The absence of the second half transitional champ

[The Ghost of bps21 0]

The WWE had a weird thing going on for a few years where they would put the World title (back when there was only the one) on a NEW (someone who had never won a World title before) person sometime between SummerSlam and the end of the year. If we look back:

 

1998: Rock/Mankind (November)

1999: HHH (August)

2000: Angle (October)

2001: Jericho (December, or October if you count the WCW title)

2002: Brock Lesnar (August)

 

With only the RAW ppv left...it looks like there won't be an elevation on the Smackdown side...and Kane wouldn't be a new champion even if he did beat Goldberg on the Raw side.

 

What disturbs me is this:

 

1. Look at the names on that list. They all (except Mankind who is retired) are STILL the top guys that WWE turns to to carry their shows. And yet...this year there won't be a new champion.

 

2. There are TWO friggin titles, and neither could find their way onto someone new?

 

 

Anyway...I've always found it interesting that someone gets their first shot with the gold by this time of year. And I find it even more interesting, or sad, that this year there will not be an elevation to the top.

[haVoc 0]

Well, there is that rumored Brock/Bob Holly title match sometime in the next month on Smackdown.

 

[TheFranchise 0]

Well, there is that rumored Brock/Bob Holly title match sometime in the next month on Smackdown.

 

I dont like you.

 

You're.... mean.

[Guest Goodear]

There's point in putting the belt on someone new if they aren't ready... and nobody that hasn't held a World Title is ready.

[The Ghost of bps21 0]

There's point in putting the belt on someone new if they aren't ready... and nobody that hasn't held a World Title is ready.

And who's fault is that?

 

That was my point. The post wasn't to say "Put it on someone new just because"...it was to say "Why don't they book new people into top positions?"

[USC Wuz Robbed! 0]

Maybe not this year, but maybe at Rumble we will see either Benoit or Cena wear the strap.

[Guest Dynamite Kido]

why don't they just build up Mark Henry and put it on him? That would be awesome!!!!!

 

[/sarcasm]

[Guest Fook]

They could be waiting for WM to put the title on someone new.

 

It's happened a few times before where someone new to the main event wins their first title at WM by defeating an established star.

 

HBK, Austin, and Lesnar immediately spring to mind. You could probably add Taker to that list, even though WM13 was his second title win, since his first was only a one week reign.

[Guest NCJ]

They have booked most of the proposed new stars to shit other than Cena. So many guys who have the potential to be the top man were either buried in the begining of the year, injured and just getting back into their character, or currently in the begining stages of a midcard fued. The only guys who haven't worn the belt and are being built as credible challengers soon are Benoit and Cena.

[Guest Goodear]

And who's fault is that?

 

That was my point. The post wasn't to say "Put it on someone new just because"...it was to say "Why don't they book new people into top positions?"

Because then they would have to de-push the people they already have up there and its not worth de-pushing Brock to get ... I dunno... Shelton Benjamin in that spot at the moment. You can't just 'make' someone a World Champion (at least this is what people keep saying about Randy Orton). There has to be someone on the cusp that requires just a little nudge in that direction to be considered a profitable Champion. And although there will probably not be one made in the next couple of months, you can tell that Cena is stepping up and Kane is gearing up again (and only held the belt before for like two days so if you aren't going to count him, you shouldn't count Benoit either).

[Guest Goodear]

DOUBLE POST OHHHHH NOOOOOOO!

[dubq 0]

With only the RAW ppv left...it looks like there won't be an elevation on the Smackdown side...and Kane wouldn't be a new champion even if he did beat Goldberg on the Raw side.

Technically, he would be. Kane only held the WWE/F title, and even then it was only for 24 hours before Austin won it back from him. He's never held the World/WCW title...

[SamoaRowe 0]

With only the RAW ppv left...it looks like there won't be an elevation on the Smackdown side...and Kane wouldn't be a new champion even if he did beat Goldberg on the Raw side.

Technically, he would be. Kane only held the WWE/F title, and even then it was only for 24 hours before Austin won it back from him. He's never held the World/WCW title...

I refuse to consider the current Raw title the old WCW title. In my eyes, the only people who have held that "World Heaveyweight" title have been Triple H, Shawn Michaels, and Goldberg.

[Guest TheZsaszHorsemen]

For the first time, they seem really committed to making Cena a top guy. Maybe you'll get your champ after all.

[USC Wuz Robbed! 0]

As much as I like Cena, I can't see him wearing the WWE title... I just can't.

[Guest TheZsaszHorsemen]

As much as I like Cena, I can't see him wearing the WWE title... I just can't.

Did you see No Mercy this year? He outpopped Angle. I'm sorry, but after that and his performance at SurSer this year, if you can't see him with the title you need a new oculist

[USC Wuz Robbed! 0]

I know he is mad over, but I mean in terms of him CARRYING the title, I mean yes, I think he could be a great champion. I'm talking about the belt itself... I just can't see him carrying the belt.

