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View Full Version : Some somewhat interesting news on endangered talent


Mr. Nerfect
09-17-2008, 05:12 AM
- Ryan Braddock (Jay Bradley/Bradley Jay) from developmental, who has been seeing work on both Smackdown and ECW was originally going to be brought in as JBL's cousin. Braddock actually did a gimmick similar to JBL's in developmental for a while, but when JBL saw him work on the road, he put an end to that idea because he felt that Braddock "projected himself too much like a midcarder."

- Chuck Palumbo is said to be on the "endangered species list." Vince McMahon was high on him during his return and loved the motorcycle gimmick. But McMahon reportedly lost interest in him, which is why he hasn't been on TV since the draft. The agents aren't high on him, and his only supporter is John Lauranitis as they have been friends since the WCW days. Lauranitis got Palumbo his job with All Japan and convinced WWE to bring him back, claiming he had "reinvented himself" there, but when he came back, he was still the same Chuck Palumbo.

- Add Paul London to the "endangered species list." People close to him in the company say that he is very likeable, talented, bi-lingual (which is seen as a good thing with WWE wanting to expand internationally) and has invested in acting classes on his own to improve his character. Others say that he has "no instincts for this," and he also has no support on the booking team.

I found this really interesting. The Chuck Palumbo stuff less-so. I've never been offended by Palumbo, and found him somewhat an interesting character (it really makes sense how he developed, to be honest), and he's got some good punches on him. Ironically, I wouldn't mind it if he were connected to JBL on-screen, because they seem like a good match. JBL leading his "cousin," Braddock from the Paddock and Chuck Palumbo as a tag team could be interesting stuff. But I guess JBL didn't want too much to do with Braddock.

The Paul London stuff is kind of sad. He seems like a nice guy (he just doesn't give off dick-weed style vibes), and he seems to have a good sense of humour. I've always felt he's had a good look and the ability to play a character, and if he's taking acting classes, he can only get better. I doubt the WWE will release him because they know how talented he is (he got a really good run on SmackDown! with Brian Kendrick, was promoted to RAW and survived recent cuts), but I think it's sadder he'll be in the company and letting go to waste.

I think they should give London a shot, possibly in a short rivalry with Evan Bourne, where London plays a jealous "I can do this stuff better and was here first" kind of character, but I doubt we'll see it. Right now, getting released might be the best thing for London, because TNA could use a new star for their X-Division, and ROH would love to have him back.

Mr. Nerfect
09-17-2008, 05:16 AM
I mean, right now it would probably do more harm than good, but a feud between Paul London and The Brian Kendrick down the line, could be a fucking fantastic feud.

BigDaddyCool
09-17-2008, 11:49 AM
Never heard of Braddock, don't care.

Palumbo is just another uninteresting hoss.

Not suprised about London. He is a good worker but that doesn't really mean shit.

The Optimist
09-17-2008, 11:54 AM
I'm a little suprised about London. I mean, it's sad that it took such little time to go from one of the longest running Tag Team Champions to expendable talent.

BigDaddyCool
09-17-2008, 12:00 PM
I'm a little suprised about London. I mean, it's sad that it took such little time to go from one of the longest running Tag Team Champions to expendable talent.

I believe that if they were paying attention, he would never have been champion that long. Vince doesn't care about Smackdown or tagteams.

Mr. Nerfect
09-18-2008, 11:15 AM
I'm a little suprised about London. I mean, it's sad that it took such little time to go from one of the longest running Tag Team Champions to expendable talent.

I think a lot of that had to do with the writing of SmackDown!. I want to guess Michael Hayes, but I don't know for sure, of course. It seemed that London & Kendrick were out there pretty much weekly to fill up a segment with some fun action to keep the crowd on their toes, and provide something for the internet crowd. I believe that the long reign was intentional (because they really started hyping how long it was at the end), but I doubt it was the plan at the beginning of their title win for it to become so looming.

Their move to RAW was still intended as a promotion, I think (I've seen some say that they heard it was punishment, but since when did guys get punished by getting moved to the flagship show?). Sort of a nod to their successful work on SmackDown!, and the WWE planning to lift that element of a fun segment per week courtesy of Londrick to RAW, but the writing team there didn't have the investment or knowledge to really utilise them effectively as a team.

I mean, they did win the World Tag Team Championship at one point, and they never looked like complete bitches (except for when Triple H made them look like jokes by giving them both the Pedigree for no reason at all). I just think that with a lot of things, the WWE lost interest in using them correctly, and their stock dropped. Couple that with London sort of being at odds with Vince, and basically being your talented little guy, and it's easy to see how he would fall through the cracks.

KingofOldSchool
09-18-2008, 11:24 AM
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Mr. Nerfect
09-18-2008, 11:31 AM
If Paul London is released from the WWE, can I just tell you how much I would fucking want to see Paul London versus Kurt Angle. Or Paul London versus James Storm, for that matter.

Mr. Nerfect
09-18-2008, 11:33 AM
But again, I doubt he will be released because I think the WWE knows how good he is, and would love to just let him rot and become job-fodder.

BigDaddyCool
09-18-2008, 11:44 AM
Paul London is a guy I would love to see in TNA, cause he is young and he isn't another "legend" for TNA just to sign. He could fued with AJ Styles.