Who is the champion of the world in wrestling?
To the average fan they may have to pause longer than a moment to answer that question. Even as I write this, I have to think hard about being correct in naming Batista as the champion of the world. ( I am right, right?)
On the premier brand of sports entertainment, the champion is the center of the show and always has been. We used to complain that HHH dominated the scene when he was the champion. However, isn’t the champion supposed to be the center of the show? The best wrestler should generate the most interest and therefore deserves the most time.
That concept sounds simple in principle, yet the champion on Smackdown! has been hidden to say the least.
We know that there were concerns about Batista’s ability to carry the title to elevated heights. We have read the reports about Vince McMahon not being totally confident in Dave’s championship ability. Regardless of the warning signs, Batista was crowned champion anyway.
Shortly after Summerslam, Big Dave seemed to get proper champion treatment as he was placed in the SD! main event in a six man tag match. The match was hyped for an hour and forty minutes and of course the champ cleaned house and lead his team to victory after the hot tag. The fans marked out like crazy and then…
Nothing. While the Bull Rope match was a good one, it is not a great compliment when the champion can not be placed in a traditional match to draw attention.
He has not been in the main event of his own show since. The Undertaker/Orton and Eddie/Rey feud has taken precedence on SD. Meanwhile, Dave Batista has been in a segment here and a quick interview there.
Even though SD! has been preempted in NY since its move to Fridays, fans are clearing their Saturday schedules in the area to look for him. On Raw, the champion, John Cena can be seen multiple times as many angles have revolved around him. But on SD! well, you get it by now.
If there was a red hot feud to supplant the champion, like the Edge/Hardy feud on Raw, Batista’s absence from a significant storyline could be acceptable. However, if your best wrestler is not good enough to main event each week, then he should not be the champion.
SD! has plenty of talented performers capable of giving it the identity it has lacked since the brand split. Hopefully the upcoming Batista/Eddie feud will lead to Eddie becoming a two time champion and a title defense program against Rey Rey.
The WWE has consistently thrown their support behind Rey Mysterio’s career. Maybe then the “champion” will be reflected not in the jewelry around his waist but when he appears on the show.
Your homework class:
Who do you think, as champion, could help elevate the World Title on Smackdown?
Your replies will be posted in the next class session.
Mr. Brown’s Class will be published every Monday from now until eternity, so be sure to check us out on your favorite wrestling website or at thewrestlingvoice.com’s forums.
Running tally –
NFL 2 – WWE 0
