Lawler Making Mayoral Run; Raw's Next Color Guy

[klunderbunker]

Hard to say. There's a bunch of old guys they could throw out there, but I think Vince owuld rather go with some no name guy just so there wouldn't be too much star power at the announce table, which is a can of worms that shouldn't be opened because it's just an awful idea. Anyway, I'd see it being some young guy that we've never heard of who has no idea what he's doing but knows how to talk, so therefore he'd be perfect for the job. Either that or some random legend which would be better but likely won't happen.

 

[MARYSEPHOENIX]

I'm shocked that one guy hasn't been brought up yet...Joey Styles. He could easily do ECW by himself, but we know Vince likes two guys at the table. So my thought:

Raw-Matt Striker & Michael Cole
ECW-Joey Styles & (If needed) Josh Matthews
SD-Jim Ross & Todd Grisham

 

[gd]

If Lawler leaves Striker would have to get promoted to Raw. He's by far the most entertaining announcer in the WWE in the moment. Instead of just being there he adds something to the match. Him and Cole would make an interesting pairing.

They could also send JR back to Raw where he belongs and reunite the team that was Grisham and Styker. They worked great with each other on ECW and I think they would shine on a 2 hour show.

As for the ECW color spot, I have no idea. Abe Washington is a possiblity. Goldust would be entertaining, but I don't think WWE would be willing to take such a risk. It would probably be some random legend, I'd go with Dusty since he's already there.

Not that big of an issue, I doubt Lawler wins anyway.

 

[Azamuth]

Honestly, I have NO idea who could take his place. I will let it be known that I cannot stand Jerry Lawler. Hes annoying to me and I think it would be great to have a good heel man on the seat and there is a huge pool that they can pick from. How about a contest to see who the next man on the mic could be? It would be cheaper and give the fans, male and female something to look forward to.

 

[Doomsday Device]

I was a never a fan of JBL's achievements in the ring, I only liked Bradshaw when he was in the APA.

I dont mean to sound off topic, I mentioned JBL because I think he would be good a commentator. He has some experience in that field and he was very good commentating at the 2007 Royal Rumble.

 

[The Redcrosse Knight]

With the anticipated departure of Jerry Lawler, the WWE will have lost four colour commentators in less than two years (six if you include Adamle and Coach). One has to wonder/examine the possibility of Mr. McMahon donning the headset and doing the job himself. With guest hosts handling what many would consider the 'GM duties' on the program, and Mr. McMahon without any real enemy/nemesis (he certainly forgave Flair pretty quickly), it seems as though this would be an effortless transition.

PROS

He's Not Going Anywhere
Unlike those who have departed from the announce table in pursuit of "future endeavours", Mr. McMahon is a character that will be tied to the WWE for the rest of his natural life. Even if he were to take the position for a year until a suitable replacement was found, bringing/reintroducing his voice to the broadcast as an "analyst" would make him a viable substitute every time a commentator goes down (a situation that has become an epidemic).

He Has a (warped) Sense of Humour
Like Heenan and Lawler before him, I see Mr. McMahon as a character that would have no trouble taking shots at his colleagues, and making off colour remarks during boring or uninspired matches/moments. If Shawn Michaels can keep his storytelling impulses in check, Mr. McMahon could be an entertaining if not a refreshing voice for any brand.

What's Old is New
Over the past ten years Mr. McMahon has shared limelight with Hogan, Michaels, Triple H, The Rock, Stone Cold (amongst others) at numerous major PPV events. He's also enjoyed brief stints as the WWE and ECW champion. This isn't Vince McMahon circa 1996; this is Mr. McMahon the competitor. Speaking from this perspective he can put over ECW talent (having "competed" for the brand) and Triple H/Shawn Michaels (they definitely need the rub).

He Can Still Involve Himself in Storylines
This is of course what ALL fans want I'm sure; more Mr. McMahon stories. As Lawler and Bradshaw have demonstrated, being at the announce table does not limit one's involvement in storylines. Mr. McMahon seems to (physically) mix it up at least once or twice a year, making a role as ringside announcer a very practical vehicle/segue. Whether or not he plays the hero or villain in these unwritten stories will most likely be determined on a feud by feud basis.

CONS

He Has Annoying Tendencies
When looking at his past work, Royal Rumble 95 serves as my most memorable example.
Phrase of the night: “1… 2… HE GOT’EM!!NO!!”
Painful.

He May Intimidate His Colleagues
Yes he’s just a man, but he’s also your billionaire boss. Michael Cole has only recently staked out his independence as WWE’s finest. One has to wonder if Mr. McMahon’s physical presence would affect Cole’s performance.

Fans May Reject Him
I guess?

 

[mral82]

i say WWE should make an offer to Don West as he wont last that much longer in my opionon with the arrival of Taz or they should re-hire Kennedy or Tony Schiavone to fill the role cause all 3 would be great choices. We will miss Jerry on the mic but at least he'll be hopefully makin a change in his hometown of Memphis.

 

[mral82]

i say WWE should make an offer to Don West as he wont last that much longer in my opionon with the arrival of Taz or they should re-hire Kennedy or Tony Schiavone to fill the role cause all 3 would be great choices. We will miss Jerry on the mic but at least he'll be hopefully makin a change in his hometown of Memphis. Other mentions of commentators 2 the WWE r JBL; Stone Cold; Joey Styles; Mean Gene; Shane McMahon or Dean Malenko all these choices would be great ones imo.

