Could Kofi Kingston become a good World Title chaser?

[SpoodBeest]

This was a question I have wanted to ask for awhile now so let's get straight to it. Do you fellow posters think that with his recent move to SmackDown could Kofi Kingston become one of those wrestlers that always becomes so close to winning the big one but always has no cigar, eventually causing the crowd to become emotionally attached to their conquest for when they eventually win the World title it's all that much sweeter. I believe Kofi Kingston would make a perfect title chasing wrestler on SmackDown.

The role I would have him take is a role similar to what Jeff Hardy had in his final run on SmackDown and what Rey Mysterio was doing quite a bit before his recent title run. Which is stay in a top contending spot for the title or keep earning an other shot to stay in that position. Have multiple competitive matches to make you look credible enough to hold one of those titles. Then whenever the time is right reward them with the "big one". This formula could really work if Kofi Kingston ends up being the winner of the SmackDown MITB Ladder match. Even if he cashes it in (assuming in a regular one on one match similar to what RVD did) he can still lose and look credible to challenge for it again by earning his way to another title shot.

This is just a topic of discussion which has been on my mind as of late, especially with the MITB pay-per-view drawing near. Also the brand that Kofi is on gives him that much more of an opportunity to climb the ladder of success. It did wonders for Jeff Hardy and Edge when they went to the Blue Brand and solidified their main event spots and it could do the same for Kofi Kingston if they give him the right kind of push to the top. Chasing the title in my mind would be the best format for Mr. Kingston.

 

[Jack-Hammer]

I think that Kofi Kingston has the potential. He's definitely over with the crowd and has the in-ring work to be a legitimate chaser for the World Heavyweight Championship. I think that what Kofi is missing right now is that fans don't know "him", because he hardly ever cuts promos. The few times that I've seen Kofi do an interview, he's been at the very least compotent and, at times, downright great but I'd say his mic skills are probably his weak spot at this point.

That being said, I don't believe he'd have much trouble bringing his mic work up to a consistent level. He's got it inside the ring, the fans are into him and if he can tie all that up with good promo work, then I'd see no reason at all why he couldn't be a contender. Hell, I think he could potentially be a good World Champion someday.

 

[Scotty]

I am not so sure this could work. The reason it worked with Jeff Hardy is because he had been in the WWE for so long and was never able to grasp the brass ring as Triple H put it. Kofi hasn't been there that long, about two and a half years. The fans are the ones that practically pushed Jeff hardy into the Main Event. Kofi has a ton of fan support but he doesn't have anywhere near the fan support Hardy had.

Rey Mysterio wasn't really "close" to winning the championship either. I can only recall one World Heavyweight Championship match before he won it at Fatal 4 Way. That being the Royal Rumble match against The Undertaker. Did anyone really expect Rey to take the title off of Taker that night? Other then that he was around the mid card for the better part of the last 2 years. The only time he had a title shot was when they needed a popular face to challenge for it. Usually one match and back to the mid card. That or he was injured.

 

[Ruthless-RKO]

Why not...I think he has more or less everything to challenge for the world title..he is good in the ring, he has fan support and heck i think he knows that he's doing at all times...

So what is holding him back?? Cutting promos, I have never heard him cut a promo, maybe once during his Orton feud, but it wasn't even like a promo...that is all he needs, I say WWE work with him on his promos now and have him challenging for the world title soon, before its too late and he becomes Matt Hardy!!<<(just someone i think is a good comparison!)

I think because he is a face, its also harder for him to start challenging...as for heels, they just have to nail a face and they get heat, and its much easier to gain heat this way and grab your first world title...(look at sheamus, he never went through mid card, he went straight to the top)...

 

[The Crock]

Kofi should definitely be able to chase the World Heavyweight Championship. Kofi is pretty over with the crowd, he's great in the ring, he's decent on the mic, and he's very charismatic. The title picure really needs a "shot in the arm" anyway, I'm getting sick of seeing all he same faces in the picture... And I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one.

Although I think he should be able to chase the title, I don't think he should win it. If he comes into the title picure it'll make him more credible, and then maybe a year or so down the road he can win the belt. I don't want Kofi to be like Christian or Matt Hardy, fans have always wanted them to be world champs, but it never happened. I hope the WWE eventually gives Kofi a shot at the belt.

 

[J-Dogg]

I can see Kofi being a good World Title chaser, he's fan base has grown alot over time, and he's extremely over, Kofi is also very good in the ring is good at put on exciting matches, his mic work has been very good ever since his feud with Randy Orton. Kofi is also closer to being a main eventer than some guys and once he gets to the ME, it be easy to see WWE giving him World Title shots, they'll give one to him because he is a good worker, good in the ring, has alot of charisma and he's marketable.

