Mickie james: Transitional Champion

[psykohurricane]

I wanted to start a thread on this because it's something that i actually found interesting. Since Mickie James started in the WWE, she's been look like the dependable one by WWE management. The fans loved her but her title runs are always look like if they were no big deal. Everytime WWE management doesn'T know what to do with the woman'S title they give it to mickie until they can resume with the original plan for the title.

Her first title reign was part of a storyline with Trish but when Trish got injured and then Beth got injured, they just stop caring and had Mickie keep the belt until they had another stoyline plan for the belt.

The second title reign was pretty much because they didn'T have anybody else to give the belt to after lita decide to retire.

The third title reign came about only because Candice got injured and they didn'T have to much confidence in Ashley to carry the division.

The thing was that all three of her reign almost meant nothing, sure we had good wrestling matches during these period but they were always overshadowed but something going on in the division.

So why is mickie james so over with the fans while the wwe bookers seem to not like her that much and only use her when they don'T know what to do with the title?

 

[oneandonly]

I wanted to start a thread on this because it's something that i actually found interesting. Since Mickie James started in the WWE, she's been look like the dependable one by WWE management. The fans loved her but her title runs are always look like if they were no big deal. Everytime WWE management doesn'T know what to do with the woman'S title they give it to mickie until they can resume with the original plan for the title.

Her first title reign was part of a storyline with Trish but when Trish got injured and then Beth got injured, they just stop caring and had Mickie keep the belt until they had another stoyline plan for the belt.

The second title reign was pretty much because they didn'T have anybody else to give the belt to after lita decide to retire.

The third title reign came about only because Candice got injured and they didn'T have to much confidence in Ashley to carry the division.

The thing was that all three of her reign almost meant nothing, sure we had good wrestling matches during these period but they were always overshadowed but something going on in the division.

So why is mickie james so over with the fans while the wwe bookers seem to not like her that much and only use her when they don'T know what to do with the title?

You have a point there with her being a transitional champion. The only one where I don't agree is her first title reigh which saw her go over trish at Wrestlemania. Im pretty sure she was booked to win.

The reason I think she is over with the fans is because she can wrestle a good match and shes very easy to look at.

 

[Dead Kennedy]

Basically, her fourth reign had the same smell of fail over it that CM Punk's WHW Championship reign has. Taking the Women's Championship belt off Beth, unnamed backstage incident or no unnamed backstage incident, was a huge mistake in my opinion. She's a great female wrestler and frikk'n beautiful, but just not good as a champion.

 

[AnthonyMango/NoFate007]

I have to argue a different point, though it may not be what they're actually thinking backstage...Undertaker Syndrome.

Over the years, we've seen that the Undertaker doesn't necessarily need the title to get the crowd going. All he needs is to go out there, do his thing, and the crowd enjoys it. Mickie is very, very over with the crowd. They probably think the same thing..."why give her the title and then have nobody else get involved if we can give the title to someone that doesn't get much of a reaction instead? Maybe the fans will be interested in the champion and the challenger just because of the belt and then on top of that, the secondary women's feud will be entertaining because its Mickie and they love her".

Its not a bad idea...but we've also seen that it doesn't really apply to the women's division as much as it does the men's. Its rare to find women that can wrestle well enough that the fans actually give a shit about seeing their matches for more than just hoping that a boob pops out. Mickie's one of them that can actually get the crowd going and into the match. Mostly everyone can't do that in the women's division.

Its unfortunate, but it looks like we're going to be subject towards another Beth/Candice feud. This is a shame, because Mickie is most likely going to be booked as fodder due to it. They'll hope that booking Beth to go over Mickie will make her look dominant, get the fans to hate Beth, and thusly, cheer Candice, hoping she'll beat her. I just don't see it happening that way, though. Many people like to look at the post through the old pair of rose glasses, so I'm sure someone reading this post will try to say I was wrong about it, but does anybody else remember how much people were complaining about the Beth/Candice feud when it was going on? How it was boring, how they should just end it, how Candice has improved but she's still crap in the ring? I can't see being excited about having a second go.

Mickie has a foothold on the audience that she doesn't need the title in order to receive some admiration from the crowd. What WWE may not be noticing, though, is that for the most part, when you give someone else the title, interest in the division plummets. Mickie doesn't need the title to get over, but the division needs Mickie to get over. Beth and Natalya may be the most gifted in the ring out of the divas, but the reactions the crowd gives them pales in comparison, so the powers that be probably are falling into that old methodology of "if she's over enough without the title, give it to someone else, cause that person needs all the help they can get".

 

[TheOneBigWill]

I don't really believe Mickie James is any type of transitional Champion simply because she's one of the biggest names in the division right now. A transitional Champion through the history books is someone who doesn't technically deserve the title, yet keeps getting it. Without a doubt, Mickie James is the best diva they have that can both perform in the ring, AND grab the fan's attention. That makes her anything but transitional.

