QUESTION - Is there still hope for Jack Swagger in terms of being "the face" of the WWE?

[Heyman]

QUESTION - Is there still hope for Jack Swagger in terms of being "the face" of the WWE?


Over the past year or so, many fans have wondered as to who the next "face" of the WWE will be. Names such as Daniel Bryan, Roman Reigns, Cesaro, Dean Ambrose, and Seth Rollins have all been mentioned.


However - what about Jack Swagger? If Swagger was rebuilt properly and pushed, do you think the fans would get behind him, and treat him as a legit main-event guy? The face of the WWE? I think it's unlikely but still possible. Let's take a look at the facts:




He has "the look."
He's a good wrestler
He has cool theme music and gimmick
Fans love chanting, "WE THE PEOPLE!"
The combination of him and Colter portrays good charisma, mic skill, etc.
The guy is about as "American" as it gets



Even though the WWE has shifted away from the PG era, the primary demographic is still kids aged 12 and under. If the WWE play their cards right, they can really brand Swagger as a good role model to kids (i.e. Good all-American kid, succeeded in College, made some bad decisions in his personal life but overcame his demons, etc.).


I don't know if Swagger has returned to the WWE yet, but that would be a hell of an impressive run if he defeated, in succession, Rusev, Cena, Rollins, Reigns, and then Lesnar at Mania'.

[DAMN iNATOR]

I unfortunately think he's just passed the point of no return. While he won't quite be a jobber to the stars like Ryder or Slater, I feel like anytime he's booked, it will be to lose 8 times out of 10.

[Cool King]

My heart says yes, but my brain says no.

He really should have been the first person to defeat Rusev. The fans were behind him 100% and he had entire arenas chanting "We The People" and cheering him on, wanting him to defeat Rusev.

But for some reason, he wasn't booked to defeat Rusev, which I think hurt him bad. So bad that it's now impossible for him to achieve anything big. As much as I love Swagger, I really don't see any championships coming his way now or even title shots and feuds. I actually think the day is drawing ever near to when we get the news of his release.

Having Swagger defeat Rusev was so obvious that it was the thing to do, but the WWE did what they do best and fucked up something that could have been huge. I can only imagine the reaction Swagger would have got if he defeated Rusev at TLC. I can only assume that it would have lead to Swagger being a main event name and going on to have at least one run as WWE Champion sometime down the line.

Now, because of his loss to Rusev, he's just a jobber now and the fans can't really take him seriously or see him as a threat to anyone.

[Heyman]

Good responses.


Here would be my counter-argument to the whole, "Swagger has been around for too long and has jobbed far too much," argument: Mark Henry.


A few years ago, Mark Henry was pretty much a jobber until the WWE decided to give him that monster push. In succession, he defeated Kane, Big Show, Sheamus, and Randy Orton and built up major credibility. The WWE ultimately decided to cancel Henry's push, but they definitely got the guy over big time.


Why couldn't the WWE conceivably do the same thing with Jack Swagger? I mean anyone that takes out Cena, Rollins, Reigns, and Lesnar would get over massively right now wouldn't they?

[XL]

Henry is a good counter-point, but he was never pushed at the "face of the company". He got a monster push and won the 2nd Tier World Championship. He was never THE GUY.

They can strap a rocket to Swagger, and give him the WWE Title, but he won't be "Face of the Company". He doesn't have the presence/charisma.

[EzekielKane]

No.


Jack Swager lacks the "IT" factor. Whats the "IT" factor? Its hard to tell but its certain guys who have that little extra "oomph" that pushes them from "Really good mid card guy" to "legendary face of WWE".


For example, lets take a guy like Val Venis.


In my opinion he was as talented on the mic and nearly as talented in the ring as some of his contemporaries like Jericho and Benoit but Val Venis never became the face of the company. Why? Because he lacked "IT".


I feel that Jack will certainly be remembered as a great star but he doesn't have the "IT" needed to really become a face of the company type of legend, at least right now.

[DAMN iNATOR]

The missing "IT" factor is Zeb Colter.

[Mr. Nerfect]

*The* face? Not sure about that one. There's something clean and complacent about Swagger's presence that just doesn't scream "mega-star." I love the guy. I was really surprised when people took to him as a babyface. Being a bit of a hoss and not really having the best talking skills in the world, I thought he would kind of stumble around in the role. He NAILED it. I agree with the assessment he should have beaten Rusev. TLC would have been a good time, but even after that, Swagger should have made it his mission to go after Rusev. I mean, he did vow to do so, right?

