John Laurinaitis Needs to win at WM

John Laurinaitis Needs to win at WM

When John Laurinaitis became an onscreen character, I couldn’t have been the only person that was disappointed. The guy seemed like a joke, he had a reputation for being an asshole and a kiss ass at the same time. I don’t know if that means he kisses himself or what.  

However, week by week ‘Mr Personality’ has grown on me as I’m sure he’s grown on a lot of you. John Laurinaitis has evolved on the MIc to an adequate level, where he doesn’t sound terrible, but actually comes across as quite comic. He’s the boss that we all love to hate, it’s not that he’s a horrible person, he’s just an ass and he infuriates us by being an ass, yet the place would be a lot duller without him. 

Which brings me to my next point; it looks like John Laurinaitis will lead a team against Theodore Long at WM for the control of both brands. If the WWE even contemplates letting team Long win, then somebody in creative is clearly clueless. Or they’re letting Warrior book the show. 

What the WWE has in Laurinaitis, is something they haven’t had in a very long time. A heel boss that actually works. Not since the early days of Bischoff has there been a heel GM that has worked as well as Laurinaitis does. 

The heel boss has been a staple in the WWE since MR McMahon started to strut. This isn’t a bad thing, as a heel boss is a gimmick that clearly works. Having babyfaces coming up against the powers that be and ultimately winning is a tried and tested method and one that when done well, is almost a guaranteed success.

Johnny is terrific in this role, he’s annoying yet charming and someone you would just love to get your hands on, so when the babyface actually does beat the crap out of him, it’s going to be good. 

What won’t be good is the WWE ruining this way before it can even get proper started by having Theodore Long become GM of both shows. Yes, Teddy is a long service member of the WWE and the Wrestling business as a whole and I respect him for that. However, the dude has become far too stale now. 

His character is annoying rather than welcoming and frankly it just doesn’t work. It has become that bad that there’s even a drinking game that goes along with his characters booking decisions. This is common knowledge and I’m sure the WWE plays on this fact, but it just doesn’t work. Teddy long is a boring character and if he was employed on both shows, it would only hinder the product. 

This article may be a little premature as the match hasn’t even been booked yet. But, it certainly looks that way. If the WWE had any sense whatsoever, Johnny Ace will be supreme overlord of the Wrestling world, and it will be a better place to boot. 

Until next time, enjoy the show.

Daniel Morris

Follow me @glamgrune

Email me at cinemascreenandspandex@gmail.com

Santino could be a World Champion by the end of the year

Santino could be a World Champion by the end of the year

Right, I’m already going to accept my fate of being called every slur under the son and the probable cyber-beating that I will receive for this article. But, I’m going to write it anyway. Why? Because that’s the way I role Mother-farmers. 

In the midst of this Wrestlemania season, where The WWE throws it’s big stars into the mix in the desperate hope to create a positive reaction in the fans, there has been one performer that has bowled me over. Sure, I’m excited over the big matches, but not much in the booking of them has really made me stand up and go ‘wow’. One man has though. That man is our cobra donning friend, Santino Marella. 

I can already here you groan already, but just here me out. Santino has accomplished something in recent weeks that not many superstars can do in their whole career. He has managed to get them rooting for them. In the Battle Royal and Elimination Chamber, Santino was the fan favourite. He was the one that everybody wanted to win. Creating almost an unprecedented atmosphere. 

The reason for this almost epic like reaction? It’s down to character investment. The Santino story is an easy one to tell. He’s a loveable loser. Yes, he’s geeky and yes, he can sometimes be annoying. But, he’s himself and he gives whatever he does a 100%. The years of not achieving have made the crowd invest in Santino, meaning whenever he exceeds our low expectations, we want him to win. 

It’s this connection that has gained Santino the respect of the crowd. A respect that many of the baby faces in the locker room fail to get. It’s this connection that makes me believe that Santino will become a World Champion by the end of the year.

We’ve not had an underdog success story for a few years. Not since Rey Mysterio at Wrestlemania 22. I’m of the honest belief that Santino could be the next one. Since the WWE has teased Santino winning the big one several times now and he has failed each time, I would continue with the trend. 

Over the next twelve months I would have Santino face off in a few Number 1 contender matches.  Each time Santino would come pretty close to winning, but falling at the last hurdle. Each time he loses like this, the crowd will want him to win more and more. After a few months of this I would have Santino winning to become number 1 contender. The pop for that alone would be nuts. 

Santino would go into the match as a huge fan favourite, but no one deep down, would expect him to win. A true element of surprise would be achieved if Santino won and I’m sure the crowd would explode. The celebration alone would be worth the effort put in. 

He doesn’t need to have a long title run, I’d just judge it on how behind him the crowd actually are, but I would at least try it, you never know, it might just be crazy enough to work. 

Until next time, enjoy the show.

Follow me on Twitter @glamgrunge

Or email me at cinemascreenandspandex@gmail.com

Daniel Morris.