Does Benoit have that Main Event rub?

[TheBigSwigg 0]

I'm still on the verge of being worried that this is another Jericho push. Where a guy is given the title, begins to make people believe that maybe he is that good, and then ends up losing to HHH and getting buried. I hate to say it, but that's what this looks like. Of course, Benoit could cement his main event status with some great matches before dropping the title, but it looks like he's giving the belt back to HHH at Bad Blood.

 

And though I agree that good pop does not equal $$$, there is a difference between mid-card "you're entertaining thank God it's not HHH" pop and "OHMYGOD I'D SELL MY LEFT NUT TO SEE YOU FOR 10 SECONDS" pop.

[Guest Choken One]

The difference here is...

 

Benoit hasn't taken a backseat to Stephanie and Lucy...has been built as the FIGHTING CHAMPION and cleanly beat All of Evolution, Made them all tap and Made Shawn tap in his HOMETOWN.

 

When you go over in your hometown in WWE, U've done something right.

[Guest Beingz0wningj00]

I think some people are more bitching about the fact...

 

It's not that Benoit has gone over... cause like it or hate it, Benoit went over with as best of chance the WWE could give him. Think about it, there had to be some thoughts he was going to lose or it would get boring then as well.

 

You are all pissed that regardless Benoit being pushed, he's not being pushed the way you want him too... therefore it's wrong. Nice logic assholes.

[TheBigSwigg 0]

You are all pissed that regardless Benoit being pushed, he's not being pushed the way you want him too... therefore it's wrong. Nice logic assholes.

 

Isn't that the point of the internet? So that assholes like us can get together and piss and moan about what we're not satisfied with?

 

It's not?

 

*looks around and then slowly turns off computer*

[RavishingRickRudo 0]

I must've missed the part in this thread where people were "bitching" (unless you want to count people 'bitching' about this thread being 'negative' as the bitching, which I would buy). The question was, has Benoit gotten a ME rub. As in, is he a Main Eventer? No, he's not. The test of a true main eventer is if they can carry a PPV and a feud on their own. Benoit has had to rely on HHH and Michaels up until now (and will continue on doing so). How many times have they put the weight on Benoit shoulders? Where, exactly, is this ball they've given him? They haven't put him in the spotlight, alone, at any time besides after his RR and BL matches. It's been over 3 months and they haven't centered a show around him like they would for any true main eventer, and there is no indication that he is going to break away from HHH and HBK any time soon.

 

Do people actually expect me to buy this "he beat both HHH and HBK" thing as if it means something? THEY WEREN'T SINGLES MATCHES. Rather than breaking it up into "HHH vs. Benoit @ WM" and "Benoit vs. HBK @ Backlash" they had 2 of Benoits "big matches" 3 ways. 3 ways. As in, Benoit had to share the spotlight with 2 other guys, and in this case, he had to take a backseat to both of them throughout the build to his big win and then, even WITH THE BELT, he took a backseat to HHH and the draft lotto. The 2 singles matches would actually have accomplished something for "Benoit Main Eventer", as he would have gone through 2 high profile feuds by now and have been the focus of both. But NO, in both this "big matches" he's played a MUCH lesser part and doesn't look any more like a ME than he did coming in.

 

Lemme ask you a question, do you think they can sell a PPV to the majority of wrestling fans on Benoits name alone? Do you think they could stick, say, Christian in there with him and call it a Main Event and expect that match to carry the show? Because that is what a Main Eventer is and does. It is someone they can rely on to sell a PPV and a feud and they haven't shown ANY trust in Benoit to do either of those things so why should the fans believe that he is a Main Eventer when they don't?!

 

RRR: Ringleader, apparently.

[Guest Adrian 3:16]

I must've missed the part in this thread where people were "bitching" (unless you want to count people 'bitching' about this thread being 'negative' as the bitching, which I would buy).

Interesting. So someone being constantly negative about the topic at hand is acceptable, but if someone turns and points out the constant, often irrational negativity, then THAT qualifies as bitching and THAT is the problem. Nice logic.

 

Do people actually expect me to buy this "he beat both HHH and HBK" thing as if it means something? THEY WEREN'T SINGLES MATCHES.

 

In kayfabe terms, a triple threat is more of a challenge than a one on one match, especially since he retained his title at Backlash in a scenario where he didn't even have to take the fall to lose his belt.

 

If he is shown as capable of beating both Shawn and Hunter in situations where he's fighting both at once, I think its implied he could do the same against either in a one on one scenario.

 

As in, Benoit had to share the spotlight with 2 other guys, and in this case, he had to take a backseat to both of them throughout the build to his big win

 

And he got the last laugh in the end- which is what matters.

 

The 2 singles matches would actually have accomplished something for "Benoit Main Eventer", as he would have gone through 2 high profile feuds by now and have been the focus of both.

 

Maybe, maybe not. In any case, we didn't get 2 singles matches, what we got is the 2 triple threats. This is what we call "crying over spilled milk". Nothing can be done about it now. Move on.

 

And Benoit will obviously have singles matches as champ as well, probably against HBK or HHH again too. I don't know why you'd assume he wouldn't.

 

But NO, in both this "big matches" he's played a MUCH lesser part and doesn't look any more like a ME than he did coming in.

 

He played a lesser part in these matches? The matches that he, you know, WON?

 

Lemme ask you a question, do you think they can sell a PPV to the majority of wrestling fans on Benoits name alone? Do you think they could stick, say, Christian in there with him and call it a Main Event and expect that match to carry the show?

 

For your first question, we'll have to wait and see. That's the question around every first time champion.

