Make One Part-Timer a Full-Timer

[S.J. Maximus]

I think the title is pretty self-explanatory but let me explain just in case. It's WrestleMania season and we are seeing all of the part-timers come back and help boost buyrates and put on feuds (mostly with themselves </3) in the effort of entertainment and results. So my question to you is, if you somehow magically got the opportunity to sign one of these part-time stars to a 3 year full-time deal, who would you choose? This person must have wrestled a match in 2011 (sorry Steve Austin and HBK), and that is really the only requirement I have just to make sure we don't see any Hogan answers or Bret Hart.

For me, I would narrow it down to the three who in my opinion are the three biggest draws: The Rock, Triple H, and Brock Lesnar. I honestly don't think the Rock would still be entertaining if we saw him as a regular competitor every week for 3 years, and since Triple H doesn't feel like doing anything but No DQ matches anymore I would give it to Brock. Rock can go back to movies whenever he wants (which he should) and Triple H has plenty of responsibilities to tend to outside the ring but 35-year old Brock is not going back to UFC, is a shitty actor, and really has nothing else to do (please correct me if I'm wrong). I'd make him indestructable, a guy who could squash Mark Henry, Big Show, Khali, and virtually anyone in a fight. Make him squash Sheamus, put him over as the unbeatable ass-kicker they should've been making him since he first resigned, and think about how over Ryback would be if he finally ended the ass-kicking machine's winning streak at WrestleMania 30 or 31.

Honorable mention goes to one of my all-time faves Chris Jericho, who may very well be your pick. Who is it?!

EDIT: I put the New Age Outlaws on the poll because they pretty much are one entity, and Mick Foley qualifies because he was in the 2012 Royal Rumble Match

 

[King_of_Swing1520]

HHH, taker, foley, and new age outlaws are all far too old to wrestle full time. Frankly i think the rock sucks. he makes more money than anyone on the roster and has wrestled what will be a total of 4 matches in his three years back. same old stupid promos he cut 10 yrs ago. fuck rock. get him out of wwe PERMANENTLY!!!

that leaves brock and jericho. and lets be honest here brock was never a good wrestler. a beast of an athlete yes, but not a good wrestler.

jericho is the only one on that list that, to me, is worth keeping around. great in ring, great on the mic, can put basically anyone over, and here's a novel thought: he shows up to every raw and/or smackdown and all the house shows when he is back.

 

[THTRobtaylor]

I agree with Jericho, but not on the basis of him just putting talent over... Give him a big face run with the title or perhaps King Of The Ring. There seems to be this misconception that for Jericho to get you over you have to beat him... wrong... just working with the guy will improve you.

As a 2nd choice, I'd go for one not on the list but who could do some good; William Regal.

He is a part timer now in the sense of being a worker and he is due a step up from NXT. While he is fine as a commentator, I would like to see him have one last short run to the top, then become a manager for the NXT tag champs when they move up or even Harry Smith if he comes back. He'd be a perfect fit for 2 heel Brits and help them in the same way that Bill Dundee did for him all those years ago. I long thought the missing edge in the Smith/Kidd feud was Regal taking Harry to the UK, showing him the places he and his dad came up in, taking him to see Dynamite (all in vignettes) and showing him that a Hart is only half the story and that his dad was a Bulldog before a Hart... Bret would of course be in Kidd's corner and this could all still happen when Kidd is fit again. Regal could do a hell of a lot in 3 years without wrestling given the chance.

 

[tom9422]

Lesnar, easily.

Unlike the others, he left WWE ages ago and came back with plenty of years in the tank left. He's a huge draw for casual and the diehard fans. Also, he's as good as he's ever been, or at least a lot closer than The Rock who just doesn't have the fitness to put on a good match.

Plus, he was around a decade back and not even for very long, the amount of potential feuds or 'dream matches' he could have now are numerous. Whether in the main-event or against some up and coming guys, he would have a good talent pool to work with.

 

[raygoldsmith2]

definitely jericho...the dynamics are endless with him...yet Lesnar seems like the better choice, but he would only work main event matches, while y2j can work with anyone in any capacity

 

[Da Solo]

I've long since grew tired of a full time HHH since the days of Evolution where the WHC became his permanent prop.

