]

Hogan, Flair, Bret, Michaels, Austin, Rock, and Angle.

 

Those are the 7 wrestlers in the history of the WWE who had 'it'.

[Guest Vitamin X]

and here I was thinking Banky would say Cena..

 

hell even I think Cena has "it"...and of course left out is Y2J but I'm not complaining..

[Guest Kid Kablam]

Ddin't everyone say that Cena had it when he debuted? That's all I remember hearing was how he had "it."

[Guest Angle-plex]

Hogan, Flair, Bret, Michaels, Austin, Rock, and Angle.

 

Those are the 7 wrestlers in the history of the WWE who had 'it'.

 

Indeed. Angle might even be questionable.

 

EDIT: What about Savage and Warrior? Would they qualify as having "it"?

[Guest Banky]

and here I was thinking Banky would say Cena..

 

hell even I think Cena has "it"...and of course left out is Y2J but I'm not complaining..

Well I think he may have 'it' but he needs to prove himself first. he doesn't have the wrestling aspect down yet neither.

[Guest Vitamin X]

I don't think Hogan ever had the wrestling part down either, and Rock's always just been a good brawler who knows how to work a crowd, never a particularly good wrestler..Which is how I think Cena is going to be.

[Chunk 0]

I think the "it" factor is a certain "Je ne sais quois" that draws a person to a certain wrestler. For me, the wrestlers that had/have "it" so badly it comes out in their sweat and flatulence are Mick Foley and Raven.

I agree. Raven has it. Theres just something about him that makes you want to watch him. He pulls his image off perfectly (if that makes sense) and just looks the part to such extent that you sit up and take notcie of him.

 

In non-wrestling terms, I think David Beckham is someone who has "it". He can pull any image off and just sort of looks the part.

 

ChUnK!

[TheOriginalOrangeGoblin 0]

Savage definetely has "it". If he didn't he wouldn't survived late-80's WWF like he did and for sure wouldn't of become as big as he did.

 

I agree with Hogan, Flair, Savage, Bret, Shawn, Austin & Rock . Although Taker, Angle & Sting come close

[Guest Banky]

Raven and Savage don't have it because neither have amounted to anything. Raven has essentially been released by 3 companies. While he has a good mind, if he had 'it' he would have been utilized better. Or the fans would have reacted to him better.

 

Savage doesn't have it because he went downhill in WCW. He isn't even the same character he was during his heydey. His last WCW run showed a different side of savage, one not many liked. Thats not exactly 'it'. Also if he came back to the WWE, I think he'd be humbled by how little be thought of him. He ain't no Hogan folks.

 

Sting may have had 'it'. The Crow character was a bleh. Good at first, but not exactly an awesome one in the long run.

 

EDIT: The Undertaker has shit. He is all hype.

[Chunk 0]

The Undertaker has that special quality. The Undertaker has what few other have. The Undertaker has "shIT"

 

Theres one for my sig right there

 

ChUnK!

[TheOriginalOrangeGoblin 0]

You say Savage and Sting don't have it but, Sting especially, they've been booked liek shit. Savage was the one small ME'er in the mid-late 80's and got over despite being buried yb Hogan. He did all by his xcharisma and talent. That defientely qualifies him as having it.

 

Sting was been given the worst angles in history to work with yet till the very last Nitro he remained the most popular man in WCW. Trust me he has it.

[Guest CoreyLazarus416]

Raven and Savage don't have it because neither have amounted to anything. Raven has essentially been released by 3 companies. While he has a good mind, if he had 'it' he would have been utilized better. Or the fans would have reacted to him better.

Yeah, because WCW's politics didn't create a glass ceiling, nor did the WWF/WWE's. Remember ECW? He wasn't released from ECW. He was signed to a company that payed better. Raven in ECW was about as over as a wrestler could get in a promotion.

[Guest Redhawk]

One way to figure out if someone has it: If they just showed up randomly at a show, how would the crowd react?

 

For example, Roddy Piper's run-in at 'Mania. Piper hasn't been on WWE TV in years, yet everyone went nuts. My 14-year old cousin was on his feet and excited, and the AFTER THAT asked me, "Who is that?" If Randy Savage or Sting popped up at Backlash, would people mark out. Definitely. Then I'd say they have it.

 

Bob Costas may have described it best when he was talking about Michael Jordan one time. Costas said, "Even if you didn't know anything about basketball, if he walked into a room you'd say, 'That's gotta be somebody.'"