FORECAST: Brock Lesnar (other wrestlers to follow)

[Heyman]

http://smackdown.wwe.com/superstars/lesnar/images/brock1.jpg

In the up-coming weeks, when I have time, I will be making FORECAST threads for certain superstars (for what I think their roles are best suited for within the company). I will talk about what I think they have 'going for them' and what they have 'against them'. I will then give a "forecast" of where they will be within the company if they are pushed right.

What Lesnar has going for him

Unlike most other superstars, Lesnar has always been perceived as a 'winner'. In today's world where the fans have a 'fixed' image on how 'tough' a guy is, Lesnar has an advantage. Lesnar already has victories over guys like The Rock, Undertaker, Big Show, and Kurt Angle. Lesnar is not in a position where he can ever be looked as 'second tier' compared to guys like Austin, The Rock, etc. Compare this to guys like Kurt Angle and Chris Jericho for instance. Both of these men have been made to look 'inferior' to the likes of Austin, Triple H, The Rock, etc. Since the fans have a 'fixed' image on 'who's better?' nowadays, it makes it difficult to push upper mid-carders into the next level (without making them look like 'transitional' or 'inferior' champs).

Therefore - even if a guy like Jericho becomes champ one day, he may always be seen as a 'poor man's' Rock or Austin. Lesnar however, WILL NOT have this disadvantage.

Brock Lesnar also has 'the look'. He is a very athletic 6'6 295 lbs. He is a respected collegiate athlete and I think the fans respect that.

What Lesnar has against him

Poor mic skills. Lesnar needs a mouthpiece. The other thing which works to Lesnar's disadvantage (double-edged sword), is that he's been pushed way too fast. Yes - it's great that Lesnar has done so much in the short-term, but will he be here for the long haul? What does he have left to achieve in the WWE?

In such a short time span, he's done what only a few take an entire career to do.

Hopefully - Lesnar stays level-headed and continues to be a team player.


Forecast

If Lesnar is to continue to captivate the interest of the fans, he will need to become a 'badass monster' again........like he was when he first came to the WWE. Paul Heyman will need to become his manager once again, and cut convincing promos on BEHALF of Brock Lesnar (in other words, Lesnar should almost never speak). Kind of like the old Taker and Paul Bearer.

Like Paul Bearer and Taker, I'd even have Heyman stay alongside Lesnar if the two turned face.

Basically - here's what I think the WWE should do with Lesnar.

Make Lesnar have a mean streak, and make him be a badass like he was when he started. Heyman should be his manager. Lesnar should not be made to look weak at ALL. This means, <font color=white>Lesnar should never CLEANLY tap out EVER again.......or EVER lose cleanly for a very very long time</font>.

Lesnar should simply be a badass that beats everyone. If the fans want to cheer this, that's fine. Maybe even have him be tweener.

Brock Lesnar should be made to look like a 'sensational' character......perhaps the greatest of all-time. Heyman should continue to 'brag' about Lesnar's abilites.....just like we saw before Summerslam 2002.

Eventually - the guy that DOES defeat Lesnar (WAY down the road) will go over huge.

I believe that if Lesnar is pushed the way he was when he first came here, he will slowly start becoming a 'draw'. I'd like to see Lesnar get a convincing victory over Bill Goldberg at Wrestlemania (but not before defeating Kurt Angle before that).

I'd also like to see the World title's get unified, and Lesnar be the champ on both shows.

[BasicThuganomics]

****ing Shit can this asshole be banned yet? He's just starting shit for no reason.

[Pepsi Man]

Are you saying Heyman should give up his GM role for this, or are you factoring that in as an inevitable eventuality anyway? (Naturally, I have not read the SmackDown! spoilers, so if he's "already fired", please don't tell me.)

