Cue card Gimmick

[Cookie14]

I watched Raw last night, just like most of you. And, like most of you, I was disappointed about the quality of Rock's promo, and I noticed the writing on his wrist, later revealed to be his promo notes.

I just thought it was horrible....... But then I started thinking....... What if WWE made this a gimmick???

Not for the Rock, obviously, but take someone in WWE who's not great on the mic (I'm thinking Jack Swagger)and have him cut all of his promos while holding and using cue cards. Have him use these to cut well though-out, purposeful promos for a while (possibly about how he's not great on the mic because he lets his actions speak for themselves and shouldn't have to back them up with talking), make it become his 'thing'.

Have him refuse to do backstage interviews due to not having anything prepared to say.
Maybe you could have someone interrupt him during a promo, have them talk about something that isn't on his cards, or maybe even knock the cards out of his hands. Then we could see him get embarrassed, frustrated and violently attack the person who has ruined his promo.

If they were to give this gimmick to Swagger now, they could have Vicky hand him the cards, showing just how much he has to rely on his 'business associate' outside of the ring.

Thanks Rock for the idea.
Thoughts?

 

[JohnOldSnake4]

I like the idea, and I think you're spot on that Swagger could pull it off. He's actually a beast in the ring I think, so giving him a gimmick like this could play on his weak mic skills and set him apart from everyone else, something he's struggled with for a long time. He hasn't stood out as anything relevant since before he won Money in the bank.

 

[Gav316]

I actually thought his promo was very Good not as good as Cena's but made some very good points IE 'Cena being rammed down out throats' Rocky can produce some amazing promos so expect to see better when he appears on raw in 2 weeks time.

Now this whole writing on the arm thing believe me this was done on purpose,Rocky knows Cena's been Banging on about him having his promos written for him ect ect,this was done for Sarcasm and mockery nothing more,in the past hes delivered great promo after promo and has never done this before,so why now knowing that it will be seen by millions,hes defo not daft he knows it will get people talking but all smart fans know he does not need prompts,the quality of his promos are 2nd to none he knew what he was doing when he did that.

 

[Ellye]

I actually thought his promo was very Good not as good as Cena's but made some very good points IE 'Cena being rammed down out throats' Rocky can produce some amazing promos so expect to see better when he appears on raw in 2 weeks time.

Now this whole writing on the arm thing believe me this was done on purpose,Rocky knows Cena's been Banging on about him having his promos written for him ect ect,this was done for Sarcasm and mockery nothing more,in the past hes delivered great promo after promo and has never done this before,so why now knowing that it will be seen by millions,hes defo not daft he knows it will get people talking but all smart fans know he does not need prompts,the quality of his promos are 2nd to none he knew what he was doing when he did that.

Did you... did you even read the OP of this thread? This thread is not about the Rock vs Cena promo.

@OP:
I really like this idea and I think it could work really well. Swagger is a good example of a wrestler that could make use of it, indeed.
Perhaps after he gets separated from Vickie Guerrero.

 

[Cats Pajamas]

I'm with you, Gav316. There's just no reason for me to believe that someone who has been reciting lines for that long couldn't remember what he was going to say; another shot at Rocky being a movie star. Otherwise I'm sure his other arm would have numerous references to Cena's privates as the two can't seem to stop talking about each others nether regions.

I like the original poster's idea! It'd make me laugh to see Swagger cutting a promo just to have to stop and whisper to Vickie "Mth Guerrero... wheresth my witty rejoinder...?" After he gets his cue from Vickie he could say "...because I'm the all American American... turn to camera and laugh derisively... oopsth..."

 

[SomeAreSet]

It sounds like a pretty decent/funny gimmick. Maybe they could even have Vickie standing next to the camera,out of sight,holding cue cards with what Swagger is supposed to say on them. Then we'll not have them cut to different cameras to give the illusion that Swagger is not reading from the cards. Or maybe Swagger could give a promo,stop in the middle of it,look confused for a few seconds before Vickie whispers the rest of his promo in his ear. It'll be amusing to say the least,and you nailed it with giving the gimmick to Swagger,he seems like he could pull it off without looking pathetic.

Or Swagger could hold all his promos behind a podium and have him walk out with cue cards like he's giving an address,maybe because he's the US Champion. You could go in a few directions with that idea. Great job,OP.

 

[Greydon]

Honestly...Swagger is the man to do this. As he states himself he has swagger. So why not give this to him.

Example: Swagger, Dolph and Vickie come to the ring. Vickie gets over using 2 simple words. Dolph speaks and hands the mic to Swagger. Swagger looks around before raising the mic to his mouth. During wich we see Vickie scurry outside of the ring, and looks under the ring, bringing out cue cards for Jack. He stands there and reads them off. Dolph asks like Sawgger is cutting a great promo. Then Swagger stops, he says I am not reading this. Dolph leans in and says, just read it. Swagger sighs and takes a deep breath, and finishes the promo. With everyone, but Doplh and Vickie laughing at him. He gets pissed and beats people like he knows how to in the ring.

