WWE’s Spring Cleaning of 2011
“It’s that time of the year again…”
I don’t like making posts like this. Bottom line is, it’s people’s jobs I’m talking about here…F it, why should I care, let’s have some fun! After Wrestlemania, in April/May every year (maybe even twice), it tends to be the time where the WWE releases a handful of their wrestlers, to clear out the roster. This happened pretty consistently for the last couple of years, and last year, many were shocked by releases of stars like Mickie James and Shelton Benjamin. So let’s have a rundown of the current WWE talent roster and see who I think will get the chop this year…(Sadly…)
JTG: This has been overdue for a good year plus now to be perfectly honest. Shad Gaspard was one of the releases of last year, and I really son’t see why JTG was kept. He may have been the better worker of the two, but he has very little upside. He’s still dragging out the Cryme Tyme gimmick, he’s never been very good in the ring (even on Superstars when he got more time, he was sloppy and botched a lot), and when they tried to give him him a talk show segment on Smackdown, it was panned in two weeks. Abraham Washington he is not. So yeah, I really think he has to go.
Jimmy and Jey Uso: Let’s face it here everyone, the WWE cares about it’s Tag Team Division less than it cares about TNA. When these guys were brought in around May 2010 last year, there was still a shred of dignity amongst the Tag Champs at the time, with The Hart Dynasty leading the way. Now, The Big Show and Kane are Tag Teams, and there can’t be anymore than 2 teams in contention for the belt at anyone time. So it kind of renders their effectiveness useless, especially as The Uso’s themselves aren’t even on TV anymore. Pointless keeping them around for no value, which is a shame as they’re 2nd Generation (which the WWE like), and are decent workers.
Vladimir Kozlov: Anyone else remember 2 and a half years ago, when this man was #1 Contender to the WWE Championship? Yeah me too. I don’t think anyone’s stock has dropped so fast in that time, than Vladimir Kozlov. From legit Main Eventer and badass big man, to a comic relief comedy act duo with Santino Marella. And obvious Marella has a ton of value in him still (Seriously he’s probably in the Top 5 most over guys in the company), but Kozlov…I just don’t see it, espcially as their Tag Team run has ended now. Sad times, as Kozlov is actually funny. What may save his bacon right now, is that he’s an NXT Redemption Pro. But will that be enough?
Rosa Mendes: What purpose is this woman serving? She’s arguably the worst worker of all the divas, and she’s quickly turning into the opposite of The Bella Twins, who are now working a lot more. Heck, one of them’s now Divas Champion (way to make your belt look great.) I don’t think she serves any kind of benefit to the promotion, so I think she should be let go.
Mark Henry: Tis a shame really, as I like Mark and deserves more credit for his work. He’s been a consistent and I think, rather underrated wrestler since 1997 when he debuted, but has never really has much success in the WWE. He hasn’t been on TV very much lately (even less so than normal), and I’m starting to think that while the WWE probably won’t cut him, he may end up hanging it up himself soon, I guess it just depends on whether he feels like going on the road as much now he’s deep into his 40′s.
Curt Hawkins: I like Curt, and think he’s rather underrated as a performer, but again, he hasn’t managed to do anything since he broke up with his Tag Team partner Vance Archer, who’s since been released. As I said, while I think he’s a solid worker, I think he’s too generic and doesn’t really stand out in my mind very much, which is what could be holding back amongst the WWE board.
William Regal: With every clear out, there’s always one bigger name that gets chopped (Mickie James, Shelton Benjamin, MVP), and I think this could be the one. I love Regal, he’s the greatest English wrestler ever, and the most underused wrestler in the world. He’s not even wrestling right now and he’s commentating for NXT. So it may end up being the end for Regal from an in-ring standpoint, but he may end up being a color commentator, which is what he should great at considering his humor and knowledge of the sport. Much better than Booker “Incoherent” T, who’s been terrible at it quite frankly.
So yeah, a short post talking about who I think will get the Spring Cleaning chop in the year, in some capacity. What do you think? Am I right? Did I miss anyone, or did I get one wrong? let me know in the comments below, I’d love to hear your views. I’ve been Andre Harrison, thanks for reading and Sayonara!
