Benoit sabotages his own push with a horrid promo

[Cherry Blossom Viscount 0]

And don't forget HHH on January 7th 2002. Oh, and Hulk Hogan like every night in 2002.

[The Ghost of bps21 0]

Good.

 

Now when's the last time one of them got a standing ovation without buildup, constant pushing as a top guy and as much mic time as they want?

[Guest THE MIGHTY THOR]

And Benoit at RR 2003.

[Guest wildpegasus]

Benoit at Smackdown vs Lesnar after the cameras stopped rolling. Benoit also got several other standing ovations throughout the year.

[Guest THE MIGHTY THOR]

RVD also got a standing ovation for his ladder match with Christian for the IC belt and Eddy got one too after he defeated Edge in a streetfight match at SD in 2002.

[The Ghost of bps21 0]

Benoit got one the SD! after that Rumble ovation after beating Albert.

[Guest Goodear]

Good.

 

Now when's the last time one of them got a standing ovation without buildup, constant pushing as a top guy and as much mic time as they want?

What the shit? Ok, its been a while since the last time the three RETIRED guys got standing ovations. Thats a stinging commentary there BPS. STINGING. Next you'll be telling me that Benoit got more standing ovations than Lou Thez the last year too. You know if we're handing out pushes and such based on standing ovations I think Hulk Hogan would still be champion since he brought the house down everytime he showed up for 10 minutes without doing anything. Oh wait, he wasn't a draw either by that point.

 

Things I learned today:

 

Benoit's promo didn't bomb in front of a rather quiet crowd, people were just listening intently.

 

Rock, Austin and Foley... not that popular. Nope. Not enough standing ovations since they retired. Plus they talked too much.

 

Microphone skills don't matter despite all appearances to the contrary since the 80s.

[Guest Dynamite Kido]

Benoit has proved that promo's don't matter. Hell, the guy never talks and he is one person that most wrestling fans actually give a shit about.

[King Cucaracha 0]

Good.

 

Now when's the last time one of them got a standing ovation without buildup, constant pushing as a top guy and as much mic time as they want?

Hogan when he returned to Smackdown...which was like Benoit stand O, only Hogan only had to show his face...and it was both twice as long and loud as Benoit's. If we're keeping score.

 

Also, count the number of standing ovations this year alone...let alone last year, on the indy circuit. Add together all the times the 'indy applause stance' has been used, because that counts as a standing O in my eyes, seeing as they stand and give the guys an ovation.

 

If you want, add all the ECW standing O's ober the years. Maybe Malenko and Eddie's, which was monumental.

 

Standing Os aren't cause to give someone the belt. It's a reason for someone to get a push, because they're respected. But the belt needs to be held by someone who can talk the talk as well as walk the walk...it always has been, it always will be. Look at the list of WWF champions since, say 85, when sports entertainment arrived...which is what the WWE is now. Name one who couldn't cut consitently good promos.

 

Kane, Yoko and Taker are the nearest...and they all had managers to carry the burden.

 

Benoit needs a solid character he can carry, in and out of matches.

[bobobrazil1984 0]

It wasnt the best promo, and the fact is Benoit isn't a great promo guy. This is well known. Vince knows this.

 

Now, if we have competant bookers, they can book to his strengths. Which is a) his work, and b) the whole determination angle.

 

Also, I would have Benoit be a silent but violent killer type. I dont mean beatdowns, but I'm talking like 97 Austin type (minus the great promos). the type of guy who would beat Batista's ass, then hijack the ambulance and maim him in the back. or the type of person who would come out during a crappy Coach/Lawler segment and headbutt them both to hell, and give that vicious toothy grin he used to do after every beatdown. They can counter the heelish vibe by setting up situations wehre he's outnumbered, etc so his viciousness will sorta be justified.

 

Of course to pull it off you need bookers/writers who don't suck. It was what I was afraid of when the Benoit push began: Standard Booking. It was why I never got too excited to begin with when i heard benoit was getting psuhed.

 

It was the same problem I had last year with Booker/HHH and ANgle/Lesner for Wm19. Everything was booked completely by the numbers and through formula.

