Something that concerns me with this 'youth movement'.

[Rammsteinmad]

I know we've all been bitching for the last five years about how no new stars had been made and how it was still the same people from ten years ago, and I think it's great that WWE is finally starting to make up for that now and push a lot of young talent.

But now I can't help but feel like the whole youth movement thing is taking too much of a prioriety that 'old' wrestlers have no chance of 'making it'. It seems anyone over the age of 34 is going to be nothing more than cannon fodder, unless you're already built up from the last decade.

Triple H, Undertaker, Kane, Edge and Chris Jericho are safe. And Orton and Cena are the 'present' anyway, but people like Christian, Matt Hardy, Chavo Guerrero, MVP and William Regal are all screwed now. It's like, they'll never get a shot to actually do anything anymore because they're 'too old and past their primes'. Even though their still putting on great matches.

Same could be said for Finley. I wasn't expecting him to win the World Title or anything, but he's been taken off TV because he's too old, even though at his age he was still pulling his weight.

I don't know if I'm right or if this makes sense, it's just something I've been thinking about. I think it's fantastic that WWE is starting to focus on young, rising stars, but I don't think they should just instantly abandon any non-bonafide-main eventers just because their not in their 20's/early 30's.

[Next Big Thing]

As much as it sucks for us as fans, this era is one of transition. I feel like five years from now we'll see a much better product as members of the "youth movement" either grow or are weeded out and the "present" becomes veterans, but until then we might just have to deal with it unfortunately.

[Lock Jaw]

I agree, it is a bit "concerning".

They gave Swagger the world title and then proceeded to make him look like a chump. Whereas they could have most likely have given the title to Christian and instantly had a legit main eventer on their hands, while slowly building Swagger up as a contender on the side.

[Rammsteinmad]

But Christian's 36!!! He's too old to be a Champion now!!! :shifty:

[Lock Jaw]

I agree, it is a bit "concerning".

They gave Swagger the world title and then proceeded to make him look like a chump. Whereas they could have most likely have given the title to Christian and instantly had a legit main eventer on their hands, while slowly building Swagger up as a contender on the side.

[Snowden]

Agreed, but I see the rationale in the 'E's plans. If you push guys like Miz, Swagger, McIntyre etc, you can hope that these guys'll be around in the company for the next ten plus years. Whereas if you push a Christian and Matt Hardy, they may be gone in five years. If its going to be an era of transition, you may as well invest TV time into guys who could pay off in the longer term.

Plus, in a sense you have guys like Matt Hardy who have always played second fiddle to the stars of this and the next era. You're going to have to work harder to convince fans that Matt Hardy, a career midcarder, can go toe to toe with guys like Orton, than a younger talent whose been made to look strong his whole career.

[Fox]

I feel like Matt Hardy's time has passed. If he was going to be a World champion he would've done it by now.

Christian, I feel, will win the WWE or World Heavyweight title before his career is said and done. The time hasn't been right yet in the minds of the WWE writers, but I think he'll get a "Trophy" title run much like Foley, Guerrero and Benoit before him. I think he deserves more than this, but he did spend like 5 years in TNA when, if he would've stuck it out in the WWE, he probably would've been a World Champion by now.

MVP has had numerous occasions to try and connect with the fans, but he just hasn't done it. The Miz is a perfect example of a guy who was given opportunities and CAPITALIZED on them. Guys like MVP, Chavo Guerrero, Carlito and even Mr. Kennedy (to an extent) all had their shots and basically blew them.

I'm all about the youth movement in the WWE, so long as we can get some decently written, coherent, interesting and exciting storylines to go along with our new, younger, faster main eventers.

[specialk]

it's understandable to be concerned with the "youth movement" within wwe right now. i feel the same way, but really, would it be this way if anyone other than cena and orton had been ABLE to get over they way they have. it's not that the wwe didn't try to give guys shots. sure, some guys might have gotten injured at times they started getting pushed, but where was the love when they came back. it didn't carry over into anything lasting. the other guys who got shots just didn't get over. you can't blame wwe for not making new stars when the guys they put time into didn't materialize. so say the wwe didn't plan for the future, but neither did the guys they had available.

you could possibly call that a reason that john cena HAD to carry the E. noone else stood up to help.

[DLVH84]

Young people fighting each other doesn't really give them enough room to learn. You got to have veterans like Finlay and Goldust to help the young people get to a higher level, just like Terry Funk has done in ECW.

[Steveviscious89]

The big concern is; why weren't they doing this 8 years ago? Well...they sort of were, but some of their stars at the time moved on to other things. Lesnar quit and went for the MMA thing. Shortly after that, Angle left for TNA, and then Christian and Jeff Hardy have been back and forth so they are lost in the shuffle. The youth movement will not work unless they youth stay where they are. The only other thing would be for TNA to actually get bigger and have enough power to build their own stars. As of right now, no one coming out of TNA is worth anything anywhere else. A sad but true fact. The responsibility of creating stars unfortunately lies in the hands of one company. That should be the number one concern of the business.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I feel like Matt Hardy's time has passed. If he was going to be a World champion he would've done it by now.

Christian, I feel, will win the WWE or World Heavyweight title before his career is said and done. The time hasn't been right yet in the minds of the WWE writers, but I think he'll get a "Trophy" title run much like Foley, Guerrero and Benoit before him. I think he deserves more than this, but he did spend like 5 years in TNA when, if he would've stuck it out in the WWE, he probably would've been a World Champion by now.