I love Y2J, but the product can and will go one without him. No disrespect to him at all though.

Lesnar and the Outlaws just don't do it for me anymore to the point where I'd choose them out of the whole lineup.

Foley and Taker need to sit down within the next 5 years. Both are in my top 10 of all time and still entertain to no end, but I would feel like an asshole if I supported their broken bodies through a full time schedule.

I'm sticking with the Rock. Say what you want, but the reason people bitch about him not being there is because things tend to be GOOD when he is there. He damn sure isn't the ring worker he was before, but when you factor in the fact that the 4 matches he wrestled were all close to an hour and he has way too much mass on him, he still delivers. Plus, his mic work is killing everyone on the current roster.

 

[The Butcher]

It's The Rock. All of these guys have the same worn out routine. The only difference is The Rock's is still entertaining. Lesnar is great, but his monster schtick doesn't have much of a lifespan and he's not versatile enough to do something else. Jericho is definitely a close number 2, but he doesn't stay away long enough to make me miss him. Enough IWC'ers have blamed Raw sucking when The Rock isn't there on The Rock's absences that it's clear that deep down everybody, from wide-eyed child fan to embittered old smark, knows that The Rock is a cut above everybody on the roster today.

 

[jacdnwarrior]

It's the Rock. People can hate him all they want, but WWE went to him, begged him to return, not the other way around. He brings in the ratings (TV) and the buyrates, sells the merchandise, fills the arenas. Tbh, his matches aren't great and the roster has issues with his return, but no one else on the roster is as effective as he is. All the people bitching now, from roster to the fans will be crying for his return once his contract is up. Fuck the Rock ? Yeah, right. Keep kidding yourself, if you're foolish enough to believe that.

I'd like to see a deal for Brock or Jericho. I wouldn't mind seeing if Booker T can still give it a go.

 

[Kodo Sawaki]

Jericho and Lesnar and Undertaker. But if they build them properly on regular basis. Foley maybe as GM but not in the ring. Would be huge but he's too old.

Trouble is, there is a reason why they are part-timers. They cannot or wouldnt do full-time responsability. Rock has movies, HHH is older and has other responsabilities because he is son-in-law, Lesnar cannot handle traveling fulltime and Jericho doesnt want it and wants "Fozzy" and stuff and Undertaker in his state can just handle one match a year and can you blame him to be biggest match of the year. And thats the other problem with part-timers because they are moneygooses. They have huge pops because they are part-timers and when they are in the ring they draw huge because you cannot see it on regular basis. Granted, they would draw on regular basis but not that huge as like this...

 

[Pedigree1]

Gotta go with the Rock! I love the rock i do. He can bring it still is in amazing shape for a guy in his 40's and still can bring amazing promos. People hate the rock but it was WWEs decision to make him champion through this WM season. The rock generates Money and Merch.

Plus the rock can be very versatile in other avenues. Lesnar is an awesome awesome athlete and probably the best big man ever in the E! But who in their righ mind wouldnt wanna see the rock be a full-timer? I sure as hell would

 

[SacredMesa]

Brock Lesner if and only if, this is a big if, Paul Heyman is with him. Let's be honest Brock Lesner on his own doesn't have a lot of personality or charisma. The only reason he got over to begin with is because of just how damn well Paul Heyman could put him over on the mic and sell him as an absolute wrecking machine. Paul has that way of sucking you into the product, similiar to J.R. at commentary, and make you forget that it's a show.

If Heyman came with Brock I would go with Brock and never look back.

If he doesn't then I'm taking Chris Jericho. The guy is unselfish, when he comes back he comes back for everything not just big paper views and a select few RAWs. He can work at any level of the card either putting over talent or carring a brand.

Why not The Rock? Several reasons...

A--Every single match he's had since he came back he's been sucking wind. He's not in wrestling shape anymore and it really effects his matches.

B--Frankly neither I, nor a number of people I talk to, respect the guy anymore. When you talk about "loving the WWE" and then your actions completely contradict that you really lose a lot of your fan base.