Swagger made a promise and he didn't keep it. That's not how you book a babyface star.

In my opinion, the Royal Rumble was the perfect time to put Swagger over Rusev. They just did it in NXT with Sami Zayn and Adrian Neville, but Swagger putting his career on the line for one more shot against Rusev could have made that US Title match the hottest mid-card one in a while. Have them open up the Rumble and Swagger pins Rusev and FINALLY wins the US Title under his Real American persona.

Rusev would have been pissed, and could have very easily confronted Cena on the post-show and started that feud. Rusev could have still beaten Cena at Fastlane (and imagine how that would have made Swagger), and Cena could have gotten the win back at WrestleMania. We wouldn't have gotten Cena's tear as US Champion, but that's with hindsight attached. He could have also won the IC Title and done the same thing with that.

Over the past few years, there have been plenty of times that Swagger could have been used better. Hell, I think he should have been the one to beat Cena for the WWE Title at the first TLC PPV. As opposed to Sheamus, they had already broken ice with Swagger by putting the ECW Title on him. And it's not like they hated him, because despite his losing streak against Santino Marella, he was the Money in the Bank Winner the next year and beat Chris Jericho for the World Heavyweight Title. If they had gone with Swagger winning that match still, he would have been the first guy to have been WWE, World Heavyweight and ECW Champion, which would have been quite the bragging right for him.

Then they put him with Michael Cole, and he did a pretty good job with that. Michael Cole going manager would have worked at the time, and Swagger could have been added to The Miz's entourage. The Alex Riley turn could have still happened, and later on in the year, Swagger could have done the shtick The Miz ended up doing with R-Truth. Not a knock on R-Truth, but The Miz & Jack Swagger vs. John Cena & The Rock might have had more behind it.

His World Title reign was cut short. I kind of liked the goofy promos, and it felt quite fresh. I honestly think they should have had him hold the belt until later on in the year. Rey Mysterio didn't need to beat Swagger, and then the Kane/Taker stuff could have included Swagger as a spacer for a while. Jack Swagger vs. The Undertaker vs. Kane for the World Title would have been fine at SummerSlam or something. Swagger could have picked his spots and kept the title, and Kane and Taker could have spread off into their thing, and someone else could have stepped up to take on Swaggie.

The Real Americans could have had a short run with the Tag Team Titles during Road to WrestleMania last year, although it wasn't necessary. The face turn should have gone better. There are a lot of "could have's" with The Swag.

But all these up's and down's make me think that hope is not entirely lost. All it would take is a good feud with King Barrett ("The British are coming...for your head." - Barrett) or Zeb Colter coming back and slapping Swagger for losing his fire and he could have the crowd back pulling for him to re-establish himself. You're paying him money and he's got the talent, so I don't know why you wouldn't try.

[DAMN iNATOR]

http://media.tumblr.com/d0ce95800c4adc1925872d3ab8987a66/tumblr_inline_mge6dlM4jw1r5174w.gif

[hb2k]

Agree with a lot of what has been said - Swagger is lacking the charisma to put him over the top, and I'd argue on both of the occasions he got a major push, he really didn't do anything special with it.

The Henry comparison is interesting, because something that often gets overlooked is that during that brief run of Henry being an awesome heel, he showed a great charisma and presence that it felt he was missing for years, it wasn't just recycling the same old dude, he developed.

Swagger needs to as well.

[GD]

Can't wait for him to make Cena tap out to the Patriot Lock and win the United States Championship.

[DAMN iNATOR]

Best thing to come from HALL OF PAIN Mark Henry besides his realization of a World title has to be when he threw that sound guy on SD!

http://i47.tinypic.com/2mfzn80.gif

[Tom Guycott]

http://i.imgur.com/yOPrL5a.gif (http://wrestlingwithtext.com/my-brief-and-uninsightful-recap/wwt-live-short-wwe-raw-2015-06-29)

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/OU5aTiJEGGk" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Tom Guycott]

Agree with a lot of what has been said - Swagger is lacking the charisma to put him over the top, and I'd argue on both of the occasions he got a major push, he really didn't do anything special with it.