 

[Sedated]

i say WWE should make an offer to Don West as he wont last that much longer in my opionon with the arrival of Taz or they should re-hire *Ha*Ha*Ha*Ha*Ha*Ha*Ha or Tony Schiavone to fill the role cause all 3 would be great choices. We will miss Jerry on the mic but at least he'll be hopefully makin a change in his hometown of Memphis.

Taz is a terrible announcer. He stutters, gets lost in thought and can't remember things every 10 seconds. He's ALMOST as bad as Adamle (Okay, maybe not THAT bad but he's certainly up there.) The only good accouncing i've ever seen taz do was at one of the ONS where he seemed like he was just being him self and not acting like a total douche.

 

[Ambiguous Turd]

i say WWE should make an offer to Don West as he wont last that much longer in my opionon with the arrival of Taz or they should re-hire Kennedy or Tony Schiavone to fill the role cause all 3 would be great choices. We will miss Jerry on the mic but at least he'll be hopefully makin a change in his hometown of Memphis.

Jerry isn't getting elected, so don't worry about missing him on the mic.

I have said for a long time now that Vince would be a great way to get older fans to come back to the WWE, if he returned to being the face of Monday Night Raw back in the broadcast booth. I just don't see him doing it, unfortunately.

However, given the new bland announce style that he seems to want from his commentators, I am not sure whether he could live up to his own standards or not before reverting back to the original Vince McMahon behind the mic.

 

[Blade]

I doubt Lawler is going anywhere to be honest....
He's got the 'lying to the public' part of being in politics (remember Andy Kaufman?) but I doubt he can give the voting public a reason to actually vote for him.

If he does leave, WWE should find someone new I think. Mcmahon was always a good commentator. But I think he's needed more backstage, in the gorilla position. Mcmahon has been running the show and I have a feeling that the show might fall apart a little bit if he's not there to time everything so perfectly.
Obviously, if a show or two did get messed up with Mcmahon as puppet master, heads would roll and the survivors would know not to make the same mistakes again. But I don't think he's willing to make that risk, he could end up with some WCW style fuck ups.

Anyway, they'd need to keep Mcmahon in the Gorilla Position and just find a new commentator. Go out there and find the next J.R.

Although, this is all hypothetical, cause I doubt Lawler is going to get elected. Especially after the shit his son has been recently.

 

[Doomsday Device]

One of the Cons that Redcross Knight forgot to mention about Vince's annoying commentating back in the 90's is when every minte he used to say "What a maneuver" when a wrestler executed a move he didnt know the name for.

He did become a better commentator when he turned heel in 98 and 99.

I would be up for it, its always interesting to see what McMahon has to say. And of course if he takes the announce table in heel fashion it'll be very entertaining.

 

[Kenny Powers]

I don't think Lawler is going anywhere either. Whether he is elected or not. I think Lawler and JR are going to part ways from WWE down the road within the next 5 years or so. I loved the days of Vince on commentary with Jesse Ventura. "Shutup McMahon you nimrod" and the days of Gorilla Monsoon with Bobby the Brain Heenan. That's what they need to do now is to have Vince with a manager or a former wrestler on commentary like they used to. Bobby the Brain was a great heel and could plug his wrestlers and make fun of the other faces in the ring while managing at the same time. WWE needs managers and announcers badly. Not all superstars need managers but it would be a hell of a lot cooler if they did.

 

[Slam Master]

I thought Vince was great in the mid-90s. He was exciting to listen to. If he commentated today he wouldn't quite portray himself in the same way. I'd see him being more of the bully commentator. I would like to hear him as an analyst again but so much has happened over that last 12 years with his character that the kayfabe aspect of him just being a commentator again is almost hard to believe.

 

[Senton]

I think you missed one of the most important pro's to Mr. McMahons list of becoming a colour commentator. He can be a heel.

I miss heel colour commentators, they were an important part of getting heels over and leading the viewers into a more direct hatred of a heel on screen. If Mr. McMahon was to become RAW's next colour commentator it would be "great for buisness"... not only would be able to hear Mr. McMahon, but we'd be able to hear him on air attacking "Vintage" Michael Cole's awful commentating lol.

 

[Baximus]

I think you missed one of the most important pro's to Mr. McMahons list of becoming a colour commentator. He can be a heel.

I miss heel colour commentators, they were an important part of getting heels over and leading the viewers into a more direct hatred of a heel on screen. If Mr. McMahon was to become RAW's next colour commentator it would be "great for buisness"... not only would be able to hear Mr. McMahon, but we'd be able to hear him on air attacking "Vintage" Michael Cole's awful commentating lol.

Couldn't agree more about the heel commentators. Remember Lawler when he was playing that role? He was freaking hilarious during the Corporation storyline and it honestly riled me up even more because his perspective was so wrong that it was laughable and I was cracking up!

You have to be careful though. I hate West in TNA because he's just an annoying asskissing heel commentator with a weird voice.

On to Vince. He was a great commentator and I honestly think he misses doing it. Remember the Empty Arena Match where he commentated? He was great and it was really funny. Outside of Lawler and JR together, Vince was the last commentator that I really enjoyed.

 

[I.J.O.B.T.O.Y.O.U.]

Everyone knows we wanna see adamle!!! lol jk. But is all seriousness I would like to see striker calling matches at Raw. He is really smart, and if he focuses he could do very well on the A list show.