Why is Carlito in Fucking Character in Afghanistan?

[jwpeer 0]

Sir, I have paid attention. It does not exist. If Carlito uses the Roll-Of-The-Dice, it is certainly not employed as a finishing move, because the only move I have seen him use to secure a three-count is one of his infinite roll-up variations. Carlito is to roll-ups as Tazz was to suplexes.

 

Come to think of it, that is an appropriate finisher for the guy. Since apples are such a big part of his gimmick, just call his finisher "The Fruit Roll-Up."

 

 

fruit roll up had me cracking up

[hyperchord24 0]

Carlito has used it in a match on Heat. If you look on his bio, his finisher is and "modified swinging neckbreaker." I have heard that he uses the Overdrive as well. However, as I said in another thread, I think the WWE is giving him matches where all he does is cheat to win, thus getting him over.

 

Yeah, it's not working.

[cabbageboy 0]

Lushus, well Orlando Jordan probably has a phantom finisher on a video game too. That doesn't mean he has one in reality.

 

I mean honestly, how can a promotion be idiotic enough to put major titles on guys who have no discernable finisher??? I mean shit, if you're a wrestler you gotta have a main move! Without one the matches have no basic psychology of "Gee, I better avoid that lethal move." Watch a Carlito match...they build to nothing. He has no finisher. Even as boring as Orton's matches are with his headlocks and crap, it at least can be rationalized that he's wearing down the head and neck for the RKO.

 

Every wrestler has to have 2 basic things to get over: A good ring name and a good finisher.

[Lil' Bitch 0]

The real question is: Why doesn't he have a FINISHER?!!* That is absolutely the most annoying thing about his character!

 

 

(*Note to WWE: School boy Roll-up, Roll-up with Illegal Pulling of Tights, Roll-up with Rope Assist, or any variation thereof is NOT a finisher.)

 

+ =

[Black Lushus 0]

Carlito is not booked to go out there and devastate a man wth a finishing manuever, he's booked to cheat to win...is it really that big of a deal?

[Guest nosneb]

why is rita crosby hanging around the wwf so much? whose she bangin'? the only one i can think of that would sink that low is JBL

[Guest Jack Potts]

Carlito is not booked to go out there and devastate a man wth a finishing manuever, he's booked to cheat to win...is it really that big of a deal?

 

Normally, I agree with you, BL, but in this case, I can't. cabbageboy had it right when he said Carlito's matches "build to nothing." The Tights/Rope Assist roll-ups are such standard heel tactics that they barely register as a unique gimmick for Carlito. He doesn't even "cheat to win" in clever ways like the late, great Eddy Guerrero.

 

Carlito just takes advantage of the face's lapse in concentration or has to rely on the face acting in a wildly out-of-character manner, like tagging himself in and going for a high-risk top rope when his tag team partner's already had the match won. If a heel uses situations like these to turn the momentum of the match to his advantage, hit his finisher and win the match, the viewer thinks, "Hmm, crafty." The way Carlito does it comes off as very passive and uninteresting. Everytime he uses the Dreaded Fruit Roll-up, MY first thought is, "Hmm, they must have had to cut the match short."

[Black Lushus 0]

JP, I'd blame that more on the workrate level of Carlito himself over anything else...the sneaky, crafty, cheating heel is good when done properly, which Carlito doesn't always achieve...all i'm saying is that's the way they book his character to behave, so irregardless of how well Carlito the man can pull it off, that's what he's going to do.

[Jericholic82 0]

OJ has a finisher, the black out (downward spiral/flatliner/novacain/whatever you want to call it). Lately he has been using the move that many are reffering to as the lung blower.

 

anyhow Carlito seemed ok to me. he was trying to have fun with the soldiers. He cant help that he has an accent right?

 

Snitsky was totally out of character, though his voice is perhaps even weirder when hes not yelling. But the dude really needs to trim the goatee, I mean even Jericho wouldn't let it go that long.

 

JBL was acting more like his normal self (and much like the old beer drinking having fun Bradshaw of APA)

 

Anyhow at the least the wrestlers seem sincere about the show and entertaining the troops and not just getting publicity (though WWE tends to overhype these shows and pat themselves on the back alot indirectly)

[Guest tony manero]

Carlito is a horrible wrestler and a one-dimensional character ("This is cool, that is cool, not cool..").

 

The other wrestlers were laughing at Carlito because they probably wondered to themselves that no matter what he does, he'll NEVER get over. He can espouse the tradition of kayfabe all he wants, but at the end of the day, you'll still hear crickets when he comes out to the ring.

[Downhome 0]

I'm not even that big of a fan of Carlito, but I do think he'll be a pretty major player one day if WWE sticks with him, and if he sticks with WWE.

[Annabelle 0]

Carlito is a horrible wrestler and a one-dimensional character ("This is cool, that is cool, not cool..").

 

The other wrestlers were laughing at Carlito because they probably wondered to themselves that no matter what he does, he'll NEVER get over. He can espouse the tradition of kayfabe all he wants, but at the end of the day, you'll still hear crickets when he comes out to the ring.

