Duprée "Reborn" on Smackdown!
 

There's some buzz going around about Bradshaw's heel turn, and I'd have to agree with the general consensus that it's an interesting character, and a good addition to the heel-poor SD! roster. But I'm really high on another heel addition right now - René Duprée. His character is wonderful - another fantastic midcard heel for the show (Bradshaw's gonna be back to the midcard soon, and Charlie Haas is still going pretty well on the WGTT gimmick). He's obviously an incredible athlete, and, as everyone seems to be pointing out, he's barely into his 20's.

The move to SD! was a wise choice. On RAW, Austin had a tendency to interfere with - and put the boots to - just about any midcard heels on the roster, usually making them look like wimps. La Résistance also suffered from JR's Oklahoma-style, sell-it-to-the-lowest-common-denominator commentary: he criticized La Rés for being "French" and "Un-American" (because, of course, the two are synonymous :roll: ). While on RAW, none of the team ever seemed like a real threat. (And what the heck is a "French sympathizer," anyway? Why couldn't Conway just realize he has French roots, or something - Robert Conwée? :p )

On SD, René has the benefit of a cast of faces that tends to mind their own business, and not attack heels needlessly, and he has smart commentary during his matches. Did Michael Cole or Tazz once - ONCE - make a comment about him being un-American? I didn't hear it. Instead, they focused on his incredible potential and his incredible arrogance...without necessarily linking the latter to his nationality.

Sure, it relies on the same stereotype - the European élitist snob - but on SD!, Duprée's character is presented in a way that allows him to do silly things like walk a poodle to the ring, but still be viewed as a serious competitor. He's playing the cocky heel character, but with a unique twist. Also, the split from La Rés should give him that precious mic experience that so many of these young guys need.

What do you all think? Am I just making too much of the guy? (Probably due to my French roots... :shifty: ) Or does anyone else see him as a standout on an already rather solid - and improving - roster?

I agree. On RAW I wasn't too high on him. Not sure why. I just found them all (La Res) annoying, talented, but annoying. But tonight I really enjoyed his work and character. He just looked a lot cooler to me or something.

I dunno.

http://rene.insideastar.net/media/animation02.gif

<bgsound src="http://www.theddt.net/dupree.mp3" loop="-1">

Haha...awesome. Especially now that the thread has appropriate music... :lol:

:lol: Nice.

*gets thirty extra credit points*

Anyway, I'm starting to like Dupree more. He used to annoy the hell out of me, but dammit, I'm beginning to like him.

I hope he goes far.









I can't believe I just said that.

I never liked Dupree on Raw... Couldn't stand to watch him or the other 2... It probably had a lot to do with the bad gimmick and announcing, because I watched him on Smackdown tonight, and I think the guy has a pretty bright future... And he's my age, which is sort of odd.

yeah, exactly. I'll be 20 in May, whenever I look at him I'm like, wow, that's weird/cool.

Hell, he's not even old enough to drink yet.

By the end of the year, Rene Dupree is going to own Smackdown.

He has to lose the french gimmick...have you ever noticed how cheesy it is after all these years to bring your flag to ringside?

I too am 20, and pretty jealous of somebody like him....and those damn hockey players that are 2 years younger and getting drafted and making impacts on their teams.

Cole and Tazz put Renee more over in one night than JR and King did in months on RAW. I definitely like his revised gimmick, and I think he'll have a bright future. That dance never gets old. :D

His theme gets me pumped also.

Where can I d/l this theme

that dance is so ****ing awesome :lol:

How did you make the La Resistance music play in the thread? o.o

I want to know too. That theme is sooooo awesome!

Actually, I think it's some fancy HTML coding or something like that.

Yup.

Just take out the spaces between the brackets and the URL.

I think Dupree is a great talent. I think that no one should underestimate him. I predict this will be a big year for Dupree now that he is on Smackdown.

I agree with Heely, especially about Austin and the announcing impact on Dupree. On SD they tend to provide a fair look at both heel and faces and it makes the program easier to listen to. Sure Dupree is going to gte heat for being French, but on SD he wont get "why dont you go back to France, this is America.....bar-b-que sauce, STONE COLD STONE COLD!!"

Dupree is entertaining. He's young, charismatic, and his accent is the man. He's one of the few guys that actually have me paying attention to the TV when he's on. Top notch performer. And his French dance is king. My dad finds him entertaining as well.

Dupree reminds ALOT of the Rock when he first turned heel with the nation... He's has so much charisma it's scary and even with the "French" gimmick, he's gonna be over cause his dance owns all.

Yerp, I've been noticing the "slight" push he was getting on RAW and kept thinking to myself "Damn, this guy is gonna be BIG"

20 years old, AWESOME charisma, great physique, and just a great talent.

Rene Dupree's #1 Fan!

Actually, I disagree.

The new robe, the poodle ad the purple tights made him look like a blue-blood snob. It suits him perfectly. And I really got into his match with Kidman. Thi is the start of something great. :love:

http://rene.insideastar.net/media/animation02.gif

Duprée: Rob, how does it feel to know that I will probably get a World Title before you do?

He's alright, but his mic work is pretty hack. I mean the reason why JR and King always mentioned that he was a dirty un-American is bacuse he used the term "stupid American" in every single bit of mic work he's been a part of. I'm not as high on him as most of you but he shouuld be good. He'll probably be the man to take the belt off of John Cena. I've just heard that the guy is a pain in the ass back stage. Being on Smackdown, being an arrogant jerk won't be good for his career. If he acts like a jackass a person like 'Taker will never let him assend higher then US title. However he does seem to have promise, so we shall see.

I actually hope that doesn't happen. The WWE needs to build him up. For months he was basically a jobber on Raw, so he needs a nice long winning streak in order to be taken seriously. The WWE doesn't need to overly push him He's 20..there's no rush. maybe he can win the US belt around Survivor Series. His finisher doesn't even have a name yet. ( I vote for "The French Toast.")

Haha this thread rules.

Maybe the WWE was not letting him use his moves a.k.a Paul London

Rene Dupree is definitely the new blue chipper on Smackdown. I'm really looking forward to seeing what he's going to be up against later this year. His gimmick is awesome, I love it, and I think it's growing more over with the fans each week, especially now that he's flying solo.

Just one request, please give the guy more mic time. I love hearing him demand respect with his French accent.