Shelton Benjamen- Should he stay or should he go?

[Destor]

Shelton Benjamin is an amazing athlete. At the high school level, he competed in American Football, wrestling, and athletics. Most impressive of these, however, is that he finished his wrestling career with a 122-10 win-loss record and was a two-time South Carolina State Heavyweight wrestling champion. He was quickly signed by WWE and has since become a 4-time OVW tag champion, 2-time WWE tag champion, and a 3-time WWE Intercontinental champion. Not only that but he is one of only four people to beat Triple H three times in a row and he is regularly called "the best pure athlete in the WWE" by JR. Not to shabby.

In doing this, he has shown off some decent ring psychology, some insane agility, shown an amazing technical ability, as well as many other compliments I could give him. He has achieved quite a bit; but since losing his first intercontinental championship after an 8-month reign, he has reached a bit of a plateau and not really done anything new. Not only that, but his credibility has been maimed. He has been turned into a momma's boy and more recently someone who believes his is being held back for being black (who cares about being PC). Neither of these has really aided his standing in the WWE hierarchy nor have they put him over as a top contender for any title, especially when combined with the fact he is regularly jobbed out for no reason.

This leads me to my questions:
Will Shelton Benjamin be a Main Event player? Or will Shelton Benjamin be another person to leave WWE for TNA?

So why hasn't Shelton moved onto being in top feuds yet? Because his microphone skills aren't good enough for Vince McMahon to believe he can be a top draw, thus hindering him from having have a good feud? Having charisma and being able to talk are all that you need to be able to be on top in the WWE, charisma he has plenty of, but his mic skills are VERY weak; you could just look at John Cena and see that mic skills + charisma + a good look = title run (although he can wrestle better than WWE lets him I would like to say.)

Yet there have been other wrestlers who couldn't really talk yet still made it to the top, Brock Lesnar, Big Show, and Goldberg; all of which are huge. Shelton can wrestle better than any of them he just isn't a very big wrestler as Vince wants everyone to be. This just makes me think that there really isn't any real reason why Shelton hasn't moved to the upper card yet.

Being small- Hart, Benoit, Jericho, HBK, Mysterio. None of those guys are tall. But they can work the stick (except Benoit and Mysterio by the WWE's standards.) So the hight/size barrier has been broken.

Can't work the mic- Lesnar, Goldberg, Mysterio, Yokozuna...you know what. It's a really long list, but most of them are HUGE. So I dunno. A top quality manager would remedy this though.

Black- I'm being serious. Booker has done it. A move to SD! could put him right at the top. So I don't think race is holding him back.

So there are precedents for all of his stigmas. So how might Shelton move up to being a top contender for the title? Shelton needs to develop some sort of 'X factor' which will separate him form the other wrestlers in the WWE. Big Show's rise was due to his size; no one really cared that he didn't talk much as they didn't want to see him talk; they wanted to see him squash everyone. I don't really know what he could come up with, but until he finds with this 'X factor' in my opinion, there are two things that could be done. Firstly, I think he needs to get himself a better finisher, as I don't believe that his T-bone (it's just a standing power slam really.) He used to use the 450 splash in OVW, but that is banned in WWE so he needs to use something new. I'm sure he can think of something better, something that fits his style better. Secondly, he could get himself a manager; not a momma like he already has done, a manager that will build him up as a top-notch wrestler, a man that deserves to hold the title. Teddy Long would be perfect if he wasn't GM on SD!

However, if SOMETHING doesn't happen then I would expect Shelton to get fed up of being underused and being thrown into another dead end angle. Just like many other wrestlers, most notably Christian Cage who also had had great charisma but never got anywhere, and maybe rightfully so. Moving to TNA could be very tempting for Shelton, it will allow him to show us his full potential while competing in either the heavyweight division or in the X Division. I would prefer the X-Division, slowly working his way up to the top. Did you know that Shelton used the 630 on occasion in OVW? The TNA marks love that kind of shit. In TNA making it to the top would be VERY simple for a guy like Benjamin, they focus more on the quality of the wrestling over how well they can work the stick. His size wont hold him back there (I mean come on, AJ "midget" Styles is king there,) and after several wasted years in the WWE, he might not want to stay. Several other wrestlers have jumped, they are giving good money to anyone who wants to defect, and Kurt loves him. Which would translate into a title feud almost guaranteed.

