JoeDirt 0 Report post Posted March 30, 2004 From WO newsletter via 411. - Rob Van Dam: RVD isn't expected to move up the ladder on Smackdown. With The Undertaker, Eddie Guerrero, John Cena, and Rey Mysterio, there isn't room right now for anything above a mid-card face, which is what RVD is expected to be. WWE had been planning to move RVD to Smackdown for awhile now. He may end up feuding with Booker T. - Rene Dupree: Dupree will likely go back to a variation of his "French Phenmom" gimmick from OVW. He is also expected to feud with John Cena for awhile. - Spike Dudley: He will be the new Cruiserweight fall guy. - The Dudley Boys: The Dudleys are expected to eventually turn heel, replacing Shelton Benjamin and Charlie Haas as the top heel tag team. This sets up potential programs with face teams like RVD & Booker T (if they are paired again) and Scotty 2 Hotty & Rikishi. - Teddy Long: Will likely manage Mark Jindrak. - Booker T: For now, he will be used as a upper level heel which is what Smackdown needs. Look for him to work programs with all the top faces such as The Undertaker, John Cena, Eddie Guerrero, and Rob Van Dam. He may also go back to teaming with RVD at some point. - Rico & Jackie Gayda: Rice isn't expected to get any sort of push following his move. The main reason for this move was so that Smackdown can use Jackie in their bikini contests and such. ================================================ - Shelton Benjamin: It is somewhat of a question what they will do with Benjamin, as well as Charlie Haas. Benjamin may team up with Garrison Cade who also does not have a partner now. RAW's tag division is very weak with the loss of the Dudley Boys and Booker T & RVD. - Nidia: She will be used as a wrestler in the women's division. She will fill the spot left by Trish Stratus who will be serving as Christian's manager for awhile. - Chuck Palumbo: WWE has hopes for him due to his solid physique and height. WWE has been planning to break him away from FBI for awhile now. - A-Train: He will likely get another big push on RAW to take advantage of fresh matches with guys like Shawn Michaels and Chris Jericho. He may also end up being teamed with Chuck Palumbo. - Edge: Is expected to get a HUGE push and may even be put over by Triple H due to the lack of other main eventers for Triple H to work with once he wins the World Title back. - Tajiri: Being taken out of the Cruiserweight division will hurt him. WWE may throw him in a comedy tag team with Lance Storm or Matt Hardy. - Rhyno: It isn't expected that he will have a better role on RAW than he did on Smackdown. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kurt Angle Mark 0 Report post Posted March 30, 2004 All this from the wrestling observer newsletter via 411mania.com. It looks like even Meltzer had no idea they were going to give Shelton such a push New Raw Wrestlers: - Shelton Benjamin: It is somewhat of a question what they will do with Benjamin, as well as Charlie Haas. Benjamin may team up with Garrison Cade who also does not have a partner now. RAW's tag division is very weak with the loss of the Dudley Boys and Booker T & RVD. - Nidia: She will be used as a wrestler in the women's division. She will fill the spot left by Trish Stratus who will be serving as Christian's manager for awhile. - Chuck Palumbo: WWE has hopes for him due to his solid physique and height. WWE has been planning to break him away from FBI for awhile now. - A-Train: He will likely get another big push on RAW to take advantage of fresh matches with guys like Shawn Michaels and Chris Jericho. He may also end up being teamed with Chuck Palumbo. - Edge: Is expected to get a HUGE push and may even be put over by Triple H due to the lack of other main eventers for Triple H to work with once he wins the World Title back. - Tajiri: Being taken out of the Cruiserweight division will hurt him. WWE may throw him in a comedy tag team with Lance Storm or Matt Hardy. - Rhyno: It isn't expected that he will have a better role on RAW than he did on Smackdown. New Smackdown Wrestlers: - Rob Van Dam: RVD isn't expected to move up the ladder on Smackdown. With The Undertaker, Eddie Guerrero, John Cena, and Rey Mysterio, there isn't room right now for anything above a mid-card face, which is what RVD is expected to be. WWE had been planning to move RVD to Smackdown for awhile now. He may end up feuding with Booker T. - Rene Dupree: Dupree will likely go back to a variation of his "French Phenmom" gimmick from OVW. He is also expected to feud with John Cena for awhile. - Spike Dudley: He will be the new Cruiserweight fall guy. - The Dudley Boys: The Dudleys