Shelton Benjamin

[Afterlife]

I've said this before, but I can't say this enough: He's the new (black) Hardcore Holly. He's billed as a legitimate threat when they need a legitimate threat, and otherwise he's that guy that everyone forgets about. He has a nickname that doesn't mean anything, and he lacks any kind of personality.

I do not think he'll ever get beyond the US/IC titles, because he's just...bland. Granted, Orton is also very bland, but he's got the gift of nepotism. I wil say, I think Benjamin will be there for years to come, but only in the same way Holly was there for so long.

Now tell me how wrong I am.

[4 knuckles up]

I've said this before, but I can't say this enough: He's the new (black) Hardcore Holly. He's billed as a legitimate threat when they need a legitimate threat, and otherwise he's that guy that everyone forgets about. He has a nickname that doesn't mean anything, and he lacks any kind of personality.

I do not think he'll ever get beyond the US/IC titles, because he's just...bland. Granted, Orton is also very bland, but he's got the gift of nepotism. I wil say, I think Benjamin will be there for years to come, but only in the same way Holly was there for so long.

Now tell me how wrong I am.


I certainly agree with you, in some respects.

Shelton is a midcarder for life. He's very bland on the mic, but, as you said, can still be that legitimate threat when WWE need one.

His wrestling skills, on the other hand, are phenominal. He is with ease on of the ten best workers in the WWE right now, and the guy is so under-rated for his work rate, it aint even funny.

I enjoyed his stuff with Yoshi Tatsu, but we'd need to see more of that side of Shelton if he's even going to go anywhere. I'd love to see him be consistantly pushed. If his mic skills are whats keeping him back, hire him a mouthpiece to do the talking for him.

[jerichoholicninja]

If they ever had a plan for him he could be something, but until that happens he's stuck.

[Chavo Classic]

The problem for me is that he's done so many comedic angles and skits that it's hard for him to come back. The 'Shelton's Mama' gimmick has blunted any credibility he ever had.

However, there's nothing wrong with any of this. Because he's a solid worker and carved out a niche as a versatile player, he'll be around for a long time - Hardcore Holly certainly was, and he had a fraction of Shetlon's ability, fanbase and charisma.

[Kane Knight]

Shelton's awesome, but any tie he's put in an advancement position, he starts fucking up. It's why they keep resorting to comedy andles and the like.

[Afterlife]

See, I don't get any charisma from Shelton whatsoever. Guy's got the charm of a fencepost. And his in-ring is great, when he's not tripping or falling short on the "big moves". I think, honestly, that the few little flubs he's had in the ring are what held him back the most. He got a pinfall victory over Triple H his first night on Raw. What happened? He was supposed to sky rocket. But he wasn't ready to be alone yet, his nerves got him, and they had to pull back. And now he's Hardcore Blacky.

[Juan]

I disagree.

Shelton > Holly

In every which way imaginable

[Juan]

I guess I could see your point if you watch wrestling strictly for entertainment purposes (ie promos and skits) but the guy can go in the ring and that's really all i care about.

[Afterlife]

I'm not saying that Holly is superior to Benjamin. Even if that were the case, which it's not, I'd lie about it because Holly is a cock.

Benjamin is a far superior athlete, and a better entertainer in general. He's just also really dull in that he radiates...well...dullness. The whole point of professional wrestling is to make the audience care about who they like and who they hate, and I'd say 75% of that is in-ring ability. And again, he's got it in spades. But he's missing the rest.

[Juan]

Yeah I get what you're saying, but like I said, as long as he can go in the ring, the mic skills are secondary. That's just me though.

[thedamndest]

I would kind of agree with Afterlife, to an extent. When Shelton was US Champ, I largely didn't care. His only competition was the untested R-Truth. Their program was not great. I think it's mostly due to his inconsistent booking over the years. Hopefully this move to ECW gets them going with something for Shelton because honestly I think this might be his last hurrah as a viable contender.

[Afterlife]

Exactly. Shelton may be fine in the ring, but his entire presence just makes me say "So what?".

