In Tha "Raw" Report I somewhat jokingly put Chris Jericho over as the man. While I don't see many negatives with Jericho as champion at least for the short term I see absolutely no negatives to having Matt Hardy as the A guy on Tha A Show. Matt Hardy got somewhat emotional in his post title match win at Unforgiven and every single wrestling fan should appreciate that.Matt Hardy has worked his ass off for years. People have said he wouldn't make the company any money, said he couldn't draw, anything you can think of it's been said about Matt Hardy. Everything that's been said he's proven wrong. The reaction Matt Hardy gets week in and week out is the reaction most workers some with three initials included would give a nut to get.
He makes the heel he's working a better heel. Listen to MVP's reaction before and after his feud with Hardy. Not the same. Listen to the reaction of Mark Henry now and before. The only time he got a reaction on this level was his feud with the Undertaker. He's the babyface champion most companies would die for. His face reaction bleeds into the heels reaction and makes the heel come across better to the live audience and on TV. Matt Hardy turns the decibels up.
For the last two years at least signs in the crowd have said, "Matt 4 Champ," "I came to see Matt Hardy," or had some sort of Hardy symbol, or Matt Hardy reference on them. Matt Hardy is on Cena's level, he's just a better worker. For all the Matt Hardy detractors there are three supporters. The funniest thing is, and I've mentioned this before, those that bash Hardy support Cena. Excuse me, come again?
If I had it my way Matt Hardy would have won his first championship in a one on one match, but either way he's a champion now. Whether or not you equate the ECW Champion with the WWE or World Champion for that particular show they are the equivalent because he has that shows belt and everyone on that show is gunning for Hardy.
Once they get to the position to work Hardy their reaction gets louder because his is thunderous. Everyone backstage should also watch out, there is a helluva lot of glass on the floor because Matt Hardy shattered that glass ceiling everyone blabbers about constantly. Hopefully everyone has some good thick soled boots, otherwise there will be some bloody feet backstage.
I'm also incredibly glad that Finlay is getting some shine off of this as well. Finlay was written off three years ago as an agent, a guy we'd never see in the ring again. While he's on the "third" show in the E's eyes he's in the main on Tha A Show. There are times Hornswoggle irks me, but when used like he was tonight I have no problem with it. Hardy and Finlay got a nice win tonight against two big ass dudes that makes all four guys look better in the long run.
In other action this week the Real American American All American Boy Jack Swagger defeated Josh Daniels in one of the NTI matches. See Jack Swagger should have been Jack Daniels and Josh could have been Swagger because I don't see Josh Daniels hanging around too long. The RAAAAB Jack Swagger will most likely stick around a while.
I know JR doesn't have his previous position with the talent, but Jack Hager was a legit All American as a wrestler and DT at the University of Oklahoma. Don't know if Jack played on any of the teams that choked in bowl games under Oklahoma coach SpongeBob Bowl Flop but that's irrelevant. What is relevant though is the fact that in developmental Swagger had a Goldberg type gimmick going. His record at FCW was 62-0. Lets see what happens with him. So yeah, I guess I'm interested.
In other other action John Morrison defeated Evan Bourne in a superb match. Loved it, but what is beginning to irritate me here is the fact that Morrison and Miz are one of the most marketable tag teams the E has at it's disposal ("The Dirt Sheet" is the highest rated show in WWE.com history) and they keep them in singles action.
This is a spoiler, but I don't care because I know Primo and Carlito tagged to face H&R on "SmackDown!" this week but other than that particular match what have H&R been doing lately? Why weren't they feuding with MnM? Wouldn't that make sense since MnM were the last champions and weren't involved in the decision when they lost their championships? Think people. I know this isn't "Raw" and "Raw" has to step up the booking to compete with "Monday Night Football", but while ECW is Tha A Show they could do a little better with Morrison and Miz.
Quick Results...
*John Morrison w/The Miz def. Evan Bourne
*The American Cheese Eating All American American Jack Swagger def. Josh Daniels
*Matt Hardy & Finlay w/Hornswoggle def. Mark Henry & Mike Knox
7 comments: on "Tha A List Analysis"
yo i think dan e o and the O ster nation would get a kick out of this its not wrestling related but it had me rolling.
http://illseed.wordpress.com/2008/09/10/jamaican-spongebob-squarepants/
The pessimist in me would say that the ECW title isn't nearly as impressive as the IC title (regardless of who holds it), but there's no reason to rain on V.1's parade.
No doubt he gets insane pops from the crowd (maybe it's because fat chicks have such large diaphragms), but what gives Matt that "IT factor".
Is it just cause he's Jeff's brother? Can't hurt, but Lanny "The Genius" Poffo never came close to the Macho Man's popularity.
Ring work? It's solid, but that doesn't count for much in WWE.
Mic Skills? It would've been plenty enough 20 years ago, but the bar has been raised and his words seem to draw crickets.
The only conclusion I can come to is that the fans are appealed to his on-air persona doesn't seem far from his reality, as dull as it may be. The Edge/Lita storyline is still one of the most memorable in recent WWE history and the base of it was a shoot. His myspace blogs are usually at the top of the most viewed blogs on the most popular web-community in the world. This is the only conclusion
I can come to. People want the "real" guy to win!
That's what made Austin such a phenomenon (not directly comparing), it's why Kid Rock still tops the charts, and Brett Favre is constantly on ESPN. Essentially V.1 is the Kid Rock of wrestling, if only Kid Rock had Matt's level of talent in his area, and Matt had his level of charisma. OK now I'm just rambling.
Wow, that was impressive Jeff. I think you're right.
I know you're from tha north cackalack and all but dude, the pops RVD used to get would drown out Hardy's twice. Don't get me wrong, I'm a V1 mark and I know he gets pops worthy of main eventers, but he's not quite RVD in his prime over.
A better worker, yes.
WWE dropped the ball with RVD. Could you imagine an RVD/Hardy storyline?
Matt Hardy and RVD are a lot closer than you seem to put over. RVD's pops were louder at a time, and Matt isn't there yet, but who else gets those pops right now on a consistent basis?
I like the way you phrased it Jeff it makes sense as well.
Look a Cena supporter/Hardy basher seems to be converting. Looks like DJB is finally getting through to you people.
Jeff you seem to want to take away from Hardy without outright saying it, and while I do understand what you're saying I say let Hardy stand on his own merits.
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