A LOOK AT THE RAW BABYFACES AND THEIR CHANCES AT THE WWE HALL OF FAME
By Doug Brown on 3/14/2007 11:58 AM
Being a long time wrestling fan, the Hall of Fame is one of my favorite parts of the year. There are so many deserving candidates out there that I hope will one day get their shot at induction. This year's class is off to a good start with former world champions Dusty Rhodes, Curt Hennig, Jerry Lawler, and Nick Bockwinkel, and just announced on Monday night, former tag team champion and manager of champions Mr. Fuji. However, instead of looking at the past, I want to discuss the present and the future.
This is the first of a series of columns that will look at the current WWE rosters and their chances of one day getting inducted into the Hall of Fame. The title histories are courtesy of
www.wrestling-titles.com.
THE LOCKS:
"Stone Cold" Steve Austin
Title History: six time WWE Champion, four time WWE Tag Team Champion, two time WWE Intercontinental Champion, one time WCW World Tag Team Champion, two time WCW United States Champion, and a two time former WCW World Television Champion
Summary: Austin, along with Hulk Hogan, are the biggest box office draws and merchandise movers in company history. If it weren't for injuries, he would probably still be an active in-ring competitor. His feuds with Vince McMahon, Bret Hart, the Undertaker, and the Rock will go down among the company's most memorable. The feud with Vince led to the turnaround and eventual defeat of WCW in the Monday Night Wars. Austin was also 5-2 at Wrestlemania, headlining the big dance three times, and stealing the show on the undercard two other times.
The Rock
Title History: seven time WWE Champion, five time WWE Tag Team Champion, two time WWE Intercontinental Champion, and two time WCW World Champion.
Summary: The Rock has become the company's biggest crossover star. When he started, many of us thought he was yet another in a long ling of wrestlers trying to make a living off their famous father's name. It wasn't long before the Rock carved out his own niche. His feuds with Steve Austin, Triple H, and Mick Foley were among the company's best. The thing he will probably be remembered best for is his unselfishness in the ring. He was always willing to put the other guy over. The Rock also headlined Wrestlemania four times. Had Hollywood not come calling, I think he would probably still be an active competitor. Even though his movie career keeps him occupied, you can expect a large ovation, anytime his catchphrase comes over the loud speakers, and he steps out from behind the curtain.
Mick Foley
Title History: three time WWE Champion, eight time WWE Tag Team Champion, one time WWE Hardcore Champion, one time WCW World Tag Team Champion, and two time ECW World Tag Team Champion
Summary: Foley was always known as one of the toughest competitors in the business. His three personas of Cactus Jack, Mankind, and Dude Love made him a household name during the Monday Night Wars. He will probably be best remembered for the insane bump from the top of the Hell in the Cell against the Undertaker, getting off the stretcher, climbing up the cage, then a few moments later crashing through the cell roof to the ring below, and yet somehow still finishing the match. Foley is also a two time New York Times best selling author with his novels giving a very interesting look at the inside of the industry. Foley was also part of the now infamous, "This is Your Life" segment with the Rock, which was the highest rated segment of Raw ever. To underline his popularity, there was the eventful night where WCW revealed on their live broadcast that Foley was going to win the WWE Title for the first time (the match had been taped the week before), and fans changed the channels in droves to watch the event take place.
John Cena
Title History: three time WWE Champion, one time World Tag Team Champion, and three time WWE United States Champion
Summary: Love him or hate him, Cena is the star that Vince McMahon is bankrolling the company's future around. Cena is about to headline his third straight Wrestlemania with Shawn Michaels. He is the company's current top merchandise mover. He has already had memorable feuds with Kurt Angle, Edge, the Big Show, Chris Jericho, Booker T, and Umaga. After a period where he was being mostly booed, Cena has turned things around with his hard work, and by going out and giving the fans everything he has night after night. The result is that once again he is being mostly cheered, with the exception of a few places. In addition to that, his movie, "The Marine," though not an overwhelming success at the box office, has done very well for itself thus far on DVD. Also think about this, Cena is still only in his mid-20's, which means he's just getting started.
