Now that TLC is wrapped up, all we really have right now on the table is the road to Wrestlemania! My favorite time of the year is now upon us. I got to be honest, marking out for me is insanely hard to do for ‘Mania season, and yes I know it starts with the Royal Rumble technically. Granted, that’s what everyone else seems to think, but in this weeks Thinking Out Loud, I’m going to rundown some of my early expectations. It’s not exactly predictions, but more so what I hope to happen…If that make sense.
My first focal point is Sheamus. He’s been gone on injury for quite sometime. It pains me to see him hurt, because I was starting to just getting around on Sheamus. Honestly, I never really cared about him, dating back to him on ECW. He was powerful, and I figured he was going to win titles at some point, but I couldn’t get passed his accent. I know that may even sound like it’s borderline nit-picking, but that’s how I really feel. But, after his in-ring work has improved over the years, (Atleast in my eyes) I started seeing him in a different light.
But, I’m not here to get all tangled up on his in-ring work. Since he debuted, it does speaks for itself. Anyway, the main question is how would you plug him in? It wouldn’t be as easy as a “Surprise Entrant” in the Rumble. That would be too easy in my opinion. With a guy like Sheamus, wouldn’t you rather have him in a position to start building an actual program with? Why waste his skills for a spot that tends to be handed to people who compete only in the Rumble, only to fade away to obscurity again? It doesn’t add up, and when it all settles, I can see him going into a program with a guy like Ryback, or who knows, maybe even The Miz? I say The Miz because he just turned back into a heel, and I can see The Awesome One issuing an “Open Challenge” on a RAW, only to be answered by Sheamus, and hopefully build something there.
Another question on my mind is…Christian. What about Captain Charisma? The main question I have is if he will be ready to go for not just the Rumble, or even ‘Mania. But post-Mania. Christian seemingly has been injury-prone since his return, but at last word, creative doesn’t even have a set plan for him yet. To me that seems off. Christian has only improved with age, leading me to believe that it’s not that they DONT have something for him, but instead are passing him over for the younger guys. I hope that’s not true. Christian can still go with guys who are half his age, and then some.
However, I don’t see major plans on the horizon for Christian. He may very well be one of those “Surprise Entrants” who fade away into obscurity I was talking about. I think that Christian does have atleast one solid title run to go before he either becomes a part-timer, or hangs them up altogether. Let’s not forget, Christian is 40 years old. Not to sound harsh, but his time is valuable in terms of in-ring work. Again, quite the shame because of his talent, but what can you do. As long as it’s not Jake Roberts in the Rumble.
Speaking of Jake Roberts, where does he stand? Hopefully nowhere. I know he was a legend, but he WAS a legend. He’s not the Jake Roberts of the 80’s. It’s Jake Roberts of the 2000’s. The 2000’s version of Jakey is a (Knock on Wood) former drug addict. The 2000’s Jake has to hang them up for good. I’m proud of Jake overcoming his obstacles, and I’m happy DDP took him in. But when it comes to WWE, either you can compete, or you can’t. It’s not a charity case…Or atleast it shouldn’t be. As I type that, I’m reminded of The Godfather coming down, and literally getting eliminated right away. Okay, so maybe Jake has some sort of shot at the Rumble…But not ‘Mania.
Lastly, I go to the current title situation. I think that what they should do is have Cena, Orton, or whoever is champion by then challenge The Deadman. Maybe The Undertaker could win the title and then retire right there as Champion. I would like that because it’s something different that I lot of people may shoot down right away. Everyone always wanted to see Sting vs Taker in their prime, but that’ll just never happen. Sting will be loyal to TNA the way he was with WCW. Taker (At this point) has done everything, and no doubt will be first ballot material. I hope he has just that one title win to really cement his career further. Going undefeated, and retiring with title. That would be the perfect ending to his career.
That’s all I got this week, until then check out my Twitter page in the Reporter Link at the bottom!
