World Title Aftermath (SpOiLeRs)

[Fox]

Where Does the Loser of the World Title Match Go Now?

So, Randy Orton is the new World Heavyweight Champion, and we all know that he's headed toward a huge angle involving the dissention of Evolution and an eventual feud with Triple H.

But where does Chris Benoit go from here? A feud with Edge seems likely, but going from being the World Champ to fighting the Intercontinental Champion seems like a demotion.

The problem with RAW right now is that there aren't enough main event heels. It's pretty much Evolution and Kane, and soon to be Edge, as the primary heels, and to have Benoit feud with any of them doesn't make any sense.

If it were my decision, I would trade Benoit for Cena after John is done with the Best 3/5 series. Chris' style would fit better on Smackdown!, just as Cena's would fit better on RAW. Benoit could then go into a feud with the newly dethroned John Bradshaw Layfield, as I think the Rabid Wolverine could bring out the best in JBL in the ring and bring a little more credibility to the JBL character.

Still, Benoit will probably remain on RAW. My question is, where does he go now?

Would you people please stop putting spoilers in the titles? It defeats the purpose of putting a spoiler warning in the first place. - Funky

[Batsu]

I'd love for Benoit to go back to SmackDown. I almost stopped watching SmackDown when he left, but Booker T gave me a reason to at least check up on the show.

Jericho ought to go there, too... but that would mean a post-edited Highlight Reel... well, no Highlight Reel at all!

Somehow John Cena is gonna have to face Orton. If that means he's going to Raw in the future, or there's gonna be a cross promotional match at Wrestlemania (since they gave Orton the title now, he might as well have it next year, along with Cena holding the WWE title)...signs are pointing to the two having a face off.

Where does Benoit go indeed.... I don't think he should challenge for the IC belt (and neither should Jericho); rather we're gonna see Benoit go for one more REAP against Orton in the next month, from then, he may have some "outside" feuds. I predict either with Jericho, Batista, Flair, Michaels, someone down the line. Probably not with HHH again...those two are starting to become a new HHH-Rock (if you've seen it once...)

He'll probably be stuck in a triple-threat title match, or something before being traded or something like that.

[Fox]

Sounds like a bunch of bullshit to me. Benoit should not have lost the title tonight.

Now that I think about it, I'm thinkin that the best way to go would be to turn Benoit heel. Think of the new possibilities that makes: Benoit vs. HBK, Benoit vs. Jericho, Benoit vs. Benjamin (when he returns). Other than that, I think Chris should settle in for a nice long ride in mid-card mediocrity.

[Batsu]

I don't believe Benoit should have lost either. Orton should definitely get the title, but not now... Benoit should have dropped it to someone who would drop it to HHH, and then Orton would face HHH for the belt.

Benoit going heel would be great...I've been watching Benoit's big heel run in 2000...starting with King of The Ring, where he DQed himself out of the tournament, then the feud with The Rock. I think to date, that was my favorite Benoit feud...it was a shame there was never Rock-Benoit II.

[Anybody Thrilla]

I don't remember anybody dethroning JBL.

[Xero]

They should do a double turn in the future if they're serious about turning Orton... Have an Orton/Benoit rematch, but when it's over, have Benoit use desperation and do something like use a chair... He would get DQed, and Orton would remain champion...

Another would be for Evolution to come out and screw Orton (Getting Benoit DQed), and eventually having Benoit join Evolution, if only for a short time, to establish his heel alignment...


If we're talking about trading... I'd say one of two things... Benoit for Cena, or a clause which would make Benoit go back to SmackDown because he never was released of his SmackDown contract before/after the Rumble, and the only reason he was allowed to RAW is because he won the Rumble and won the title...

[Thriller]

Well with the Teddy Long/Bischoff segment the teased the possibilty of some wrestlers jumping ship.Maybe Benoit will be fed up with Bischoff.As far as a heel turn id love to see it.How id book it is Benoit and Orton have another match.Orton goes over.They go and shake hands and as the to Benoits locks in the crossface.

[tucsonspeed6]

I don't believe Benoit should have lost either. Orton should definitely get the title, but not now... Benoit should have dropped it to someone who would drop it to HHH, and then Orton would face HHH for the belt.



Well what the hell? YOu didn't get what you wanted, so that means that the WWE failed in their PPV? Their storylines are all screwed now and wrestling is going to hell in a handbasket? Well boo hoo. Frankly I think in this case the ends justifies the means. Nobody's going to say that Orton doesn't deserve the title. Nobody's stupid enough to say "Let's keep the main eventers at the top forever while the young guys squabble over 'European' and 'TV' titles" That's WCW logic. And hell, you can say "Orton's not ready yet" for five years and as long as you don't give the guy a push he's never going to be "Ready". So sit there and piss and moan about how Benoit and HHH should have traded the title back and forth for a while until you felt Orton was ready, cause it's never going to be good enough for those of you out there who just want to piss and moan.

[/rant]

[Corkscrewed]

Well, for me, there's two ways they can do this:

Back to SD!
Heyman mentioned a couple of weeks ago that Chris probably was never under contract with RAW, he just jumped ship after winning the title. So he can return to SD! and feud with another main eventer. As much as I'd love to see this, at this point, SD!'s main event card is actually kind of strong. You have Eddie, Angle, and Taker as the definite main eventers. JBL is our forced-down-our-throats main eventer. Big show is returning soon. Booker T and Cena are all but main eventers due to their feud and how the US Title is being really pushed on the show. There wouldn't be much for him to do.

Stay on RAW
Obviously. My personally feeling is that he'll feud with Orton up until Summerslam, possibly turning heel along the way. If not, then it'll be an angle built on respect. During this time, HHH will naturally become jealous of Orton stealing his limelight, and by SS, he might very well screw Orton, allowing Benoit to win back the title and kicking off the HHH/Orton feud. That would simmer for a couple of months until Orton or HHH won the title at, say, Royal Rumble from Benoit. That sets up both the HHH/Orton feud very nicely and gives Benoit something meaningful for the rest of the year.