[Supreme Olajuwon]

I think what they need to do is stopping billing him as a guy who hasn't reached his full potential. We keep expecting him to take the next step into the world title scene and when it doesn't happen we get disappointed. They make it seem like we shouldn't be satisfied with just a bunch of IC and US title reigns and we should expect more.

What happened to the days when guys could have Hall of Fame careers chasing the 2nd tier titles? Guys like Dibiase, Hennig, and Hall were never billed as world title threats but they still had stellar careers. I think Shelton should be placed more in that mold.

[Afterlife]

That's all well and good, but I don't care about him at all. Even when he's a champion, he's only entertaining based on who else is in the ring with him. The two things that kept me interested in his recent work on SD? Teaming with Haas and battling Morrison.

[GD]

Benjamin is nothing like he was back when he was drafted to RAW. I did find him funny on ECW and always look forward to his participation in the MITB match but that's about it.

[Juan]

(mobile post)

[GD]

(mobile post)

I don't think you know how it works. :-\

[Hanso Amore]

Shelton is great at what he does....put over talent.

The dude is a stud in the ring, and helps get other people over. Plain and simple.

[Nicky Fives]

yup.. he'll be around for a while.... mid-carder for life....

[Juan]

I don't think you know how it works. :-\

lol you're right

[Afterlife]

Benjamin is nothing like he was back when he was drafted to RAW. I did find him funny on ECW and always look forward to his participation in the MITB match but that's about it.

His participation is a weird thing. When he's part of a match, it makes the match more interesting to me, because I know he can put on a show, 9 times out of 10. But when the match is ABOUT him, I don't give a shit.

[GD]

Juan...:naughty:

[screech]

Incredible in the ring no doubt, but I can't see him getting to the main event. When he was drafted to RAW, it seemed like he could have gotten the big push, but I think the ship has sailed now.

[screech]

*waits for The Gold Standard to rip Afterlife*

[GD]

His participation is a weird thing. When he's part of a match, it makes the match more interesting to me, because I know he can put on a show, 9 times out of 10. But when the match is ABOUT him, I don't give a shit.

:'( It's beautiful.

[Kane Knight]

See, I don't get any charisma from Shelton whatsoever. Guy's got the charm of a fencepost. And his in-ring is great, when he's not tripping or falling short on the "big moves". I think, honestly, that the few little flubs he's had in the ring are what held him back the most. He got a pinfall victory over Triple H his first night on Raw. What happened? He was supposed to sky rocket. But he wasn't ready to be alone yet, his nerves got him, and they had to pull back. And now he's Hardcore Blacky.

no Charisma? No, can't see that. Limited mic skills? Yeah, I could see it.

Besides, Hardcore always got huge pops on Smackdown! when he was with the company. Some of the biggest on the show!

(Nobody better bitch about that claim, since I get shit every time I point out a piped in/dubbed chant...)

[Mr. Nerfect]

I think what they need to do is stopping billing him as a guy who hasn't reached his full potential. We keep expecting him to take the next step into the world title scene and when it doesn't happen we get disappointed. They make it seem like we shouldn't be satisfied with just a bunch of IC and US title reigns and we should expect more.

What happened to the days when guys could have Hall of Fame careers chasing the 2nd tier titles? Guys like Dibiase, Hennig, and Hall were never billed as world title threats but they still had stellar careers. I think Shelton should be placed more in that mold.

This largely sums up a major difference between what will ultimately be the careers of Hardcore Holly and Shelton Benjamin -- they come from different eras. In today's age -- Chavo Guerrero, Mark Henry and Johnny Nitro have all been the top champion of a WWE brand. With the ECW Title bridging the gap between mid-card and main event, there is no reason for a guy to eventually not move past IC/US Title level, and then into the main event scene of at least one of the shows (assuming they have the talent, of course).

I don't think Benjamin is done yet. The man's ring work is still fantastic, and the series he worked with The Undertaker sent hints that he's got a lot of backing. Now that he's on ECW, I think it's only a matter of time before we debate whether or not to call Shelton Benjamin a "World Champion" or not. And then, next year, it's a move to RAW and a run over there.

