Dupr�e "Reborn" on Smackdown!

**Face Heely** · 03-25-2004, 11:45 PM

There's some buzz going around about Bradshaw's heel turn, and I'd have to agree with the general consensus that it's an interesting character, and a good addition to the heel-poor SD! roster. But I'm really high on another heel addition right now - Ren� Dupr�e. His character is wonderful - another fantastic midcard heel for the show (Bradshaw's gonna be back to the midcard soon, and Charlie Haas is still going pretty well on the WGTT gimmick). He's obviously an incredible athlete, and, as everyone seems to be pointing out, he's barely into his 20's.

The move to SD! was a wise choice. On RAW, Austin had a tendency to interfere with - and put the boots to - just about any midcard heels on the roster, usually making them look like wimps. La R�sistance also suffered from JR's Oklahoma-style, sell-it-to-the-lowest-common-denominator commentary: he criticized La R�s for being "French" and "Un-American" (because, of course, the two are synonymous

). While on RAW, none of the team ever seemed like a real threat. (And what the heck is a "French sympathizer," anyway? Why couldn't Conway just realize he has French roots, or something - Robert Conw�e?

)

On SD, Ren� has the benefit of a cast of faces that tends to mind their own business, and not attack heels needlessly, and he has smart commentary during his matches. Did Michael Cole or Tazz once - ONCE - make a comment about him being un-American? I didn't hear it. Instead, they focused on his incredible potential and his incredible arrogance...without necessarily linking the latter to his nationality.

Sure, it relies on the same stereotype - the European �litist snob - but on SD!, Dupr�e's character is presented in a way that allows him to do silly things like walk a poodle to the ring, but still be viewed as a serious competitor. He's playing the cocky heel character, but with a unique twist. Also, the split from La R�s should give him that precious mic experience that so many of these young guys need.

What do you all think? Am I just making too much of the guy? (Probably due to my French roots...

) Or does anyone else see him as a standout on an already rather solid - and improving - roster?

03-25-2004, 11:45 PM	#1
Face Heely Bucky F'N Barnes Posts: 599	Dupr�e "Reborn" on Smackdown! There's some buzz going around about Bradshaw's heel turn, and I'd have to agree with the general consensus that it's an interesting character, and a good addition to the heel-poor SD! roster. But I'm really high on another heel addition right now - Ren� Dupr�e. His character is wonderful - another fantastic midcard heel for the show (Bradshaw's gonna be back to the midcard soon, and Charlie Haas is still going pretty well on the WGTT gimmick). He's obviously an incredible athlete, and, as everyone seems to be pointing out, he's barely into his 20's. The move to SD! was a wise choice. On RAW, Austin had a tendency to interfere with - and put the boots to - just about any midcard heels on the roster, usually making them look like wimps. La R�sistance also suffered from JR's Oklahoma-style, sell-it-to-the-lowest-common-denominator commentary: he criticized La R�s for being "French" and "Un-American" (because, of course, the two are synonymous ). While on RAW, none of the team ever seemed like a real threat. (And what the heck is a "French sympathizer," anyway? Why couldn't Conway just realize he has French roots, or something - Robert Conw�e? ) On SD, Ren� has the benefit of a cast of faces that tends to mind their own business, and not attack heels needlessly, and he has smart commentary during his matches. Did Michael Cole or Tazz once - ONCE - make a comment about him being un-American? I didn't hear it. Instead, they focused on his incredible potential and his incredible arrogance...without necessarily linking the latter to his nationality. Sure, it relies on the same stereotype - the European �litist snob - but on SD!, Dupr�e's character is presented in a way that allows him to do silly things like walk a poodle to the ring, but still be viewed as a serious competitor. He's playing the cocky heel character, but with a unique twist. Also, the split from La R�s should give him that precious mic experience that so many of these young guys need. What do you all think? Am I just making too much of the guy? (Probably due to my French roots... ) Or does anyone else see him as a standout on an already rather solid - and improving - roster? Last edited by Face Heely; 03-26-2004 at 12:00 AM.