C--Let's be honest the guy is making the title worthless right now. He isn't putting it over outside of WWE, it isn't the focus of his fued with Cena, now more than ever it's just a prop. This pisses a lot of people off, myself included, because CM Punk just spent over a year making that thing worth while again. It's sad when the only person to put over how important the title is in this fued between The Rock and Cena is CM Punk, that is pathetic.


Maybe The Rock could salvage all that with a full time schedual but frankly I'm no longer interested in him at all.

 

[TheChosen1]

Am I the only one that thinks Brock Lesnar is boring. Yeah, he's a real life ass kicker, but he doesn't do anything for me.

 

[crippler]

Jericho Full-time would help bring more interest in WWE he is a performer type they don't have enough of good in ring ability and good mic skills . So most people say Lesnar my reasons for not picking Lesnar is although he is talented in the ring with his high impact style but he needs Heyman for his promos if Heyman decides to leave then Lesnar promos will suffer and the interest will drop. This why i pick Jericho he don't need anyone for his promos to be good.

 

[futurestar#14]

In my opinion, they should bring back the NAO to help revamp the Tag davision, but if you were to have me choose just one out of these 6, it would have to be Jericho. He can put just about any young star over, not to mention he's still a GREAT wrestler that can pull of a PPV calliber match anytime. I would like to see him with another World Title run. It doesn't have to be 8 months. Just a nice 3-4 month run as champ. And as a face.

 

[PumPumSmasher]

Jericho. I think at this point they should just promote him how HBK was promoted in his last years in the wwe, a veteran-icon level talent. I know he's currently feuding with a gay salsa dancer but I'm sure if times given he can make memorable feuds with the younger talent.

I dont wanna see Taker hurt, and believe it or not I like Triple H in his corporate role. Just the things I hear about him trying to beef up the tag division and teaching NXT guys to NOT use dull scripts. Mrs. Foleys baby boy seems to service WWE with his connection to charity, and I think thats a good capacity for him. The Voodoo Kin Mafia (im not calling those fuckers the new age outlaws, seriously tna ruined them for me) yeah keep them on an occasional special episode basis.

Now on to Lesnar. From what I know the man retired after his final UFC fight because of serious health complications. I remember hearing he was on his deathbed at one point, for the life of me I can't remember the condition. But besides that as a character I don't see how fulltime for Lesnar can work because of how they went around building him since his return. He has this persona that he's this beast thats bigger than the wwe, and that he can show up kick ass and do whatever he wants. I don't conceivably see how all of a sudden, storyline-wise, he'd decide to come wrestle fulltime. Unless they turn him face (god no never again) I think he's fine the way he is, also seeing as his persona now is so big, you need personas that match that and they only have cena for that. Guys like Bryan, and Del Rio are talented no doubt, but the characters haven't been built up enough. Put them in a match with Lesnar we already know its a damn squash.

*Edit* Oh Right Dwayne Johnson, he would never sign a 3 year deal like that. I'm not bashing the guy, but I know he likes his terms, the wwe likes his terms, so let him do his schtick about waking up at 6 am, driving up the highway, sending out the morning tweet. I don't know I guess I ve come to terms that my versace shirt wearing hero is now who he is, other posters on this forum need to accept it too.

Man I got off topic, anyways my pick is Jericho make him that veteran guy that all the young douche-type heels have to get past.

 

[TheHorndogSays]

When I read this I asked myself 2 questions. 1.) Who do I personally want to see more of in WWE? 2.) Who do I think has the best chance to make the overall product better? It was process of elimination for me moreso than simply picking one from the group.

The Rock - He doesn't seem willing to change his style. Not that there is anything wrong with that, heck most legends don't. Honky Tonk Man has been doing the same gimmick since the 80s. However his current run has bored me. I'm tired of seeing the same old schtick week after week.

Triple H - What does he have left to do/prove? Multiple time champion of every title. King of the Ring. Leader of arguably the 2 greatest WWE-BORN stables ever. He's at a point in his career where too much more will ruin his legacy. I wouldn't want that.

Undertaker - A ton of respect for him but he simply can't go anymore. He can hit a few big spots one time a year and that's it and there's much uncertainty if he can even do that these days. He needs to hang up the boots and honestly I see him losing to Punk at Mania and being done with the business. It is well deserved if I am right.

