It would have been perfect

[Guest Goodear]

Two problems I see with this. First there are the issues that go along with scripting wrestling promos rather than letting the talent sort of shoot from the hip and bring more real emotion to the table.

 

Second, I agree with Sakura on the nature of the promo being a little too work shootish to really get over with the crowd. I think there is a lot more mileage to get out of the fact that Austin really isn't the bad ass he used to be and the rest of the company knowing it. Granted they have had Austin beating the hell out of people for months now, but I think you can honsestly play that off as guys not being so much worried about getting stunned but being concerned that if they do fight with Austin and break his crippled ass that they'll have an even worse enemy in power that they don't need. The storyline prospects of having the anit-authority icon in authority really come to the fore front that way and makes the angle different than the "we're newer and better" angle that could be used with The Undertaker more effectively.

[Cherry Blossom Viscount 0]

The problem with that promo is that it doesn't fit into the current storyline. Chris Jericho is not after a title shot, he just wants Austin out of power. That's his motivation. So, bringing the HHH/Goldberg situation into play makes no sense and muddles up the storyline. Plus, you want the announcers and Austin to basically break character to sell that spiel. What mark is going to believe Austin would sit there and take that from Jericho? There's no build-up there to either of those character changes; Jericho suddenly getting balls, and Austin gettng his cut off.

 

Also, you made a mistake by having Jericho mention the RVD's and Bookers. Why? they are faces. One of which Jericho beat down and another of which he goes against on a regular basis. Jericho barely cuts the heels any slack, so why would he speak for the betterment of those who do not share his ideals?

 

You wrote that promo without thinking; just for the sake of Jericho getting over.

[Guest Loss]

The problem with that promo is that it doesn't fit into the current storyline.

 

It fits perfectly. The point of the story right now is that Austin is GM and Jericho wants him out. Every decision Austin makes enrages Jericho even more than the last one he made. This was the final straw. Now, Jericho finally has a chance to totally explain himself and his motives, which go a little deeper than getting a couple of stunners.

 

Chris Jericho is not after a title shot, he just wants Austin out of power. That's his motivation. So, bringing the HHH/Goldberg situation into play makes no sense and muddles up the storyline.

 

No, it doesn't. It explains *why* Jericho wants Austin fired.

 

Plus, you want the announcers and Austin to basically break character to sell that spiel.

 

There would be no breaking of character. This is NOT a shoot! JR's disbelief is that someone stood up to Austin like that, not that "this isn't part of the show". Austin's disbelief is that he realizes some of these things are true and doesn't know what to say in response.

 

What mark is going to believe Austin would sit there and take that from Jericho?

 

The ones that have been told that Austin can't attack everyone at will without being provoked.

 

There's no build-up there to either of those character changes; Jericho suddenly getting balls, and Austin gettng his cut off.

 

It's a key point in taking the story somewhere instead of just repeating the same scenario every week. It's not a character change, it's an explanation of relatable heel motive, which we almost never get from WWE.

 

Also, you made a mistake by having Jericho mention the RVD's and Bookers. Why? they are faces. One of which Jericho beat down and another of which he goes against on a regular basis. Jericho barely cuts the heels any slack, so why would he speak for the betterment of those who do not share his ideals?

 

As I said, the point of that is for Jericho to plant dissension in Team Austin. Booker and RVD are sacrificing themselves for Austin's cause here, but what has he done for either of them since becoming GM? This would be followed up with Jericho approaching them backstage and going into more detail.

 

You wrote that promo without thinking; just for the sake of Jericho getting over.

 

No, I didn't. I wrote that promo because it gives the story more depth. The storyline is on the verge of really having something, but it has to get a boost and needs some inciting incident either in making Jericho even more of a whiny bitch and Austin more of a rogue, fan-loving GM, or it needsd a purpose to build for the future. I simply chose the latter.

[Damaramu 0]

Well Austin did beat Kane up but Kane just totally no sold the Stunner. Which in affect makes him look like a total badass.

