DaveyBoy's Wrestling Menu #105 - Taboo Tuesday Predictions & Has Carlito Paid His Dues?
Submitted by DaveyBoy on Wednesday, October 13, 2004 at 8:47 AM EST






THE WRESTLING MENU #105

Welcome one and all to the 105th edition of The Wrestling Menu, the column that is sure to satisfy your taste buds when it comes to discussing all things wrestling.

I have completely rearranged my column this week. Why? Because I thought that Carlito may have decided that it wasn't cool & spat an apple in my face. Apples are way too healthy to be anywhere near me, so I better not take that risk. Plus, if I don't write about Mr.Cool winning the United States Title in my column, then the barrage of emails I have received over the past week on this issue, will continue.

On with the show.....


APPETIZERS

Taboo Tuesday Feedback

While I will be doing a slightly different predictions column on Taboo Tuesday in the 'Main' section of today's column, I thought I'd briefly touch on some of the feedback that I have received concerning what I wrote about Taboo Tuesday in last week's column. If you have yet to read my column #104, you may do so by clicking on the following link: http://www.lordsofpain.net/news/2004_/articles/1097068836.php

In general, the feedback that I received sort of mirrored my own feeling towards the pay-per-view. And if I had to use one word to describe that feeling, the word would be "cautious". Many readers expressed the liking for the premise, but no trust in the WWE carrying it out satisfactorily. Even if the trust was there, the timing of the event isn't exactly perfect. I'm unsure timing has anything to do with it though, as I don't feel any time is perfect for something like this.

Many fans have been turned off the event already by the announcement that there will be 2 women's matches on the card. And they're most probably going to be 2 bad ones at that!!! But that is simply a by-product of having so many wrestlers as possibilities for different matches (especially with regards to the InterContinental Title picture). At least the 2 face main-eventers who don't get voted in to face Triple H, can take on La Resistance for the tag-team titles.

Another interesting thought floated around by 3 or 4 people is having this premise better explored on an episode of Raw. I would have to agree with that in theory. But there is no doubting that debuting this interactiveness on pay-per-view is undoubtedly a surefire way to get more buyrates, thus more revenue. So, from a business sense, I can see why the WWE are doing this on pay-per-view. However, like I said last week; If it fails, then they can almost forget about doing this again!!!

Believe it or not, my overall enthusiasm & opinion toward Taboo Tuesday has reduced even greater since last week. I cannot recall the last time I have looked forward with so little enthusiasm to a pay-per-view. There are 3 possible reasons for this though. They are:

(1) I have always hated the idea of the WWE having 2 ppv's in one month. It's overkill in my opinion.

(2) I have always thought the 'back to basics' approach is the best method on ppv. I will always take a good solid event, rather than an experimental one with too many ups & downs.

(3) I actually will not view this event live, as I am going on vacation a few days before-hand. I will touch on that a little more in the closing portion of this column.

Anyway, I actually thought of not doing a predictions column today, but whether I know the match-ups or not, I'll have a go anyway. Here goes.....


MAIN

Taboo Tuesday Predictions

DIVAS BATTLE ROYAL for the Women's Title: I think that most of the fans will vote for every single diva to wear absolutely nothing!!! Could you imagine if that's an option... nothing else would get a vote. Anyway, I suppose if there is to be a women's match, then at least a battle royal will give everyone on the roster some airtime. Actually, this may be a good match to have a surprise in & debut a new lady. Then again, we will probably get Mae Young & Moolah. While Trish should retain, I think it's a good idea to start off a ppv for the fans with a win that the fans will love. Therefore..... Winner: Stacy Keibler

KANE vs GENE SNITSKY in a Chain Match: Here's a way to have a face win without a face actually being involved in the match. Seriously, everything about this match has me unenthused. I couldn't care less if it's a lead-pipe, steel chair or steel chain match. They've already sold the pipe & chair, so I'm guessing it will be the chain this week, and that may stick in the voter's minds. I doubt Snitsky will win (well, I hope not). If anything, the only thing that interests me is whether or not Kane will fully turn face. My guess is yes, with a little help from Lita. Next. Winner: Kane

