David Otunga

[KIRA]

Has he grown on anyone else? When he was on NXT the only person I hated more than him was Slater and while his ringwork is far from the best I think hes come into his own as a smug buff Carlton Banks and I'm actually interested to see where he'll go from here.

[Heisenberg]

I like his coffee mug, shit is pretty boss.

[Curd]

David Otunga has more ring presence than Clarence Mason did.

[Pintint]

He is an awesome character, so character wise he has definetely "grown" on me with his role as John's assistant. In the ring he is still really boring though.

[KaosDarksol]

Every time he steps in the ring you know he is gonna lose but his character as Johnny's assistant works really well

[KIRA]

Every time he steps in the ring you know he is gonna lose but his character as Johnny's assistant works really well


Thats the other thing he plays against type hes huge but he constantly loses and somehow its completely believable that he gets his ass kicked.

[Damndirty]

He needs to be a leader of a stable, and maybe he'll get more publicity. I wouldn't have minded seeing him take over the Nexus.

[Tom Guycott]

He is an awesome character, so character wise he has definetely "grown" on me with his role as John's assistant. In the ring he is still really sloppy though.

fix'd

He needs to be a leader of a stable, and maybe he'll get more publicity. I wouldn't have minded seeing him take over the Nexus.

Otunga has improved vastly in his delivery- as in, back in NXT, he seemed to be uncomfortable delivering promos. It was almost like he felt he shouldn't be there, and that showed. That combined with his horrendus ringwork instigated the outcry to remove him from television. He's gotten light years better at being comfortable on the stick. His ringwork has gotten better too, albeit marginally. I'd say from "fucking unwatchable" to merely "abysmal".

The Chris Masters flexing gimmick seems it would have served him better with his whole "A-List" persona, not the second coming of Chris Nowinski, but hey, whatever works to get you noticed.

As a total package, he's still a shit sandwich. Just not a sloppy one.

As for Damndirty's "stable leader" bit... yeah. Seemed like that's where Nexus was headed for a bit, before the whole Cena making them look like Spirit Squad thing. Looked like David was going to snake the guys away from Wade, and Otunga was going to be the new mouthpiece of the group.

It seems to me that if he weren't Johnny Ace's right hand man, this would be the way to go, as he could be paired (or grouped, as it were) with people who are better in the ring than him, and they could leave the talking mostly to him. The others get better with promos, Otunga gets better in the ring. Simbiotic.


On a side note, he's gotten more popular around here mostly because he's just so damn shoopable!

[Curd]

Thats the other thing he plays against type hes huge but he constantly loses and somehow its completely believable that he gets his ass kicked.

Perhaps Norman Smiley will tutor Otunga in the ways of technical wrestling, thereby enabling Otunga to feud with Jack Swagger over who the better mat wrestler is.

[KIRA]

His possible hostile takeover of Nexus is what got me interested in him to begin with.

[Juan]

Would rather see Otunga on my screen than Ryback or Tensai, whatever's that's worth.

[KIRA]

Would rather see Otunga on my screen than Ryback or Tensai, whatever's that's worth. You and me both I really dont see how Gertner can call Ryback the greatest thing hes seen in a while with a perfectly straight face and not be hitting the LOL emoticon the entire time.

[James Steele]

You and me both I really dont see how Gertner can call Ryback the greatest thing hes seen in a while with a perfectly straight face and not be hitting the LOL emoticon the entire time.

You don't "get" Gertner do you?#ItsAWork

[KIRA]

You don't "get" Gertner do you?#ItsAWork

on some level I do but at the same time Its fun to give him hell for it too my making fun or calling him out its largely tongue in cheek.


that said my contempt for large talentless wrestlers is real

[Krimzon7]

#fuckhashtags

#shithasgonetoofar

#justfuckingexplainyourselfandstopignoringyourgoddamspacebar

[XL]

Would rather see Otunga on my screen than Ryback or Tensai, whatever's that's worth.
Pretty much.

It really shows what you can achieve by giving somebody a personality.

[Nicky Fives]

I cannot stand him..... I do not understand how someone so muscular can have such a small neck....

[Damndirty]

fix'd



Otunga has improved vastly in his delivery- as in, back in NXT, he seemed to be uncomfortable delivering promos. It was almost like he felt he shouldn't be there, and that showed. That combined with his horrendus ringwork instigated the outcry to remove him from television. He's gotten light years better at being comfortable on the stick. His ringwork has gotten better too, albeit marginally. I'd say from "fucking unwatchable" to merely "abysmal".

The Chris Masters flexing gimmick seems it would have served him better with his whole "A-List" persona, not the second coming of Chris Nowinski, but hey, whatever works to get you noticed.

As a total package, he's still a shit sandwich. Just not a sloppy one.

