David Otunga

[thedamndest]

For those of you that didn't get to see this guy on NXT, David Otunga is the Harvard Law guy. He has a great big guy look and he sounds like he can talk, but he's only been at this for about a year.

He's also engaged to Jennifer Hudson. My local paper had a blurb about him possibly marrying her in the ring at some point. They mentioned him as a wrestler on WWE NXT. A casual reader wouldn't know the difference between NXT and Raw. The point is that as a rookie on WWE NXT, he's already gotten more publicity than somebody like Batista, who is only known to the wrestling world.

Do you think the WWE will cash in on this opportunity and make David Otunga the face of Raw or Smackdown?

[roach21]

I feel like the average viewer of Raw won't give a damn that he went to Harvard, was on a reality show, or is engaged to Jennifer Hudson (she's not a big enough name). WWE might use it for a bit, but that can only take him so far. He's going to have to show a hell of a lot of charisma a la Miz. I don't see any of that other stuff translating into success.

[Jeritron]

This is why I drafted him in the 5th round of the WWE Pool. Another great move by me.

[Indifferent Clox]

Also he will have to work on his finisher and make sure guys don't fall on the back of their heads

[Droford]

http://www.brainline.org/images/uploads/orig/2009/00172.jpg

Chris Nowinski is not impressed by Mr. Otunga

[Jeritron]

I feel like the average viewer of Raw won't give a damn that he went to Harvard, was on a reality show, or is engaged to Jennifer Hudson (she's not a big enough name). WWE might use it for a bit, but that can only take him so far. He's going to have to show a hell of a lot of charisma a la Miz. I don't see any of that other stuff translating into success.

The WWE doesn't care about the very small portion of the fanbase that thinks like this. They care about the bigger picture.
They can push him in a way that the wrestling fans accept him, or have to accept him. They watch from week to week as it is. It's the casual and mainstream viewers they are concerned about.

[thedamndest]

I feel like the average viewer of Raw won't give a damn that he went to Harvard, was on a reality show, or is engaged to Jennifer Hudson (she's not a big enough name). WWE might use it for a bit, but that can only take him so far. He's going to have to show a hell of a lot of charisma a la Miz. I don't see any of that other stuff translating into success.

Are you sure being engaged to Jennifer Hudson isn't a big deal? How many non-WWE news articles did Shawn Michaels make last year? Vince shying away from publicity is news to me.

[Jeritron]

You know you've lost sight of the big picture when you think "the average viewer" is us. The majority of viewers are not smarks/wrestling geeks to a large extent.

[Jeritron]

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[roach21]

Let me re- phrase. Jennifer Hudson appeals to a fan base that doesn't give a damn about wrestling. The fact that her fiancee is in the WWE will not have cross over appeal that results in an increase in long term viewers. Sure, TMZ and entertainment tonight might cover it, but it's more for the novelty/ laughs and not necessarily to promote the WWE or portray wrestling in a good light.

Also, he's very very raw. If he is rushed to the ring and stinks up the joint, wrestling fans will care even less about him.

[Jeritron]

If you knew anything about wrestling, you'd know that raw is war

[Snowden]

They'll give the kid every chance to succeed...he's got the look and sounds like he's got enough charisma to play the cocky heel. I'll hold out judgment on how he is in the ring, as all I've seen is a 1 minute squash. He's probably green...could probably use some more time in FCW, but lets see how it plays out.

And if the WWE didn't care about him being engaged to Jennifer Hudson, they wouldn't of pimped that during his NXT debut.

[kareru]

Do you think the WWE will cash in on this opportunity

the WWE will cash in on this opportunity

WWE cash opportunity

WWE cash


CASH!

[Ermaximus]

I think the fact that R-Truth is his veteran may actually get this guy over quicker than anyone else, aside from Danielson obviously.

[roach21]

And if the WWE didn't care about him being engaged to Jennifer Hudson, they wouldn't of pimped that during his NXT debut.[/QUOTE]

I said her fans don't give a fuck about him being in WWE. If they watch it will be out of curiosity. Once they see a Midget beat a grown ass man (on roids) they'll go back to American Idol, lifetime, etc...

I think he has the charisma to manage, I just would refrain from labeling him the guy who's going to put the "entertainment" in sports entertainment.

[Damian Rey]

I said her fans don't give a fuck about him being in WWE. If they watch it will be out of curiosity. Once they see a Midget beat a grown ass man (on roids) they'll go back to American Idol, lifetime, etc...