are expected to eventually turn heel, replacing Shelton Benjamin and Charlie Haas as the top heel tag team. This sets up potential programs with face teams like RVD & Booker T (if they are paired again) and Scotty 2 Hotty & Rikishi. - Teddy Long: Will likely manage Mark Jindrak. - Booker T: For now, he will be used as a upper level heel which is what Smackdown needs. Look for him to work programs with all the top faces such as The Undertaker, John Cena, Eddie Guerrero, and Rob Van Dam. He may also go back to teaming with RVD at some point. - Rico & Jackie Gayda: Rice isn't expected to get any sort of push following his move. The main reason for this move was so that Smackdown can use Jackie in their bikini contests and such. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kurt Angle Mark 0 Report post Posted March 30, 2004 Damn, beat me to it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JoeDirt 0 Report post Posted March 30, 2004 Funny they say Benjamin might team with Garrison Cade... Doesn't look like it after tonight. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lil' Bitch 0 Report post Posted March 30, 2004 RVD isn't expected to move up the ladder on Smackdown. Rico isn't expected to get any sort of push following his move. FUCK!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Ghost of bps21 0 Report post Posted March 30, 2004 At least it's better than RVD on RAW...where he was kept in the midcard and you couldn't name 4 faces that had better spots than he did. That's the HHH factor. Or at least it was until recently apparently. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Mulatto Heat Report post Posted March 30, 2004 Rob Van Dam: RVD isn't expected to move up the ladder on Smackdown. Can't say I'm surprised, even though for a year his fans have been saying that a move to Smackdown would be the BEST THING EVER~! for him since he's close to his dear old friend Paul E. who makes everything better with his Midas Touch. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Ghost of bps21 0 Report post Posted March 30, 2004 They can't push him right now. They can't push him until he signs a new contract. His contract runs out in 3 months. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Mulatto Heat Report post Posted March 30, 2004 Two things: 1) Is there anything preventing him from signing a new contract today? and 2) From what this news item is saying, the contract issue isn't the reason for the non-push, it is because of the abundance of faces already established on the SD roster, none of whom should and probably won't be turned in the near future. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Ghost of bps21 0 Report post Posted March 30, 2004 Other than there being no reason to sign him now...no. WCW isn't around for anyone to jump to. And the only way RVD doesn't come back is if he just doesn't want to. And it wouldn't matter when they approach him. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JoeDirt 0 Report post Posted March 30, 2004 See, this is where the shades of gray should come in. RVD could align with Heyman when he returned and be more heelish, but obviously still over with the fans. He'd be the perfect tweener. Then he could feud with faces and heels, and be more over than before. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Deebo Report post Posted March 30, 2004 "Shelton Benjamin: It is somewhat of a question what they will do with Benjamin, as well as Charlie Haas. Benjamin may team up with Garrison Cade who also does not have a partner now. RAW's tag division is very weak with the loss of the Dudley Boys and Booker T & RVD." ugh..just...ugh. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
geniusMoment 0 Report post Posted March 30, 2004 Actually, RVD is scheduled to win a world title this summer. Probably sometime in July off of an over pushed no talent hack with family connections and blonde hair. I think we all know who I mean, wait, maybe you don't. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Mulatto Heat Report post Posted March 30, 2004 And even if it happens (which it won't), it'll just be a cup of tea with that belt before its returned to the blond-haired super-push recipient. See, this is where the shades of gray should come in. RVD could align with Heyman when he returned and be more heelish, but obviously still over with the fans. He'd be the perfect tweener. Then he could feud with faces and heels, and be more over than before. I can't tell you how many times I've seen this exact same thing said. Coulda woulda shoulda.... And the only way RVD doesn't come back is if he just doesn't want to. And it wouldn't matter when they approach him. Then he nor his fans should really expect a push coming anytime soon, should they... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Man Of 1,004 Modes Report post Posted March 30, 2004 "Shelton Benjamin: It is somewhat of a question what they will do with Benjamin, as well as Charlie Haas. Benjamin may team up with Garrison Cade who also does not have a partner now. RAW's tag division is very weak with the loss of the Dudley Boys and Booker T & RVD." ugh..just...ugh. I have four easy words....FUCK YOU BRIAN GEWIRTZ! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jack_Bauer 0 Report post Posted March 30, 2004 I honestly don't see how they can use Shelton Benjamin in that way after he defeated Triple H in a semi-clean fashion. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Man Of 1,004 Modes Report post Posted March 30, 2004 I honestly don't see how they can use Shelton Benjamin in that way after he defeated Triple H in a semi-clean fashion. Are you questioning the retarded booking ideas the head writer of RAW does? Here's an example: Nick Dinsmore being a buffoon named "Eugene" who's modeled after the retard in There's Something About Mary. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jack_Bauer 0 Report post Posted March 30, 2004 They also didn't have any idea how to use Tomko and Fertig. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Use Your Illusion 0 Report post Posted March 30, 2004 Well, can that Shelton idea, seeing as he beat Triple H on RAW this week. Shelton is pure star, all the way, so I'm 100% for it. I also dig the sound of a Palumbo push. UYI Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
haVoc 0 Report post Posted March 30, 2004 You know how that works. Wrestler gets put over big one week, looks like he will get a big push and be made a star, then nothing happens next week. And keep Shelton away from Cade. That guy is useless. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Si82 0 Report post Posted March 30, 2004 All this from the wrestling observer newsletter via 411mania.com. It looks like even Meltzer had no idea they were going to give Shelton such a push New Raw Wrestlers: - A-Train: He will likely get another big push on RAW to take advantage of fresh matches with guys like Shawn Michaels and Chris Jericho. He may also end up being teamed with Chuck Palumbo. Why? I mean after his previous failed attempts at getting over they still think they can do it? What do they see in A-Train anyway? I feel for Chris Jericho, who will probably only get his heat back to see it crushed, and Shawn Michaels if they are going to have to deal with this guy. - Tajiri: Being taken out of the Cruiserweight division will hurt him. WWE may throw him in a comedy tag team with Lance Storm or Matt Hardy. Why not just keep him on Smackdown in the crusierweight division then move him to form a "comedy" tag team. If they want to go for real laughs why not team him up with Eugine. New Smackdown Wrestlers: - Rob Van Dam: RVD isn't expected to move up the ladder on Smackdown. With The Undertaker, Eddie Guerrero, John Cena, and Rey Mysterio, there isn't room right now for anything above a mid-card face, which is what RVD is expected to be. WWE had been planning to move RVD to Smackdown for awhile now. He may end up feuding with Booker T. Why move him to Smackdown if they aren't going to even attempt to push the guy. It seems odd to move RVD from one show to another only to have him team up with Booker T again. - The Dudley Boys: The Dudleys are expected to eventually turn heel, replacing Shelton Benjamin and Charlie Haas as the top heel tag team. This sets up potential programs with face teams like RVD & Booker T (if they are paired again) and Scotty 2 Hotty & Rikishi. Yay! More friggin' table matches. - Booker T: For now, he will be used as a upper level heel which is what Smackdown needs. Look for him to work programs with all the top faces such as The Undertaker, John Cena, Eddie Guerrero, and Rob Van Dam. He may also go back to teaming with RVD at some point. Look forward to jobbing Booker. - Rico & Jackie Gayda: Rice isn't expected to get any sort of push following his move. The main reason for this move was so that Smackdown can use Jackie in their bikini contests and such. Poor Rico. He only gets moved because so his talentless valet and "compete" in bikin contests. The whole thing to me seems kinda depressing for the future state of WWE. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AndrewTS 0 Report post Posted March 30, 2004 THIS TRULY IS A NEW RAW AND A NEW SMACKDOWN!! EARTH-SHATTERING CHANGES A COMIN'!!! I CANNOT CONTAIN MY EXCITEMENT!!