[Cherry Blossom Viscount 0]

The problem with that promo is that it doesn't fit into the current storyline.

 

It fits perfectly. The point of the story right now is that Austin is GM and Jericho wants him out. Every decision Austin makes enrages Jericho even more than the last one he made. This was the final straw. Now, Jericho finally has a chance to totally explain himself and his motives, which go a little deeper than getting a couple of stunners.

 

Chris Jericho is not after a title shot, he just wants Austin out of power. That's his motivation. So, bringing the HHH/Goldberg situation into play makes no sense and muddles up the storyline.

 

No, it doesn't. It explains *why* Jericho wants Austin fired.

 

Plus, you want the announcers and Austin to basically break character to sell that spiel.

 

There would be no breaking of character. This is NOT a shoot! JR's disbelief is that someone stood up to Austin like that, not that "this isn't part of the show". Austin's disbelief is that he realizes some of these things are true and doesn't know what to say in response.

 

What mark is going to believe Austin would sit there and take that from Jericho?

 

The ones that have been told that Austin can't attack everyone at will without being provoked.

 

There's no build-up there to either of those character changes; Jericho suddenly getting balls, and Austin gettng his cut off.

 

It's a key point in taking the story somewhere instead of just repeating the same scenario every week. It's not a character change, it's an explanation of relatable heel motive, which we almost never get from WWE.

 

Also, you made a mistake by having Jericho mention the RVD's and Bookers. Why? they are faces. One of which Jericho beat down and another of which he goes against on a regular basis. Jericho barely cuts the heels any slack, so why would he speak for the betterment of those who do not share his ideals?

 

As I said, the point of that is for Jericho to plant dissension in Team Austin. Booker and RVD are sacrificing themselves for Austin's cause here, but what has he done for either of them since becoming GM? This would be followed up with Jericho approaching them backstage and going into more detail.

 

You wrote that promo without thinking; just for the sake of Jericho getting over.

 

No, I didn't. I wrote that promo because it gives the story more depth. The storyline is on the verge of really having something, but it has to get a boost and needs some inciting incident either in making Jericho even more of a whiny bitch and Austin more of a rogue, fan-loving GM, or it needsd a purpose to build for the future. I simply chose the latter.

The promo still does not fit into the storyline. Bascially, you're just taking your run of the mill, "You're holding us young guys down, WAH!" storyline and wrapping it up in a shiny package. At the heart of the story, you still have the Old Guard vs. New Guard situation.

 

Also, Austin's character, as stale as it is, would NOT let someone talk down to him like that. It would kill his heat because it's SOOOOO easy to respond to a promo like that. The marks know that. All it would take is Austin saying,

 

"Well Jericho, maybe the reason you're stuck in a rut, WHAT, I said maybe the reason you're stuck in a damn rut is because you're a sorry son of a bitch. I'm the guy in charge, WHAT, I said I'm the guy in charge here, and I'll keep your sorry ass out of the title picture as long as I damn well please. So take your whining ass to the back unless you have the balls to provoke me so I can whip your ass. Talk is cheap ya long haired bastard. And that's the bottom line 'cause Stone Cold said so!"

 

"BAH GOD! STONE COLD JUST LAID A VERBAL ASSKICKING TO THE ARROGANT, EGOMANCAL CHRIS JERICHO!!!!!!"

 

See, how easy that was? So, why is it believable, AT ALL, for Stone Cold and JR to be silent after Jericho's promo. No one would buy that. And like I said before, it is NOT in Jericho's character to support others unless it's going to benefit him, especially not his arch rivals on the other side of the spectrum. He can get rid of Austin without having to give lip service to RVD and Booker, so why should take a calculated risk to form dissention on the other side when you they most likely won't trust Jericho anyway?

[Guest Loss]

I don't know what you expect out of storylines. There are only a few basic stories that can be told anyway. The goal is to repeat them with fresh faces and more relevant actions. Trying to make every single idea an original one leads to writing that is a little too creative, and we saw what happened when Vince Russo took that approach.

