If Matt Striker were to return to the ring now

[ExtremeSwagga93]

I think if Matt Striker were to return to the ring right now, his teacher gimmick would be a whole lot more successful. Think about it, when Matt Striker debuted on ECW, it was still somewhat connected to the original atmosphere, in which a teacher gimmick would fail within minutes. However, right now, ECW is officially WWE'ized (which I'm not complaining about by the way), and probably could be a little more successful due to the target age WWE is going for.

I mean, right now WWE is targeting younger kids, that's been stated so many times it's not really even nesessary for me to mention it. What kid hasn't had a teacher they really don't like, the jerk, mean teacher they just can't seem to impress or get on his good side. In essence that what Matt Striker's gimmick is/was. It just couldn't really get over, but now I really think it could with the right push. I guess you would just need to get the right face, the opposite of a mean teacher I guess would be a rebellious, thick headed student, so you would need a character to fit that role, without making it too obvious.

I really enjoy Matt Striker as an announcer, him and Todd Grisham are without a doubt my favorite announce team. He's got a steady gig as a color commentator, but if he were to get into the ring, he has the ability and charisma to be successful. I'm not saying he could be a world champion, but at least a successful mid-carder. This is just something I was thinking about during school today.

Thoughts?

 

[matt_indiana25]

For some reason when Matt Striker first debut I always thought that something would turn into a stable of teachers called maybe the Faculty or something of 3 or 4 people trying to better the WWE kinda like way back a few yeas ago when some group I cannot remember theie name was lead by Stevie Richards and all wore ties to the ring. (Mod edit: Right To Censor)

Anyway I figured you get a hot Diva to be one of the teachers like when Michelle McCool had the teacher gimmick I thought she would be perfect for it at the time along with a big powerhouse guy for Striker to be the mouth piece for.

I like that ECW is a place for the fans to get to see new talents and see what they can do and I think Striker could do good if given the opportunity.

 

[Father:_Polley]

I don't think Striker would be the exact same, purely because WWE has ALWAYS had that target audience, and Matt Striker was roundly disliked because he was an arrogant, condescending jerk who made out he was better than everyone... he was THAT teacher every kid has had.

Striker always had the gimmick down, he always got the heat, but he never really got the opposition and he never really got it done in the ring. He is basically ECW's Santino... he's funny, but you never got to see anything magical about the guy which is a shame.

I think he'd remain exactly where he was... propping up the mid-card with his jobbing skill, and being a mouthpiece

 

[klunderbunker]

This could be an interesting experiment as he's proven how intellectual and articulate he is while on commentary. The issue I had with him in his teacher gimmick was why should we believe he's smarter than we are? Now that he's had the chance to show how smart he is, it could work differently indeed. He'd never be a title contender or something, but he could be a decent pesky midcard heel, maybe something like IRS was. Would be different and better, but not by much.

 

[truk24]

Surprisingly enough Striker is a wonderful commentator. However his Teacher gimmick was lame, but it put his face out there. Matt is actually very funny, and I think if given a chance to just be himself with a bit of a gimmick behind it, he could be something special. He has the "jerkness" of the late great Rick Rude. When I look at Matt, I just can't help but think he is such a ********.

With the write storyline, and character he could be a household name mid card talent, or even ECW world champion. His blogs on WWE have been hilarious, and I think if given the time on air he could make many of us laugh. I honestly think this man could draw some solid heat if things were booked rigth for him.

If he were a "face" I think he could go over as well, but in more of a comedic type gimmick. The basic opposite of Santino. When he is "face" he could job to younger heel talent, but when he is heel more of a "push" comes his way. As I face he reminds me of "Michael Scott" from the show "The Office" on NBC. Striker at times has that deer in the headlights kind of look. Maybe they could say he knows so much about wrestling, but doesn't know much of anything else, and he isn't aware of that while everyone else is. Could be interesting.

I also thought that they should have paired Striker, and Kennedy together. Those two seem like they would mesh well. Maybe Striker could have been the teacher, and Mr. Kennedy his substitute? Maybe that is a bit to much? Anyhow those two just seem like they would work well together no matter what role was given to them.

 

[My$terio_Fan]

Striker is a good heel. He is very good on the mic, and he comes cocky and confident without sounding too scripted. He also has a decent look, and some charisma. The only negative about him is his in-ring work I think.

While he is alright in the ring, it seems very basic and uninspiring. I just don't enjoy watching him wrestle and never did. Also he doesn't get much of a reaction when he wrestles, this happens when he is on the mic. I would rather see Stiker as a manager again or maybe GM.

Maybe it's just me, but I just don't get excited when I watch him wrestle(no pun intended). But I think Striker is too talented to throw away. Like it's been said he could be come the heel version of Santino, which I wouldn't mind. I just don't see Striker ever getting a title push(WWE or midcard titles). The only way I see him being sucessful as a tag team. If they could find someone who was just as cocky, but had a little more in ring ability/entertainment(maybe Dolph Ziggler?)then I could see him working. But as a stand alone wrestler I just don't think he has the "x" factor.