 

you try too hard to be hip to the wrestling jive. give it up, man. you sound silly.

[cameron chaos 0]

Carlito is a horrible wrestler and a one-dimensional character ("This is cool, that is cool, not cool..").

 

The other wrestlers were laughing at Carlito because they probably wondered to themselves that no matter what he does, he'll NEVER get over. He can espouse the tradition of kayfabe all he wants, but at the end of the day, you'll still hear crickets when he comes out to the ring.

 

you try too hard to be hip to the wrestling jive. give it up, man. you sound silly.

 

It all made sense to me. I don't see what's wrong with using wrestling terminology on a board where most are familiar with it. However the irony of you claiming that he "sounds silly" after typing "hip to the wrestling jive" is palpable.

 

In Carlito I think the WWE has a long term midcard heel. I don't think the character is almost a parody, it doesn't have any depth and as such cannot really be emotionally invested in. Aside from appearing to be a judgmental cheater with big hair that eats apples and declares things "cool" and not "cool", there is nothing to him. I thought the initial stabbing angle with Cena could have led to something with Carlito appearing to be cool, calm and composed as a front for the other side of his character, a cold and violent bastard willing to do anything to get what he wants( kind of like a darker version of the Guerrero "lie, cheat and steal" gimmick) but then that heat went onto Jesus and was wasted as a result.

 

As for maintaining kayfabe, I think when all others have dropped the facade while he maintains it he makes an ass of himself. If everyone else is acting normally while he chews on an apple complaining about things being "not cool" he's making himself look like a twat. It reminds me of when I read about Wesley Snipes staying in character as Blade on the set of Blade: Trinity. I though to myself "This guy is walking around all day pretending to be a COMIC CHARACTER? WHAT THE FUCK?"

[haVoc 0]

It reminds me of when I read about Wesley Snipes staying in character as Blade on the set of Blade: Trinity. I though to myself "This guy is walking around all day pretending to be a COMIC CHARACTER? WHAT THE FUCK?"

 

A lot of actors stay in character. Robin Williams, Johnny Depp, I believe Pacino and De Niro are known for it time to time and many, many more. The point of this is to be in character before the director says "action." To "be in the moment" as they say.

 

I have nothing to add about Carlito. Everyone has been saying the same thing about him for the last few months and in God knows how many threads. It's getting boring.

Edited December 9, 2005 by Fear Havoc

[Guest JMA]

If WWE really wants Carlito to have an impact in the future they'll make him a manager that sometimes wrestles. He could also frequently work dark matches and house shows. This would allow him to slowly improve without being exposed on TV. Plus, he would still be able to develop in the eyes of the fans.

[Guest panthermatt7]

It reminds me of when I read about Wesley Snipes staying in character as Blade on the set of Blade: Trinity. I though to myself "This guy is walking around all day pretending to be a COMIC CHARACTER? WHAT THE FUCK?"

 

A lot of actors stay in character. Robin Williams, Johnny Depp, I believe Pacino and De Niro are known for it time to time and many, many more. The point of this is to be in character before the director says "action." To "be in the moment" as they say.

 

I have nothing to add about Carlito. Everyone has been saying the same thing about him for the last few months and in God knows how many threads. It's getting boring.

 

Yeah, but that would make a lot more sense for a movie actor to do that than a wrestler... to play a movie lead is an arduous undertaking, my roommate is a theatre major who spends hours at a time perfecting each stage role he plays.

 

Playing Carlito's character does not have this same investment... just a tad less challenging.

[Guest JMA]

why is rita crosby hanging around the wwf so much? whose she bangin'? the only one i can think of that would sink that low is JBL

She's not a young, male wrestler, so no.

 

Anyway, I've always found it weird that JBL is WWE's ambassador to the media. The guy did publicly embarass the company (and himself) with the Nazi shit. It seems to me like a better choice for an ambassador would be someone like Foley, Angle, Morley, Shane, or maybe even the Big Show.

[Hawk 34 0]

why is rita crosby hanging around the wwf so much? whose she bangin'? the only one i can think of that would sink that low is JBL

She's not a young, male wrestler, so no.

 

Anyway, I've always found it weird that JBL is WWE's ambassador to the media. The guy did publicly embarass the company (and himself) with the Nazi shit. It seems to me like a better choice for an ambassador would be someone like Foley, Angle, Morley, Shane, or maybe even the Big Show.

 

JBL, is a good public speaker who doesn't look like an idiot and has a credible background along with his connections.

[Team Angle Pusher 0]

Is his finisher not the leg/neckbreaker thing that Randy Orton used to use (Overdrive)? Dubbed "the Cool Breaker" by Carlito? I've never seen him use it, but this is what I've read somewhere before.

 

Exactly.

[Guest JMA]

why is rita crosby hanging around the wwf so much? whose she bangin'? the only one i can think of that would sink that low is JBL

She's not a young, male wrestler, so no.