Truthfully, though, I think we might not see Shelton Benjamin win the WWE Title/World Heavyweight Title until 2011, around about his 36th birthday. Benjamin is so good in the ring, though, and he's still young enough, relevant enough and the era is still plentiful enough that I think he'll win a World Title at least at one stage during his career.

[Mr. Nerfect]

no Charisma? No, can't see that. Limited mic skills? Yeah, I could see it.

Besides, Hardcore always got huge pops on Smackdown! when he was with the company. Some of the biggest on the show!

(Nobody better bitch about that claim, since I get shit every time I point out a piped in/dubbed chant...)

I pretty much agree with you entirely here. Shelton has got plenty of charisma. His delivery on the mic sometimes lets him go, but charisma is not the problem. And yes, Hardcore Holly was very fucking over considering how very fucking average he was.

[St. Jimmy]

If he was white...

[XIII]

they should have kept him together with haas and ricky ortiz and maybe got someone else to form a new stable like the nation.. have them show up on every show and beat everyone down and announce a take over.. then see where that would go, maybe a power struggle within the group, couldve been a decent angle.... the nation did put the rock on the map.....

[Afterlife]

I dunno. When Benjamin appears on his own, a wave of boredom slowly washes over me. I get no personality whatsoever from him.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I think the guy works better as a face than a heel. I'd like to see him get another face run in the near future.

[James Steele]

I dunno. When Benjamin appears on his own, a wave of boredom slowly washes over me. I get no personality whatsoever from him.

You have no personality.

[What Would Kevin Do?]

Shelton has the talent and the charisma to go far, he just sucks on the mic.

With that said, WWE needs to sign Kenny King. He's practically Shelton, but the guy fucking oozes charisma.

[Funky Fly]

Yeah, it's obvious now after all these years that his mic work is never going to get better. It's all that's holding him back.

Wel,, that and a lack of an impactful finisher.

[The Gold Standard]

I have no idea what happens to him. Everytime he is traded to another show he is built and it seems like they are about to push him, but then it just kinda dies. I can't take it. He does have bad mic skills, but he is miles above where he use to be.

I do see him as the IC/US guy, and I thought he could be one of the guys to bring credibility back to the IC title and US title.

He is an incredible in ring talent and showed that he has a personality the past few months. I actually think this "cocky" Shelton could be a great thing for him.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Shelton has the talent and the charisma to go far, he just sucks on the mic.

With that said, WWE needs to sign Kenny King. He's practically Shelton, but the guy fucking oozes charisma.

I don't think Shelton sucks on the mic. He's not comfortable, but he can cut a promo when he has to, and he can be quite funny. I do agree that the WWE should hire Kenny King, though.

[The Pope]

I've said it all along vince mcmahon is a racist

[The Gold Standard]

I've said it all along vince mcmahon is a racist

There is a part of me that believes that.

[DaBrasko]

Shelton is early Harlem Heat Booker T.... well minus calling people a nigga. Anyways what I mean is he is a huge talent but cannot carry anyone's attention on the mic.

[Afterlife]

I think the guy works better as a face than a heel. I'd like to see him get another face run in the near future.


Maybe that would help. Maybe that would be the perfect way to change the direction of the character. I dunno. But TGS was also right; every time he starts looking like he's going to do something...nothing happens. That needs to stop, as well. And I don't mean he has to get the World Title, but shit, how about a legitimate feud? And Morrison didn't count, because he was too cool for school; his promos and segments basically consisted of telling Benjamin to go piss up a rope, and then he'd beat him in the ring. Sure, Shelton got "angry", but he's been "angry" for years.

In fact, I think a feud with Kofi Kingston might do him some good. Make it all about attitude: Shelton wants to wipe the ever-present smile off Kofi's face, and Kofi doesn't know what Benjamin's so angry about. In fact, you could even use said feud to eventually turn Benjamin face by having Kofi "cheer him up". At this point, anything to get some steady, focussed attention on Benjamin would be desirable.

[The Mackem]

They should just have him win the next Rumble out of nowhere and tell us that he's reached his potential.