Overall, I think it is clear that Shelton Benjamin is probably one of the most underrated wrestlers on the WWE roster along with a few others and only time will let us know what is going to happen. He could go either way, and personally I think that time may be sooner than later.

[Funky Fly]

This kind of thing is exactly why TNA needs to get its act together and become real competition. WWE would have to stop wasting guys with potential or they'd jump ship.

BTW, I think he should stay and work past being wasted. Look what happened to Jericho. He eventually got to the top. Look at RVD (never mind that he only fucked himself with the 4:20 antics).

[Destor]

Originally Posted by Funky Fly This kind of thing is exactly why TNA needs to get its act together and become real competition. WWE would have to stop wasting guys with potential or they'd jump ship. BTW, I think he should stay and work past being wasted. Look what happened to Jericho. He eventually got to the top. Look at RVD (never mind that he only fucked himself with the 4:20 antics).

I gotta agree. I personally want him to stay with the E. They offer more prestige. But that's just what I want for him. TNA is offering serious money, and more and more it's looking like a it could be a good move for defectors. Especially for the uber talented upper-mid card of the WWE. Not to mention a lot of people are genuinely buying that TNA is the future. Thats could prove to be VERY tempting for guys like Shelton.

[St. Jimmy]

As soon as they kill of what's left of ECW's legacy, they can change it into a brand where they can take Talent to the next level. Use the ECW title as a stepping stone into the main event of the Flagship shows. Punk vs. Benjamen for the ECW title would sell a fucking PPV.

[Impact!]

I doubt it, I doubt it alot (Benamin V Punk would sell a PPV)

[Rammsteinmad]

Good post Destor.

Although I feel the same about Charlie Haas... which can only lead to one thing...


















Haas and Viscera winning the Tag Titles... Benjamin being released.

[Londoner]

Send Benjamin to ECW, this could help get rid of the 'momma's boy' character they've turned him into. Either that or he should go to TNA, though
I can't see him fitting in TNA for some reason, don't quite know why that is.

[M-A-G]

You can write all the angles for him, book him in the right matches, create the best stuff for him to say, and he can have the talent of God himself but it all means nothing if you don't have people willing to put him over strong and people willing to make room. THERE'S your problem.

[Londoner]

^ And that's why they need to re-join the rosters.

[M-A-G]

Originally Posted by TL ^ And that's why they need to re-join the rosters.

And that automatically gets rid of stubborn people, crappy writing, and people telling wrestlers what not to do in the ring?

[UmbrellaCorporation]

As of last night, I'm not sure that Shelton's mic skills will be problematic for much longer, if he keeps that up. That was actually a damn good segment with Carlito.

But yeah, I REALLY think Shelton could be a big player, given the time.

[Londoner]

No, but it makes it easier to write the show and then injuries wouldn't matter too much cause there would always be someone waiting to step up. It makes even more sense now that there's ECW, you could use that for any talent that gets caught up in the rosters getting back together.

[M-A-G]

Writing is easy. It's getting it to develop into something tangible on TV that's the problem. I can jot down what could be the most awesome angle in wrestling history but if one person with the power doesn't like me or doesn't want to do what I'm asking of him/her, they won't do it. It's all a matter of getting the right people to do something about the roster and allowing the talent in it to be utilized correctly.

[M-A-G]

And I'm not just talking wrestlers who politick. There's tons of writers who aren't applying anything positive.

[Destor]

Originally Posted by M-A-G You can write all the angles for him, book him in the right matches, create the best stuff for him to say, and he can have the talent of God himself but it all means nothing if you don't have people willing to put him over strong and people willing to make room. THERE'S your problem.