Not entirely true. There's no way you could account for how many Hudson fans might flip the channel to Raw, SmackDown!, etc. for sake of curiousity to see how Otunga's doing and actually keep the channel on said programs. It's called creating a casual viewer.

Ofcourse there will be people turned off to the product. It's to be expected. You saying they won't stick around becuase of other aspects of the programming is generalizing.

[Wishbone]

I really really really hope he doesn't become the face of RAW or Smackdown! I truthfully don't think the guy is capable of being anything more then a slightly more talkative big zeek

[Mr. Nerfect]

Let me re- phrase. Jennifer Hudson appeals to a fan base that doesn't give a damn about wrestling. The fact that her fiancee is in the WWE will not have cross over appeal that results in an increase in long term viewers. Sure, TMZ and entertainment tonight might cover it, but it's more for the novelty/ laughs and not necessarily to promote the WWE or portray wrestling in a good light.

Also, he's very very raw. If he is rushed to the ring and stinks up the joint, wrestling fans will care even less about him.

And Jewel is? Sherri Shepherd? Jennifer Hudson is an Academy Award Winner, Golden Globe Winner, Screen Actors Guild Award Winner, NAACP Image Award Winner and BAFTA Award Winner. She's 28 years old, beautiful, a celebrity and got mass appeal due to American Idol.

If you think she is not relevant to current "We've got Cheech and Chong on RAW!" mentality the WWE has, you are deluding yourself. Whether her fans would or would not like wrestling? Who knows. But I know that they may like John Cena; or find something else to like.

The WWE has a long way to go, but David Otunga is a good window for them, as he is the closest thing the WWE currently has to a celebrity. He's probably a bit green in the ring, but I genuinely believe that the guy wants to be a professional wrestler and is getting all the help he needs to evolve very quickly. If Vince were smart, I'd have no doubt that this guy will be getting a HUGE push when he appears on either RAW or SmackDown!.

[Rollermacka]

I feel like the average viewer of Raw won't give a damn that he went to Harvard, was on a reality show, or is engaged to Jennifer Hudson (she's not a big enough name). WWE might use it for a bit, but that can only take him so far. He's going to have to show a hell of a lot of charisma a la Miz. I don't see any of that other stuff translating into success.

Meh, I was hoping that Buddah had gotten the wrestling contract from that season of I love New York... that or that guy who completely broke down and started screaming and crying :shifty:

[Snowden]

I said her fans don't give a fuck about him being in WWE. If they watch it will be out of curiosity. Once they see a Midget beat a grown ass man (on roids) they'll go back to American Idol, lifetime, etc...

I think he has the charisma to manage, I just would refrain from labeling him the guy who's going to put the "entertainment" in sports entertainment.

No publicity is bad publicity, especially with an organization which is so starved to get itself back into the mainstream. Look, the fact of the matter is that, if they push the guy, they're trying to pull in a different kind of fan for a look. The claustrophobic idea that the WWE shouldn't try to pull in the mainstream fan is silly...thats the market that they need to expand into if they want better ratings/buys, and having a guy linked to an A/B list celebrity is sure as shit better than nothing.

And the guy doesn't need a push to the moon, just feature him a bit...get him some mic time and hype his involvement. What does the 'E really have to lose sans a few minutes of TV time? He doesn't work out, well, too bad and they move on and noone will notice. See: Eric Escobar. Life goes on, and failed experiments happen...just so happens that this guy may have some sort of upside outside of just a wrestling talent.

[Damian Rey]

No publicity is bad publicity, especially with an organization which is so starved to get itself back into the mainstream. Look, the fact of the matter is that, if they push the guy, they're trying to pull in a different kind of fan for a look. The claustrophobic idea that the WWE shouldn't try to pull in the mainstream fan is silly...thats the market that they need to expand into if they want better ratings/buys, and having a guy linked to an A/B list celebrity is sure as shit better than nothing.

And the guy doesn't need a push to the moon, just feature him a bit...get him some mic time and hype his involvement. What does the 'E really have to lose sans a few minutes of TV time? He doesn't work out, well, too bad and they move on and noone will notice. See: Eric Escobar. Life goes on, and failed experiments happen...just so happens that this guy may have some sort of upside outside of just a wrestling talent.

:y:

[Jay p fury]

jeritron i have been a fan of yours for months...that maryse video just made you my new favorite member.