 

And for your second question- would Christian vs. anybody in the main event sell a PPV?

[Above Average 0]

Well, in this case Benoit has received an ME rub. Is he a definite Main Eventer? That, we don't know yet. I'd say that the RR win, making HHH to tap out at Wrestlemania and forcing HBK (who's whole character has been built around his resilience) to submit the next PPV, triple-threat or not for both, IS a Main Event rub. How can it not be. HBK tapped out to the goddamn sharpshooter, in Canada, in a match that Benoit supposed could not come out on top in, TWICE.

 

Benoit's been put over.

 

I'd like to see Benoit cut another promo, like his "And tap" one, although that was more about Trips. Let's face it, he's not a definite MEer until he cuts more money promos, and hopefully we'll see if he can do it.

 

Benoit needs hot promos, like a druggie needs smack. Quickly and often.

[RavishingRickRudo 0]

Interesting. So someone being constantly negative about the topic at hand is acceptable, but if someone turns and points out the constant, often irrational negativity, then THAT qualifies as bitching and THAT is the problem. Nice logic.

 

Take a look at what I wrote, take a look at what you wrote. Take a look at the topic.

 

In kayfabe terms, a triple threat is more of a challenge than a one on one match, especially since he retained his title at Backlash in a scenario where he didn't even have to take the fall to lose his belt.

 

In reality, a singles match is more effective as it leaves no questions. A triple threat that invovles only one person getting pinned, does. Historically, there have been far more successful champions coming off a singles match than there have been coming off a triple threat match.

 

If he is shown as capable of beating both Shawn and Hunter is situations where he's fighting both at once, I think its implied he could do the same against either in a one on one scenario.

 

Actually, he lost to both Hunter and Shawn in 1 on 1 scenarios. No Mercy 2000 and on RAW 2 months ago, respectively.

 

And he got the last laugh in the end- which is what matters.

 

What is the "last laugh"? In this case, the "last laugh" would be taking the spotlight/TV time from them. He hasn't. Benoits time on TV has not been increased since winning the title and HHH's TV time has not been decreased. Michaels' neither. I doubt that will change any time soon. Benoit has not been shown to be more important than HHH when HHH is in the main event against the Smackdown champ and Benoit is fighting Rhyno in a throw-away match.

 

Maybe, maybe not. In any case, we didn't get 2 singles matches, what we got is the 2 triple threats. This is what we call "crying over spilled milk". Nothing can be done about it now. Move on.

 

... And the effects of which is a weak main event champion who cannot hold a program on his own. "Move on"? We'll be seeing how those 2 triple threats have hurt Benoit long down the road... it's far from moving on.

 

And Benoit will obviously have singles matches as champ as well, probably against HBK or HHH again too. I don't know why you'd assume he wouldn't.

 

I never said he wouldn't have a match against HHH or HBK again, infact, I said that he would have a feud with HBK and then lose the belt to HHH. The point was that he couldn't have a successful feud with anyone _outside_ those two. Why would I assume that? WM and Backlash, clearly, show that the WWE doesn't have enough faith in Benoit and rely on HHH and HBK to get him through a ME program. If they didn't, then Backlash would have been a singles match... Mania would have been as well.

 

He played a lesser part in these matches? The matches that he, you know, WON?

 

The WM match he was built up as a lesser part than HHH and Michaels. It was evident in the way he was treated (HHH punking him out, HBK punking him out). Backlash was different, but it wasn't. HHH still got the spotlight and he was all-of-a-sudden best pals with Michaels. He still wasn't the central focus of the feud, thus making his win(s) less meaningful. Tell me, what did winning those main events DO for Benoit? Make him more important? I don't see it on tv. Did they make him a bigger superstar? I don't see it on tv. Did it make him a main eventer? I don't see it on tv.

 

For your first question, we'll have to wait and see. That's the question around every first time champion.

 

Not Austin. Besides, I doubt we'll see it. How many realistic challengers outside HHH and HBK can you name?

 

And for your second question- would Christian vs. anybody in the main event sell a PPV?

 

Austin, Rock, HHH... Main Eventers.

[chaosrage 0]

Benoit as the World Champion from this point out should be pushed as a machine. Not literally of course, but as a wrestling machine. A guy that no matter what can beat anyone at anytime in the ring, simply because of his technical skills. Benoit is the kind of wrestler that shouldn't have to talk. His game IS in the ring.

Isn't that the way they've been pushing him?

[DMann2003 0]

Lemme ask you a question, do you think they can sell a PPV to the majority of wrestling fans on Benoits name alone? Do you think they could stick, say, Christian in there with him and call it a Main Event and expect that match to carry the show? Because that is what a Main Eventer is and does. It is someone they can rely on to sell a PPV and a feud and they haven't shown ANY trust in Benoit to do either of those things so why should the fans believe that he is a Main Eventer when they don't?!

 

RRR: Ringleader, apparently.

So I would assume then, that based on this definition, Eddie IS a ME

 

Cause that's what he's being asked to do with Bradshaw

[RavishingRickRudo 0]

Correct. My only problem with Guerrero was the 3 week build to his title win and lack of a buffer feud. Since giving him the title, however, they've treated him like a champ

 

I'll give props to the WWE tonight for putting Benoit in the spotlight for the first time with that promo and then carrying Edge in that match. I think, for the second time, Benoit looked like a champion tonight (the first time being the promo video of Benoit in Edmonton that aired on Heat). Of course, if you ask me (and you won't), it was too late for that as I am a strong believer in first impressions. But they made Benoit look good and strong tonight, and I'm happy with that.

[Guest Adrian 3:16]

I'm happy

*spits out drink*