 

[Viola Moonlight]

His character doesn't have that much depth for the fans to be attached emotionally as you put it for him to warrant being a World Championship contender. The fanbase loves Kofi for being an honourable competitor and all of his fancy moves he does, but that's it. I'm not saying it will never happen because Jeff Hardy got people drawn to him from the beginning due to his unique moveset, then he developed from there. All Kofi has done is switched from being a fun-loving Jamaican to a serious South African who wrestles like a man. There isn't any investment in Kofi at all concerning his character, but once he does he'll certainly be a good at this role.

He's got what it takes as a wrestler and his ring work highlights the role of an underdog, however he is quite young into his career. He still has something to accomplish in the mid-card before going anywhere near being in the main event consistently. I'd let him grow slowly and continue this gradual build that he has had since being drafted to SD. If more and more people start to buy into Kofi, I'd say give him the headstart... but as I said, he needs to develop his character.

 

[RT]

I can see Kofi as a pretty good World Title chaser, the fans are crazy for Kofi every night that he comes out to perform he gets a huge pop from the crowd. As for mic skills they have been getting better since his feud with Randy Orton. He is exciting to watch in the ring, he's been on a winning streak since the IC championship so in my mind I wouldn't be surprised to see Kofi Kingston main eventing on Smackdown. As Kofi improves and gets better he could be a very good World Heavyweight Champion.

 

[Ferbian]

It would work. I mean it could work with anybody over with the fans really. Kofi Kingston just hasn't earned the championship yet and it probably makes him an even better choice with the exception of the older guys (Christian and Matt Hardy, because while Kofi might be a little bit more over than one of them. I don't know. I don't count the people that pops during entrances). And he could definitely make it work with the potential that we'd want it to see happen.

I however don't quite think Kofi is completely ready yet. He might need a few months before starting the program. He needs a little more solidifying in the main event card. He had some from Randy Orton but it's quite clear that it got busted down a few rungs on the ladder afterwards.

I don't quite know how WWE would make it work though. He'd need a strong heel or rather over heel to make it work properly. Sure it could function rather well with a guy like Swagger. But he's not quite over, not yet at least. Jack needs to be solidified a little bit more before it can work to put him in a program with Kofi. And of course it ultimately requires Jack to regain the championship.

Unless of course someone moves a guy like Edge or Chris Jericho back on RAW. Sure they're not the powerful kind of heel. And they both seem to be transactional champions rather than anything. But it could give the two of them a longer reign while Kofi chases for it.

Or they could simply move a very over heel to Smackdown. If Triple H wasn't going to fight Sheamus after his return - Triple H could've done great as a heel on Smackdown. But in that way there's still a bit of potentials here and there for Kofi to feud with to make this scenario work. Shame they're all on RAW though.

 

[The Holy One]

I believe there is heel already on SD perfect for Kofi to fued with, CM Punk. He is a credible main eventer imo and former multiple world champion who can generate great heat anytime or anywhere. He is also like Jericho that he can transition to the main event and mid-card anytime he wants without losing credibility. He can give more prestige to the IC title by fueding with Kofi over it and build Kofi as a legit contender. Also, they will be able to put on some classic fast-pace matches.

 

[.]

Kofi has the in-ring ability necessary to be a world champion. Sinc ehis debut he has improved a hell of alot.His finisher has gotten over and his signature moves are well recognized as setups to the finisher and most importantly he is over like hell.

The only problems i see with him is there is little depth to his character. He needs tohas a character that can develop a connection emotionally with the crowd. Another problem he is facing is just how over as a face he is. This gives him very little chance to turn heel which would make him a one dimensional character which is probably a reason why some people dislike Rey Mysterio so much, due to his inability to turn heel. Another problem he faces is his mic skills. Sure he is decent and he could some brilliant promos during his feud with Randy Orton but on Smackdown he isn't allowed to cut promos that often.

 

[Dwayne_Jason]

His character doesn't have that much depth for the fans to be attached emotionally as you put it for him to warrant being a World Championship contender. The fanbase loves Kofi for being an honourable competitor and all of his fancy moves he does, but that's it. I'm not saying it will never happen because Jeff Hardy got people drawn to him from the beginning due to his unique moveset, then he developed from there. All Kofi has done is switched from being a fun-loving Jamaican to a serious South African who wrestles like a man. There isn't any investment in Kofi at all concerning his character, but once he does he'll certainly be a good at this role.

He's got what it takes as a wrestler and his ring work highlights the role of an underdog, however he is quite young into his career. He still has something to accomplish in the mid-card before going anywhere near being in the main event consistently. I'd let him grow slowly and continue this gradual build that he has had since being drafted to SD. If more and more people start to buy into Kofi, I'd say give him the headstart... but as I said, he needs to develop his character.

With due respect I think in 2 years he achieved pretty much all you can as a high-midcarder:

U.S Champion

2x Intercontinental

World Tag Team

Feud with a main-eventer

Numerous MITB matches

Was in the elimination chamber twice and put on a great show

Wrestled with the likes of:

Roidtista
Sheamus
Orton
Cena (Triple Threat: Kingston, Orton, Cena pre-Royal Rumble '09)


I agree with above posts, he needs a character development and some promo skills. If those are refined you're looking at the next WHC.