 

If the writers/bookers are serious about a Benoit push, they have to Work At It. He is not teh Rock, or Austin, or HBK, or even HHH. Yes he was the least over in that ring last night, and that's not necessarily a knock. As far as I'm concerned it was his First Night as a true Main Eventer. Remember Brock Lesner back when he won KOTR? Remember all the bitching about his lack of heat? Lets not even comment on Orton right now... remember 1999 HHH around Summerslam when he first became a main eventer? They built them up, you cant expect a Rock and Austin every time*. The key here is how do they follow this up? Benoit obviously has the ring skills so its not like he's gonna be "exposed" in matches like some other people, so at this point its all about presentation. Benoit was presented as the same level as HBK and HHH. It'll take time, but this is very eerily similar to HHH in 1999. You need to continue presenting him at that level, booking him strong and to his strengths. Benoit has a good amount of support already so its not really an uphill battle, as long as Vince doesn't get cold feet, Benoit will be fine.

It's harder when the guy isn't a good promo guy, no doubt, but it can be done. I can think of half a dozen ways in a minute. They have access to tons of WCW and I presume ECW footage. Someone with a little bit of creativity and vision could put together a 4 minute video on Benoit that would have the audience in frikken tears if they wanted to that would make him a true star. But they wont.

 

Here's something else, since Benoit isn't a great promo guy, why would you script these Standard Promos for him!? Why not let Benoit say overly outrageous things like "HHH I'll make you tap like a little bitch!"?? "I wont just beat you, I'll break your goddamn neck!" but again, that veers out of Standard Booking and Standard Promos, so it would never happen

 

But I'll tell you exactly what's going to happen.

 

In one or two weeks, HBK v HHH on RAW. Benoit will sit at the commentator's table. HHH wins, Benoit stands up and they stare at each other.

The next week, Benoit comes out alone, cuts a so-so promo that just goes through the cliches, no doubt involving a "I respect your accomplishments HHH" and the phrase "I'm gonna kick your ass"

The next week, Evolution beats down Benoit. The next week Benoit fights Flair or Batista, is about to win, Evolution causes a DQ but benoit fights them off, then the final week HHH pedigrees Benoit to pin him a tag match.

Completely Standard Booking.

[Austin3164life 0]

All I have to say is that I'm glad a guy like Benoit is getting pushed, because the era of talktalktalktalk is getting extremely lame, and it's nice to see a no-nonsense individual rise to the top. It also almost gives homage to the great wrestlers of the past (Thesz, Sammartino, etc.).

[bobobrazil1984 0]

All I have to say is that I'm glad a guy like Benoit is getting pushed, because the era of talktalktalktalk is getting extremely lame, and it's nice to see a no-nonsense individual rise to the top. It also almost gives homage to the great wrestlers of the past (Thesz, Sammartino, etc.).

The problem is they're not really going to BOOK HIM THAT WAY! Oh they sort of will, in a strange half assed way, but Not Really.

[Guest The Winter Of My Discontent]

Whether anyone wants to afce it or not, benoit's re-appearence on RAW bombed. He got a pop to start out with, a 10 second chant, then SILENCE. Complete SILENCE. Like, a pin dropping silence. He can't cut promos, he doesn't have the look of a champion, and no one can find a connection with him. He's so quiet and seemingly introverted that the fans quickly lose any itnerest in him when he isn't wrestling. How underwheling was his announcement that he was going after the RAW championship? It was embarrassing. Benoit had a lot of work to get over, and unfortunately, he'll ultimately fail. Partially because of Triple H and the WWE booking machine - but also because he just doesn't have "it" to be a "WWE" Champion. He's been given the ball before and the people just don't react to him. Its something we're all gonna have to accept.

[Hektik 0]

It was embarrassing.  Benoit had a lot of work to get over, and unfortunately, he'll ultimately fail.  Partially because of Triple H and the WWE booking machine - but also because he just doesn't have "it" to be a "WWE" Champion.  He's been given the ball before and the people just don't react to him.  Its something we're all gonna have to accept.

So just because he does not get an Austin size pop he should not be a main eventer. That is just wrong to think that way. How long did it take Triple H to get over. It took many months and having to beat Foley 3 times in a row. Many people are saying he does not have it and he will not draw. You do not know that. He has never been given a chance. Many people critisize the smarks for not giving Randy Orton a chance yet Anti Smarks will not give Benoit a chance.