CHRIS JERICHO vs BATISTA for the InterContinental Title: Like I said last week, I feel that the idea of pushing Rhyno for this spot is a stupid one. Yes, they put on a decent ppv match a couple of years back. And yes, they could probably put on a decent match here. But to have a face vs face match which includes one face who doesn't get a great deal of pops to begin with, is simply illogical. My choice (even before this past episode of Raw) would be Batista. He has already had a ppv match with Jericho, therefore it would make sense storyline-wise. Furthermore, he does have some sort of following (whether it's face or heel fans). On top of this, I would actually have Batista win the InterContinental Title. It would not be unrealistic & is the type of semi-surprise this interactive event needs. This way, Batista gets the decent push & Jericho can be unleashed upon Triple H & the World HeavyWeight Title. Winner: Batista

EUGENE vs ERIC BISCHOFF in a Hair Match: There is almost no possible way that the WWE fans would vote for the other 2 match stipulations. So someone is getting their head shaved/cut. That actually makes it a little unpredictable in my mind, as both might want a haircut. Eric, so he can see if his hair would grow back less grey. And Eugene to see if his hair would grow back less frizzy. Survey says..... Winner: Eugene

LA RESISTANCE vs SHAWN MICHAELS & EDGE for the World Tag-Team Titles: My thoughts as to why these two will be squaring off here, and not for the World Heavyweight title, are contained within the prediction for the main event. I see this bout totally revolving around Edge's heel turn. Whether his partner is HBK or Benoit, Edge is going to be pi$$ed that he was not voted in to get a shot at Triple H. What does this mean for the result? Well, we could have a short 'feuding team' reign, but I doubt it. Winners: La Resistance

RANDY ORTON vs RIC FLAIR in a Steel Cage Match: While the 'falls count anywhere' match is a possibility here, I think (if it's not rigged) the fans will vote for a steel cage match. I don't mind this match-up & it's where Orton should have been in the first place, instead of winning the world title. If booked cleverly, this bout could put Flair over even more as the dirtiest player in the game, while continuing Orton's push as the legend killer. However, if booked badly, there is every possibility that this could be terrible. Winner: Randy Orton

CHRISTY HEMME vs CARMELLA DECESARE: Like I said last week, this could really be a trainwreck. I just don't see how anyone could train Carmella in basic wrestling over a 2 week period. Unless, she was always going to get a contract & her training started a couple of months ago. But let's not go there. Anyway, this should be short & contain lots of slapping, hair-pulling, a$$ spanking & probably interference. Winner: Christy Hemme

TRIPLE H vs CHRIS BENOIT for the World HeavyWeight Title: I just have a funny feeling that the WWE will not put Shawn Michaels in the main event, even if he is voted in. What was part of the attraction for the previous Triple H vs HBK matches was their feuds & the lead up to their matches. Without a lead up & intense feud, I don't see the point in re-hashing the same old bout. I think I would prefer if Benoit got the nod for match quality sake. While Edge will not get the gig because it will basically be the catapult he needs to turn heel. Whoever is the challenger on the night, I don't see a title change. Edge may even be the interferer that allows Triple H to retain. This may be the bout that holds the ppv together. Winner: Triple H

Ok, so there we have Taboo Tuesday. There may be one extra match added, but I doubt it. The main reason is because I'm betting that there will be some time taken with backstage (& possibly in-ring) segments, to build up some sort of anticipation for the matches & their stipulations. Just writing out those matches & predictions has me even less enthused about this pay-per-view. I usually have good faith in the WWE producing the goods come ppv time, but it's going to be a hard struggle with this card, and the build up toward it.


DESSERT

Has Carlito Paid His Dues?

Like I stated in the introduction portion of my column today, the timely issue of whether or not a debuting wrestler should be winning a major title like the United States title, was way too important to pass up. Furthermore, the emails I have received on the topic over the past 6 days, strongly suggest that the topic is an important one.