[BasicThuganomics]

As for Heyman's topic...
It's pretty obvious that the only way to TRULY get a wrestler over is by doing several CLEAN WINS over established stars. Lesnar got over because of clean wins over several stars(Rock, Undertaker, Big Show, and Kurt Angle mostly) Goldberg was mega over because he beat everyone in WCW pretty much. Austin won the title cleanly at WM14 and stayed a star with clean wins afterwards. Rock and HHH both had Mick Foley to help them as believeable main eventers. So if Brock Lesnar is gonna be a badass, then you're right, he needs to destroy people and get some clean wins over his opponents. No more cheating, no more tapping out (although if he is to remain heel, the tapping out does get him MAJOR heat IMO) As for his mic skills, he is definately showing improvement over the last couple of months. I think he could be fine on his own if he continues to improve. Also, this isn't important really, but I thought Lesnar was 6'3 or 6'4? not 6'6?

Also, I personally think that Lesnar should do the Job to Benoit at WMXX, so I hope he doesn't go on a badass streak until after Benoit gets a much deserved title reign. Benoit's awesome.

Lesnar should destroy Holly in their upcoming match however. I am tired of seeing him in the main event scene. If anything, Lesnar should at least stop running from Holly everytime he shows up. Lesnar needs to have Heyman get him pumped up, remind him of what a badass he really is. Sorta like what Vince did when we saw "The REAL Brock Lesnar" Only Paul Heyman could do a much better job of it than Vince did. Paul is incredible at speaking.

Anyways, interesting post Heyman. :y:

Dark Kane, You're a piece of shit :n:

[Corkscrewed]

I agree with everything Heyman said, except for the mic skills part. He's not great yet, but he's definitely improved over the past few months. But I agree, he should get clean wins. He can cheat once in a while, as a heel does, but it should be against someone credible, like an Undertaker or Kurt Angle or even Goldberg for that matter (though I'd prefer not in the last case). He can tap out... when it doesn't count.

And on the subject of the tapping out, that doesn't really bother me too much if they hype the whole submission thing as his one weakness. After all, making a guy perfect and totally unstoppable is not too believable and gets old fast, so making submission moves Brock's one weakness would be nice, actually.

[Stickman]

I miss the days of people tapping out more often. When was the last time you saw somebody tap out to the figure four, sharpshooter, texas cloverleaf? I know some wrestlers do use submission moves ie: angle, y2j, benoit, but even when they lock in their move I think the opponent is going to get out of it. I'd like to see more submission wrestlers...remember when the sleeper won matches?

[Savio]

Yeah they screw jericho I mean he is the only one to hold all of the titles once...Britsh bull dog came close though.

[The CyNick]

I realy like Lesnar, unless injuries slow him down, I think he'll be one of the top guys in the company for many many years, whether it be as a heel or a face.

One thing I wouldn't mind seeing with Lesnar is for him Angle and WGTT form a "shooter" type group. I think this could work either as heels or babyafces. As heels they could rub it in to the rest of the crew that they are "real" wrestlers and real athletes unlike the rest of the guys. It would be like the cocky jocks in high school who thought they were the shit. But it could also work as a face group because I think all 4 guys can connect as faces either with their mic work or just because fans respect skill (usually). Plus, having Lesnar and Angle as allies would interesting for a while given their history, and then of course eventually lead to another fued between the two.

[EazyMack]

I miss the days of people tapping out more often. When was the last time you saw somebody tap out to the figure four, sharpshooter, texas cloverleaf?
Agreed, it made things more dramatic when a wrestler would lock in his patented submission move. Now these moves are almost made to look pointless. I'd like to see HBK beat HHH for the World Championship with a Figure-4.

But back on topic... I think with Lesnar's size and athleticism, he has the brightest future of all the young hotshots (Orton, Cena, etc.). And I don't think he's all that terrible on the mic, but he could improve. I agree with the original post that he should be used as a dominating monster who beats everybody again. It was a believable gig for him.

[BasicThuganomics]

Yeah they screw jericho I mean he is the only one to hold all of the titles once...Britsh bull dog came close though.
:wtf:

[Savio]

:wtf:
Explain....

[Heyman]

Plus, having Lesnar and Angle as allies would interesting for a while given their history, and then of course eventually lead to another fued between the two.

I've actually thought about this for awhile. I'd like to see Lesnar and Angle both as heels.

With Lesnar and Angle both on the same side, it forces the WWE to elevate guys like Benoit and Cena......and make them look equally as credible as Lesnar and Angle.

