Not everyone is cut out to be World Champion, that's the problem.

[The D]

Take Miz for example, who I truly believe is a very talented individual. Can he put on a decent match? Yes. Is he an electric personality on the microphone? Absolutely. I mean the guy is a heat magnet sometimes. He's witty, he's clever, and he's condescending. I mean you could tell he's just really, really good at his craft. Granted I don't understand the appeal of his catchphrase, I'd be a fool not to admit he's a good talker or that he's not entertaining.


NEWSFLASH: BEING FUNNY DOESN'T MEAN YOU SHOULD BE THE WORLD CHAMPION


Think about the late 80's and early 90's. Did Roddy Piper ever hold the belt? No. You want to know why? Because he was never built as a credible enough threat. Piper as a face, circa 1992, was pretty fucking over. You know why he wasn't touching the World Title? Because Hogan was a selfish prick who didn't want-.... oops, I'm sorry. I meant it's because no one was going to accept Piper beating Hogan in a World Title match. That's the bottom line. Piper's strength as a character lied in his personality, not his in ring prowess. Was he funny? Fuck yeah. Was he one of the most entertaining personalities in the business? For sure. Would he have made a good World Champion? No.

It's a combination of both being over and being credible. Ultimate Warrior was not only more over than just about anyone on the roster not named Hulk Hogan, but just by looking at him you could believe he could destroy any wrestler at any given time. You can't build a character of that magnitude, who's that over, and not give him a shot. He had to challenge Hogan because people believed he could beat him.

John Cena, Randy Orton, Triple H... these guys aren't just over, but they're built as being legitimate threats. That's why they compete for the World Title. Orton as of late is practically plowing through the entire roster. When and if he wins the title again, it's going to make sense. I may not be his biggest fan, but he is - without a doubt - World Championship material.

Miz isn't going to draw as the World Champion, and in the end that's what it's all about. As talented and as entertaining as he may be, I just don't see him being the marquee name. That's why the Intercontinental Title exists, for guys like Miz.

 

[Ferbian]

Piper wasn't champion because of Hogan. Hogan was the top draw, the guy that pulled in the crowds. Of course he was gonna remain champion. When Hogan wasn't around to be champion anymore. Neither was Roddy Piper. He was a great talent and it's a shame he wasn't champion. The same goes for Ted DiBiase.

Being entertaining and therefore getting over with the crowd will help you get to the world title. Look at The Rock, look at John Cena. Both entertaining acts that got over through it and they became world champions. The same goes for Austin.

Also the credibility I can agree on. There's guys that won't be credible enough to win the world title. But look at it, we'll just bitch that's it. Because they win it either way. Rey Mysterio has just gotten off a world title reign. Kane is the world champion as well.

So in the end there will always be a chance of getting a world title. The Miz could be build credible to become world champion. But it is definitely gonna help you.

Credibility, drawing ability, being over, and having the It factor is all gonna come down to what gets you to a world title. That is why not everybody has it. Because Vince or any promotion for that sake is resting on a guy that can both work, talk and can draw. Vince also focuses on the look. Because let's admit it in the end it does matter. If you don't look legitimate, how is it gonna be possible to sell you legitimately?

Don't put any money on the fact that Miz won't be drawing as champion. I'm certain he will be drawing just a bit at least. I don't think he'll be the top face of the company. But he's interesting, he's a heel. Heels are build to be made hated in the way that people will pay to see them get beaten. The Miz can make that work.

 

[hbk4894]

the likes of Jack Swagger i dont feel his meant to be a world champion and also you can throw Sheamus into the mix as being not ready , you see this two weren't ready for show the WWE should have waited 2 to 3 years for this two

 

[Poɘt]

I think Miz being wold champion would have been a slap in the face to guys like Mr. Perfect, Rick Rude, Jake Roberts, and William Regal. Guys who brought more to the table than The Miz could ever dream of bringing. Guys who are more talented in every way than The Miz could ever be.

But I say "would have" because what the heavyweight titles are in WWE aren't anything to look at as having any prestige. They seem to be used more no to get people over rather than a badge of honor for someone already over and looking to solidify their status.

So while I agree not everyone is cut out to be world champion, we're in a different age now, where more than ever the product is geared toward not simply children, but the not so intelligent and the easily amused; the simple minded folk, those whom ignorance is bliss to. So in this age of wrestling, a guy like The Miz is a perfect type of champion.

Edit: Same applies to Swagger, even more so than The Miz. In the past I would have said Sheamus too, but this guy has become an exception that has far surpassed The Miz/Sheamus when it comes to overall appeal.

 

[peep4life]

I agree and disagree I agree it takes more than being funny and entertaining to win a World title but it helps because thats helps you get over with crowd but im starting to think it dont matter about in-ring skills anymore im not say Miz dont have in-rings skills he does just not really good in-ring skills. I mean Look at Christian great in-ring skills and one of the Best damn talkers in Wrestling but Vinnie Mac dont like for some damn reason probaly only Vinnie knows same could be said with Matt hardy minus the great mic work he's has really good in-ring skills but neither of them have won a World title(yes i know Christian has won one in TNA but im talking WWE). '
So now that im done with my daily Christain rant yes it takes more but that helps a hellla lot to get over

 

[The Insano Shiekh]

There are guys who are cut out to be champion but have never got it because of the star power. In the 90's it was different.