Brock Lesnar - He simply doesn't have a passion for the business anymore. He's almost ASHAMED to call himself a wrestler. Cena is no better off for having beaten him CLEANLY on PPV. That is evident with their "Cena had a horrible year last year after losing to the Rock" storyline for Mania when he BEAT LESNAR CLEAN. WWE doesn't need a UFC star to bring it legitimacy. At the end of the day no one over the age of 5 is going to HONESTLY believe Cena could take Lesnar on in a real fight.

Jericho - I almost picked him but too much of his "come back for a few months/put over talent at PPV" would be meaningless after 3 straight years of it. It would be far less meaningless compared to doing it once or twice a year. The only possible benefit would be the return of the heel Chris Jericho from 2010 as I do feel WWE is hurting in heels at the moment. However this goes back to what I said with HHH, what honestly does he have left to prove? Nothing.

This leaves me with who I'm actually voting for. The New Age Outlaws. The IWC is screaming for legitimacy for the tag team division. What better way than the NAO. Hell No vs Rhodes Scholars has run its course and all signs point to Team Hell No ending shortly after Mania so where does that leave the tag division? The NAO vs Rhodes Scholars has the potential to be long term GOLD and given how close they are with Triple H I can see him putting more quality into the tag division to help them out. This also comes down to what do they have to prove? They have to prove that they are capable of carrying the tag team division. At the height of their popularity in 1997/1998 they merged with DX and were no longer considered a tag team but rather a part of a group. This will give them a chance to shine plus help rebuild the tag team division for a few years before leaving for good.

 

[theBusiness]

The only reason I would say Rock is to see another heel run. Easily one of my favorite heels of all time. Brock would be a close second ONLY if he drops the damn MMA gimmick and actually WRESTLES like he used to. I have never seen such a combination of athleticism and power in the ring like Brock from 02-04. A true natural. I drool over seeing potential REAL wrestling matches against Daniel Bryan, Alberto Del Rio, etc. None of that MMA crap he used against Cena and HHH last year.

 

[Dirk]

Break the walls! Tee dum, du-dee, tee dum... Jericho isn't the draw that the other are, but it seems like he's willing to job more often, which means that he'll promote other guys more. We need to make NEW stars, not pull guys out of retirement.

 

[Honkey_Kong]

The Rock's drawing power is going to diminish the longer he remains with WWE. What do you guys honestly think he can do that he hasn't already done to death? He drew because he USED to be a big name who has since returned on a very limited basis. You really think he'll be much of a draw if he's doing every raw and PPV? People will get sick of his one-dimensional personal and limited wrestling ability real quick.

Of all those listed, Triple H is the only one that should really come back fulltime onscreen. They don't have to use him in the ring all the time and infact they shouldn't. But since he's being groomed to be the next Vince and since he's also the COO, he's definitely an authority figure and can clash with the talent outside of the ring for a long time. The payoff will eventually be in the ring of course.

 

[MWRedskins]

I will firstly say that all these part timers are part timers for a reason. Jericho loves his band and loves making music, Rock loves making movies and being in Hollywood, Triple H enjoys the business of WWE and being in the office, Brock enjoys the time off that he can work out and train up and Undertaker enjoys the time off to heel after his Mania matches. and Mick doesn't wrestle much due to injuries and age. now if we could bring them to full time or if they wanted to, we should. I think the best at full time would be Jericho as he can get wrestlers over, put on fine matches with them and usually have a nice promo. Brock would also be a great full timer due to lack of seeing him and all the dream matches that could happen with him. I would love to see Rock back full time as well, but I doubt that happens since he enjoys Hollywood. I like Triple H better as a part timer now and Undertaker deserves his rest and Foley is best as a GM or Authority Figure type. he can cut fine promos.

 

[Hollywood Naitch]

For me, it would be Triple H.

I love seeing Lesnar, Rock, Jericho and 'Taker but I would really love to see The Game back in the ring full-time, he still has it in him and I never understand all the anti's slagging him off. He is still the total package.