As for Damndirty's "stable leader" bit... yeah. Seemed like that's where Nexus was headed for a bit, before the whole Cena making them look like Spirit Squad thing. Looked like David was going to snake the guys away from Wade, and Otunga was going to be the new mouthpiece of the group.

It seems to me that if he weren't Johnny Ace's right hand man, this would be the way to go, as he could be paired (or grouped, as it were) with people who are better in the ring than him, and they could leave the talking mostly to him. The others get better with promos, Otunga gets better in the ring. Simbiotic.


On a side note, he's gotten more popular around here mostly because he's just so damn shoopable!

I still would've liked to have known what he was gonna reveal to world about Wade Nexus' real reason for attacking the Undertaker, or at least the idea they were going to use for that role.

[Lock Jaw]

NEXT US CHAMPION.

Make it happen.

[KIRA]

NEXT US CHAMPION.

Make it happen.
He'll just replace Santino as US champ speedbag(who somehow retains the belt)

[James Steele]

#fuckhashtags

#shithasgonetoofar

#justfuckingexplainyourselfandstopignoringyourgoddamspacebar

#HatersGonnaHate #WhatHappenedTo #K4L #LetsGoLickTripleHsBallsTogetherAndTalkAboutThis

[Krimzon7]

#K4Lwillneverdie

#Iloveyoudearly

#thisispaybackforthatfuckingjonjonesposteryouputonmyrepsheetafterhedefloweredmyhero

#Ilostthewilltliveafterthispictureappeared

[Krimzon7]

I still would've liked to have known what he was gonna reveal to world about Wade Nexus' real reason for attacking the Undertaker, or at least the idea they were going to use for that role.

you're not supposed to remember little details like that! Just buy the T Shirt Dammit

[James Steele]

#K4Lwillneverdie

#Iloveyoudearly

#thisispaybackforthatfuckingjonjonesposteryouputonmyrepsheetafterhedefloweredmyhero

#Ilostthewilltliveafterthispictureappeared

http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg397/scaled.php?server=397&filename=hbkflairwm2agkll1.gif&res=landing

[K.Smoke]

David Otunga has really come into character suprizingly. bcus originally every1 was giving his wife credit now she barely gets mentioned. He has taken over the Total Package Lex Luther role as an egotiscal self absorbed follower. And quite frankly he's doing a great job at it. kudos to otunga and yes the Honky Tonk wanna be was the worst character in nxt and probably the worst on the roster.

[KIRA]

Damn it I was gonna comment But the close up shot of Triple H's ass has all but wiped my short term memory
Goddamn you James.:foc:

[Krimzon7]

http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg397/scaled.php?server=397&filename=hbkflairwm2agkll1.gif&res=landing

at first i was all

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rwro8doozUw/T755eP-AslI/AAAAAAAABPU/nCWLy9hg7Dg/s1600/triple-h-angry.gif

but we're Buddies!!!

http://i55.tinypic.com/2rzcunr.gif

[Keith]

David Otunga has been given every opportunity to succeed. He even hosted RAW while still in NXT.

So if he never amounts to much, or if he never truly "makes it", it won't be because he wasn't given the chance. It'll all be on him.

[KIRA]

At first I was always of the mindset "they have to keep him happy in case the need Mrs Otunga if they divorce hes finished" but like I said I think hes proven to be a commodity all his own if they can get fans to respond to him more I think he'll be ok.

[Rollermacka]

I like Otunga, he's got the "heel narcissist" gimmick down. He's even added alittle bit more to it with a famous wife and a Harvard graduate. As long as he keeps getting better in the ring (and Vince's love of oiled up musular men doesnt stop) he's got tons of potential success

[Keith]

He's gotten better characterwise, but he still makes these awkward pauses as he talks, makes what he's saying look "too planned out". You'd think that him being a lawyer would make it easier for him to just talk naturally. You'd think the words would just roll off his toungue.

[Schlomey]

Otunga should work with Abraham Washington and get a good stable going of "wasted talent who feel the WWE isn't holding up their end of their contracts".

[Damndirty]

I wonder what he'd be like as a face, but he definitely shouldn't do it prematurely at all. <(Noid's field here) If he turned face in the way that he is now, he will end up like Chris Masters in his last days of death row in WWE... waving like a fairy as he comes down, smiling like he just brushed his teeth after blowing at a rest stop, high fiving people so he'd at least get over with those in the front rows (people behind that could give a shit less), and, ultimately, lose every fucking match until his contract expires.

[Tom Guycott]

David Otunga has been given every opportunity to succeed. He even hosted RAW while still in NXT.

So if he never amounts to much, or if he never truly "makes it", it won't be because he wasn't given the chance. It'll all be on him.

...which is 100% against trend. Kudos for WWE for breaking that at least once (well, twice. Forgot about Sheamus/HHH and giving the Irishman a monster push through ECW that he mostly made good with.) Usually, they get nothing to work with... just thrown out there with some idea of a gimmick and a "here, go connect with the crowd or something!"