In the ninety's, you didn't have the Money in the Bank Ladder match, the brands, or the two world titles. Although the Intercontinental Title was treated as almost a world champion, it just quite wasn't. A poster above me mentioned people like Mr. Perfect, Rick Rude, Jake Roberts, and William Regal. If I recall, all have been Intercontinental Champions, and I'm sure they're all just fine with that. The reason why? The Intercontinental Title was more prestigious in the ninety's than it is now, and it was almost like winning a world title.

As far as people worthy today, I believe that The Miz is one of them. John Cena isn't quite what Hulk Hogan was, and he can lose the title. Sheamus is deserving now, because he wasn't really "fit" for a mid-carder in my opinion. Jack Swagger wasn't ready because he wasn't getting enough heat, but The Miz is. I believe going on the Real World has actually gained experience for him. He's charismatic, and has talent, and I believe he has what it takes to win the World Title.

 

[CuddleBuns84]

Chris Jericho and Edge sure didn't look like the Ultimate Warrior. But They have had some good title runs. Jeff Hardy sure as hell didn't have the look and neither did Foley...

But they sure knew how to do one thing.... Their Jobs.

We are in the age, where an average size person who does everything right, can make an impact. If you look at ECW, a lot of those guys didn't look like a wrestler, and they made it work.

The Miz right now has a good name, is a decent brand and has done everything right. He is doing the NXT thing, he is showing up to every social event that he can.

That's marketing. His name is getting bigger and bigger in the wrestling world, and he has the Money in The Bank briefcase. That thing can get almost anyone over.

The Miz... Great heel, good mic work, and is getting better in the ring every time. I think he would make a much better champ then the Great Khali.

 

[Kaneanite]

Obviously he'd be a better champion than the Great Khali. But that's not the point. I completely agree with The D. Miz just doesn't have that "threat" or "looks" of a champion. Seriously his example was perfect. I don't know how to explain it and I was going to make a post about it but I'm glad someone agrees with me. I just can't see that guy as a world champion. I can't! When he does get the title, good luck to him. I wish him the best! But I just can't see that guy being treated like he's on the same level as Cena, HHH, Taker, Orton, Edge, etc. OTHER MAIN EVENTERS THAT HE'S GOING TO HAVE TO FACE...

 

[Jimmy King]

I think the logic against your argument is also defined in it. We're no longer in a steroid injected, testosterone fueled world of professional wrestling. Wrestlers are no longer built like Hogan or Warrior. They're not huge muscular men bulging with veins and pouring sweat. (Sounded really turned on just then.) It's now about being able to make the fans gasp, and say "wow that was different." So, to back up their less powerful offense, WWE (and the fans) look for people more talented in other areas like on the mic. Sure I think some of Kaval's moves are horribly devastating and destructive, but some of his (and others) high-flying style of offense are obviously not as effective as an F-5 from Brock. However, when Kaval gets on the mic (hopefully one day as a heel) with such baritone in his voice, one gets intimidated, regardless of his size.

Cena has always been able to be beaten and come out the next night saying that so-and-so didn't rob him of his pride. But once you get more people like The Miz who can straight up abuse you verbally, your pride and your body are both hurt and makes for better storytelling.

I'm not saying you HAVE to be a great talker to get over and to be world champion (look at Benoit) but it does help now-a-days with the ever changing wrestling demograph.

 

[Pay Per Ghost]

I think Miz being wold champion would have been a slap in the face to guys like Mr. Perfect, Rick Rude, Jake Roberts, and William Regal. Guys who brought more to the table than The Miz could ever dream of bringing. Guys who are more talented in every way than The Miz could ever be.

Don't take that road, if you do, we could have a list of people who would have some of them rolling in their grave.

The Miz may never be a technical masterpiece but does that mean he can't be World Champion?
HELL NO!

As Ferbian mentioned, household names like The Rock and Austin were not very grapple-friendly like a certain Ken Shamrock, but tell me, who got over with the fans?
Who was given a platform to shine and they blazed?

The Miz, is still a little green.
The IWC is a little too rabid in their praise about him but we've seen him change before our eyes.
How he worked on his physique, his ring-attire to become more TV-friendly.
Let's leave out his promos; his ring work has improved and he is developing very good ring-psychology.

He's a learner, and I don't think he's gonna stop just yet.
Sure he is talking his way to the top, but he isn't a draw... yet.

