This monday night, amidst all the emotion surrounding Daniel Bryan's retirement speech, one of the great moments in the near history of the tag team division virtually went unnoticed - The Dudley Boyz' heel turn. The thing that fascinated me wasn't actually the beat down and the stiff table slams, it was the genuine PRIDE AND ATTITUDE exhibited by the Dudley Boyz after the event. " DO YOU KNOW WHO WE ARE? ", shouted Bubba Ray thumping the table to the Uso lying motionless after the assault. WE'RE THE DUDLEY BOYZ, THE BADDEST TAG TEAM ON THE PLANET! ". This, despite the fact that these guys have been constantly jobbed out and haven't won any match of significance since their return. Just the incredible sense of selling their character and experience in a matter of seconds at the most opportune time has ensured that these guys have washed away most of their losses from everybody's memory and all the attention is now on what happens next.
And, then there is Dolph Ziggler. Last Thursday, Kalisto Vs Owens, Ziggler on commentary.
Mauro Ranallo: And joining us, coming off a huge win against Kevin Owens, Dolph Ziggler, Dolph.. you exacted a modicum of revenge against Kevin Owens
Ziggler: Uhh yeah.. long time.. Uhh.. what is it like.. 10.. 15 times in a row? Finally I did it. fpalm.
Now, what, in the hell is that supposed to convey? A face, 10 year veteran of the organization, former MITB, former WHC.. saying something as atrocious as that? What does he even mean? Is this another cheap shot at the booking on air about him losing 15 times to Owens before? Or it is the fact that a modern performer, a former WHC.. has to shamelessly admit on air that he lost 15 times to a guy who hasn't even completed one year on the main roster. Disgraceful. And it underlines just how much an average WWE performer has fallen with regards to protecting his character.
It's not about ring skills, mic skills, charisma, presence etc etc.. it's THESE SMALL CRITICAL MOMENTS that make or break the entire aura of legitimacy surrounding your character.
So my question is - What exactly has brought about this change? It's not even about PG or TV 14 or any other parental guidelines. Just the total lack of competence at protecting your character and legitimacy will ensure that the current roster despite being overflowing with talent never reaches it's full potential, disappointing stuff.
And, then there is Dolph Ziggler. Last Thursday, Kalisto Vs Owens, Ziggler on commentary.
Mauro Ranallo: And joining us, coming off a huge win against Kevin Owens, Dolph Ziggler, Dolph.. you exacted a modicum of revenge against Kevin Owens
Ziggler: Uhh yeah.. long time.. Uhh.. what is it like.. 10.. 15 times in a row? Finally I did it. fpalm.
Now, what, in the hell is that supposed to convey? A face, 10 year veteran of the organization, former MITB, former WHC.. saying something as atrocious as that? What does he even mean? Is this another cheap shot at the booking on air about him losing 15 times to Owens before? Or it is the fact that a modern performer, a former WHC.. has to shamelessly admit on air that he lost 15 times to a guy who hasn't even completed one year on the main roster. Disgraceful. And it underlines just how much an average WWE performer has fallen with regards to protecting his character.
It's not about ring skills, mic skills, charisma, presence etc etc.. it's THESE SMALL CRITICAL MOMENTS that make or break the entire aura of legitimacy surrounding your character.
So my question is - What exactly has brought about this change? It's not even about PG or TV 14 or any other parental guidelines. Just the total lack of competence at protecting your character and legitimacy will ensure that the current roster despite being overflowing with talent never reaches it's full potential, disappointing stuff.