The Henry comparison is interesting, because something that often gets overlooked is that during that brief run of Henry being an awesome heel, he showed a great charisma and presence that it felt he was missing for years, it wasn't just recycling the same old dude, he developed.

Swagger needs to as well.

And to an extent, same with Big Show. There was a time when people thought he had ZERO capacity for charisma. One appearence on SNL (in a cameo with Hunter and Foley, and the headliner being of course The Rock) changed that perception.

Swagger could be reinvented. Again. The old trope about "snap and become a badass submission machine" could apply here. Have him look "disheveled"... bed head and unshaven. Sweats instead of ring gear for awhile, like he's just showing up tomhurt folks, then go home, match or not. Get a couple of other submissions besides Patriot Lock in his moveset. Use the anger at his lack of direction lay a foundation of him attacking people indiscriminately and set up an angle/war with someone. Hell, send him to NXT and do this, and he can have a freakin WAR with Samoa Joe. Or even before all that, have HIM be behind what happened to KENTA.

[hb2k]

Speaking of NXT, how about a group of him, Jordan and Gable as an amateur wrestling jock group with Swagger at the helm? Granted he'd resemble Biff Tannen even more than he already does, but at least it's something.

"Let's go boys!"

[Mr. Nerfect]

I've thought about the Swagger-led Shoot Nation amateur stable before, and the only reason I'm not really for it is because Swagger is so far along and they're just getting wet. It seems like *too much* of a demotion to send Swagger to NXT, but come to think of it, there might be insane genius behind it. His clean-cut look and ring skills can speak louder there, and it's not like they use him on RAW and SmackDown at the moment. As your Kevin Owens's and Sami Zayn's move up, it makes sense to move your Swagger's and your Fandango's down to depart what knowledge they have and try to strike oil and evolve into something that is making money.

Have him be Apollo Crews' first opponenet at Takeover: Brooklyn and have that be the instigator that brings Swagger to NXT. Have Colter return as his manager and just hope for the best.

[Damian Rey]

Moving Swagger to NXT might be the best thing for him in trying to give him a reboot. He went from being the All American American to the Real American and only picked up a catchphrase in the process.

If he goes to NXT to start over it could bebeneficial long term. Worst case scenario is he's in the same position now.

[The CyNick]

Watch most Swagger matches, and you will see, he's an okay worker, who cant hold a crowd through an entire match. All he really has is the We The People thing, and really that was Zeb Colter who got that over.

To me he would be well suited in NXT, where he could help get over guys they are grooming for a shot at the NXT title. Or possibly in another tag team.

But as the "face of the WWE", no chance in hell.

[Fignuts]

He always seems really awkward and clumsy to me. Like there is no "polish" to anything he does. And not in a good way like say, Stan Hansen. It just looks bad.

[Rammsteinmad]

He works best as a tag team wrestler in my opinion.

[DAMN iNATOR]

He always seems really awkward and clumsy to me. Like there is no "polish" to anything he does. And not in a good way like say, Stan Hansen. It just looks bad.

Yep, and even a polished turd is still a turd no matter how shiny. That is why I don't buy that NXT will do him any good at all...he's been around since the ECW era in WWE; if he hasn't broken through by now (he hasn't), then sorry to all you apologists out there but he ain't gonna now or ever.

Time for Swaggie to be remembered as a delicious sub.

http://i.imgur.com/mPBOyDO.png

[Shisen Kopf]

No.


Jack Swager lacks the "IT" factor. Whats the "IT" factor? Its hard to tell but its certain guys who have that little extra "oomph" that pushes them from "Really good mid card guy" to "legendary face of WWE".


For example, lets take a guy like Val Venis.


In my opinion he was as talented on the mic and nearly as talented in the ring as some of his contemporaries like Jericho and Benoit but Val Venis never became the face of the company. Why? Because he lacked "IT".


I feel that Jack will certainly be remembered as a great star but he doesn't have the "IT" needed to really become a face of the company type of legend, at least right now.

Lacking the IT factor that a guy like HABM has right?

[road doggy dogg]

I like how the thread title has the word "still" in it, as if there were ever a chance this goober could be the main guy.

[DAMN iNATOR]

Should've just gone with a simpler title, like "Is Jack Swagger still in the WWE?"

Ain't nobody got time for these long-ass discussions and shit...

[unclebrown]

don't rag on Jack Swagger, he's had a very bad 2015