MVP has had numerous occasions to try and connect with the fans, but he just hasn't done it. The Miz is a perfect example of a guy who was given opportunities and CAPITALIZED on them. Guys like MVP, Chavo Guerrero, Carlito and even Mr. Kennedy (to an extent) all had their shots and basically blew them.

I'm all about the youth movement in the WWE, so long as we can get some decently written, coherent, interesting and exciting storylines to go along with our new, younger, faster main eventers.

I sort of agree with this. Sadly, I don't think this can be said in every case. Matt Hardy and Christian were both white-hot in 2005, but where pushed to the side in order to protect investments like John Cena, Edge & Batista. The WWE chose who they wanted to make money for them, rather than letting the fans choose.

I do hope that guys like MVP have not lost all chance of having that run at the top. But I listen to MVP's promos, and there's just nothing about his current character that makes me think that it must happen. MVP really needs to kick it into another gear. Getting his new theme music might help.

But I think this youth movement has been forced upon us after a long time of ignoring the youth. It is sad, but the youth that were neglected aren't youth anymore. While I understand what someone said about pushing the 20-somethings who might still be around in 10-15 years, I don't think this should be across the board. As someone said, the veterans need to depart their skills onto these young kids. Guys like Christian and even MVP (who has only been with the WWE for four years, but feels like an old-timer), can do that.

[Rammsteinmad]

Wasn't MVP shit-hot when he was a heel though? His feud with Matt Hardy was getting tons of praise on here. Sadly he hasn't gotten quite as over as a face. But I don't think they should just give up on him, he may be getting on a bit in years, but the guy still has loads of potential.

[Next Big Thing]

MVP has had numerous occasions to try and connect with the fans, but he just hasn't done it. The Miz is a perfect example of a guy who was given opportunities and CAPITALIZED on them. Guys like MVP, Chavo Guerrero, Carlito and even Mr. Kennedy (to an extent) all had their shots and basically blew them.

I agree with everything you said except this part. Look at the gimmick MVP has and the audience he's trying to connect with. I wish WWE would stop giving every ethnic/ minority performer a fucking stereotypical gimmick.

Look at Faarooq. His biggest run came when he stopped being black and became a beer drinker who whooped ass. The majority of WWE's fan base can relate to that and love a character like that more than some pissed off black guy.

Same deal with the other two guys. They gave Chavo the fucking Kerwin White gimmick once again playing off race.

I don't think you can put Kennedy in the same boat because he was getting t.v. time and getting over. His biggest fuck up was apparently hugging Randy Orton from behind when he came back and then not placing him gently enough on the mat during their match.

[Next Big Thing]

I sort of agree with this. Sadly, I don't think this can be said in every case. Matt Hardy and Christian were both white-hot in 2005, but where pushed to the side in order to protect investments like John Cena, Edge & Batista. The WWE chose who they wanted to make money for them, rather than letting the fans choose.

We have to admit though... WWE made a pretty good choice. Hardy and Christian are great, but no way in hell they'd draw like Cena has. Everyone from Cornette to Bischoff rides Cena's nuts.

Same with Batista. Sure he blew mile long donkey dick in the ring, but as a heel, I'd rather watch him than Hardy.

As far as that piece of shit Edge goes he's lucky he fucked Lita and received the benefit of the heat that that drew. I do wish Christian had his spot. Hardy... not so much.

[Fox]

In the long run, it may not be terrible for Christian to be at the spot he's in now. Edge and Christian came into the WWE around the same time, but because Christian left for awhile, his character is "younger" than Edge's. Edge really has very little left to accomplish in his career, unless of course he takes a drastic change in gimmick and starts some new feuds. He's won the Rumble, he's a KOTR winner, he's won every title, he's main evented Mania and even has a legacy in TLC to live on after he's gone. Christian still has a lot to accomplish in the WWE while Edge is toward the end.

Of course, this is all supposing that WWE aren't a bunch of idiots and that they plan on pushing Christian as a true main eventer sometime before he's done.

[The Pope]

Just because it's PG doesn't mean they have to have kids as champs.

[BizarroKing]

They've barely pushed anyone yet it seems like...

[Next Big Thing]

In the long run, it may not be terrible for Christian to be at the spot he's in now. Edge and Christian came into the WWE around the same time, but because Christian left for awhile, his character is "younger" than Edge's. Edge really has very little left to accomplish in his career, unless of course he takes a drastic change in gimmick and starts some new feuds. He's won the Rumble, he's a KOTR winner, he's won every title, he's main evented Mania and even has a legacy in TLC to live on after he's gone. Christian still has a lot to accomplish in the WWE while Edge is toward the end.

Of course, this is all supposing that WWE aren't a bunch of idiots and that they plan on pushing Christian as a true main eventer sometime before he's done.

If they unify the belts as reported Christian will never ever be world champion. The sad fact is Vince doesn't appreciate his work.

[The Pope]

Sounds like Regal, Christian, Matt Hardy will be on TNA's roster within a year.

[BizarroKing]

Sounds like Regal, Christian, Matt Hardy will be on TNA's roster within a year.

Unless TNA still has some beef with Christian leaving to return to WWE. Hardy I can see reuniting with Jeff. Regal...unsure.

[M-A-G]

Not everyone can get pushed.

[Lock Jaw]

EVERYBODY SHOULD BE PUSHED RIGHT NOW :mad:

[M-A-G]

EVERYBODY SHOULD BE PUSHED RIGHT NOW :mad:

OK. :(