[Heyman]

I miss the days of people tapping out more often. When was the last time you saw somebody tap out to the figure four, sharpshooter, texas cloverleaf? I know some wrestlers do use submission moves ie: angle, y2j, benoit, but even when they lock in their move I think the opponent is going to get out of it. I'd like to see more submission wrestlers...remember when the sleeper won matches?

I don't mind wrestlers tapping out. I think it's a good thing. I just don't want to see that with Lesnar. In my opinion, Lesnar should be made to look like the "Tiger Woods" of the WWE. For the next year or so, Lesnar should be dominant. Eventually when someone does go over Lesnar, they will go over big time.

[Heyman]

http://smackdown.wwe.com/superstars/guerrero_e/images/eddie1.jpg

What Eddie has going for him

Eddie is almost the whole package in terms of wrestling ability, aerial ability, mic skills, and charisma. Eddie is also a great team player backstage and usually helps boost lockerroom morale. Because of this - I don't think anyone would complain if Eddie were to receive a good push one day.


What Eddie has against him

Lack of size. And I'm not talking about his penis either. At a measly 5'8 or 5'9, Guerrero does not meet Vince's "big man" standards. Because of this, Eddie will be a mid-carder forever. The 'highest' he will ever go is US champ.


FORECAST

If I was in charge of the WWE, I'd do two things:

1) Make the Cruiserweight division like the Women's division.....in that, they do intermingle with any wrestlers outside their division. In a sense, make it like the boxing world. We don't see Oscar De La Hoya going up against Lennox Lewis right? Same thing should happen here. <font color=white>In a sense, the Cruiserweight division should be made to look *almost* as important as the WWE title.......it should literally be a 'league of their own'</font>

Take a look at the Sports of Tennis and Golf for instance. Serena Williams dominates Women's tennis, while Annika Sorenstan (sic) dominates women's golf. While both women are respective 'legends' in their own world, it's clearly implicit that they are inferior to Roger Federer and Tiger Woods respectively......despite not intermingling with one another.

Basically what I'm trying to say - is that the WWE does not have to try and portray to the fans that the Cruiserweight division is *inferior* to the WWE title. It's already implicit. However - <font color=white>the more you "intermingle", the less likely the fans will perceive a "Rey Mysterio" or a "Taijiri" to be 'legends of their own worlds'</font>


2) If the above criterium in #1 is met, I'd make Eddie Guerrero the 'centerpiece' of the Cruiserweight division.........the "Stone Cold Steve Austin" of the cruiserweight division. This way - all parties are happy and justice is met.

a)Eddie achieves legendary status
b)Vince stays happy because Eddie stays out of the main-event picture.

p.s. In the deep future, I'd also consider adding Christian and Matt Hardy to the Cruiserweight division as well. Neither of those guys are going to advance further than the IC division anyways. Mark my words.

[Heyman]

Are you saying Heyman should give up his GM role for this, or are you factoring that in as an inevitable eventuality anyway? (Naturally, I have not read the SmackDown! spoilers, so if he's "already fired", please don't tell me.)

I made the post under the assumption that Stephanie (or another McMahon) will eventually replace Heyman as GM. When this happens, I think Heyman should go back to being Lesnar's manager.

[Heyman]

http://smackdown.wwe.com/superstars/cena_j/images/cena_l.jpg

What Cena has going for him

-GREAT gimmick. He has a gimmick which the fans of today (the target audience) can relate to. In this sense, he is similar to Hulk Hogan, Steve Austin, and The Rock. Cena's "8-mile" gimmick should be 'cool' for atleast 2-3 more years.

What Cena has going against him

Cena doesn't really have anything going against him right now, but I think it's still too early for him to be main-eventing. In recent memory, he has jobbed to the Undertaker, Kurt Angle, Brock Lesnar, and Chris Benoit. Because of this - perhaps the fans perceive him to be a mid-carder right now. If he were to be made champ right now, perhaps he would be perceived as more of a 'transitional champ'.