24 Apr 2011, 12:02 am
Although I enjoy your articles… the background makes the words hard to read
24 Apr 2011, 12:03 am
Thank you for the feedback. Anyway I can improve it for future reference?
24 Apr 2011, 12:30 am
Primo anyone? Good list dude. I agree with them all…unfortunately :-/
24 Apr 2011, 2:20 am
Snap, I almost forgot him. His recent botch on Rawprobably did him no favours either…:/
(Seriously, I don’t like anyone losing their jobs an all, but some of them just serves no benefit to the brand anymore.)
26 Apr 2011, 10:52 am
Unfortunately I think Zack Ryder and Trent Baretta are on the list they’re not doing much even though so many people are behind Ryder and they’re both amazing talents.
26 Apr 2011, 12:22 pm
Absolutely mate, they’re both really talented guys. I think Trent will stay, because he is on Smackdown semi-regularly, but the way Ryder’s taking cracks at the company’s booking on Twitter, I think he may be done soon.
27 Apr 2011, 12:49 am
Well, I think we can safely cross Mark Henry off the list as he has once again re-united with Michael Hayes who’ll give him a monster push until he messes up backstage… again. Its the same formula we see every time that Henry ends up on SmackDown; I’m just hoping we don’t have to endure a potential Henry/Undertaker feud down the line. Those are the worst.
As for my one main pick…
Melina – I truly believe that she has played her last hand in the WWE. I think with all of the backstage mess-ups (I denied them at first but the evidence has mounted up), she’ll be gone quite soon. She’s not being used on TV, she’s throwing her weight around backstage, she’s causing Morrison to act out against the WWE; I think its the perfect time for her to be on the chopping block. It’ll also be quite a surprise to some people. But… I question if this will actually happen because you have the X-Factor that is Morrison then; does he leave if she leaves? She seems to have that sort of influence on him. However, I think Morrison needs to man up a bit here.
27 Apr 2011, 12:59 am
If we get Henry/Taker again, I might just stab myself in the eye with my brother’s Wrestlemania 22 DVD again. Wonderful. -_-” But yeah, Hayes loves him, so he’ll be safe for the time being.
Melina huh? You make a very strong case for her, she definitely seems to be quite the “bitchy” character behind the scenes and away from Twitter and the TV. Her having a negative influence on Morrison definitely seems like a factory as well. It’s a long shot, but after your explanations, I could definitely see that happening.
27 Apr 2011, 4:07 pm
Pretty good look at it, although I do have some reservations on William Regal and Mark Henry being on the block, for:
1. Regal can easily slide over into the role Fit Finlay once had – the road agent/trainer/part-time wrestler spot, and do it well.
2. I see Mark Henry going into a part-time contract not unlike the one Taker has and HBK had -cmo’n, 400+ pounds into your late 40′s?No wonder he’s been sluggish.
I agree with the above comment about Melina. Damn, she is killing JoMo.
On my end, I’d like to see 2 guys though get cut. They are:
1. Hornswoggle. Seriously, WHAT IS THE POINT of him being there?He doesn’t compete, doesn’t do anything anywhere, even on NxT, so why keep him?
2.. John Cena. I know, I know, it may seem smarky of me to call for his head, but hear me out here. the guy is absolute kryptonite to the ENTIRE roster. Why? THE BOOKERS WILL NEVER, AND THE ROCK MEANS NEVER, EVER PUT ANYBODY OVER John “Strawberry Pebble” Cena. If CM Punk, who’s one of the most popular guys in the company audience-wise,wants out because he can’t get over, SACRIFICE CENA for the sake of the roster!
27 Apr 2011, 4:13 pm
Can definitely see your point on 3 of 4. However, I really don’t think Cena is the problem with Raw’s Main Event scene. John’s put guys like Sheamus over in the past, before being drafted, and he’s had to deal with Nexus in the past and not remain in the title picture. Heck, he even lost to Barrett on Pay-Per-View, a relative rookie. I just don’t think you like him very well.
Don’t believe everything you read on the net my friend. Thanks for the comment as well.