Where's the Hype?

**Nowhere Man** · 08-11-2004, 12:11 PM

I've been hearing a lot of talk about Summerslam's big Title match, and just about everyone and their grandmother says that Orton will come out of it with the Big Gold Belt. Myself, I don't buy it. Before you get all riled up, this isn't supposed to be another "OMG Orton sucks" thread. The reason I don't think Orton will win is because there hasn't been any hype to it.

All of Benoit's big title defenses have had a substantial amount of build-up to them (particularly the Raw matches with HBK and HHH), yet all this one has gotten are two tag team matches, one of which both competitors took second fiddle to Triple H/Eugene, and an interview segment where Benoit punked Orton out. There's not even enough to make a decent video montage. Just about every other major match on the card has had plenty of build, and a matching storyline. Had Benoit not called Orton an "S.O.B." (yes, very threatening, Chris), you'd barely even get the idea that these two dislike each other. Not exactly what I'd call giving this encounter the "Big Match" feel.

Orton won his title shot through a battle royale, the wrestling equivalent of drawing his name from a hat. This might have been a little more impressive, but Kane did the exact same thing just 2 months ago. Since then, there's been no real effort to try and make Orton look like a main-eventer at all. Just about every time he's been on TV, he's appeared either sucking up to Hunter or being aided by Flair and Batista. There's not even a hint of all the stuff that people have said were supposed to happen when Orton won the title (i.e. turning face, splitting from Evolution, yadda yadda) Honestly, he just comes off as more of a brown-noser than a #1 Contender.

Anyways, the point I was making is that if this really is going to be the Fall of Chris Benoit, you'd think they would have given it a little more build than Triple H/Eugene or the "Winner Marries Lita" match.

Thoughts?

**Corkscrewed** · 08-11-2004, 12:15 PM

Since when have the writers been exactly skilled at pushing and hyping a wrestler in a smart way?

Usually it's the obvious way or the stupid way.

**Loose Cannon** · 08-11-2004, 12:19 PM

Well, that's what the Observer is reporting. That's why I said he probably would win. Actually, I haven't read this weeks yet, so they may have said something different. I'll read it later.

But, your right. There has been 0 build for this match. I never wanted Orton to win the Title anyway because it's too rushed. I think he may lose, but come reallllllll close to pulling it off. Then HHH and Orton start to have a falling out because maybe Trips keeps mocking him that he lost and Orton starts to get pissed or something.

**HankScorpio** · 08-11-2004, 01:14 PM

There's no massive hype about for the match because..wait for it...HHH isn't in it, I'm personally surprised that the HHH/Eugene match ahsn't been hyped more (I really did expect it to be).
Basically my point is: If HHH isn't in the match, Hyping it would be a waste of Hype & Advertising (in the eyes of the WWE)

... why bother hyping the fact that HHH isn't the champ

08-11-2004, 12:11 PM	#1
Nowhere Man Now. Here. Man. Posts: 8,370	Where's the Hype? I've been hearing a lot of talk about Summerslam's big Title match, and just about everyone and their grandmother says that Orton will come out of it with the Big Gold Belt. Myself, I don't buy it. Before you get all riled up, this isn't supposed to be another "OMG Orton sucks" thread. The reason I don't think Orton will win is because there hasn't been any hype to it. All of Benoit's big title defenses have had a substantial amount of build-up to them (particularly the Raw matches with HBK and HHH), yet all this one has gotten are two tag team matches, one of which both competitors took second fiddle to Triple H/Eugene, and an interview segment where Benoit punked Orton out. There's not even enough to make a decent video montage. Just about every other major match on the card has had plenty of build, and a matching storyline. Had Benoit not called Orton an "S.O.B." (yes, very threatening, Chris), you'd barely even get the idea that these two dislike each other. Not exactly what I'd call giving this encounter the "Big Match" feel. Orton won his title shot through a battle royale, the wrestling equivalent of drawing his name from a hat. This might have been a little more impressive, but Kane did the exact same thing just 2 months ago. Since then, there's been no real effort to try and make Orton look like a main-eventer at all. Just about every time he's been on TV, he's appeared either sucking up to Hunter or being aided by Flair and Batista. There's not even a hint of all the stuff that people have said were supposed to happen when Orton won the title (i.e. turning face, splitting from Evolution, yadda yadda) Honestly, he just comes off as more of a brown-noser than a #1 Contender. Anyways, the point I was making is that if this really is going to be the Fall of Chris Benoit, you'd think they would have given it a little more build than Triple H/Eugene or the "Winner Marries Lita" match. Thoughts?

08-11-2004, 12:15 PM	#2
Corkscrewed Posts: 18,357	Since when have the writers been exactly skilled at pushing and hyping a wrestler in a smart way? Usually it's the obvious way or the stupid way.

08-11-2004, 12:19 PM	#3
Loose Cannon I'm all there is Posts: 31,811	Well, that's what the Observer is reporting. That's why I said he probably would win. Actually, I haven't read this weeks yet, so they may have said something different. I'll read it later. But, your right. There has been 0 build for this match. I never wanted Orton to win the Title anyway because it's too rushed. I think he may lose, but come reallllllll close to pulling it off. Then HHH and Orton start to have a falling out because maybe Trips keeps mocking him that he lost and Orton starts to get pissed or something.

08-11-2004, 01:14 PM	#4
HankScorpio PSN: SirHankScorpio Posts: 1,363	There's no massive hype about for the match because..wait for it...HHH isn't in it, I'm personally surprised that the HHH/Eugene match ahsn't been hyped more (I really did expect it to be). Basically my point is: If HHH isn't in the match, Hyping it would be a waste of Hype & Advertising (in the eyes of the WWE) ... why bother hyping the fact that HHH isn't the champ