I put this as a response to Reaper and Zimonk in the AJ Lee vs Paige thread. I made a reference to Ronda Rousey in it on that thread. I figured since someone created a thread on this deal, i would repost it here as well.
ENJOY!:
These two have pretty much no chemistry at all. Paige still hasn't developed a character and seems at this point that she doesn't really care at all and is just going through the motions. So is AJ. Paige is coming across as just another generic diva and that's partially her fault and partially WWE's fault.
I don't even see that much talent in Paige. AJ at least had the mic and her character going for her, but after this feud both of them have done a lot of damage to each others' careers. This is probably the first feud I've ever seen where both of them came out looking worse in the end.
I used to like AJ and I don't anymore.
Bellas on the other hand put up a surprisingly good match.
Look, I know this is going to anger the Paige fans. I'm not seeing it with Paige. Maybe it's the way she is booked in WWE or what she is or more importantly is not allowed to do...but I don't see what's so special. I've tried to see it because I've read all your posts but I 'm not seeing it. I don't see anything more special or impressive than some of the other run of the mill divas the WWE has had over the years. Certainly she is better than someone like Rosa or Candice Michelle. But someone like Beth? Eve? Even Alicia? She might be as talented as them but more? I know her fanbase thinks so, but I see no reason to think it. And, yes, I think WWE has harmed her, I do. But, they haven't buried her either. 2 runs as champion in her first 6 months, plus TV matches every week, PPV matches every month. So, we are where we are with Paige. And for someone like me who had no prior opinion on her until she came up...I'm not feeling the whole she's a special talent thing.
And to be fair, I don't think you can argue I'm alone in that either. She hasn't gotten to a level with the fanbase that some of you were probably hoping for. Will Total Divas help her in that regard? Maybe, but that's kind of overrated too. Total Divas doesn't even get half the rating RAW does. So how much help will that actually do for her?
With all due respect, i have to respectfully disagree with the both of you. Last night and at Summerslam they do have chemistry.
It may not be to your liking, but but it is there. They can put on a good match, maybe even great match. It may not be 5 star, but when will Vince allow Divas to put on 5 star matches? WWE Main Roster is not:
1. NXT
2. The women's divisions in both CMLL and AA down in Mexico
3. Shimmer Women's Athletes
4. Chick Fight
5. Shine Wrestling
6. Ice Ribbon, World Wonder Ring Stardom, and JWP Joshi Puroresu from Japan
7. Bellatrix Female Warriors in England
8. Women's Superstars Uncensored
Just to name a few. WWE Main Roster are not like those entities that actually respect, honor, and cherish The Art Of Professional Wrestling as it pertains to women. Those promotions and even NXT actually want to showcase Women's Wrestling in the manner in which it should be. An EXTREMELY small bit a fluff, but more seriousness to the division. The Main Roster's view of women as wrestling is disrespectful, hurtful to women and wrestling as a whole, and just down right insulting. It actually hurts the credibility of the product more than it helps.
That is the main reason why people do not care about Women's Wrestling on the main roster because WWE, well i am not going to say WWE, i am going to say Kevin Dunn and Vince McMahon really do not even put forth the effort in wanting The Divas to actually be worth more than just beautiful faces, killer bodies, and hot racks. Do not get me wrong. I am a red blooded American male, so i care about those things as it pertains to women. But i want to see more than just that when i look at Women's Wrestling.
That is why i have enjoyed when Paige faces Tamina, Naomi, Natalya from NXT, and AJ from their last two singles encounters. They actually want to put together some semblance of a wrestling match.
Reaper, you made mention that she does not care? Well even though i think she cares, i would not blame her if she began to become disenchanted with what she has been given. I am going to put myself in her situation. If i was being booked as a dominant destroyer one week, manipulative mastermind the next week, and then cowardly pussbag the week after and that was being interchanges at every single week at WWE's leisure i myself would become very disheartened at what is going on with my portrayal on TV. I would try my best to make the best of it, but i think i would say to hell with it in the end. I would even say that i feel not even the greatest of all time Ric Flair could get the Paige style booking that has been going on here. I believe that even Ric Flair would just simply throw in the towel when it comes to this style of booking.
As far as what you said Zimonk about not seeing anything special is concerned? With the way that she has been portrayed i can completely understand where you are coming from. But if she was booked to what she is best at, an ass kicker with submission ability, you would see that she can be a Diva Of Destruction in WWE. If i was in charge of her booking, it would be really simple. I would take what made her great in NXT:
1. Cold Blooded
2. Ruthless
3. No Nonsense
4. Straight forward
5. Goth Bad Ass Look
And take it to the next level.
I would make her a Real Diva Of Destruction I would simply make her like this:
I would make her just like The Road Warriors.
Hopefully you remember The Road Warriors? The greatest tag team in wrestling history. But not the WWE watered down version. It would be like the version that was in The AWA, NWA, CWA from Memphis, and All Japan Pro Wrestling From Japan. I would make her a merciless, soulless killer. Combine that style with the submission style that William Regal, Fit Finlay, and Arn Anderson and that would be a killer combination. As far as her promos go, i would make hers like Steve Austin at the beginning of his Stone Cold run. Like the one from late 95 to early 96 merged with The Undertaker:
1. Graven
2. Serious
3. Sinister Minded
I think that would be the perfect Paige construction.
If not that, then it would like UFC Women's Bantamweight Champion Ronda Rousey:
I read an article of Paige saying that she would love to be The Ronda Rousey Of WWE. Well, that is how i would go about it.
Speaking of UFC, just imagine if Dana White booked WWE's Divas Division. Dana White taking all the powder puff stuff from the division, and making more serious in nature like UFC's Women's Division. In my mind it would add true credibility and respectability to the division. Something it desperately needs. I think by following this formula, you will see something special about her.
A TRUE DIVA OF DESTRUCTION would be special for the division.
You probably are going to say something like: "With booking like that, she would be too strong, and she would bury the division?" Well:
1. That would not be her fault. She is being booked in the manner of what her look and roughhouse and submission ability in the ring would dictate it to be and
2. I would take the model of Mexico, Japan, Europe, NXT, American Indies, and even UFC. I would actually make a much more serious and strongly promoted Women's Division so she can be like that without hurting the credibility of the others in the division.
So Reaper and Zimonk, even though i
respect your right to your opinion. I must
respectfully disagree with your take on the situation.