FORECAST

-Have John Cena stay in the US title Division. Let him have a lengthy and successful reign as US Champ. Let him beat the Rhyno's, the Sean O'Haire's, and the Hardcore Holly's of Smackdown. In half a year or so (or even longer) when Cena has CLEARLY established himself as a bona-fide winner, THEN have him move up to the main-event level.

The key however, lies within Cena getting a SOLID title reign as US Champ.

Also - what's the rush? Cena has a LONG career ahead of him. Pushing him too soon to the main-events could actually backfire.

[The CyNick]

Eddie:

I agree with the concept of keeping CWs separate, in fact I think I recall reading the Lewis-De La Hoya analogy somewhere.....

However, I dont think just because they are CWs that means they have to take a backseat to the heavyweights. In fact many times when it comes to real fighting sports the CWs are actually bigger stars than the heavyweights. Its all about educating fans that you dont have to be 6'4 270lbs to be considered a tough guy.

Now that being said, I dont think Eddie has to be put into a cruiserweight division, in fact I think he can excell at the HVW level. If you look at the summer Eddie was easily the most over guy on the SD roster and he was getting huge pops, especially in areas that have a large hispanic fanbase. And even in terms of ratings he was proving to be a draw, which the WWE hasn't had in years.

All that they needed to make him successful was to have him work with the main event guys and start to go over them. I really think if done right, Eddie should have been set up to challenge Brock for the title in MSG. While Eddie is a smallish guy, I dont think its simply about height and weight, a lot of what makes a legit ME'er is how legit their stuff works. Benoit and Angle are both smaller guys in comparison to a lot of guys on the roster, but because their stuff is so good, people are willing to accept them as main eventer. Whereas depsite the hundred pushes they give him, a guy like A-Train is never accepted, even though he has the size.

The problem of course and its been well documented here is that they missed the boat on when to push Eddie, and now they are pushing him further down the acrd with this fued with Chavo. They need to quickly move him out of that fued, but unfortunately I think he's lost most of the steam he had in the summer, so they'd probaby have to take another 6 months to build him back up. Perhaps a fued with Cena over the US title is the way to go, and they could recreate the magic that Rock and HHH had in 1998. However, another idea, and I think this is a better plan is keep Eddie and Chavo as a team. I think its a rare thing to have a tag team with main event level charisma. If you keep Los Guerreros together, you can put the tag team division in the main event spotlight (which would help out teams like WGTT, Bashams and any other teams that are put together), and you give Eddie a diviison to dominate which keeps him away from the World title picture before he's ready to actually take the title. Then at some point in the future (6-8 months from now) you have Eddie and Chavo drop the tag titles, and Eddie focuses on the singles scene. From there he can go after the WWE Title.

John Cena:

Cena is IMO in the spot Eddie was in the Summer. Its clear the fans like his gimmick (its current and "hip"), and he's a very charismatic guy and has no problems connecting with the fans.

I think they made some mistakes with him early on, especially in the matches with Taker where each time, regardless of the outcome he came out of the match worse off then when he came in. Now, at the same time his matches with Benoit and Angle, where even though he lost, he was put over by both guys and was slighlty elevated. However slight elevations are not going to make him a main eventer.

They seem to have chosen the traditional path of winning the secondary title, and use that to test his chances as a WWE title contender. I'm okay with this plan as long as they do it right. People like Cena, and they will want to see him win, and win a lot. If and when he gets the US title, he needs to dominate the division. If I was booking, I would probably put the title on him within the month and then have him hold it for close to a year. Assuming he's still over, I'd have him drop the title, and then transitiion into a WWE title chase for WM XXI possibly.

The key to remember with Cena is that the window of opportunity closes very quickly with these guys. It doesn't mean Cena needs the WWE title in the next couple of months, but he does need something, but more importantly he has to be booked as a dominant US champ. On top of that, he should be booked as almost being equal to the WWE Champion. In fact they could do something very interesting if Cena is the US Champ and Benoit is the WWE Champ. You could perhaps have a deal similar to ECW where RVD as TV Champ was more popular than the World Champ, which of course could lead to jelousy and a possible fued between the two somewhere down the line over the WWE title.