[Heyman]

Originally Posted by Loose Cannon I don't like this at all: #1: All of Benoit's face heat he has/had going for him would be killed by turning him heel. It would be like when Angle turned heel during the whole Alliance thing. It just makes no sense to turn a guy who had finally won the title at WM and achieved his lifelong dream to a standing ovation from the crowd. Turning him heel right after that would just confuse the audience IMO. Maybe down the line he can turn heel, but definately not right after he wins the title.

I was thinking a month after he won the title. I agree that turning him heel could kill all the 'face heat' he has going for him, but do you really want to see Benoit feuding with the likes of Kane, Matt Hardy, Orton, Batista, or (gulp) Test? If this were to happen, the fans may start to perceive the Raw World title as a 'mid-card' title.

Now compare the situation to if Benoit faced guys like Shawn Michaels, Chris Jericho, RVD, and even Booker T.

#2: Benoit taking over Evolution would kill the heat Orton's got going for him right now. Orton should be the one to take over Evolution if anyone ever does. Benoit doesn't fit in with Evolution and storyline wise, I don't think Orton would get along with Benoit. Now Orton would be a great opponent for Chris down the line when he gets a couple of more needed victories over some top guys.

If Orton takes over Evolution (and becomes the main guy), then Evolution would become a mid-card stable. If Evolution had a main-event champ with them however, they'd remain as 'elites'. That's why I liked the Benoit-idea.

As far as Orton getting along with Benoit goes, I think the WWE can 'smooth' that over in the storylines. A few years back, Triple H was responsible for orchestrating the 'hit and run' on Austin. After WM-17 however, they had an alliance with one another.

Orton would be a decent opponent for Benoit down the line, but that's still "down the line" (i.e. 6-8 months?). Who faces Benoit NOW?

I say if Benoit gets the title, make him a "Bret Hart" champion in that he defends the title all the time and NEVER backs down from any challenges. Let him take on all the heels and eventually have a big feud with someone along the way. It would be better if they turned someone else heel, who....I have no clue, to feud with Benoit.

If Benoit 'takes on all-comers' (which included guys like Shawn Michaels, RVD, and Jericho), then I think the WWE risks having more fans cheer for the opponents. I don't think this would be too counterproductive (if you recall, Benoit fought Cena a month or so ago and although most fans cheered for Cena, they still cheered Benoit when he won the match), but I think Benoit would get FAR more heat (and would be FAR more over) if he was a heel champ.


With Benoit as a clear cut HEEL, it also makes challengers such as HBK and RVD to get better crowd responses as faces.



Here's what I'd consider doing to Benoit between now, WM, and after WM

-Between now and WM, continue to make Benoit look strong. Have him defeat guys like Matt Hardy, Test, Dave Batista, Scott Steiner, Christian, and even Kane (at this point, Benoit looks EXTREMELY credible).

-At Wrestlemania, have him defeat Triple H cleanly.

-After Wrestlemania, have Shawn Michaels challenge him for the title. At the next PPV, the two men put on a great match, but Benoit wins........with Evolution's help.

-After that PPV, have his feud with Shawn Michaels continue. Benoit defeats HBK in the return match at the PPV. From here, Benoit continues getting solid victories. If Foley is still around, have Benoit defeat Foley. Benoit then defeats a returning Triple H (face) as well. At Summerslam, perhaps Benoit can get a challenge from THE ROCK and beat him as well.

-Meanwhile during this whole ordeal, Jericho and/or RVD have been getting impressive victories themselves. With that in mind, one of these two men then 'step up' and challenge Benoit (and maybe even win the World title?).