"The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels
Title History: three time WWE Champion, one time World Heavyweight Champion, three time WWE Tag Team Champion, one time World Tag Team Champion, three time WWE Intercontinental Champion, one time WWE European Champion, and two time AWA World Tag Team Champion
Summary: He is the showstopper, the icon, and the main event. Michaels is one of the best workers in not only WWE history, but wrestling history. Michaels was one of the few that did not jump to WCW during the Monday Night Wars. He is about to headline his fourth Wrestlemania against John Cena. His matches have stolen show at several others. Had it not been for a back injury that sidelined him for four years, he would probably have a resume that is even more impressive than it already is. Among his classic feuds are Bret Hart, Triple H, Razor Ramon, Diesel, Marty Jannetty, and Kurt Angle. Michaels will probably always be best linked to his feud with Bret Hart. The two had many classic battles, and it all came to an end with the still much talked about Montreal Screwjob, which celebrates its ten year anniversary this November.
Triple H
Title History: five time WWE Champion, five time World Heavyweight Champion, one time WWE Tag Team Champion, four time WWE Intercontinental Champion, and two time WWE European Champion
Summary: What's probably the biggest shame is that most folks will link the majority of his success to his marriage to Stephanie McMahon. While that does make up part of it, there is no denying that Triple H has put in a lot of hard work to make himself into a great wrestler. He's been a part of many famous and infamous moments in company history. He headlined five Wrestlemanias. The Game has taken the Hell in the Cell match, and made it his own. He has had many legendary feuds, particularly with the Rock, Steve Austin, Mick Foley, and Shawn Michaels. His prolonged pop at Madison Square Garden following the return from his first quadriceps injury was a site to behold. However, probably the thing he is most proud of, is getting to team with his boyhood hero, Ric Flair.
"The Nature Boy" Ric Flair
Title History: two time WWE Champion, three time World Tag Team Champion, one time WWE Intercontinental Champion, ten time NWA World Heavyweight Champion, three time NWA World Tag Team Champion, eight time WCW World Heavyweight Champion, two time WCW International World Heavyweight Champion, and six time NWA/WCW United States Champion
Summary: He's on the short list of when people come up with names of the best ever. Over 30 years of stylin' and proflin', make Flair part of the elite. From Harley Race to Hulk Hogan to Triple H, he's been in the ring with every big name of the last generation. Although Father Time has taken its toll, the Nature Boy has been known to have a rabbit or two still left in the hat. His feud with Ricky Steamboat produced arguably the greatest pure matches in wrestling history. Flair was also one of the founding members of the Four Horsemen, which was the most successful stable of wrestlers ever put together.
Jeff Hardy
Title History: five time WWE Tag Team Champion, three time WWE Intercontinental Champion, one time WWE European Champion, three time WWE Hardcore Champion, one time WWE Light Heavyweight Champion, and one time WCW World Tag Team Champion
Summary: Jeff Hardy has long been thought of as one of WWE's top prospects. After a brief period of leaving to take care of personal issues, and a run with TNA that went nowhere, he has returned to top form on the Raw brand. He and his brother Matt are one of the company's top tag teams despite being on different brands. His feud with Johnny Nitro revived interest in the Intercontinental Championship. Meanwhile, the Hardys and MNM stole the show at ECW December to Dismember. As a team, the matches that the Hardys had with the Dudley Boyz and Edge and Christian almost make them Hall of Fame worthy just for the TLC battles alone. As long as he keeps his nose clean, I can see more tag team titles, and even a possible WWE Title run in his future.
THE MAYBES:
Carlito
Title History: one time WWE Intercontinental Champion and one time WWE U.S. Champion
Summary: Carlito is another of the many second generation stars in WWE. He burst onto the scene by capturing the U.S. title in his first match on Smackdown, and then later capturing the Intercontinental title in his first match on Raw. Carlito has shown to be good on the microphone, and does possess charisma, but what is holding him back are questions regarding his work ethic. Those questions were recently worked into his current storyline with Ric Flair. Carlito does have ability, but the feeling is that he needs to work harder, and be more consistent in having good matches, before he can move up the ladder.
