I'd like to know people's opinion on Scott Stanford

[Mr. Nerfect]

Personally, I feel he is an immensely underrated commentating presence in the WWE. When it comes to the IWC, we have our favourites -- and that extents to commentators as much as anything. There is usually a common opinion shared by a large number of "smart" wrestling fans: No team will ever touch Gorilla Monsoon & Bobby Heenan, Jim Ross is the greatest of all-time, JBL is a fantastic color man, etc.

But I never hear anything about Mr. Scott Stanford, who I feel might just be the most underrated performer on the WWE roster. Think about it. Almost everyone has at least some portion of fans. Heath Slater has some supporters on here (and rightly so), and Jinder Mahal has maybe three people who want to see him succeed (myself included), but no one ever talks about Stanford.

It's clear the man is a fan of the business, as he is always bringing up facts about the last time guys faced, who won that match, their past rivalries and such. He's also got a surprising amount of personality. Although it is Josh Mathews who plays the color analyst when they are working together, it is Stanford who really brings humour and personality into the equation, with Mathews often not knowing exactly how to react (but clearly having a good time).

Anyway, share your thoughts on, in my opinion, the most underrated announcer in modern WWE history.

http://www.wrestling18.com/images/06/scott-stanford5.jpg

[Lock Jaw]

I enjoy him. :y:

[Curd]

Scott is inoffensive and up-to-speed on the product. I see him employed with WWE for as long as he wants to be.

[Nicky Fives]

He doesn't 'wow' me, but I could think of worse 3rd string commentators.....

[Rammsteinmad]

He's entertaining, in a way that doesn't bring any "character" out of him.

I dunno if that makes sense, but basically he's good at what he does, and does so with a flare of charisma, but without having to actually become a "character" in terms of King/JR/Cole etc.

Plus, he's great on Long Island Iced Z, and listening to CM Punk slaughter him behind the announce table a couple of years back was great fun, too!

[Pintint]

I like him better than Josh Matthews...I wish he was the 2nd man on SD.

[Shisen Kopf]

He's no Tony Schiavane

[Rhaps]

Certainly have nothing against the guy. Let's face it, they've had far, far worse people in that role.

Though to be honest, I mostly just wanted to comment on this thread to say "yes, of course Heath Slater has fans, the guy is quite awesome."

[Skippord]

big fan of Scott Stanford

[Inadequacy]

Scott Stanford is my favourite part Z True Long Island Story. I think I've only seen one clip of him on superstars but I remember him being totally enjoyable.

[Emperor Smeat]

Enjoy him and his style especially once he got more involved with Ryder's internet show.

Wouldn't go as far as to claim him as the most underrated since Striker seems the better choice for that one based on his wrestling knowledge alone.

I do think he might be the type that can mesh really well with anyone if he gets the chance to start moving up in status on the announcer ladder. Cole, JR, and Matthews are pretty great at working well with almost everyone they get paired with.

[Immortal Moose]

I quite enjoy Stanford.

[Razzamajazz]

i only know him from the ppv preshows. he does his job

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

He's a 4 time 4 time 4 time 4 time Emmy award winner.

[Tom Guycott]

He's no Tony Schiavane



http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/pictures/t/tony/09.jpg
"Who is, buddy? I'm the best commentator in the history of our sport!"




Seriously, though. I like Scott. Much like Ramm said, he has a laid back charm about him... he's like a Striker, without the gimmick. He can pull off dry humor without it being so dry you don't know he's joking, but still can be the straight man as well. Agree he should be given the stick at a higher show, but then they would likely try to change what makes him great. It would be great to have him as *the* backstage guy, or even replace Byron "trying-really-really-hard-to-sound-like-Joey-Styles-now" Saxton on NXT. Seems like he would play well with Regal.

Honestly, I think he's a guy who can adapt to anything he wants to do in front of a mic... and I don't mean just in the wrestling world. Yeah, he can announce/interview or even pull off being a manager, but he seems like the type of guy who could slide into a TV acting career or calling national NCAA games with a smooth transiton. Kinda like how Shane McMahon is one of the greatest talents the WWE has ever had in every aspect of the on-camera side of the business even though he really wasn't a "career talent". He was a natural. I'm not saying I see Stanford pulling off a "Coast 2 Coast" Van Terminator or taking a bunch of suplexes until the glass finally breaks, but him in front of a camera with a mic is golden... in that respect, he too is a natural, and he should get more opportunities with that.

[Lock Jaw]

I often look forward to his appearances on Zack Ryder's show more than I look forward to Zack Ryder's appearances on Zack Ryder's show.

[Gertner]

I love Stanford and he's great in his role, but not Raw or Smackdown material

[Mr. Nerfect]

I love Stanford and he's great in his role, but not Raw or Smackdown material

I agree, sadly, but do you think that is because of what he's shown so far, or his limits as a performer?

[Jordan]

Oh Noid you just LOVE the underdog.

[Gertner]

I agree, sadly, but do you think that is because of what he's shown so far, or his limits as a performer?

It's just who he is. He's like Regal is a way, that he's solid in a small role, but I think would be a like a fish out of water on Raw or Smackdown. In other words he doesn't really appeal to the average WWE fan, although to us he's great.

[Mr. Nerfect]

It's just who he is. He's like Regal is a way, that he's solid in a small role, but I think would be a like a fish out of water on Raw or Smackdown. In other words he doesn't really appeal to the average WWE fan, although to us he's great.

Totally get what you mean, but I wouldn't mind seeing them try. Stanford in a "Ralphus" sort of role for a heel wouldn't be too unimaginable for me.

Random example: Zack Ryder bumps into Scott backstage and says "Hey bro -- I could really use your support out there tonight," and Scott is all "Are you kidding? I'd love to be in your corner, Zack!" and they sort of introduce Stanford as Ryder's lovable, goofy corner man. Then Ryder gets a US Title shot against Antonio Cesaro and Scott pulls the referee out of the ring as Zack is about to win the title. Zack is all "Are you kidding me, bro?!?" and Scott is all "I gotta do this," and Cesaro comes back, wins the match and Stanford raises his arm.

Scott reveals that Cesaro came to him with a proposition to be his voice, since Mr. Cesaro no longer wants to talk to the idiots in the WWE Universe.

It wouldn't be epically important long-term, or anything, but Cesaro would then have someone to talk for him, Stanford has a bigger role, and his personality on Superstars could be slightly altered to be more of a heel.

I mean, it ain't broke -- but I don't think Scott is necessarily limited to what he currently does.

[Gertner]

He definitely has potential to be a good comedy guy on screen.

[RiX1024]

Love him on Long Island Iced Z