 

Anyway, I've always found it weird that JBL is WWE's ambassador to the media. The guy did publicly embarass the company (and himself) with the Nazi shit. It seems to me like a better choice for an ambassador would be someone like Foley, Angle, Morley, Shane, or maybe even the Big Show.

 

JBL, is a good public speaker who doesn't look like an idiot and has a credible background along with his connections.

True, but he could be a liability. He took a lot of heat from the media due to the whole Nazi thing. If he does something like that again it could really make WWE look bad (not that the media respects them now). Personally, I'd go with either Foley or Angle. Foley isn't clean-cut but he is a legitimate author and Angle's merits are already well known. Of course, there are plenty of other wrestlers that fit the bill.

[cameron chaos 0]

It reminds me of when I read about Wesley Snipes staying in character as Blade on the set of Blade: Trinity. I though to myself "This guy is walking around all day pretending to be a COMIC CHARACTER? WHAT THE FUCK?"

 

A lot of actors stay in character. Robin Williams, Johnny Depp, I believe Pacino and De Niro are known for it time to time and many, many more. The point of this is to be in character before the director says "action." To "be in the moment" as they say.

 

I have nothing to add about Carlito. Everyone has been saying the same thing about him for the last few months and in God knows how many threads. It's getting boring.

 

Carlito is no DeNiro. Pacino and DeNiro are both NYU performing and cinematic arts graduates so it makes sense for them to remain in character as that is what they are taught, to mantain authenticity as opposed to slip into character, although DeNiro apparently doesn't do that anymore while Pacino will on set between takes but when consulting directors or just walking around he is just himself. Willliams is a great character actor and has a knack for voices and mannerisms so again it makes sense to me for him to try perfect these traits while onset. However NONE of the actors mentioned are known for staying in character off set while promoting their films. Carlito is Carlito while on WWE programs and MSNBC. Why?

[Guest DuDe]

I figure that WWE management told him to stay in character. Hell, I'd tell Carlito to stay in character, the guy is probably boring as hell when he's not in character. They were there to entertain the troops, Carlito is entertaining when he's in character, everyone wins.

 

As for Carlito's in-ring abilities. I can't remember where I've read it (probably the SomethingAwful SAS forum), but apparently when he was wrestling at his father's promotion in the Carribeans his arsenal of moves mainly consisted of high fly spots (I think he had one or nice aerial moves in his last match with Shawn Michaels). The WWE apparently doesn't let him use those moves because the crowd would start cheering for him, and the WWE doesn't like it when the crowd cheers for their heel wrestlers (take the Mexicools for example, they were a heel stable, but the crowd likes them because of their style, and bam - here comes a face turn without any explanation). So basically, the WWE are turning him into a punch and chop machine so that he won't get too over with the crowd.

[Guest JMA]

To expand on Carlito being a manager, he might work well as a mouthpiece for Chris Masters.

[Guest Zarock]

I'd like that idea. His best mic work so far was when he was teamed up as the mouthpiece for Matt Morgan, and it'd keep them out of the upper card for a while.

[hyperchord24 0]

So basically, the WWE are turning him into a punch and chop machine so that he won't get too over with the crowd.

This makes sense in WWE land. Too bad they don't understand that X-Pac heat doesn't equal heel heat.

[nl5xsk1 0]

True, but he could be a liability. He took a lot of heat from the media due to the whole Nazi thing. If he does something like that again it could really make WWE look bad (not that the media respects them now). Personally, I'd go with either Foley or Angle. Foley isn't clean-cut but he is a legitimate author and Angle's merits are already well known. Of course, there are plenty of other wrestlers that fit the bill.

Foley's barely part of the WWE anymore, and with the missing ear & less-than-clean-cut appearance, might not help the WWE as much as we'd think. Same with Angle's steroid-addled appearance ... probably not the talking head that the WWE would want representing them.

 

I think that the Big Show is among the best people to fit that role. Is 'larger than life' but doesn't look like an HGH junky. Seems to be well-spoken and humorous.

[cabbageboy 0]

By the way, Carlito and Foley were on Cold Pizza this morning talking about the Afghanistan tour. And yes, Carlito was in character and using the 3rd person. Doug Gottlieb and Jay Crawford teased him afterwards about it.

 

Maybe he's actually internalizing this gimmick?

[Guest slmon]

Who believes more strongly that he is his character - Carlito Caribbean Cool or Bret the Hitman Hart?

[cabbageboy 0]

Gotta be Carlito. I mean Bret is pretty much just Bret Hart. Carlito feigns a ridiculous accent (I assume it's fake?) and talks about himself in 3rd person.

[Guest MrBriggs]

As for Carlito's in-ring abilities. I can't remember where I've read it (probably the SomethingAwful SAS forum),

 

 

Sup Goon buddy?

 

 

 

Gotta be Carlito. I mean Bret is pretty much just Bret Hart. Carlito feigns a ridiculous accent (I assume it's fake?) and talks about himself in 3rd person.

 

 

The accent isn't fake, he's really from Puerto Rico and although it might be slightly exaggerated there is no way he doesn't have a base Puerto Rican accent.