 

Wrestling is about context, not content. "You're holding us down, waaaa!" obviously wouldn't work, but "You're insecure and past your prime and because of this, you're abusing your power and making my life a living hell because you're jealous that I can still go and you can't" is a workable story.

 

And yeah, it's easy to bring it down. It's always easy to bring anything down. My thinking was actually to do an Austin rebuttal the next week explaining his side, starting off suggestingg that maybe Jericho made some good points and then slipping into a tirade like the one you just wrote.

 

Austin saves face, but at least sells the immediate affect of the promo, but both sides of the story are clearly established by two of the few on RAW who actually know how to talk.

 

The Booker/RVD story gives added suspense to a build that needs everything it can get. I wouldn't even turn Booker or RVD, but you at least have two ready made storylines after the match when they realize Jericho was just in their heads to screw with Team Austin.

 

I'm asking only because I'm curious -- what would *you* suggest as a better way to handle the feud?

[Spaceman Spiff 0]

Also, Austin's character, as stale as it is, would NOT let someone talk down to him like that. It would kill his heat because it's SOOOOO easy to respond to a promo like that.

You could have Jericho do the promo alone in the ring. Or invent a reason why Austin couldn't interrupt Jericho (i.e. Bischoff obtained a temporary gag order from the Board of Directors for the duration of Jericho's promo). That may be stretching the bounds of reality a bit, but enables Jericho to deliver the entire promo in front of Austin, while getting Austin's reactions first-hand. Then, later, have Terri interview a visibly shaken Austin backstage, who doesn't quite know how to react or what to say. Austin can barely find words, and just walks away (JR: "I've never seen Austin like this before.")

 

And, really, 1 promo like that is going to kill Austin's heat? Highly unlikely.

 

And like I said before, it is NOT in Jericho's character to support others unless it's going to benefit him, especially not his arch rivals on the other side of the spectrum. He can get rid of Austin without having to give lip service to RVD and Booker, so why should take a calculated risk to form dissention on the other side when you they most likely won't trust Jericho anyway?

Jericho wouldn't be supporting them, he's merely planting seeds of doubt in their heads. If the face team can't function cohesively, it makes it easier for Jericho & his team to win. Jericho can mention Austin beating up an injured man (Test) and a woman for not drinking beer (Stacy), and plant seeds of doubt in their heads ("imagine what he'll do if you let him down at the PPV").

[Cherry Blossom Viscount 0]

I'm asking only because I'm curious -- what would *you* suggest as a better way to handle the feud?

What would I do? Glad you asked?

 

First, I'd have Jericho's team lose. That way Austin can do as he wants and smack people around. That opens up a few possbilities. With Austin being able to do as he wishes and open cans of "whupass" at will, Jericho would begin forming an Alliance with some of the main heels, notably Christian (always an ally) and possibly Batista, since they seem to be pushing this guy to have a go at Austin.

 

Anytime Austin beats up on a heel, these three could come out and attack him, or sneak attack him later. This would draw heat as the marks want Austin to be this badass, but when it leads to three-on-one beat downs by the same guys and possibly Steiner with his "lead pipe," it will become maddening.

 

While all of this is going on, Jericho will begin to manipulate Stratus into a tweener type position. Face in the women's division, but heel as she is falling for Jericho. One RAW, Bastista could be handling Evolution business and Chirstian could be otherwise busy leaving Jericho alone. Austin calls Jericho out and they battle with promos before Austin prepares to attack him. Stratus runs down and Austin smacks her bringing out Lita to save her friend, she is stunnered as well. I mean, why not? Austin can do no wrong as a face, and it has a MINOR justfication.

 

Jericho uses this to his advantage and takes the evidence to Bischoff and who then takes it to the famed "Board of Directors." They are apalled, but not enough to fire Austin, but enough to send him away from the bulk of the women who they feel he is a threat to. Jericho gets over HUGE as a heel and he has a Hi-Lite reel with Austin and Austin attacks him but then of course Christian, Batista, and possibly Stienr attack him and drag him off of the show.

