ACROSS THE POND
Across the Pond: How did we get here?
Part 1
For the past few months, it's been my esteemed pleasure to watch the former 'Y2J', Chris Jericho fulfil his potential. It is a beautiful thing to see, when a wrestler with all the ability in the world begin to realise their goals. For those of you who don't remember me (and I wouldn't blame you if you don't) I'm Hugo and this is 'Across the Pond'.
Chris Jericho has been on a high for what seems like an eternity. He's had easily the best feud of his career (and that's saying something) with Shawn Michaels, he's held the world title, he's been red-hot and drawing more heat than John Cena would at an ROH Supercard! In short, the WWE has been really interesting for one reason and one reason only, they let Jericho and Michaels draw up their own plans for a long-term story; culminating in Jericho coming in the back door and capturing a world title! The WWE Title had started to garner some well-needed notoriety from the always-already great Chris Jericho and things could not have looked better for the future of RAW.
Before anyone starts in, telling me Punk shouldn't have lost the belt the way he did and Jericho should never have been in the scramble, let me say this; I know and I completely agree, but on the other hand, doesn't it give the belt infinitely more value having Chris Jericho, a sure-fire 'Hall of Famer', and in my opinion the Wrestler… er… I mean 'Entertainer' of the year (why Vince why?), who is coming off the feud of the decade (prove me wrong), steal the title from under Batista's nose and hold it in a great, heelish way? He was by far the most hateable he's ever been, and damnit all if he hasn't been a contemptible weasel for the majority of his career!
Jericho was in the middle of a highly enjoyable title reign, ducking the competition and barely escaping week after week with his title, and body intact. Believe it or not, I actually preferred this run to that of CM Punk (I put that down to creative, not Punk). Jericho had finally come into his own, for the first time, since his initial entrance into the WWE did we get a real feel for what the former 'Ayatollah of Rock and Rolla' was all about. He was unbearable, cocky, whiney and completely cowardly; and wasn't that just fantastic? Didn't it make you want to tune in just to see him get his ass kicked, or maybe (if you're like me) you wanted to see how he'd squeeze a victory from the jaws of certain defeat? It doesn't matter, he was a brilliant champion, and it was a long time coming. Now, however, the creative 'geniuses' at WWE have saw fit to give the top belt to Dave 'mess with the bull you get the horn' Batista.
I'll lay my hand out right here; I don't like Batista. I respect him as a wrestler, but he does nothing for me. He looks big and scary, but that's about it. He has the personality of a doorbell, the wit of a sloth and the ability of… well, the Ultimate Warrior; and everyone knows how I feel about that neanderthalic waste of time. The only reason Batista is still around is his 'I don't sell and I don't put people over' attitude. Look back if you will at the RAW main event gauntlet… how do we excuse a monster like Kane being put down by one spine buster? I mean, even Santino survived one move from Batista! I suppose it's fair to say, Batista has evolved into a modern day Hulk Hogan… so in essence, he has become Superman… great.
I'm on my knees right now, begging anyone in the WWE to vindicate this decision. Why do we snuff out an interesting story, which was doing more for RAW, Shawn Michaels and Chris Jericho, for the sake of putting the world title around the waist of 'Batistaman'? Allow me to put myself in Vince McMahon's shoes for a moment… "Well I think we need to build up to an epic rematch at Wrestlemania! I'm thinking Hogan/Warrior! Yeah… we'll put the belt on Batista and have Cena challenge him at Wrestlemania! It'll be great! We'll make millions!" No Vince, no you wont. That match was great… once. We don't need to see it again, not in such short succession. Had WWE given it a year, and presented us with this conflict at Wrestlemania 26, I would be looking forward to it, hell it could be unpredictable and really fun to get to.
So here's some free advice for anyone in the WWE, and I'm really hoping at least one of you is reading this! Have Batista carry this belt into Wrestlemania (just to avoid embarrassment). While this is going on we have to deal with the issue of who is the number one contender. As far as I'm concerned all the potentials (as of right now) are, CM Punk, Chris Jericho, Kane, Shawn Michaels, JBL, Rey Mysterio and the soon to be returning Randy Orton and John Cena. So how doe we break this down you ask? That's a very good question; let me give it a go. Well CM Punk will still be embroiled in his Tag Team Title feud with the Priceless tandem so he's out. JBL and Shawn Michaels are sure to be launched into a good feud after big 'Bradshaw' laid out the 'Heart Break Kid' with a 'clothesline from hell' at Cyber Sunday.
This leaves Kane, Mysterio and Jericho for now (remembering Orton and Cena are still injured). Well, Jericho has to have a rematch, let's say at Survivors Series. However during the build up to that match, Kane starts hunting the champion down. So come Survivors Series, Kane screws Jericho out of the belt and on RAW the next night demands a title shot. This is answered by Rey Mysterio who reminds us all he beat Kane at Cyber Sunday and so he deserves a shot. Adamle will then make it a triple threat number one contender's with Rey, Jericho and Kane. Let's say at this point, Kane wins and goes into a feud with Batista for a few weeks. He will fail to capture the belt (seeing as we've already agreed that for the sake of the title, Batista has to hold it until Mania).
We'll skip ahead (as I don't really want to imagine putting Batista over everyone I enjoy watching) to John Cena and Randy Orton, both now vying for the Number 1 contender's spot. Let's say we're in late December 2009, the buzz in the 'WWE Universe' is around a Cena vs. Batista rematch, but this time the title is on the line! Things are looking well and Cena is booked strongly against all his opponents. Then Orton will come from nowhere to point out, he still has a legitimate claim to the title since he has recently beaten Chris Jericho. Both men will go back and forth over who should get Batista at the Royal Rumble, but General Manager Adamle has other plans. He creates a Number One Contender's tournament! The winner of which will face Batista at the Rumble.
I'll fast forward again. We're two weeks from the Rumble and the semi-finals are as follows: John Cena vs. Randy Orton and CM Punk vs. William Regal. That's right, the two top dogs have to fight it out before the finals. Cena will go over Orton and Punk will go over Regal (don't get me wrong I love Regal and he'll feature again soon.). This sets it up so we all assume Cena will meet Batista at the Royal Rumble for the title, but and here's the kicker, CM Punk manages to beat him and take that spot. So the night of the Rumble, we have Orton and Cena both entered into Royal Rumble match, while CM Punk will face off with Batista for his first chance to recapture his title since loosing it! Unfortunately, Punk has to loose for this story to continue!
So we're in the Rumble itself and the final four are John Cena, Randy Orton, Jeff Hardy and Kozlov. The Russian monster is running rampant, destroying everybody in his path and takes Cena out of the Rumble match, seemingly denying him his title shot at Wrestlemania 25! Orton capitalizes on this by taking the 'Moscow Mauler' down with an RKO, before both he and Jeff Hardy work together to eliminate the big man. However no sooner is Kozlov out of the ring, does Randy turn on Jeff and eliminate him in a very underhanded and opportunistic way!
Orton's path to Wrestlemania is now clear. At Mania we put Batista and Orton in a classic one-fall-to-a-finish match. Just when it looks like Batista is about to win and finish Orton off with a Batista Bomb, Randy counters and puts Batista away with an RKO. Three seconds later and it's all over. Randy Orton is the new champion!
Well, I hate to leave you high and dry, but this was only Part 1 of 'How did we get here?' keep tuning in to see how this story progresses, but for now I need to swim back 'Across the Pond'!
Keep reading and writing,
Hugo
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