Seriously, it looks like he just had that look Vince goes crazy for plus a famous wife for that crossover media appeal, and they lucked out that he has the desire AND ability to get better. I'm not a total fan, but even I can see how far he's come.

Aside from hosting RAW, he was mostly given the rub by Cena in the whole Nexus thing. In tag/group clusterfuck tag matches as being his "primary" opponent, and even as tag partners as the bound by belts champions. That in itself (basically being mentored by Cena) was proof of truth to your statement. Add to that his placement now with the onscreen replacement for heel Vince, and they keep proving they think this guy is a future moneymaker.

[KIRA]

I wonder what he'd be like as a face, but he definitely shouldn't do it prematurely at all. <(Noid's field here) If he turned face in the way that he is now, he will end up like Chris Masters in his last days of death row in WWE... waving like a fairy as he comes down, smiling like he just brushed his teeth after blowing at a rest stop, high fiving people so he'd at least get over with those in the front rows (people behind that could give a shit less), and, ultimately, lose every fucking match until his contract expires.

Not sure he should or even if he'd be effective as a face, on one hand he seemed to be able to gain sympathy back when he was in Nexus and jockeying for Wade Barret's spot on the other he comes across as a natural asshole and as a heel that can only be positive as it plays to his strengths and allows his lack of in ring ability to be over looked where as in a face role its almost a demand that he have more ability than he currently has.

[Damndirty]

Like I said, in the way he is now, he would not be a good face. He would have to change alot of things about himself: Signature gestures, a popular personality, appearance, theme song, wrestling ability and signature moves, and of course crowd reception in general. He's fine where he's at as a heel, but being a heel, he has to realize this is his opportunity to experiment with things. Doing it as a face is a billion times harder.

[Keith]

If he ever gets over, it'll definitely be as a heel. He's just got that natural "heel" charisma.

[K.Smoke]

yes I agree he has to be a heel for a very long time maybe go face briefly but mostly stay a heel.

[XL]

He's gotten better characterwise, but he still makes these awkward pauses as he talks, makes what he's saying look "too planned out". You'd think that him being a lawyer would make it easier for him to just talk naturally. You'd think the words would just roll off his toungue.
Also, his tongue.

Just waiting for WWE to market an Otunga branded luxury coffee range.

They really need to play up that coffee flask. Call his finish the Mocha Dropper.

[Innovator]

I did love when Eve made Teddy get her coffee, Otunga quickly said, "I'm good."

[Tommy Gunn]

I like his narcissist gimmick, and he's on TV every week, they just need to stop feeding him to uppercard / main event guys and let him work up the ranks and get some wins.

[DAMN iNATOR]

Since nobody else has mentioned it yet, his music is badass

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/yWyVAkLnFIU" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[K.Smoke]

Quick note about Otunga's "in-ring" ability
He's been matching up against top notch WWE Stars for quite some time now. He must have good ring machanics in order to get CM Punk Sheamus and Cena on multiple occaisions

[Mr. Nerfect]

Something to keep in mind about the dude is that he's only been wrestling since 2009. To put that into perspective, The Miz has been wrestling since 2003; Derrick Bateman has been wrestling since 2002; Drew McIntyre has been wrestling since 2001; Ezekiel Jackson since 2007; and Mason Ryan since 2007, as well. You won't find too many guys on the WWE roster that are less experienced than Otunga. I think Bray Wyatt and Percy Watson also both started in 2009, and are both pretty solid, but Otunga was the first exposed of the lot.

We've also got the exposure factor to keep in mind. We were exposed to Otunga when he was green as fuck (like, literally less than a year's experience), and so we're used to thinking that Otunga is shit. While he is getting fast-tracked to greatness, we're not really seeing the leaps and strides that the guy is making as a personality and performer.

I still think the guy is overall very clunky, both in the ring and on the mic, but I have no disillusionments about the fact that people that know wrestling far more than me see dollar signs in the guy. Also, from his Twitter, you can tell that the dude is educated on the business, is a fan, and only wants to get better and better. It's not like he's at fault for being called up too early and thrust into the spotlight. I think Otunga, if anything, should get credit for taking the opportunity he's been given and really running with it.

I mean, you can say that he's only been given that opportunity because he's banging someone famous, but he managed to get that famous person to want to bang him in the first place. That's a winner.

Otunga is my pick to be the next United States Champion, and I think we'll see a different David Otunga when he gets the belt. I think we'll see an Otunga who knows the position he's in with his first singles title, and an Otunga that will do everything he can to put forth the best performances he can whilst being a secondary champion. There are rumours that the WWE is considering unifying the US and IC Titles, whilst keeping the WWE and World Heavyweight Championships separate. Christian vs. Otunga for both titles seems like it could happen, and Christian would be a pretty perfect opponent to really help Otunga take some extra steps as both a wrestler and a character. I don't think we'll see an overnight workrate machine, or anything -- but I think that in about two years time, we'll be talking about how Otunga has really "earned his spot."

