How much does a "sponsor" help in WWE?

[BigBombB]

By sponsor I'm not referring to "Prince Devitt having literal sponsors in Japan", I'm talking when a veteran member of the business sticks up for a young talent and puts their stamp of approval on them. For example, famous ones from recent memory would be Daniel Bryan with the support of William Regal and CM Punk with the support of Paul Heyman. Is it just a coincidence that these two were able to become so big in the WWE while other similar wrestlers went nowhere or did the people who stood up for them make all the difference? On the other hand, what are some examples of wrestlers that had a lot of support but ended up being major flops?

I don't know much about this subject so I'm genuinely interested!

 

[I_Like_All_Wrestling]

I think a lot of people are going to misunderstand this thread due to the title. When I read it, I thought you were asking about a corporate sponsorship, like "RAW is sponsored by so and so foods" or something. My second thought was a sponsor to keep people going too far with drugs/alcohol/etc. I thought it, but I knew that wasn't it.

I had no idea you meant it as "Heyman vouches for Punk." But, I think it's incredibly helpful...depending on who's vouching for you. If Heath Slater talks you up, it's probably not that big. But if Cena talks you up, that could help. And if someone like HHH is on your side, you're basically made. I think it's tremendously important and helpful.

 

[Slash-LN]

It seems like it would help a ton.
If William Regal who is by all accounts well respected says to talent relations that x guy is really good then talent relations is likely to watch tape of that person who otherwise may not have even been on their radar.

If you're endorsed by the right people then it's going to help open doors at the very least.

It's then the wrestler's job not to blow it.

 

[Hollywood Naitch]

I think it definitely helps a wrestler get noticed if a well-respected veteran is talking up their talents and "bigging them up" to management. If the wrestler voicing his opinions is highly thought of, and has a reputation for spotting good talent then it will almost certainly lead to doors opening for the rookie and more attention/focus being put on them, giving them opportunities that others may not have, simply by association with or by being vouched for by a big name advocate.

However, there is a negative attached to this too. It certainly puts more pressure on the new wrestler, as they are expected to succeed and expected to be something special. It would reflect poorly on the veteran wrestler if his "prodigee" doesn't live up to expectation, and WWE themselves would expect more than usual from a wrestler that someone like Triple H, Undertaker or John Cena has been talking up as "the next big thing".

 

[Mudlup50]

It obviously helps some but like Triple Naitch mentioned it hurts too. Imagine if John Cena just randomly said Bo Dallas(or any new guy) was gonna be the next big superstar, that he has the dedication and whatever he needed to say to help give Bo a huge push. Now imagine Bo does well for 2-3 years occasionally main eventing but most of the time just being built slowly. Bo decides he can't handle it, he's under so much pressure.

To argue this whole thing though, didn't Vince think highly of McIntyre? And where's he now? Just saying it's not like getting a higher up liking you is a 100% surefire next big superstar.

 

[Jack-Hammer]

It can definitely be a good thing, depending a great deal upon the "sponsor's" standing with management, his place in wrestling history and/or the company itself.

For instance, if Triple H has or will have someone that's his sort of go to guy, his "right hand man", I think it'd be William Regal. Regal's widely respected both in WWE, the wrestling industry as a whole and fans from all walks for his technical prowess, toughness and genuine passion for the business as a whole. Regal also has a reputation for being able to spot talent and with Triple H in charge of WWE's developmental system, Regal's brought Trips' attention to wrestlers like Cesaro, Seth Rollins, Dean Ambrose, Roman Reigns, Prince Devitt, Sami Zayn and the recently signed Kevin Steen. If Regal suggests that Triple H take a look at someone, that someone immediately gets serious consideration because Triple H trusts him.

Someone that's either very tight with Trips or Vince, has a sterling reputation and/or is just a huge star all around can be of benefit to a young guy's career, but it ultimately comes down to what said young guy's able to do on his own. Connections and friendship can only get you so far before you've got to ante up and kick in.

 

[Headman]

I didn't read the first post. Here's my answer! They pay the bills!

Just kidding. I would imagine the wrestling business is like any business. If someone connect has your back and is showing you the ropes you'll probably get the attention of the right people. After that it doesn't matter who vouched for you if you don't bring the goods.

 

[THTRobtaylor]

I don't imagine it has as much impact once you are "in" but traditionally, particularly in the Territory days you basically HAD to have someone on the inside vouch for you to get into the business. The last generation of guys were all "introduced" by someone who vouched for them to the boys... after no small amount of hazing, beasting and in some cases deliberate injury infliction.

Today it's nothing like that, but there are two kinds of "sponsor" as you put it. The kind who train you...and the kind who take you under their wing.

Regal is so respected because he has had a hand in training a lot of guys as well as the in-ring side of things. His record of talent he worked with is pretty good and it doesn't hurt that Daniel Bryan is one of the top guys... but others from outside the WWE are equally respected... guys like Afa and Lance Storm have wrestling schools and are respected enough by WWE that their guys (and girls) can "get in front of the right people" easier than others... even this week Bryan's "therapist" was from Storm's school. Of course signees go to the the Performance Centre and are then taught the WWE way, but who broke them/trained them initially gives a good indicator of the work they will need.

Once you're in the WWE (or TNA system) then it is always very useful to have an ally more established, even if not cos they're "your friend" but just someone who gets you and your potential. The best example in the modern WWE is Paul Heyman... with Brock and later Punk there were real "mentor" relationships built, to the point that Heyman is legit one of both guys "best friends" but both would also say their careers were better as a result of that alliance/teaching.

Some relationships are often blown out of proportion...much is made of Sheamus being a HHH "workout buddy" which he refutes... but there may be an element of truth in Sheamus taking the role Trips once did while around Shawn, Nash and Hall...carrying a few bags here and there so you can ride with and learn from... in Soccer or other European sports that is normal, the younger kids clean the boots etc so to a guy like Sheamus it would make sense to build a relationship with a bigger talent...

However I think it's more significant who DOESN'T like you rather than who does... some guys might not have lots of allies but go "under the radar", someone like Kofi is a perfect example... no enemies but no one goes to bat for him either... so he just stays where he is...look at Kennedy... at one point he definitely had Cena wary of him and Orton was flat out gunning for him... maybe cos he was a threat, maybe they were legit concerned...more likely they fucked with him cos they could... the rest is history.

 

[hacksawrowdyhogan]

I thought this was going to be about sponsors for the likes of kurt angle or scott hall coming back to television.

I think you meant giving the rub?

 

[Navi]

Like everyone else has said, having someone speak up for you and get you noticed surely helps. It helps in any field you are looking to get into. The higher up the person is in the organization the better.

That being said however, once they get you noticed, it's up to you to keep your foot in the door, and get the job done.