That is an example of how it would have worked. He is the US champion. Who says that it needs to be on cue cards. He can have his promo script taped on the inside of his belt, and hold it up as if he were reading a picture book to kids. Don't hide the fact he is using notes...that is what would make this gimmick even more awesome.

But alas...when I first read this topic. I was like Jericho...WCW...Armbar promo! Kind of the same, but not really. I am glad we all agree Jack is the man for this. #notes4promo

 

[oldhamandy1]

I like the idea and too extend on what someone said above about doing it behind a podium, he could build on his All American American thing by announcing he is running for President. Vickie would be his running mate thing that you guys have and the likes of Mason Ryan and maybe two others has his bodyguards. People would inturppt him on the mic and would humiliate him because he cannot think of anything quick to respond and just sends his guards to attack the culprit.

Not quite the same thing as the OP said but an idea closly linked, although the conviction of it would be harder.

 

[D-Man]

Sorry, but I think this idea is horrible.

The curtain has already been pulled back enough with pro-wrestling. Now you want to pull it back, even more? This will basically put the idea in viewers heads that promos are ALL scripted. Now, to internet posters like you and me, we already know this to be true (on most occasions.) But to a casual viewer, there has to be a distinct line of kayfabe that must exist in order for reality to be suspended while we watch.

Sure, I know it's supposed to be a joke of a gimmick. But so were most of the skits used during the Attitude Era and look where it got us? Now, as a result, we can predict just about everything that happens in today's product. There's always some smarty-pants, keyboard-warrior sitting at home who says "I SAY THAT COMING!! I TOLD YOU ALL!!" after every single surprise-angle happens. If the WWE keeps revealing their secrets, eventually, there won't be any secrets left to keep. Then they'd have given us a few inches and we'd squeeze miles out of it.

It's like the saying goes; "Give a mouse a cookie and he'll want a glass of milk."

 

[Cookie14]

Sorry, but I think this idea is horrible.

The curtain has already been pulled back enough with pro-wrestling. Now you want to pull it back, even more? This will basically put the idea in viewers heads that promos are ALL scripted. Now, to internet posters like you and me, we already know this to be true (on most occasions.) But to a casual viewer, there has to be a distinct line of kayfabe that must exist in order for reality to be suspended while we watch.

Sure, I know it's supposed to be a joke of a gimmick. But so were most of the skits used during the Attitude Era and look where it got us? Now, as a result, we can predict just about everything that happens in today's product. There's always some smarty-pants, keyboard-warrior sitting at home who says "I SAY THAT COMING!! I TOLD YOU ALL!!" after every single surprise-angle happens. If the WWE keeps revealing their secrets, eventually, there won't be any secrets left to keep. Then they'd have given us a few inches and we'd squeeze miles out of it.

It's like the saying goes; "Give a mouse a cookie and he'll want a glass of milk."

Actually I wouldn't have it as a joke gimmick, nor do I think that it would blur the lines of kayfabe if done correctly. I wouldn't have the entire promo written down word for word on big cards like some have suggested (although I did like the idea of putting them on the belt). All he needs to do is have a few small cards with key points on, like most of us would have to use if we had to speak for a long time infront of people.
Maybe even use them to reference his opponents previous matches, as if he has been taking notes and scouting them.

 

[Davi323]

Sorry, but I think this idea is horrible.

The curtain has already been pulled back enough with pro-wrestling. Now you want to pull it back, even more? This will basically put the idea in viewers heads that promos are ALL scripted. Now, to internet posters like you and me, we already know this to be true (on most occasions.) But to a casual viewer, there has to be a distinct line of kayfabe that must exist in order for reality to be suspended while we watch.

Sure, I know it's supposed to be a joke of a gimmick. But so were most of the skits used during the Attitude Era and look where it got us? Now, as a result, we can predict just about everything that happens in today's product. There's always some smarty-pants, keyboard-warrior sitting at home who says "I SAY THAT COMING!! I TOLD YOU ALL!!" after every single surprise-angle happens. If the WWE keeps revealing their secrets, eventually, there won't be any secrets left to keep. Then they'd have given us a few inches and we'd squeeze miles out of it.

It's like the saying goes; "Give a mouse a cookie and he'll want a glass of milk."

Agreed completely. Also, it would be seen as nothing more than a desperate attempt to cover up an obviously embarrassing moment. Like Jon Lovitz going "I meant to do that!" It just comes across poorly. Every now and then on live programming, screw ups happen, and you have to kind of play along...but as soon as you start planning those screw ups, you have lost.

