Expiration Date
by Jonathan Brown
The making of a champion is a process that makes or break a wrestling promotion but it is often overlooked by fans and the decision makers themselves. In the history of the WWE there have been some curious decisions as to who has and who has not held the ultimate title. With the anointment of Batista as champion of the premier brand, the WWE may have gone down a road that will lead to them to a place no business wishes to be; second guessed.
While many things go into making a character, there are some obvious flaws with the current champion of the world.
Batista has no character. For much of his 3 year career he has been built up as an enforcer of his leader’s policies. While “Deacon Batista” was short lived and pointless, the crux of the character survived in
the form of Evolution’s animal.
Prior to Wrestlemania 21, Batista has had no long feud to stand on as proof of his ability. His PPV record indicates that his career had been inconsistent at best. In singles competition, over the past three years, he has posted a
3-3 record
. However, the WWE decided that his abilities were championship material.
One thing Dave has going for him is that he is immensely popular with fans. It can be easily argued that the popularity of a wrestler is enough of a factor to push them to championship level (See Hogan, ‘Taker, Warrior). Where this argument is faulty is the lack of title reigns for guys like Piper, RVD and Million Dollar Man. All extremely popular, all zero time world champions in the WWE. While Batista is extraordinarily popular it is not of his own doing. Ask Randy Orton how far revolting against Triple H will get you with the fans.
With all of these chips obviously against Batista, it is troubling to read rumors about the WWE’s uncertainty in Batista’s ability as champion:
WWE Management Uncomfortable With Batista
Written by Tim Brown on April 20, 2005
— Although nobody will say anything about it openly, WWE management feels much more comfortable with John Cena carrying a major title, than they do Batista. Batista is very close with Triple H, and it would most likely cause a lot of un-wanted drama if someone were to say something about it.
What, the flaws with Batista were not evident before? Correct me if I am wrong, but wrestling is scripted. The selection of the champion was not done by Internet voting or from a show of hands by board members. The championship switch was planned months in advance and there were many opportunities to change course if things were not on track. While this is troubling, the facts presented in the second and third paragraphs of this column are not secrets, but evident to anyone that watches wrestling.
Decisions like who should be champion seem to be at the bottom of the important things to do list. Vince McMahon and his cohorts at Titan Towers despise the Internet community greatly. Maybe if the decisions that they made did not constantly backfire, the internet would be nothing to fear, but an enhancement of their product. The outcome of Backlash will clearly do one of two things, “fix” the error made in making Batista champion by giving HHH his sixth title in the last three years or prove that the news posted on the Internet is nothing more than bologna made up by jerk-off wannabes.
I’ll bet on the former.
Champions Gone By
While it is foolish to compare wrestling of this era to eras gone by the best barometer for a wrestler’s shelf life is to look at his peers’ reigns.
Since September 2, 2002, the World Heavyweight Championship has been held nine separate times by six different wrestlers. The shortest reign, one month, was by HBK in the fall of ’02. The longest reign was 10 months by HHH. The average title run on Raw has been a little less than four months. While four months can be an eternity in the Wrestling world, consider this; wrestlers not named HHH have held the title for an average of two and a half months. This statement says again, one of two
things: HHH is a great champion or people not named HHH are only adequate champions.
Benoit’s run of 5 months far surpassed the runs of his peers. Orton held the title for less than one month. HBK was able to scratch and claw to the strap for a lengthy one month. Goldberg’s 3 month reign was probably 3 months too long for many in the know.
What does this spell for Batista? Is he more Benoit or more Orton?
Over on the Blue Brand, since September of ’02, they have had nine champions as well. Six different wrestlers have held the title for an average reign of 4 months. Men not named JBL have held the title for an average of 3 months. The only champion to hold the title for one month or less was the Big Show. Multiple reigns were sustained by Kurt Angle or Brock Lesnar.
Again, which category should Batista be put into, Lesnar/Angle or Big Show?
Since 2002, the only great champions have been HHH, JBL, Hogan and the Rock. Both Hogan and the Rock have held the strap for only one month each since Wrestlemania 18.
While the collective voice seems to detest the monopolization of the championship, it is the way that the WWE uses the world title.
John Cena may be encompassed by the pressure chamber but he has something Batista does not, support. The rap CD, new championship belt, and t-shirt and jerzee sales out of this world seem to break the notion that Cena is in any position to be without
the title.
What does Batista have? A feud with the greatest winner of this wrestling generation. And you can be sure that Batista’s title run is set to expire at any minute.
My Inbox
The response from the
Supershow column was absolutely amazing. The live show experience is a great
one. Here is a comment from a fan that I am sure many of you can connect with:
Robert Fitzgerald wrote:
That show was the greatest show of my life!!! I’ve seen Hogan VS.
Flair on a house show in 1990 but I was too young to get hype. I saw him as Mr.
America on Smackdown, but he wasn’t HULKAMANIA!!! Then, Monday night, HE came
out! I was in section 348, and all the people around me got up. I knew that
night was special. I took like 10 pictures! I even ripped my shirt! Hogan will
always be wrestling whether his bad kness, backstage politics or limited
wrestling skills, he is still the man!
Check Out
There are two websites
that you have got to check out if you are into pro wrestling
1.
Thewrestlingvoice.com is the premier
site on the web for wrestling opinion. Be sure to visit the forums, as the guys
and gals that make their homes there are a bunch of fun.
2.
Wrestling-caricatures.com is a
funny site that many of you will enjoy.
Two up and coming writers
also deserve your attention.
At
tblwrestling.com check out Ryan’s
brand new column, Hardball and at
saltyham.com Check out Dones’ Smackdown Review.
As always feedback is
appreciated.
eviluther99@yahoo.com