But isn't that yet another reason fo him to eventually get fed up with the WWE and jump ship?

[Londoner]

Originally Posted by M-A-G Writing is easy. It's getting it to develop into something tangible on TV that's the problem. I can jot down what could be the most awesome angle in wrestling history but if one person with the power doesn't like me or doesn't want to do what I'm asking of him/her, they won't do it. It's all a matter of getting the right people to do something about the roster and allowing the talent in it to be utilized correctly.

But with more people on the roster, don't you think there's a chance more wrestlers will be willing to put him over? A few wrestlers playing politics wont stop him from getting over then. The roster split actually does more harm than good in that way. Think about it.

[M-A-G]

Originally Posted by TL But with more people on the roster, don't you think there's a chance more wrestlers will be willing to put him over? A few wrestlers playing politics wont stop him from getting over then. The roster split actually does more harm than good in that way. Think about it.

True but now you've got to worry about the people who play politics from both shows now operating under one roof. It's like what Vince would've had to put up with if he had bothered buying out a lot of the major contracts from WCW.

[M-A-G]

Originally Posted by Destor But isn't that yet another reason fo him to eventually get fed up with the WWE and jump ship?

That can't always be the solution. Just think how different things would've been for WCW and the talent eager to jump ship if they had the right staff around to maintain the morale. It's sounds like an impossible mountain to climb but that's mainly cause no one's really bothered to try climbing it.

[Destor]

FTR, I intentionally ignored politics, as I wanted to focus on Shelton's ability and why he should be top tier based on his talents. Not blame it on the world. And to reiterate here is the purpose of the thread:

Will Shelton Benjamin be a Main Event player? Or will Shelton Benjamin be another person to leave WWE for TNA?

Or hell, a third option: Will he suffer it out in the mid card forever.

[M-A-G]

Curtain number 3.

[Destor]

Originally Posted by M-A-G That can't always be the solution. Just think how different things would've been for WCW and the talent eager to jump ship if they had the right staff around to maintain the morale. It's sounds like an impossible mountain to climb but that's mainly cause no one's really bothered to try climbing it.

Those people aren't there, thus him leaving is a likely out come. That or something is done about his current standings. People left WCW because they felt underused or just a low moral in general, why wont that happen in the WWE? Hell it has. Christian? Allegedly Angle... can people leaving be avoided? I don't think anyone is arguing that. The point is, Shelton is a likely candidate to want out if something doesn't change, and that is the point of the thread.

[Londoner]

Originally Posted by M-A-G True but now you've got to worry about the people who play politics from both shows now operating under one roof. It's like what Vince would've had to put up with if he had bothered buying out a lot of the major contracts from WCW.

Ah yes I know but you see when you split up the rosters, it gives those who have the power to play politics more power to do what they want. If there's a bigger roster the show wouldn't need to rely on those guys so much.

[M-A-G]

Good Lord, is this an actual discussion over a topic that includes differing opinions sans yelling, insulting, swearing, and making fun of other people? There's hope for this forum yet.

[Destor]

Well yeah, KK hasn't come in here yet.

[Londoner]

Amazing, isn't it? I just realised that myself. Maybe we should get back to the usual standards of these boards for the fear of looking different?

[M-A-G]

You got TL. Er, I mean, you gay ass retard! :foc:

[Londoner]

*refuses to step down to that level*

Ah fuck it.

Fuck you you retarded F-A-G!

Ok now that's done..

*gets back on topic*

So yeah, are we in agreement that one roster is better than two?(especially now since there's ECW?)

[M-A-G]

Split brand doesn't bother me because it can be done right when people give a damn. Unified wouldn't bother me much either but it seems rather futile now.

[Londoner]

But your point about wrestlers playing politics contradicts the fact that it doesn't bother you. The roster split only gives them more power, you just have to look at what's been happening in the last couple of years because of it.