[Afterlife]

I'd like that. But then, I've been hoping for a surprise Rumble winner for years.

[screech]

...WWE needs to sign Kenny King. He's practically Shelton, but the guy fucking oozes charisma.

:y:

I've said it all along vince mcmahon is a racist

I've thought that for a while, and I feel like he's been confirming it especially over the past few weeks.

[BigDaddyCool]

I agree with the original post in this thread.

[The Pope]

There is a part of me that believes that.

You're Shelton Benjamin? I see your name is The Gold Standard

[#1-norm-fan]

All this stuff about Benjamin being great in the ring but not really caring because he's dull and boring and not really being able to get past that to enjoy him as a wrestler...

It's everything I ever said about Benoit. Benjamin has at least a more likable personality than Benoit and more charisma. I would be able to cheer Benjamin on if he ever made it to the top. Could never do it for Benoit. I just despised him unless he was being used to put someone I liked over in a great match.

[Afterlife]

Personally, I enjoyed Benoit. Not that I was a fan, but he was an actual wrestler on a wrestling show. Like Angle, but without the..well...personality. And I enjoy Benjamin's ringwork. I also think he can develop a personality at any point, and that would be great. I just think he's entirely lackluster as is.

[James Steele]

Shelton's mic work will improve has he actually gets to work on his mic skills on TV.

[The Show Off]

Ever since JBL became a main eventer the term "mid-card for life" is extinct.

Everyone can become a main eventer.

I get that JBL had mic skills and Shelton doesn't have mic skills, but JBL had little ability in the ring and Shelton has tons.

World Champions Shelton Has Better Mic Skills
Batista
The Great Khali
Rey Mysterio
Chris Benoit
Sycho Sid
Yokozuna
The Ultimate Warrior

I'm not saying he will be a main eventer but being doomed to mid-card for ever is no longer gaurenteed ever since Bradshaw, you know the guy that the WWE threw in tons of tag teams and never let him do anything, be came world champion in a month.

[Funky Fly]

Batista - Shelton does not have better mic skills than him. He has better everything else tho
The Great Khali - evil foreign giant = instant world title
Rey Mysterio - mad over with kids and latinos. Plus had a dead friend to exploit.
Chris Benoit - debatable whose skills were better. Was the white Shelton for many years before eventual world title
Sycho Sid - evil <s>foreign</s> crazy giant... actually I dunnohow that happened.
Yokozuna - see evil foreign giant
The Ultimate Warrior - it was the 80s, so pastel colours, tassells and steroids = world title

[Kane Knight]

Ever since JBL became a main eventer the term "mid-card for life" is extinct.

Everyone can become a main eventer.


Doesn't hurt that they've lowered the bar so damn much since JBL, either.

Denny Crane.

[XIII]

he's inline for the push thats why he got sent to ecw, he's about to do work with christian, which is obvious, and win the ecw title that has now become more like the i.c. title than anything else.... i just wish they had jack swagger stay in ecw till the next draft cause a shelton vs swagger fued would have been the shit, just what ecw would have needed to get some viewers, both have amatuer wrestling backrounds, and it would have been entertaining.... maybe somewhere down the road they will have a good fued....
but shelton will grow he just needs something new to take him there. like how the rock or austin shot to the top, no one seemed to care about them at first, then they were the biggest stars in wwe history..... you never know whos gonna be the next-next big thing...

[Afterlife]

I find the "now that he's on ECW" spiel to be horseradish. He was on ECW when they gave him his meaningless nickname and his new/current finisher. So far, it's done fuck all for him, but the point is, he's already been there, and not that long ago, as a matter of fact.

[Testicle]

He turned 34 today, a lot older than I thought. If he wants to become anything meaningful, he'd better get going.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Benjamin is in tremendous shape, so it's not like he's an old 34. The dude is still in his prime. I enjoyed his match with Yoshi Tatsu on ECW, when it got going. I wouldn't mind seeing them have a bit of a longer feud develop. The eventual feud with Christian is no doubt going to be great, too.