Beth Phoenix on the other hand might very well be looked at, as transitional. She's powerful, she's impressive, but if Candice Michelle and/or Melina suddenly pop back on the scene and within a couple weeks uncrown the newly crowned Champion, then it'll show you two things.

1. They only trust Mickie James to hold that division up at it's weakest points, making her their best diva and most trusted than any other.

2. They don't consider Beth Phoenix to be anything other than so dominate in what she does, that she doesn't need a Championship, but instead is put in place with the belt to create others around her.

I think it'd be arguable to say that Phoenix didn't have a hand in making the diva's around her look more capable and better at what they do. But at the same time, Beth's first reign was horrible.

 

[DeadmanInc.]

I don't really believe Mickie James is any type of transitional Champion simply because she's one of the biggest names in the division right now. A transitional Champion through the history books is someone who doesn't technically deserve the title, yet keeps getting it. Without a doubt, Mickie James is the best diva they have that can both perform in the ring, AND grab the fan's attention. That makes her anything but transitional.

I agree here too. Mickie James is the best overall female wrestler in WWE right now. She can wrestle and she actually gets a reaction from the fans. She is the closest thing to Trish Stratus right now and that's a good thing.


I don't think the problem is Mickie James, the problem is the entire Women's division. WWE Creative really doesn't care enough to put any effort into it. Beth and Mickie could have had an amazing feud since they've had several matches in the past outside of WWE. Ever since Trish and Lita left the entire division went to hell. The last good feuds based on the Women's title were Mickie/Trish, Lita/Trish, and Mickie/Lita. Once Lita and Trish left there really wasn't anyone good enough to put the belt on. If I recall correctly, Beth was still injured and Melina was still being a manager.

Mickie's first reign was really entertaining because her feud with Trish was one of the best diva feuds ever, only behind Trish and Lita. It's unfortunate that Beth and Trish were injured though, which is why her reign ended up appearing to be transitional. I don't think it was intended by WWE creative. It's just that there wasn't much else they could do after having such an elaborate storyline with Trish and Beth.

 

[.MCH]

You wanna know why Mickie is over..... her feuds Trish and Lita. It has nothing to do with skills and looks. If that were the case alot of your divas wouldn't be struggling to get over right now as most can at least put on a decent match.

About Mickie being a transitional champ, not at first. WWE looked to have plans for Mickie at first but then they dropped her in hopes of finding a new star for the division, someone who could follow Trish's blueprint. At first they tried Ashley, but she failed, they even looked to have tried with Maria but she failed in her matches with Melina. So then they finally ended up going with Candice.

Anyways, Mickie's first two reigns sucked but they did make it seems like that WWE wanted Mickie as their next big star. Her third reign was a fluke/accident and her fourth was okay, nothing great though becuase by this time I found her really boring and she didn't even keep a consistant feud while holding it.

There were no plans of handing Mickie the title again this year, or at least not yet. Candice was supposed to get the title but she went down with the injury and WWE panicked and had to get the belt off of Beth since her reign was pushing 200 days. They knew Ashley and Maria couldn't handle it so they gave it to Mickie. Her fourth reign was the transitional reign. WWE stuck Mickie and Katie in a feud while Melina and Beth feuded to kill time while Candice healed (I'm sure they knew she would be out for awhile.) So once WWE got the greenlight to work back towards Candice vs. Beth, Beth and Mickie were feuding again so Mickie could drop the title to Beth. So in the end, the only real transitional reign of her's was her last one.

Nowadays. Mickie is waht you can call a transitional character. When WWE's little project goes down with an injury, Mickie is their backup plan. But with Melina turning face and with WWE looking to have Candice as their top girl, one has to wonder if Mickie wil even fit the role of a transiitonal character anymore.

As for Mickie being WWE's best worker, no way. She's maybe like 3rd or fourth. Beth Phoenix is no doubt their best. If you've been impressed by what Beth has done so far, it's nothing. Beth is capable of so much more in the ring but she never shows it or at least WWE won't book her to. She could seriously wrestle laps around EVERY girl on the WWE and even the TNA roster.

Sorry if some things sound confusing. I'm half asleep typing this. lol

 

[TJF]

its no secret that the womens championship isnt based of wrestling skills. It seems to go on the most popular diva at the time or the most powerful heel diva ie victoria/beth.

if that who mess of things had not happend with ashley they would have prob put the belt on her because she was just in playboy and got the loudest cheers at the time.

but it just seems like creative would rather put mickie in a title hunt that the title on her, maybe because she would have to outwrestle the whole diva roster one by one to get there?

 

[.MCH]

its no secret that the womens championship isnt based of wrestling skills. It seems to go on the most popular diva at the time or the most powerful heel diva ie victoria/beth.

if that who mess of things had not happend with ashley they would have prob put the belt on her because she was just in playboy and got the loudest cheers at the time.

but it just seems like creative would rather put mickie in a title hunt that the title on her, maybe because she would have to outwrestle the whole diva roster one by one to get there?