[el bobbo]

Otunga is my pick to be the next United States Champion, and I think we'll see a different David Otunga when he gets the belt. I think we'll see an Otunga who knows the position he's in with his first singles title, and an Otunga that will do everything he can to put forth the best performances he can whilst being a secondary champion. There are rumours that the WWE is considering unifying the US and IC Titles, whilst keeping the WWE and World Heavyweight Championships separate. Christian vs. Otunga for both titles seems like it could happen, and Christian would be a pretty perfect opponent to really help Otunga take some extra steps as both a wrestler and a character. I don't think we'll see an overnight workrate machine, or anything -- but I think that in about two years time, we'll be talking about how Otunga has really "earned his spot."

Do you think the US belt should be considered on the same level as the European Championship?

The WWE is clearly favoring the IC Belt by putting it on a top guy like Christian, but the US Belt could work wonders for some undercard guys to vault into prominence if used correctly... not just on a comedy guy like Santino.

[K.Smoke]

Do you think the US belt should be considered on the same level as the European Championship?

I would say so also. Espcecially in Meaning. Since US title means United states and intercontinental means between continents and World title means... well thats obvious. European Champion would be a Champion of the Europe region as US champion would be champion of the US region. And to end an argument b4 it starts The US title was once dropped by edge in favor of the IC title when he beat test for it. It was out of rotation for at least a year I remember. This also happened to the European title when Rob Van Dam beat Jeff Hardy.

Otunga US champion sounds good to me I like the guy. Christians match against Miz was disappointing. It just would have looked far more convincing for Miz to win. Cody Rhodes looked better in a much shorter match against Kidd.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I just think that there isn't much idea of what to do with the US Title right now. I would suggest they take it off Santino as quick as possible, since they seem to either want to use him in a comedy team with Zack Ryder, or as a guy to put over heels.

[Keith]

Otunga has basically become the black version of Chris Masters, only smarter.

[K.Smoke]

^^what he said

[Damndirty]

Otunga has basically become the black version of Chris Masters, only smarter.

Just hope he won't be held back like Masters ended being.

[Mr. Nerfect]

The WWE should bring Chris Masters back. Tomorrow.

The dude is under 30. While his heel run was pretty shitty, if you remember, he was brought up to the WWE while he was still very green. He's got a tremendous physique, and his time on NXT showed that he could develop a personality if given time to talk. Also, it's so hard to find someone that is good as a babyface. Masters was awesome during his last WWE run.

Literally, the only downside to the guy is that he's already been suspended by the WWE twice.

[Skippord]

they should call Otunga Black Masterson

[stultiloquy]

Quick note about Otunga's "in-ring" ability
He's been matching up against top notch WWE Stars for quite some time now. He must have good ring machanics in order to get CM Punk Sheamus and Cena on multiple occaisions

I don't know about that...I'm more of the mind that he needs to be in the ring with someone who can carry him enough so the match isn't a complete debacle.

Otunga has personality, and his role as a stooge suits him well, but in the ring he's not much better than Mason Ryan.

[K.Smoke]

I don't know about that...I'm more of the mind that he needs to be in the ring with someone who can carry him enough so the match isn't a complete debacle.

Otunga has personality, and his role as a stooge suits him well, but in the ring he's not much better than Mason Ryan.

I love Mason Ryan by the way. But no u can't trust ur top talent in the ring with a guy that can possibly hurt them. He has performed power based moves such as his finisher which if done wrong will hurt someone. The difference is that his matches are probably more scripted then normal fights. And don't get it twisted I know that the bookers decide who wins in all matches but they don't decide completely how every match will go move by move. The stars themselves communicate in the ring aswell as out.

Let also keep in mind that this thread has more than 40 replies(thank mostly to Noid and #1-wwf-fan) which adds to how much he has been standing out. Something hard to do among so much talent.

[DAMN iNATOR]

He's gotten better characterwise, but he still makes these awkward pauses as he talks, makes what he's saying look "too planned out". You'd think that him being a lawyer would make it easier for him to just talk naturally. You'd think the words would just roll off his toungue.

Then again, that could just be part of his character. After all, lawyers do have a tendency to think pretty profusely at times before speaking...

Also, probably should've mentioned it before, but that bow tie is fucking epic too.

[K.Smoke]

respect the bowtie

[Keith]

Then again, that could just be part of his character. After all, lawyers do have a tendency to think pretty profusely at times before speaking...

Also, probably should've mentioned it before, but that bow tie is fucking epic too.

Nah, Otunga has been like that ever since he was on NXT.