[Guest TheZsaszHorsemen]

I know he is mad over, but I mean in terms of him CARRYING the title, I mean yes, I think he could be a great champion. I'm talking about the belt itself... I just can't see him carrying the belt.

He's a pretty strong guy dude... I'm sure he can lift the belt.

[haVoc 0]

LOL

 

You'll get use to it. Triple H, Angle and Brock all looked weird with the title belt at first.

[Lord of The Curry 0]

As much as I like Cena, I can't see him wearing the WWE title... I just can't.

Did you see No Mercy this year? He outpopped Angle. I'm sorry, but after that and his performance at SurSer this year, if you can't see him with the title you need a new oculist

Oh yes, can't forget how important out-popping Angle is, that MUST mean that he's ready for the top spot.

 

If that's the best argument you can come up with for John Cena wearing the belt, you need to go back to the drawing board.

[Guest TheZsaszHorsemen]

As much as I like Cena, I can't see him wearing the WWE title... I just can't.

Did you see No Mercy this year? He outpopped Angle. I'm sorry, but after that and his performance at SurSer this year, if you can't see him with the title you need a new oculist

Oh yes, can't forget how important out-popping Angle is, that MUST mean that he's ready for the top spot.

 

If that's the best argument you can come up with for John Cena wearing the belt, you need to go back to the drawing board.

I'd say outpopping the top face for the last three months is a pretty good indication that you're upper midcard heel is ready for the next level. Now they have him face-turned and in a program with Vince.

 

He's one of the top 5 mic workers in the world, and arguably the best on SmackDown. He's FAR MORE popular than the guy they have going after Lesnar now. His in-ring work is basic but acceptable. The crowds are solidly behind him for the past few months.

 

He's ready.

[Lord of The Curry 0]

I love how low the standards of wrestling fans have gotten that it's now to the point where "basic" in-ring skills are enough to get somebody by as a champ.

 

Oooooh, Cena raps and Benoit doesn't. Just keep bringing up these gem arguments, it makes my job a lot easier.

 

When Cena can work a crowd IN THE RING as well as Benoit can and can perform at the level of Benoit, get back to me. Until then, put Cena over Show for the US Title and let him run with it.

[USC Wuz Robbed! 0]

And Cena needs a better finisher. The Death Valley Driver variation he does isn't impressing anyone. "Oh my god! He FUed the Big Show!" Guess what? Nash has powerbombed Big Show, Lesnar has F-5ed him. Angle has Angle Slammed him. The novelty of doing over the shoulder finishers on Big Show has worn off to me anyways.

[CanadianChick 0]

The move itself isn't too impressive, but I don't care what you say, Cena FU'ing Big Show is damn impressive.

[Guest TheZsaszHorsemen]

I love how low the standards of wrestling fans have gotten that it's now to the point where "basic" in-ring skills are enough to get somebody by as a champ.

 

Oooooh, Cena raps and Benoit doesn't. Just keep bringing up these gem arguments, it makes my job a lot easier.

 

When Cena can work a crowd IN THE RING as well as Benoit can and can perform at the level of Benoit, get back to me. Until then, put Cena over Show for the US Title and let him run with it.

Number 1 requirement to be Champ is DRAW MONEY.

 

Hogan was no technician, but it doesn't matter. Inoki was never as great as some of his peers for that matter either.

[2GOLD 0]

I'm really confused here....

 

Was Kurt Angle ready the first time? Hell no

Was Brock Lesnar ready the first time? Screw that, silence was the main sound heard for him at the time.

 

They took a chance with both Lesnar and Angle and it paid off.

 

If not Cena then Crippler. You can't keep passing the belt back and forth while these guys who are over become stale. They either have to move them up or face the facts they never will. Case in point, RVD. They missed the chance to make him a world champ a long time ago. Same with Booker T (still the biggest slap in the face by the WWE).

 

About the only guy who has constantly been able to recover from this "he's not ready" stance is Jericho and that's just because the guy has charisma rivaled only by The Rock. And even HE isn't allowed to elevate to World champion again.

[USC Wuz Robbed! 0]

Not as long as HHH dictates who is allowed and who isn't.

[Lil' Bitch 0]

There's point in putting the belt on someone new if they aren't ready... and nobody that hasn't held a World Title is ready.

 

Stop it, Paul.

[2GOLD 0]

Well, let us all look on the bright side.

 

It didn't go to Shane.

 

......

 

Oh crap, I shouldn't have opened my mouth.

[USC Wuz Robbed! 0]

Shane will get the title someday. Look at it... only Linda is titleless. Stephanie was the women's champion, Vince was the WWF champion, HHH... we all know his history, and Shane was the European and Hardcore champion. I think Shane will want to be a grand slam champion...