Hacksaw Jim Duggan
Title History: one time WCW United States Champion and one time WCW World Television Champion
Summary: Duggan is one of wrestling's most beloved performers. He doesn't have a Malenko like in-ring arsenal, but he still manages to get the crowd behind everything he does in the squared circle. Longevity is on his side, having been on the mainstream scene for most of the last twenty years. He even won a battle with cancer a few years ago in order to get back to doing what he does best. One of the recent things that stands out in my mind is a few months ago in Bridgeport, Connecticut on Raw when Duggan was teaming with Eugene and the Highlanders against the Spirit Squad. There was a very loud, "We Want Hacksaw," chant. In spite of all the hype the others got, Duggan was still the most over guy in the match. The only things that might hold Duggan back are that he was for the most part a mid to low card guy, and was on the losing end of most of his WWF and WCW feuds.
Mickie James
Title History: two time WWE Women's Champion
Summary: After seeing the way that Mickie, Melina, and Victoria have been having such great matches with each other, how the hell does Ashley Massaro wind up with the title shot at Wrestlemania? Mickie has earned her stripes over the past year. If WWE would focus on women who are both beautiful and can wrestle, Mickie could be one of the breakout stars on the brand. She has the ability, but unfortunately WWE management has long been insistent on pushing bra size instead of talent when it comes to the divas.
NO WAY:
Cryme Tyme
Title History: none yet
Summary: JTG and Shad Gaspard are two young athletic guys, but the problem is that both of them are very green and they should still be down at OVW learning their craft. They are instead on the main roster in a stereotypical gimmick that is going nowhere fast. I thought their initial training vignettes were funny to watch, but then they went on to do the fake Michael Richards bit, and the fake George W. Bush bit, both of which were absolutely awful. What kills me is that WWE has consistently been putting them over on the much more talented duo of Charlie Haas and Shelton Benjamin. They won a tag team title shot several months ago, and still have not received the match, which might be an indicator of how far their stock has already fallen.
The Highlanders
Title History: none yet
Summary: The Highlanders were another tag team that received an initial push, but much like two other teams on the roster (Cryme Time and Cade & Murdoch), it is already gone. Robbie and Rory were another in a line of failed stereotype gimmicks. They went from competing for the tag team titles to facing jobbers on Heat. Unless a miracle happens, I don't see things changing for them.
Val Venis
Title History: one time World Tag Team Champion, two time WWE Intercontinental Champion, and one time WWE European Champion
Summary: Despite the porn star gimmick, Venis proved himself to be a pretty good wrestler. He used to start all his matches with a clever sexual innuendo that helped to boost his popularity. He later had good brief heel runs with the Right to Censor and as Chief Morley under then Raw GM Eric Bischoff. However, he then got hurt, and went away. He came back with his old porn star gimmick, but by then no one cared anymore. He has been basically a jobber to the stars for about three and half years now. Initially I thought he would have stood a shot at the Hall of Fame, but in light of recent events, which we know are always subject to change, I don't see an induction happening for the Big Valbowski.
Super Crazy
Title History: one time ECW World Television Champion
Summary: Crazy has the ability to be a top notch star. I still however don't understand why he was shipped to the Raw roster. To me, Crazy is a much better fit with the cruiserweights on Smackdown, or maybe as an extra part of the Originals on ECW. Since moving to Raw, he has become lost in the shuffle for the most part. He does have victories over Chris Masters and Johnny Nitro, but those are few and far between. Hopefully, they will realize their mistake someday, and move him to a roster that where he has a better chance of making an impact (no pun intended). With WWE not pushing the little guys, he isn't going to get much of a chance to shine on Raw.
Torrie Wilson, Candice Michelle, and Maria
Titles: none yet
Summary: Their lone purpose is because Vince likes as many breasts as possible during a two hour program. If they would actually do something of significance besides just being eye candy and doing strip teases, I might be tempted to upgrade them to maybes. When there are women out there that can both wrestle, and look good in a bikini, it is a shame that TV time is wasted on these three. On the plus side, at least all three are better than that interviewer, Rebecca, on ECW. Now that lady is terrible!