You're not serious, are you, because no woman, or at least recently has gotten the title because they're popular or because they posed naked. This isn't 99. The women aren't just handed the title. If that were the case, Maria, and Ashley would be champions.

You can say Candice got it because of that but it isn't the case at all. She wasn't handed the title because she is hot, otherwise Vince would've given it to her a long time ago.

Goodness, I do not know what division you're watching but it's not the same one I am.

 

[NYSandman]

I think she's over with the fans because she's very cute, has a pleasant attitude and air about her, and, well, she can...wrestle!

I think even totally mark fans subconciously appreciate good wrestling. No matter how beautiful a woman is, if she can't wrestle, it's noticed.

I don't mean to be sexist or offensive, but this is the truth. When I see a Diva who cannot wrestle, I tend to see her in a sexual way. What I mean is, "Man, she's hot! Look at that outfit! Beautiful, simply beautiful!"

Now, unfortunately, it seems like that's what the WWE is after. It doesn't seem to care if the girls can wrestle, if they look good.

When Trish took on Lita, who are both beautiful, I wasn't really seeing that. I was fucking BLOWN AWAY at the wrestling, which I think surpassed MANY of what some of the WWE men can do. I'm a wrestling fan.

If you notice, Mickey doesn't dress TOO sexily. Still a knockout, but she doesn't tend to show as much as some of the other girls. Whether that's by her own design or not, I don't know.

But the girl has a few moves on her. She can wrestle very well, and, sadly, perhaps in the long run, THAT'S what's holding her back.

Which is a fucking disgrace.

 

[I_Like_All_Wrestling]

I wouldn't really call her a transitional champ. I see the point in saying that, but she consistently wins the title and/or is always in the title hunt. Let's be serious though. The womens division isn't really a serious division. It's not like they are expecting some huge drawing feud. There's not much they can to, it's just not really all that interesting. The womens matches are consistently the worst matches on the card, even when they're good.

As for popularity, Trish Stratus was an anomaly, I doubt another female wrestler will get that popular. And she got over when a different demographic was watching (or at least a larger audience).

 

[Eternal Dragon]

I think she's over with the fans because she's very cute, has a pleasant attitude and air about her, and, well, she can...wrestle!

That's not why Mickie is over, there are plenty of face Divas with the same kind of gimmick that don't get over just because of that. Mickie is over for the reasons .MCH stated, because of Trish and Lita. She got over as a heel when she went against Trish, and lord knows how much sympathy she got when she went against Lita. Those two are the reasons where Mickie is at where she is right now in terms of pops. It's no coincidence that Mickie is the diva closest to the standard that Lita and Trish were at and that she's also the last diva to work with both.

I think even totally mark fans subconciously appreciate good wrestling. No matter how beautiful a woman is, if she can't wrestle, it's noticed.

Ehhh, that's pretty iffy. Now there's someone like Ashley who ANYONE can tell is horrible, but then you have someone like Maria who's just as sloppy and she gets better pops than Michelle, who's arguably a better wrestler than her.

I don't mean to be sexist or offensive, but this is the truth. When I see a Diva who cannot wrestle, I tend to see her in a sexual way. What I mean is, "Man, she's hot! Look at that outfit! Beautiful, simply beautiful!"

That's not sexist or offensive, I mean if there's a diva there to just be sexy, then there's nothing wrong with seeing her in that way.

Now, unfortunately, it seems like that's what the WWE is after. It doesn't seem to care if the girls can wrestle, if they look good.

That's not the case at all. Maybe a few years ago, but not anymore. Now they just don't care at all.

If you notice, Mickey doesn't dress TOO sexily. Still a knockout, but she doesn't tend to show as much as some of the other girls. Whether that's by her own design or not, I don't know.

Well she definitely used to when she wore those skirts for over a year, but she stopped wearing them and switched to her old ROH wrestling attire because she doesn't have to worry so much about having a "wardrobe malfunction."

But the girl has a few moves on her. She can wrestle very well, and, sadly, perhaps in the long run, THAT'S what's holding her back.

Which is a fucking disgrace.

That's not holding her back at all. The girl's got four title runs, the opportunity to have GREAT to good feuds with Trish and Lita, she won her first title at WM in a match that was given buildup and time- where exactly has Mickie been held back? Sure she's got some bad title reigns, sure she's been pushed back occasionally for stuff like PB matches at WM, but that really has nothing to do with the fact that she can wrestle. It has to do with the inability of creative to create more than one feud in the division.

Flames Out
Dragon

 

[Mr. TM]

i really never see anything special in Mickie James. She was a lot better than Ashley and Candice, that is for sure. She is the biggest face in the Woman's division. But she is no Trish, she is no Lita. She is not that hot. Beth Phoenix should always be dominating her. Melina also looks stronger than her. Since WWE is short on Face Femals who can Wrestler, Mickie James is the natural choice for the title every time. As long as that horrible skeleton Michelle McCool stays over on Smackdown, I am happy. WWE needs to groom more faces for the title.