[Destor]

Originally Posted by TL But your point about wrestlers playing politics contradicts the fact that it doesn't bother you. The roster split only gives them more power, you just have to look at what's been happening in the last couple of years because of it.

I don't see where you get that. Look at all the first time champions since the brand split to see that more people have gotten over because of the brand split.

[M-A-G]

Originally Posted by TL But your point about wrestlers playing politics contradicts the fact that it doesn't bother you. The roster split only gives them more power, you just have to look at what's been happening in the last couple of years because of it.

The politics bother me, the brands or lack of, don't. I still like wrestling (somewhat) but I don't like what negativity happens behind the curtain. It's sort of akin to someone liking the steak but now how it came about.

[M-A-G]

But we're getting off topic again. Back to Shelton Benjamin, MID-CARDER FOR LIFE BABEEE!!!!

[Londoner]

Hmm, well lets see, they've fucked up Edge by having him job the title to Cena twice now, they fucked up orton ever since his title run, Cena's title runs have been boring as fuck until recently and now it's going to shit again, name me one positive WWE title run they've done during the last two years?

[M-A-G]

Wait, I mean,

[M-A-G]

Originally Posted by TL Hmm, well lets see, they've fucked up Edge by having him job the title to Cena twice now, they fucked up orton ever since his title run, Cena's title runs have been boring as fuck until recently and now it's going to shit again, name me one positive WWE title run they've done during the last two years?

Batista?

[Lord-Of-Darkness]

Originally Posted by M-A-G Batista?

Thats the World Title

[M-A-G]

But the entertainment one provides is subjective depending on the consumers' tastes. It's a matter of whether enough consumers gave a positive response (ie: revenue) to a title run. Cena's been able to do this and to a lesser extent, Eddie Guerrero. JBL's run rejuvenated a mid-carders career and Orton's loss helped segue into HHH's run which culminated in a major league buy rate for Batista's main event shot at WM 21.

[Destor]

Originally Posted by TL Hmm, well lets see, they've fucked up Edge by having him job the title to Cena twice now, they fucked up orton ever since his title run, Cena's title runs have been boring as fuck until recently and now it's going to shit again, name me one positive WWE title run they've done during the last two years?

Ok. Edge jobbing is irrelevant as he is cemented as a Main Event player. Cena went from nothing to the backbone of the company (for better or worse.) Same could be said for Batista. Eddy Guerrero Got the title, so did JBL and Mysterio. None of that would had happened with out the brand extension. Same for Benoit and Booker. Fit Finlay is legit player. RVD and Orton got the title. Maybe three of these guys would have gotten to where they are with out the brand split, Cena, Batista, and Orton. That's about it. The brand extension has done ALOT of people good. (Many of which I don't care to go into. But that isn't what this thread is about now is it?)

[Destor]

Originally Posted by M-A-G But we're getting off topic again. Back to Shelton Benjamin, MID-CARDER FOR LIFE BABEEE!!!!

I just can't see that. Angle got him in the WWE, apparently they get along REAL well. I could see Kurt talking him into to TNA. Benjamin can't be too happy about where his character has been lately, and TNA would be able to handle him quite well. Yet again I would prefer him to a top player in the WWE, but TNA is a likely move for Benjamin. All the cards are there.

[Londoner]

Originally Posted by M-A-G But the entertainment one provides is subjective depending on the consumers' tastes. It's a matter of whether enough consumers gave a positive response (ie: revenue) to a title run. Cena's been able to do this and to a lesser extent, Eddie Guerrero. JBL's run rejuvenated a mid-carders career and Orton's loss helped segue into HHH's run which culminated in a major league buy rate for Batista's main event shot at WM 21.

Batista is probably the only one they've done right, Eddie's was enjoyable to watch but was too short, thoough I know that was cause of his ability to handle the pressure. So yeah, i'll give you that, but then that's only one title run, all the rest have been poorly booked. It's not always good to have lots of first time champions on your roster either, makes the title look weak.