Will Ric Flair continue to be involved with Randy Orton once cleared of COVID-19 concerns from his wife?
Ric Flair is on the record as to saying he would like the chance to be involved with WWE Champion Drew McIntyre vs. Randy Orton at SummerSlam if given the opportunity. He has pitched the idea to WWE about serving as Orton’s manager but has not heard back as of yet. Flair was scheduled to be in Orton’s corner for his match against The Big Show a few weeks ago on Raw but was pulled after it was learned his wife, Wendy Barlow, was diagnosed with COVID-19.
I watched Chris Jericho’s Saturday Night Special #17 were he mentioned Cesaro, Roman Reigns, Will Ospreay, Ricochet, Kota Ibushi and Don Callis as talent he would like to see AEW sign if given limitless options. What do you think of these names and would you choose someone else?
Just by looking at Chris Jericho’s list you can see how well he understands the business. You have talent such as Cesaro and Roman Reigns who could immediately serve as top guys in AEW. Will Ospreay, Ricochet and Kota Ibushi would provide insane action that would fit with AEW’s philosophy of bringing the NJPW high-flying pace to the mainstream. Don Callis would be a phenomenal mouthpiece and is someone who could help talk a talent to the top. AEW needs more big guys. I understand that is not the most popular thing to say in 2020 but remember their goal – compete with WWE. To do so, you need guys that legitimately look like threats. So many people are tired of “Vince McMahon’s look philosophy” and while it means little to nothing to IWC fans, it is important in attracting casual viewers. Jericho’s list has something for everyone. Obviously it is a completely hypothetical situation but it shows he gets it.
Is it true WWE is planning another Draft?
WWE is looking to shakeup the rosters again for the fall. The pandemic and other factors have caused this idea to get pushed back but it is looking like it will occur sometime after SummerSlam. It is unknown at this time whether or not it will be an actual “draft” or a “Superstar Shake-Up,” but either way, WWE will looking to refresh both Raw and SmackDown. I would imagine some NXT talent will get moved as well. WWE first created the brand extension following their acquisition of WCW in the early 2000s. It is an idea that has been tinkered with over the years and was abandoned from 2011 to 2016. The fact of the matter is WWE has too much talent to put on one show so by having two distinct brands (three if you count NXT), it allows for more opportunities. I do not like the idea of brand-specific pay-per-views, which have been tried and failed.
If you had to pick one talent WWE has done a brilliant job developing – who would it be?
Bray Wyatt has flourished but only after Vince McMahon allowed for him to have input on his character. Wyatt, whose real name is William Rotunda, is the real-life son of Mike Rotunda (better known to wrestling fans as IRS). But it has not always been this way. In fact, some newer fans might not even remember he originally debuted under one of the worst gimmicks of all-time in Husky Harris. He was part of the original NXT and later The Nexus faction. He was literally just another guy, destined for a career as an enhancement talent. But they sent him back down, repackaged him as Bray Wyatt and he has gone on to become one of the company’s top guys. His brother, who works as Bo Dallas, has not been as fortunate. When we see success it comes down to two factors – natural talent and opportunity. Both of these must come into alignment for success to happen. Wyatt is always one I like to talk about because we have seen him flop and succeed. In fact, he is probably WWE’s biggest flop and success story all wrapped into one.
The next installment of Ask WNC is scheduled to run on Tuesday, August 4, 2020.
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