 

There, you get Jericho over in the context of the storyline and Austin can do his thing on Smackdown. Maybe as a turned heel because of his demons catching up with him.

[Fökai 0]

Are you referring to the episode of RAW where Austin beat the hell out of Kane for a good long while before Kane mounted anything resembling offense?

Kane no-sold ALL of Austin's offense (which last around a minute), including the chair shots, irish whip into the steel post, steel steps and the stunner.

 

That was the week after Kane's big monster heel push began, and I think that took a lot of steam out of it, although that's nothing compared to the Shane feud, which has killed any momentum he had for this new monster heel.

 

It was actually two weeks after Kane had unmasked.

 

...and it took steam out of Kane's push? How in the hell would that happen? Kane no-sold EVERYTHING that the supposed "top RAW face" could throw at him, chokeslamming him to end the show. Austin did NOT retaliate against Kane the next week, where he was helpless against Kane lighting his best friend Jim Ross on fire in a backstage promo.

 

The three weeks of build-up, starting from his chokeslam of Austin on 07/07 and culminating with Kane tombstoning Linda on the entrance ramp on 07/21, was the three major weeks of Kane's push.

 

On 07/28, Shane McMahon made his return to RAW.

[Bruiser Chong 0]

I thought it took steam out of Kane's push. He didn't sell the offense and rightfully so, but Austin shouldn't have been able to get in all that offense. Kane made the first attack, which lasted a heartbeat and Austin then proceeded to beat the hell out of Kane for good amount of time (longer than a minute and even a minute is a long while when the offense is heavy like Austin's was). I don't think it took all the steam out of his push, but his second week as a heel shouldn't have seen him just barely escaping Austin's wrath.

[Toxxic 0]

Stratus runs down and Austin smacks her bringing out Lita to save her friend, she is stunnered as well. I mean, why not? Austin can do no wrong as a face, and it has a MINOR justfication.

Why not? I'm still amazed that Austin got away with stunning Stacy. For one thing, he wasn't provoked. Secondly, he attacked a woman for not drinking beer (alcohol-fuelled domestic violence, anyone? You know, like Austin was charged with in RL?). Thirdly, Stacy "mended her ways" the next week after Austin's attack (condoning it). Fourthly, ANYONE who attacks or badmouths the owner of Stacy Keibler's legs normally gets booed to hell.

 

Austin cannot stunner anymore women if they're to keep him an evenly remotely credible face. I don't care what the fans at the show cheer for - I'm thinking that WWE would get in severe trouble if Austin lays a finger on another woman anytime soon.

[Guest BionicRedneck]

I thought it took steam out of Kane's push. He didn't sell the offense and rightfully so, but Austin shouldn't have been able to get in all that offense. Kane made the first attack, which lasted a heartbeat and Austin then proceeded to beat the hell out of Kane for good amount of time (longer than a minute and even a minute is a long while when the offense is heavy like Austin's was). I don't think it took all the steam out of his push, but his second week as a heel shouldn't have seen him just barely escaping Austin's wrath.

I think the WWE was trying to put Kane over big by doing that. Rather than having Kane jump Austin and beat his ass, they had Austin hit some big stuff on Kane and had him no-sell it all. Wether or not it worked as well as they wanted, I don't know.

 

But, IMO, it didn't hurt Kane as he was still a monster pretty much until he ran into good 'ol Shane.

[Guest Deviant]

WWE Writer: "Damn, how did they get this script of next week's Raw? Oh well, we can't use it now. Let's just have Austin stun 5 people and drink beer, that'll work."

[Guest JMA]

In the STORYLINE, Austin is hypocritical and plays favorites. He attacks people for little or no reason and trys to screw over people he doesn't like. And JR DOES condone Austin's actions by getting less upset when he does them. People like Coach, Jericho, and Christian do have legitimate STORYLINE complaints against Austin.