 

[Ambiguous Turd]

I think if Matt Striker were to return to the ring right now, his teacher gimmick would be a whole lot more successful. Think about it, when Matt Striker debuted on ECW, it was still somewhat connected to the original atmosphere, in which a teacher gimmick would fail within minutes. However, right now, ECW is officially WWE'ized (which I'm not complaining about by the way), and probably could be a little more successful due to the target age WWE is going for.

I mean, right now WWE is targeting younger kids, that's been stated so many times it's not really even nesessary for me to mention it. What kid hasn't had a teacher they really don't like, the jerk, mean teacher they just can't seem to impress or get on his good side. In essence that what Matt Striker's gimmick is/was. It just couldn't really get over, but now I really think it could with the right push. I guess you would just need to get the right face, the opposite of a mean teacher I guess would be a rebellious, thick headed student, so you would need a character to fit that role, without making it too obvious.

I really enjoy Matt Striker as an announcer, him and Todd Grisham are without a doubt my favorite announce team. He's got a steady gig as a color commentator, but if he were to get into the ring, he has the ability and charisma to be successful. I'm not saying he could be a world champion, but at least a successful mid-carder. This is just something I was thinking about during school today.

Thoughts?

Todd Grisham is absolutely horrendous on the mic. How anyone doesn't see that is beyond me. At least I will give Adamle credit, in that at least he sounded somewhat remotely interested in calling the action. Grisham sounds as about as excited to call the action as watching paint dry. Really detracts from the broadcast. Striker is definitely the main person holding this broadcasting team together.

Just last night, Tony Atlas interfered in the match in a Close Up camera shot, by punching Finlay. Grisham was silent. Striker gave Grisham about 15 seconds, and after it became apparent that Grisham wasn't even going to acknowledge it, Striker chimed in by saying "did you even see what just happened there?"

Grisham responded by saying, "I need to watch the match." I kid you not. Unbelievable. Awful.

If we are going the Kids angle with Striker, though, he would make a much better fit on Smackdown. Same with Hornswoggle/Finlay. Smackdown has the earlier time slot, so it only makes sense that kids oriented/friendly gimmicks should be appearing on that show, as opposed to ECW.

 

[DD84]

Didn't this happen with JBL, and you saw how it worked out. Striker should stay were he is at. And hopefully he can one day take Tazz or the Kings seat. Also did he really do anything as a wrestler besides lose to Angle and becoming the only member of the New Breed to have some success in the WWE. All be it on ECW as a commentator.

 

[supergav67]

I get the feeling that Vince likes Strikers character & mic skills rather than his wrestling itself,.
Rather like Regal,whose european submission style isnt Vinces bag but as a character,trainer & heel,keeps him in GM roles when similar wrestlers have long been ReleaseD.
The only problem is Striker sits on Color knowing this.As you say,out of the Originals v New breed match barely 3 WMS ago,(including ECWs face of the future;Elijah Burke ,said Vince,,,So Beware! Jack Swagger)) only he & Dreamer (for now) remain.but Striker aint exactly semi retired with a career threatening injury,& while he,s on .ECW ,of sorts .,living his WWE dReam,his best years could be passing him by.
Then again if cost cutting ever spread to commentary,He aint totally screwed for a living ,like Foley going "Yeah,I remember past glories,Germany,last century,mah ear fell off!"(only kidding!) but you get the picture.,

 

[Christian Battlez]

bleh I'm very uninterested in him at the commentary booth so I guess it couldn't hurt. But he's every smarks new favorite commentator so I don't know what they'd do. He was average as a wrestler so I guess it would be a wash. He managed Big Daddy V and to be fair there was no way he could make him more interesting. So I guess he has been kinda shit since he started. Plus his tan annoys me. Not interested either way. At least I won't have to hear him and Micheal Cole Jr. together anymore if he leaves the booth.

 

[DD84]

[QUOTE="The Hardcore Legend" Christian Battlez;892964]bleh I'm very uninterested in him at the commentary booth so I guess it couldn't hurt. But he's every smarks new favorite commentator so I don't know what they'd do. He was average as a wrestler so I guess it would be a wash. He managed Big Daddy V and to be fair there was no way he could make him more interesting. So I guess he has been kinda shit since he started. Plus his tan annoys me. Not interested either way. At least I won't have to hear him and Micheal Cole Jr. together anymore if he leaves the booth.[/QUOTE]

Wow, really. Most people enjoy him over anyone in the WWE.
Everything you said about his wrestling career is true though.
But I and many people believe he is very great commentator, even though they are different positions he is better than Adamle. He is better than his fellow color commentators in the WWE and TNA