I'm probably being a little too specific in picking on Carlito Caribbean Cool in the topic heading, but it's just too timely to ignore. I'd much rather talk in general about any wrestler getting too big of a push too soon. Before I start on that though, I should stress that the opening promo, backstage interview & main event match involving Carlito & John Cena from this past week's SmackDown were all very well booked & performed. While Carlito didn't show a great deal wrestling-wise, he played to his gimmick well & didn't do anything terribly (which is always a concern due to debut nerves).

But the answer to the question I raise in the topic heading is most definitely "NO". There is simply no way that any wrestler who is debuting at the top level, should be winning either of the top 4 titles in the WWE (WWE Championship, US Title, World HeavyWeight Title or InterContinental Title). Even if the WWE have full confidence in Carlito being an almost immediate star, putting a major title around his waist on his debut is a no-no.

Maybe the more pertinent question here is Should Carlito have paid his dues? The answer here is "YES". I realize that he has done some hard work in the WWE's developmental system, but it's hardly the same as being seen by millions of people around the world on a weekly basis, is it!?!?!?

More importantly, I feel that there is both short & long-term negative ramifications by debuting a wrestler like this. In the short-term, Carlito will now have to go by what I call the 'JBL Theory'. JBL had to constantly tweak his character while being the WWE champion. The slight adjustments would have been so much better done before he became champion, and would have ultimately resulted in a better champion down the track. Similarly, the Randy Orton face title reign is also not all that different.

So, now we have this young & inexperienced rookie playing a rather difficult character to pull off, and he is undoubtedly going to have to adjust his persona as he goes along. Factors such as the way fans react to him, the way opponents deal with him, etc... are all a little unknown at this time. Yet, this youngster is expected to subtly adjust to all of this with the spotlight of being United States champion shining down on him week after week.

The biggest debut I can recall recently was that of Brock Lesnar. Brock Lesnar had a much lengthier stint in OVW than Carlito did. And while he did win the King Of The Ring & WWE Undisputed Championship rather quickly, he didn't win either on debut. Furthermore, I believe that Lesnar was portraying an easier character (basically that of a monster) compared to Carlito. Put it this way, if Carlito doesn't act cool just once, then his character is almost shot to pieces. Hence why his methodical & deliberate promo & interview were excellent last week.

Finally, if we can go a little deeper into the psyche of a WWE superstar, I feel that working their way up the ladder of WWE success, can result in a greater, more humble, more loyal, and more gracious employee in the long run. The WWE is a place of employment just like a mechanics garage, a clerk's office, or a doctor's surgery. The 'paying your dues' theory seems to work well in all those other workplaces, so why not the WWE!?!?!?

In conclusion, I do see loads of potential in Carlito Caribbean Cool. He handled almost everything very well last week. Furthermore, I'm intrigued as to what will happen with his character next. However, I strongly question whether or not this decision will do more harm to not only Carlito, but other members of the SmackDown roster, in the long run.


Ok, that's another one in the books. I hope you enjoyed edition #105 of 'The Wrestling Menu'. Feel free to give me your opinion on any of the topics which I have discussed today: Taboo Tuesday, my predictions for that ppv, or anything to do with Carlito Caribbean Cool. As always, I will reply to all feedback. BUT, in this case, only if I have received an email by Saturday night (U.S time). I'll explain why in a moment. My e-mail address is DaveyBoy123@bigpond.com

Ok, so here's the deal; Good ol' DaveyBoy is finally going on a well-earnt & much-needed vacation. I leave on Sunday the 18th for the beautiful pacific island of Fiji, where I will pretty much do nothing but relax on the beach for 10 days with my better half. So there will be no 'Wrestling Menu' next Wednesday the 20th, or Wednesday the 27th. I will return bigger, badder & more tanned than ever, with a column on Wednesday the 3rd of November. My brother is going to tape Taboo Tuesday for me, so I will have a review of the ppv in that column. So until then, this is DaveyBoy signing off & asking you to remember that dinner is best served in 3 courses... unless you're having a 10 course banquet of sensational seafood on the beach of a lovely pacific island.













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