Terrible idea.

 

[Cookie14]

I also remember reading an article on here recently saying HHH wants WWE to bring in more hispanic wrestlers, and have them speaking Spanish during promos. Do you think this idea could work for a foreign wrestler? Have them cut a promo in their own language, but then translate it from notes, as if they are learning (or struggling) with English?

 

[D-Man]

Actually I wouldn't have it as a joke gimmick, nor do I think that it would blur the lines of kayfabe if done correctly.

First of all, unless it's a joke of a storyline, it will have a 100% failure rate instead of just a 99.9%. And why do we need to constantly push the envelope and try to blur the lines of kayfabe?? No other television program does anything of the like so why does pro-wrestling need to? They're a TV program just like anything else.

Shit, even Reality Television avoids shooting other cameramen during their broadcasts, due to great editing.

I wouldn't have the entire promo written down word for word on big cards like some have suggested (although I did like the idea of putting them on the belt). All he needs to do is have a few small cards with key points on, like most of us would have to use if we had to speak for a long time infront of people.
Maybe even use them to reference his opponents previous matches, as if he has been taking notes and scouting them.

But why?? What would be the point? How would this benefit ANYTHING or ANYONE in the long run? It's about as pointless as Natalya's farting gimmick.

 

[Cookie14]

But why?? What would be the point? How would this benefit ANYTHING or ANYONE in the long run? It's about as pointless as Natalya's farting gimmick.

We all know Swagger is bad on the mic. The only way he's ever going to improve is by giving him time. But he's already been given plenty of that, so help him out with a few small notes.
He's to established to go back to FCW to learn, but will never be able to make the step up to the main event unless he improves. Have him do this for a few months, build his confidence a bit. I guarantee it would drastically improve his mic work.

 

[Greydon]

Why not have a plant in the crowd, on the hard camera side. That holds up the cards for them. It would see like it an ordinary fan.

 

[D-Man]

We all know Swagger is bad on the mic. The only way he's ever going to improve is by giving him time. But he's already been given plenty of that, so help him out with a few small notes.
He's to established to go back to FCW to learn, but will never be able to make the step up to the main event unless he improves. Have him do this for a few months, build his confidence a bit. I guarantee it would drastically improve his mic work.

But this wasn't what you were originally talking about. You were saying that they should give him cue cards and REVEAL THAT HE USES THEM ON CAMERA. What purpose would this serve? And this is exactly my point. Why pull the curtain back even more? Does this really need to be done? Or is it another example of a far-fetched, flash-in-the-pan idea based on something you saw on television last night?

That's why so many of the posters on the internet always try and "fantasy book", yet they'd be laughed at in the industry if they ever took a stab at trying to become a real writer for a wrestling promotion. This isn't stand-up comedy where a 5 second occurrence from the previous day is transformed into a 5 minute skit designed to get a short-term chuckle out of the crowd. This is a weekly television broadcast that requires a long-term thought process in order to gain viewers, ratings, advertisers, and merchandise dollars for its parent corporation. So these spur of the moment "flashes of wisdom" that you guys try and transform into storylines constantly fall short of any relevance or positivity because you all constantly think about things on a short-term level.

 

[Cats Pajamas]

Oh, I was completely thinking of a joke gimmick... kind of like Christian's gimmick with DDP as his mentor. Picking up and helping Swagger on his obvious deficiancies.... "My bad."

I don't think it'd be blurring the lines anymore if they brought up that "Swagger real can well not talk". They already have those ridiculous "kayfabe" t-shirts and it seems every time someone grabs a microphone they're repeating the what is believed to be the online consensus. We have Miz talking about his "critics" and his lack of heart lately... Rocky quoting the idea that Cena was "crammed down everyone's throat"... #heel?... what the hell is that?? Why doesn't Ziggles just tell us his goal in life was always to be a douchebag. We're supposed to tell him he sucks, not the other way around.

The idea that Swagger can't come up with lines to draw heat is no more 4th wall then JL calling himself Mr Excitement because people call him boring. With the promotion of Twitter every two minutes on Raw, acknowledging the internet audience is easier than pandering to a crowd of casual fans and pretending internet fans don't exist.

I still think it's a neat idea, even though I apparently never read the OP right. Can't I well read I know...

 

[Davi323]

Why not have a plant in the crowd, on the hard camera side. That holds up the cards for them. It would see like it an ordinary fan.

Because then they would be focusing on them, rather than the camera. Even if their gaze is slightly off, it's easy to notice as a viewer. You would need to have the plant close enough so that the cards, which would have to be small to be relatively unnoticeable, could still be read by the wrestler. Then, you would have to find a way to make the wrestler not focus his gaze in that direction.

A fan plant with cue cards is just not really doable, it's impractical.

