Then vs. Now

[Schlomey]

I was busy comparing ultimate warrior to the rock. Honestly this should be considered a tie. Warrior was the most charismatic and energetic guy during his time. The Rock was the most charismatic wrestler of his time. To dig deeper: Ultimate Warrior was also equally as athletic and good in the ring (according to the standards of the times). Ultimate Warrior was considered a good wrestler for his generation where collar and elbow tie ups were key and a splash would pin a guy. The Rock pinned top guys with a shitty elbow drop.

Obviously people would argue that Rocky was a better wrestler than Warrior but consider the wrestling style of the 80s...while considered outdated today, he was one of the top workers of his generation and his energy and charisma could not be topped. Same could be said for Rocky during the 90s. He was one of the top wrestlers for the style of the 90s.


So I call stalemate after some serious evaluations.

[Next Big Thing]

Originally Posted by Schlomey I was busy comparing ultimate warrior to the rock. Honestly this should be considered a tie. Warrior was the most charismatic and energetic guy during his time. The Rock was the most charismatic wrestler of his time. To dig deeper: Ultimate Warrior was also equally as athletic and good in the ring (according to the standards of the times). Ultimate Warrior was considered a good wrestler for his generation where collar and elbow tie ups were key and a splash would pin a guy. The Rock pinned top guys with a shitty elbow drop. Obviously people would argue that Rocky was a better wrestler than Warrior but consider the wrestling style of the 80s...while considered outdated today, he was one of the top workers of his generation and his energy and charisma could not be topped. Same could be said for Rocky during the 90s. He was one of the top wrestlers for the style of the 90s. So I call stalemate after some serious evaluations.

I think Warrior and Rock are definitely interchangeable. In fact, Rock would have done well in all three eras.

For me the biggest question is whether Orton could get over as champ in 2000 and whether Warrior could get over as champ today.

I feel like the crazy, painted face, oiled up muscle head who runs to the ring and goes through opponents wouldn't have done well in 2000, but the fans today would eat it up. That DVD they did about Warrior was a hack job. His promos back then, as weird as they were, fit the character and I think would do pretty good in today's environment. I don't think he would have gotten over in 2000 though.

Orton has the look and decent enough mic skills to have been a top guy in 2000. The only problem is, with all things being equal, does Orton have enough charisma to be someone you would make champ over Rock, HHH, Angle, Taker, Austin? He definitely wouldn't have fit in the early 90's where promos were a little lighter in nature and you had to be muscled up for Vince to make you champ.

[Damian Rey]

Originally Posted by Next Big Thing I think Warrior and Rock are definitely interchangeable. In fact, Rock would have done well in all three eras. For me the biggest question is whether Orton could get over as champ in 2000 and whether Warrior could get over as champ today. I feel like the crazy, painted face, oiled up muscle head who runs to the ring and goes through opponents wouldn't have done well in 2000, but the fans today would eat it up. That DVD they did about Warrior was a hack job. His promos back then, as weird as they were, fit the character and I think would do pretty good in today's environment. I don't think he would have gotten over in 2000 though. Orton has the look and decent enough mic skills to have been a top guy in 2000. The only problem is, with all things being equal, does Orton have enough charisma to be someone you would make champ over Rock, HHH, Angle, Taker, Austin? He definitely wouldn't have fit in the early 90's where promos were a little lighter in nature and you had to be muscled up for Vince to make you champ.

I think an edgier version of Orton's current Viper gimmick could have been big back in the Attitude era. He has more than enough mic skill to have survived, and his gimmick is nice in that he's more of an "action speak louder than words" character.

His only issue, like you said, is would he have been able to crack the main event. It's hard to say. Being a 3rd generation wrestler was used to get him over initially, and they did the same with the Rock until he found a connection with the fans. I think Orton would've been given every opportunity to succeed, and maybe a transitional run as champ if the Viper gimmick would have worked back then.