[Guest The Winter Of My Discontent]

It was embarrassing.  Benoit had a lot of work to get over, and unfortunately, he'll ultimately fail.  Partially because of Triple H and the WWE booking machine - but also because he just doesn't have "it" to be a "WWE" Champion.  He's been given the ball before and the people just don't react to him.  Its something we're all gonna have to accept.

So just because he does not get an Austin size pop he should not be a main eventer. That is just wrong to think that way. How long did it take Triple H to get over. It took many months and having to beat Foley 3 times in a row. Many people are saying he does not have it and he will not draw. You do not know that. He has never been given a chance. Many people critisize the smarks for not giving Randy Orton a chance yet Anti Smarks will not give Benoit a chance.

Benoit was given the chance in 2000 and 2001. He got big pops in Canada and NOWHERE else. He was given a major position in WCW in '99 and 2000 - and again, he didn't cut it. Unfortunately, one who is getting pushed, has to get major pops unless they are an elaborate work in progress like Lesnar, Triple H, and Orton. But at 36 or 37, Benoit isn't a work in progress. This is his last chance, and its not looking good. RVD would be a much more "logical" choice for a major push at this stage in the game. He gets "mad pops" whenever he's out there. Benoit? Bah. Wrestling isn't a problem for him, people pop for that. But everything else is a total bust...and whether anyone wants to believe it or not, champions need charisma outside of wrestling. They need to connect with the fans. Even old school champions from 30-40 years ago needed to do this. Even as a heel, no one gives Benoit a reaction because they don't have any incentive. He creates a feeling of ambivilence or indifference. He's just "there".

[Highland 0]

I hate to say this, but I'm inclined to agree with 'Trane about Benoit. At least partly. Benoit's lack of mic skills is a liability and it might be enough for Vince to drop the ball with him. As was suggested before, they need to let him get rid of the cue cards and just be as intense as possible in his interviews: a cold, calm individual, but you can feel the burning rage just waiting to erupt at any moment, waiting to just snap and put someone, anyone, in the crossface.

[Hektik 0]

It was embarrassing.  Benoit had a lot of work to get over, and unfortunately, he'll ultimately fail.  Partially because of Triple H and the WWE booking machine - but also because he just doesn't have "it" to be a "WWE" Champion.  He's been given the ball before and the people just don't react to him.  Its something we're all gonna have to accept.

So just because he does not get an Austin size pop he should not be a main eventer. That is just wrong to think that way. How long did it take Triple H to get over. It took many months and having to beat Foley 3 times in a row. Many people are saying he does not have it and he will not draw. You do not know that. He has never been given a chance. Many people critisize the smarks for not giving Randy Orton a chance yet Anti Smarks will not give Benoit a chance.

Benoit was given the chance in 2000 and 2001. He got big pops in Canada and NOWHERE else. He was given a major position in WCW in '99 and 2000 - and again, he didn't cut it. Unfortunately, one who is getting pushed, has to get major pops unless they are an elaborate work in progress like Lesnar, Triple H, and Orton. But at 36 or 37, Benoit isn't a work in progress. This is his last chance, and its not looking good. RVD would be a much more "logical" choice for a major push at this stage in the game. He gets "mad pops" whenever he's out there. Benoit? Bah. Wrestling isn't a problem for him, people pop for that. But everything else is a total bust...and whether anyone wants to believe it or not, champions need charisma outside of wrestling. They need to connect with the fans. Even old school champions from 30-40 years ago needed to do this. Even as a heel, no one gives Benoit a reaction because they don't have any incentive. He creates a feeling of ambivilence or indifference. He's just "there".

In WCW He main evented 1 PPV with Sid. In WWE 2000 Benoit, Jericho, and Angle all lost to the old guard HHH, Undertaker, and Rock. In 2001 he was out for a year. They bothched his return and has been stuck in the mid card ever since. Even after bad treatment from the WWE Benoit still gets high ratings for a mid carder. His numbers are very close to main eventers. Give this push some time and he will start to be looked at as a main eventer. Marks for the most part will cheer for however you want them to, you just have to book them person properly. I am confident that Benoit will get a huge pop fronm the New York audience at Wrestlemania.

[Jesse Badass 0]

Cena vs. HHH? I don't think I would want to see that match at wrestlemaniaXX.

[Brett Favre 0]

He definately will. We have tons of smarks here in New York, and I believe Benoit gets great crowd pops in New York.