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CanadianChris 0 Report post Posted March 30, 2004 I honestly don't see how they can use Shelton Benjamin in that way after he defeated Triple H in a semi-clean fashion. Especially given that he got a solid reaction from the crowd. How many recent RAW wrestlers have gotten a crowd to chant their name? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Spaceman Spiff 0 Report post Posted March 30, 2004 - Booker T: For now, he will be used as a upper level heel which is what Smackdown needs. Look for him to work programs with all the top faces such as The Undertaker, John Cena, Eddie Guerrero, and Rob Van Dam. He may also go back to teaming with RVD at some point. Way to build up your new heel - feed him to Taker. - Shelton Benjamin: It is somewhat of a question what they will do with Benjamin, as well as Charlie Haas. Benjamin may team up with Garrison Cade who also does not have a partner now. RAW's tag division is very weak with the loss of the Dudley Boys and Booker T & RVD. Hopefully, after Raw, those plans get dumped. Otherwise, why wouldn't they just move Haas to Raw and use TWGTT as the top team in the division before splitting them up? - Edge: Is expected to get a HUGE push and may even be put over by Triple H due to the lack of other main eventers for Triple H to work with once he wins the World Title back. You know it's coming, but it's still depressing to see. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
humongous2002 0 Report post Posted March 30, 2004 So RVD goes to SD but he still gets the midcard treatment,WWE management has no love for Rob or is because he hasn't signed a contract, either way is a waste to have used him for the lottery.And if the problem with him getting a top level push is because there are too many faces on top(since when is Rey a top face?)then turn him heel or a tweener. Edge getting a big push but in my opinion he is not getting the big pops a top guy that's returning from an injury is suppose to get even Rhyno had a bigger pop when he returned last year.Shit Foley and Shelton were getting bigger pops than Edge last night. Book is still JTTS. Jindrak and A-train getting another push?Vince has no cure for his big man fetish. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jobber of the Week 0 Report post Posted March 30, 2004 I don't see how Meltzer can't be worked here. All the articles just assume that Benjamin will work in a tag team and that HHH will get the belt back real soon. Uhhh? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Goodear Report post Posted March 30, 2004 A-Train: He will likely get another big push on RAW to take advantage of fresh matches with guys like Shawn Michaels and Chris Jericho. He may also end up being teamed with Chuck Palumbo. This (plus the report that Benjamin will be teaming with Garrison Cade of all people) is reason enough for me to forget this report in the next twenty seconds. Another big puch for A-Train? When was the first one? The guy hasn't won a feud since he joined the federation something like five years ago and hasn't even won a match on Smackdown as far back as I can remember. The guy has never gotten a solid push, much less a big one. A big push towards being the job guy for superstars is the only kind of push A-Train will ever get. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Anglesault Report post Posted March 30, 2004 - Shelton Benjamin: It is somewhat of a question what they will do with Benjamin, as well as Charlie Haas. Benjamin may team up with Garrison Cade who also does not have a partner now. RAW's tag division is very weak with the loss of the Dudley Boys and Booker T & RVD. Well, we all know that that can't be right. This (plus the report that Benjamin will be teaming with Garrison Cade of all people) is reason enough for me to forget this report in the next twenty seconds. Another big puch for A-Train? When was the first one? The guy hasn't won a feud since he joined the federation something like five years ago and hasn't even won a match on Smackdown as far back as I can remember. The guy has never gotten a solid push, much less a big one. A big push towards being the job guy for superstars is the only kind of push A-Train will ever get. A-Train is the only guy I think I've ever seen them repeatedly give up on when he didn't get heat. They even allowed Billy Gunn angles to run their course a couple of times, but with Albert, when they hit the month mark and no one cares, they yank the plug. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites