What do you think the future holds for Adam Cole? Do you think he will be booked properly if heading to the main roster?
How Adam Cole will do when he leaves NXT for Raw or SmackDown depends completely on how one person views him – Vince McMahon. If Cole impresses him, like what happened with Cole’s friend Kevin Owens, the chances are he will have success. Otherwise, it will be a dangerous move like we have seen play out time and time again. A worker has to get Vince’s attention and force their way onto television. Once on TV, they have to make a lasting impression because the opportunity may not come more than once. Eric Young recently shed some light on this when talking about his forgettable run on the main WWE roster. We can give countless examples of it working (Owens, Charlotte Flair, Sasha Banks, Bayley) and countless examples of it not working (Finn Balor, Eric Young, Adam Rose, Hideo Itami).
What do you think of Montel Vontavious Porter’s resurgence in WWE?
WWE originally brought MVP back this year to work as a producer but have since found a role for him on television. MVP is 46-years-old and feels like he can wrestle for two or three more years as he approaches 50. The company is pleased with his work on-screen as well as behind the scenes in mentoring others. In fact, the two sides are in such a good place they are looking at something longer term.
We all saw the video of Adam Cole storming off set on the Pat McAfee Show – work or shoot?
It sure seemed like a work. Fun fact: I was a student at West Virginia University the same time Pat McAfee was there, where he was a standout place kicker (he of course transitioned to a punter in the National Football League). He had a reputation for being cocky and arrogant, so it is reasonable to assume he legitimately rubbed Adam Cole the wrong way. Wrestlers in general do not react well to criticism from non-wrestlers. There is a code among the boys where those outside the business cannot really have an opinion because they haven’t been there and done that. I do not agree with it but that is deeply ingrained in the history of this business. Regardless, the segment got a lot of attention as I had friends who are not wrestling fans who sent me the video.
Matt Hardy is the latest to weigh-in on Jeff Hardy’s program with Sheamus, implying he was not a fan. We already heard a similar sentiment from Jeff’s longtime friend Hurricane Helms. Given that Jeff’s brother and friends are not a fan and many fans are disgusted, it’s just too far?
Jeff Hardy’s program with Sheamus has had its highs and lows. There have been some great back-and-forth exchanges and poorly executed segments that involved urine. I understand substance abuse is a real problem and never something to be taken lightly. However, the best angles are those that contain elements of real-life so the line between reality and fiction can be blurred. I am not offended by it and the angle has produced some entertaining programming. The Attitude Era was full of controversial programs and segments. The majority of fans will say they would love for the Attitude Era to return. However, given how easily offended people get nowadays, I am not sure most fans could handle the Attitude Era. The wrestling business needs an edge and while Sheamus vs. Jeff Hardy is not going to give them an edge, I am all for pushing limits to draw people in. If stuff like incorporating Hardy’s “personal demons” into storyline is a way to get there, I am fine with it.
The next installment of Ask WNC is scheduled to run on Monday, July 27, 2020.
You can submit a question for the next installment of Ask WNC at this link. If you have problems with the form, you can send your question to AskWNC@wrestlingnews.com.
Leave a Reply