BUT, as well as wanting to see him back in a full-time wrestling role, I would be happy to see him on tv full-time as a heel GM, like Vince McMahon leading the Corporation. We all know Hunter works for the company, and will likely end up running the whole WWE one day, so to have him leading his own heel version of the Corporation would be amazing.

I think something like that will happen one day, Triple H is too talented and has too much love for the business to stay behind the scenes all the time. I would like to either see him utilise his new Corporation to help him cheat a face out of the belt, giving Triple H a last title run and getting the face over as a huge star when he eventually reclaims his belt.

Or

Triple H as the mentor in a Corporation style factor, with his golden boy holding the title- just like Vince McMahon did with his Corporate champion, The Rock. Perhaps Dolph Ziggler or someone like that would be the champion.

 

[MCMG]

Brock Lesnar.

I think there are so many feuds that he could be put on. Guys like Ryback, Orton and Sheamus could all benefit from a feud with Lesnar. It would be enjoyable, entertaining and give these guys something to do. Moreover, Lesnar is a huge draw and there is potential for a feud with Cena or Punk.

 

[Jack-Hammer]

I think Brock Lesnar could be put to great use as a full timer. Like The Rock, Lesnar is someone that garners mainstream attention. Because of Lesnar's legit qualities as a badass and the fact that he was UFC World Heavyweight Champion, his matches tend to have a "big fight" feel to them.

A feud with Lesnar has the potential to catapult just about anyone on the WWE roster to another level in their career. The same can be said of Rock, Taker or Jericho but The Rock's movie career is far too lucrative, he'd never give it up. Taker's body is just plain worn out and at 48, he's not getting any younger. Jericho is fantastic but we've seen him put over so many guys that it just doesn't have nearly the same impact with Taker & Rock. Like Rock, Jericho also has a lot of other outside interests that he's pursuing. Also like Rock, he'll probably disappear in about another month or so.

No matter who you'd pick, however, it wouldn't be long before the usual IWC bitching & moaning kicked in. They'd go after Lesnar because he doesn't do a ton of high spots or Taker because he's "too old" or Jericho because he doesn't have as much star power. The Rock is always catching flack from net fans for being a part time special attraction. I do understand where that criticism comes from and I do agree with it to an extent. I can't blame CM Punk for being miffed about it. Business is business and, simply put, Rock is good for business as are these other part timers.

 

[FlairFan2003]

Internet Fans are such a tiny part of the audience. Bottom line, if the full timers today were bringing in better numbers then major shows like WrestleMania & SummerSlam wouldnt be so heavily focussed on part timers from older eras. The benefit of increasing ratings through major focus on P/Ters is getting dissenfranchised fans who have left the product to watch again, hopefully enjoying it and continuing to watch. The downside is fans largely dont like what they see but at least you pop a big buyrate or ratings spike.

When IWC'ers moan about prominently using old timers they miss the point, putting HHH & Taker in premiere spots on the show isnt the problem, the fact no one else can draw as much as interest in that spot is the problem.

As far as a P/Ter returning to full time from that list it would have to be HHH. He is a much bigger name than Jericho, a guy who is talented but not in that top tier of star. Trips is established enough that he is respected by the audience, they will be inclined to cheer for him based on that alone, making him a natural fan favorite. He still cuts great promos and has a long, well known history as a heel so he can still get over as a bad guy, giving instant credibility to anyone who feuds with him. Losing to HHH in a high profile, well drawn feud will do more to elevate a rising star than winning a feud vs 4/5 of the current roster.

That said, Jericho is younger and has more potential to stay longer. Both still outperform much of the current roster.

No one else from the list would contribute much returning full time. NOA was a good tag team for a short period many years ago and have been totally off the grid since. They were basically an afterthought by 2001. Foley has always been a limited performer, he is much older now, and he is too popular with the older audience, he cant get over as a heel, limiting him in a way that Jericho and Trips are not. Taker allegedly is not in great shape, it seems unlikely he could work F/T.

 

[Aquaman6686]

Chris Jericho. He's better than anyone on the roster both in the ring and on the mic, he can carry a feud with anybody, and he could get a 5-star match out of a broomstick. Jericho is a HUGE asset to the company and should be utilized at a consistent main event level.