There will be a multitude of Royal Rumble Reviews in the coming days. Where it all went wrong. How it was the worse Rumble ever. How poorly booked it was. You will hear no
argument from me in that respect. But what it also highlighted is the lack of
depth and star power on the current main roster.
Looking at the 30 participants in this year’s Rumble there
was a severe lack of talent ready for the next level or who could seriously be
considered to headline this year’s WrestleMania. The two (and arguably three)
biggest stars in WWE were in the title match leaving the Rumble thin on main
event talent.
There is no need to break down each participant. We know who
they are, but who else could seriously headline WrestleMania by winning the
rumble? Only one name comes to mind. Daniel Bryan.
That’s an easy choice I know and a popular one with older,
more traditional and educated wrestling fans. Of the remaining 29, I cannot
make a legitimate argument that any of them deserve, belong or have the
‘superstar’ quality that it takes.
Bray Wyatt had a nice showing in the Rumble, but once the
ring filled he disappeared and was lost in the pack, whether intentional or
because he blew up. He certainly has the mic skills to be the champion but I
have yet to see him show the in ring quality to justify being ‘the guy’
Ambrose is certainly popular but barring going over BNB on
Raw last week hasn’t won a meaningful match in months (and the way the IC title
is portrayed you can hardly call that meaningful) The potential is there. He
certainly carried the load when Roman and Bryan were out as that second baby
face. But he needs some meaningful victories over a prolonged period for him to
be taken more seriously as a challenger for the title. A better finisher and
entrance music wouldn’t hurt either.
Dolph Ziggler is certainly over with the fans. He sells like
a champ. You can see he puts everything he has into every match and has the
desire and passion to get to that next level. But his cheesy, ass wiggling,
show off character, awful entrance music and bleach blonde hair (that ends up
looking like a mop when it dries out) isn’t helping him be viewed upon as the
next guy. He has had a couple of short runs as champion but to lead the company
long term in 2015 is a step too far for him right now. Plus could he seriously go over Lesnar at Mania?
Rusev has a great heel character, but his booking has left a
lot to be desired. The undefeated streak feels strangely flat and stale. He hasn’t had
any serious challengers for a couple of months and it lost its spark that it
had when he was feuding with Swagger. In ring, I do not remember a memorable
match for Rusev other than one spot with Big E.
Big Show and Kane are well past their headlining PPV days
and most of the other participants will likely be thrown into the Andre the
Giant Battle Royal just to get them on the card at WrestleMania.
That leaves us with the winner Roman Reigns. He has a great
look. He is athletic and could certainly be the face of the company. But after
a decade of John Cena being booked as a superhero that seeing another guy
molded in that fashion is hard to stomach. His mic skills are, at best, in need
of improvement, at worst boring and monotone and his in ring ability still
fairly ‘green’. Offensively he is limited and he looks stiff when selling his
opponents moves.
At the Royal Rumble he looked like he was being totally
rejected, but take in mind the fan base in Philadelphia. Rabid, hardcore, older
males who see past the force-fed nature of the product and through knowledge of
the business in and outside WWE have clear opinions on what they want and are
not scared to voice those opinions when necessary. But in most cities WWE
visits the crowd is much more split with more women, children and families who
will buy in to the character on a mission to defeat Brock Lesnar. It is no coincidence the
biggest heel is built as a Beast. Without the monsters and demons and villains
there are no need for good guys and superheroes.
Why this is the case, who is to blame, and what can be done
to change it are questions for another day. The fallout from the 2015 Royal
Rumble will likely continue for some time. One of the bigger questions is how
to turn the potential on the roster into superstar talent and main
eventers.
