Could The "American Badass" Return?

[quagmire]

I am against The Shield being diminished as anyone's flunkies. That rumor that somehow Orton would become leader of Shield at Mania was awful. No offense quagmire, I don't want to seem like I'm attacking you or anything. It's just that this Ministry thing is the same thing. Gotta speak on this (ODELAY).

So you have this RED HOT group of fresh heels, who are capable of working on a main event level with the same precision and skill as groups like The Freebirds. They have beaten everyone. To just take some established star and put him up front as the leader completely tears down what they've built up.

The Shield doesn't need anyone but The Shield. They can handle the promos, the matches, and completely obliterating any babyface there is.

That's all. I had to get that out there.

No problem. I was just replying to the person that said Undertaker should reform the Ministry of Darkness. The fact is the shield would be the only wrestlers that make sense to use to reform it. Who else on the roster would be taken seriously as being a part of a new Ministry of Darkness and could use the rub working with 'Taker( sort of like how Batista and Orton got a rub from being with HHH and Ric Flair in Evolution)? Zack Ryder? Alberto Del Rio? Swagger? No one else could seriously be in a new Ministry.

I agree with you though overall. The Shield doesn't need to be paired with 'Taker in a group to get over. They are already over.

 

[IT Factor]

I actually liked Taker as "The American Badass". He was always entertaining on the mic and in segments and his ring work was good too. The main reason I liked that version better than his deadman gimmick is the badass gimmick was closer to being real. No one believes in Taker's "mystical powers" or that he is even a deadman. That gimmick is cartoonish and outdated. Just his feuds with Kurt Angle and Stone Cold were great from that time. Still, I don't think one commercial will change anything. That's probably just Taker's off time charity and has nothing to do with him changing or anything. Though it would be interesting to see if he stuck around longer in that incarnation.

 

[giblet55]

The main reason I liked that version better than his deadman gimmick is the badass gimmick was closer to being real. No one believes in Taker's "mystical powers" or that he is even a deadman.

I agree. The only individuals out there that buy into the "deadman" and "mystical powers" aspect of his gimmick are kids. I know that my three do anyways. I wouldn't mind seeing the American Badass gimmick return with a touch of ministry Taker in there. If you could take the American Badass persona, make it a tad bit darker, make it edgy, I think it might be a fresher approach. He could be that calm, dark, cool, bad guy that you know you shouldn't, but deep down you want to root for...

 

[IT Factor]

I agree. The only individuals out there that buy into the "deadman" and "mystical powers" aspect of his gimmick are kids. I know that my three do anyways. I wouldn't mind seeing the American Badass gimmick return with a touch of ministry Taker in there. If you could take the American Badass persona, make it a tad bit darker, make it edgy, I think it might be a fresher approach. He could be that calm, dark, cool, bad guy that you know you shouldn't, but deep down you want to root for...

WWE should be smart enough to know that most fans watching consistently are the ones who have been watching for years. Anyone who witnessed the "Attitude era" can tell you that Taker's "badass" persona was much better than his "deadman" gimmick. It is very outdated and is boring with the whole "I'm gonna steal your soul or rest in peace" things. I think the Badass gimmick was a great medium for Taker to connect with fans via his real life personality mixed with a great storyline.

I agree that his approach upon returning to that gimmick should be more dark and edgy than it was before. They should take elements from the Ministry Taker and mix it with the Badass character. That would be great. Plus, Taker's promos were a lot better when he had something to say versus saying the same lame catchphrases or relying on cartoonish theatrics like lightening coming from the pyro stage. Anyone over the age of 12 will think that is lame.