 

[Peoples_Champ]

As funny as it would be, this seems like a Russo-type of gimmick. Anything that has potential to undermine the industry should be avoided, and like D-Man said, who knows how regular fans would respond to it (i.e. believe everything else is scripted).

If WWE were to run this gimmick, Swagger would be an excellent choice. But someone like Khali could have his cue cards written in Punjabi. It would make me laugh if done right.

 

[f_roEDGE]

Honestly, i can actually see WWE using a bad idea like this.....and that is why wrestling is bad. While the gimmick would be funny, it serves no purpose, and is detrimental to the company if new fans happen upon this gimmick. They will rib WWE by saying "why is he reading the card? HAHA is that how fake wrestling has gotten?" Also, what does this do for Swagger's character? Swagger is a former World Champ. This gimmick would only do bad for him.

Instead of doing this cue card nonsense, why not have him come out and say...
Swagger: "I may not be skilled on the mic, I may not be as 'charismatic' as you want me to be...but I am one of the BEST PRO WRESTLERS THIS COMPANY HAS EVER SEEN!!!"

Make him stop a big name from winning the title. Make him eventually win the title. Make him unstoppable. Better than this cue card nonsense.

 

[Jdulemba1001]

I like the idea, but it is a little tongue-in-cheek. Its funny. Sometimes we forget about humor and take wrestling to seriously. If I may, Id like to add something to it though. Id use Swagger, but id bring a Diva out with him holding the cue cards, like a comedian on TV, instead of holding them himself. Really make it over the top

 

[LoudClearVoice]

I think this is a really good idea and could actually be super funny, if they did it right.

It actually would help his overall promo skills too because he'd get more comfortable. There's so much funny stuff they could do with it too like if one guy slaps the cards down and Swagger picks them back up but out of order, he could do his promo out of order.

Good idea.

 

[IHW]

I think it is a good idea. Gimmick are still out there, and helping. Guys like Ryder and Santino are using gimmick, and they are both over. Now, this gimmick may not halp much, but it sure would be worth a shot!

 

[AwesomeRko]

But this wasn't what you were originally talking about. You were saying that they should give him cue cards and REVEAL THAT HE USES THEM ON CAMERA. What purpose would this serve? And this is exactly my point. Why pull the curtain back even more? Does this really need to be done? Or is it another example of a far-fetched, flash-in-the-pan idea based on something you saw on television last night?

That's why so many of the posters on the internet always try and "fantasy book", yet they'd be laughed at in the industry if they ever took a stab at trying to become a real writer for a wrestling promotion. This isn't stand-up comedy where a 5 second occurrence from the previous day is transformed into a 5 minute skit designed to get a short-term chuckle out of the crowd. This is a weekly television broadcast that requires a long-term thought process in order to gain viewers, ratings, advertisers, and merchandise dollars for its parent corporation. So these spur of the moment "flashes of wisdom" that you guys try and transform into storylines constantly fall short of any relevance or positivity because you all constantly think about things on a short-term level.

The guy had an idea aren't these forums designed for wrestling fans to discuss personal thoughts and opinions, not quite sure where you seem to be getting the superiority complex.

I don't think the idea necessarily has to break kayfabe if Swagger comes out with his promos and speeches written down and does it only in one way promos and not in promos against other people where his answer would obviously vary depending on their response, then it doesn't break kayfabe at all. The whole angle would be that he is the only wrestler who is incapable of talking UNSCRIPTED so would have to resort to using a script therefore it does not undermine the realism other superstars promos at all.

I think its a good idea, Swagger is already horrendous on the mic, so he has nothign to lose their and the gimmick could actually make him somewhat interesting and relevant again, with his in ring skills balancing out any comedic effects from the promos. I like it.

 

[Dagger Dias]

I think that giving the gimmick of openly needing cue cards would be a terrible idea because that wrestler, no matter how talented he is in the ring, would become a joke. Someone like Santino could benefit from it to get some more laughs, but he is excellent at promos and would not need cue cards whether it be legit or kayfabe'd. It's a rather awful idea. Sure it would be funny the first two or three times it happens, but gimmicks are meant to help somebody generate more reactions from fans. The gimmicks that only get someone laughed at do not help them in the long run. Even Santino will never be a legit star as no one takes him seriously.

WWE would never use a gimmick like that. They rarely break the fourth wall, and if they did then it would not be by having someone who sucks at promos openly ask for a cue card. This wrestler could have the in-ring skills of Bret Hart, but if they are so horrible at promos that they (kayfabe) need cue cards or notes to be handed to them onscreen then the would be laughed out of the building once it comes time for their actual matches. Interesting idea, but it would do more harm than good in the long run. Gimmicks should be used to get a face more support or a heel more heat, not to get someone laughed at.