Where Will London Go From Here?

Before Spanky handed his notice in to WWE management in January 2004, he and Paul London were seriously impressing as a tag team on Velocity. Many had hoped WWE would notice this and give the pair some SmackDown airtime eventually, but before it could happen, Brian headed back to his indy roots, leaving London again without a partner for a period of time.

And he’d been stuck in dark matches and/or on Velocity yet again ever since, before the idea of pairing him with Billy Kidman for a few shows came about. There’s also speculation of a feud between the two somewhere down the road; then again, there is also speculation of London being a WWE roster cut casualty as well.

So where does London from here? WWE clearly wants to fit him into a tag role, at least for now; that part seems obvious. With that in mind, the London and Billy Kidman idea could be the best match--possibly the “illegitimate brothers-on-an-SSP-feud” angle thrown in for good measure?

Both are around the same height and weight, have fan appeal and need something to do on SmackDown. Most importantly, both are very talented wrestlers. With the right push, London and Kidman could be a big tag-team for SmackDown and a very deserving pair to run with the Tag Team straps, provided the roster cut speculation doesn’t come about beforehand.

However, keeping past history in mind, they would be on Velocity and it would be the same fate as the team of Spanky and London. I wouldn’t want to see the Kidman/London pair wasted on Velocity, although it does spice up the show and make it more watchable. I would much rather see the WWE improve their Cruiserweight Division and elevate stars, in addition to London, such as Ultimo Dragon, Kidman, Moore, et al.

The WWE fails to realize that most of those bad injuries happen to the bigger, more stiff guys and not the dexterous cruiserweights who flow like water, such as London. WCW produced some classic matches involving ladders and things like that and I think it's time the WWE does the same.

On the other side of the situation, Paul London works brilliantly as a singles star and can hold a match against anyone. I would suggest that anyone watch his ROH and Japan matches, as well as his championship performance in the 2003 ECWA Super 8 Tournament. If I was WWE, I'd also push Paul London as a singles competitor, as he has the ability to become a great Cruiserweight Champion. He is such an innovative wrestler that he could breathe more new life into the Cruiserweight Division, which was getting a bit stale with only Tajiri, Mysterio and Noble in the title picture before Chavo’s recent win at No Way Out.

If he is kept as a tag team wrestler and the Kidman angle doesn‘t work out after all, then I could also see him forming a partnership with Shannon Moore. Moore is a good Cruiserweight and as it seems he is going nowhere as a singles wrestler so far. A tag team combination with London could revive Moore’s own career as well.

Others London could be paired with that may click:

Call up Nova or Johnny Jeter from OVW. Jeter is a good high flyer and popular with the crowds.

If I had the choice, I would also bring in Paul London's former tag partner Adam Windsor, whom he trained with at Dory Funk Jr.'s training school. Windsor, a young talented Englishman, had more chemistry with London than anyone else in pro wrestling, pre-Spanky. However, although WWE has noticed Windsor and sent scouts to watch him on a few occasions, I doubt they would put him on SmackDown. They would rather have him spend a few months in the Valley, due to his young age.

Paul London himself is actually one of the most talented young guys in wrestling today; when he first signed, I thought he would change how people view a main event star. Unfortunately, WWE hasn't done much with London and see him as only a Cruiserweight.

Because with the right formula in place, he could be huge.

[The CyNick]

I think Kidman and London make a pretty solid team, and with them both using the SSP they have something to build a fued around in the future.

When you consider the fact that WGTT will likely be the tag champs coming out of Mania on SD, they will need some new teams to fued with outside of Riksihi and Scotty. I recall last year at Vengeance they had a match with WGTT vs Kidman/Rey, I figure with 3 of the same 4 guys, they could have another really strong run for the tag titles. In between tag title matches they should also get semi-involved in the CW title picture.

Then, after a good amount of time as a team, they could do the split they talked about doing with Rey and Kidman, just sub Rey for London. Using the SSP as a basis for the fued, I think they could do some good there.

In terms of being released, I think if this team/fued with Kidman doesn't work out, then they might as well release him. There is no point of having him doing nothing on Velocity every week, when he could be playing a key role in indy promotions in the US or touring Japan.

[MVP]

I agree, Paul London has done excellent work in the past, especially in RoH. PErsonally I'd like to see him stay with Kidman or team with Shannon Moore, and get some recognition as a tag team competetor. Even though you said that the crusierweight division is getting stale, the tag team division is worse with Too Cool and the APA getting all the air time.

A lot of the best superstars ever started out as part of a tag team: Sting, Bret Hart, Shawn Michaels, and Ricky Steamboat. London would pick up more charisma in a tag team since from the looks of the singles division...he hasn't gotten very far.

[Mikey]

I agree. London and Kidman make a great team

[Kane Knight]

Dark Matches.

Hear me out: The guy's awesome, he's got the moves, and he's a fresh young face. On top of that, he was teamed with a guy who left, and thus, will be killed.

Maybe they could put a stable of cruisers who don't seem to be going anywhere together.

Moore, London, Kidman and ____?

[Iceman90]

I always thought London was an awesome wrestler. Move him to RAW to feud with Maven.

Kidman and London do make a good team though.

[Kane Knight]

Originally Posted by Funky Fly Maybe they could put a stable of cruisers who don't seem to be going anywhere together. Moore, London, Kidman and ____?

The Suck squad?

Nation of Nobodies?

Scraped off Vince's Loafers?

[HeartBreakMan2k]

I love London, he's a great great talent. One of the very few who weren't over rated by the net fans, but I very seriously doubt he'll amount to anything in WWE unless they seriously push the cruiser division and let's face it, that never last.

[Kane Knight]

Originally Posted by HeartBreakKid2k I love London, he's a great great talent. One of the very few who weren't over rater by the net fans, but I very seriously doubt he'll amount to anything in WWE unless they seriously push the cruiser division and let's face it, that never last.

Yeah, Cruiserweights was something wCw...Can't go pushing anything someone else came up with...

[Iceman90]

I think Vince is purposley not pushing the Cruiserweight Division because it is his way of "getting back" at the thing that got WCW the win for 83 straight weeks.

^^
Truth.

When Vinnie has one of his hissy fits, it's usually the little guys that suffer.