He knows he has to tune up his ring-work to be the whole package

 

[Total Impact]

The Miz will make for a great champion on the simple fact that is he over with the fans to a level that is beyond mid-card status. He is great on the mic, puts on entertaining matches and the best part is, he puts over who ever else is in the ring. He made R-Truth, Mark Henry, Daniel Bryan likable to the fans. He works hard and does his job, he doesn't try to coast on abilities, he puts his all in everything he does. That is why he should be champion. If look at the greatest champions in the business, they were the ones who worked the hardest out of them all. The Miz will be great as a heel champion, he is over, not artificial over like Sheamus or Swagger but over on his own merits. Hell the WWE did everything to bury this guy yet he got over just as Cena did. I mean he put on ECW, had the stupid chick magnet gimmick, then made to be less when put with Morrison, had Cena beat the crap out of him, yet he still got over. He is going to be great.

 

[VintageWWE]

At this point I don't want to see the Miz as a world champion. I still believe in ring ability is the main factor when it comes to being champion, not mic skills. Is the Miz world champion material? For my standards no but for the WWE's standards yes. WWE will put the belt on anyone these days. As someone previously mentioned the title is now used to push talent, not to solidify thier status. I'd rather give it a couple more years before making Miz a world champion but I doubt he will be the first man to fail at cashng in the briefcase.

 

[Jack-Hammer]

I'm not saying that The Miz is the greatest ever, but I do believe he's someone that really gets a lot of undeserved hate. I know that The Miz isn't a technical specialist, but if you're looking for that particular type of wrestler to be world champion in 2010, then I'm afraid you're mostly about 50 years too late. I've enjoyed most of The Miz's matches and I think he's great to listen to on the mic. He may not revolutionize the business, but how often do wrestlers that do come along?

I can't exactly say I'm surprised to see that Miz haters are really out in force now that The Miz won MITB. It's funny how that seems to happen to young stars whenever they really start to get pushed in the WWE. For the better part of a year, I can't count the number of times I'd heard people complain about Jack Swagger getting buried on Raw, how WWE was wasting his potential and all this and that. What happens when Swagger does get a big push, does become a relevant factor in the WWE? Pretty much the same complaints coming out of the woodwork about The Miz. If you look hard enough, you can find reasons to dislike anyone in wrestling no matter what.

 

[InterestingDrug]

I think Miz being wold champion would have been a slap in the face to guys like Mr. Perfect, Rick Rude, Jake Roberts, and William Regal. Guys who brought more to the table than The Miz could ever dream of bringing. Guys who are more talented in every way than The Miz could ever be.

I couldnt disagree with you more. It's all about the time and place. If Hennig or Rude were in this business today, they'd have ample shots at winning a world title. The 80s were dominated by the top face of the time.

If Piper had not retired, he might have had Savage's run after WM4. The top draw was always the champion. WWF did not allow for a heel champion at the time.. i.e. Hogan, Savage, Warrior. These were the top draws, everyone not the top draw was a mid-card talent. I'm sorry, but Perfect, Rude, Roberts all chose to be in WWF to make more money and fame. If they were interested in a title run, they should have moved to Crockett/WCW at the time where people like Steamboat and Ronnie Garvin were given title runs.

As for Miz as champion being a slap in the face, I really disagree here. If you want to talk about Regal, Roberts, Rude, Hennig being slapped in the face, you have to look at all the title runs before Miz as well. Mysterio, Guerrero, Foley, Slaughter, Big Show, Orton (first run), McMahon, Kane.. all these would have been a slap in the face as well. I'm sorry, but today's WWE at least gives the talent a shot at being champion, when yesterday's 80's Hogan WWF did not.

That being said, Miz has potential to be a Jericho type talent. It's a bit too soon for him I think. Give him a couple years and he'll be a formidable threat to any title. But just the thought of someone like Miz holding the title makes the product a bit more interesting than watching the title change between 3 or 4 guys every year.

 

[johnbragg]

In this day and age, you almost have to have been World or WWE Champion to be a credible main eventer. If you haven't been champion, it's almost a knock on you, like a Hall of Fame quarterback or basketball player who never won a championship.

Seriously--who is the best today to have never held a world title? A week ago, you could have argued Kane. So--William Regal? Mark Henry? If it's not them, it's a guy who's still a prospect like Dibiase or Morrison. (EDIT: I forgot Christian.)

So the Miz will be a world champion. Just as Cena and Orton were built up to the point where they are on a level with HHH and HBK and Taker, given time Seamus and the Miz and CM Punk can be built up to that level.

 

[THTRobtaylor]

The problem is what being champion once stood for has been eroded.... Title reigns used to last years... thus those who achieved them were clearly head and shoulders above the others... It's perhaps the fundamental thing that has stopped wrestling becoming more popular....

In the Olympics, every 4 years a champion is crowned, at the World Cup likewise, a team is crowned... thus those who are championship material stand out, they win races/games/events regularly yet an upset can still occur... sometimes... but for that period of time, however long it is the champion is considered the best in that competition... as they beat their competition for that honor...

The downside of the rise of WWE as an entity is that fans get bored easily... Most WWF champions of the past had long reigns until the early 1990's... then they shortened to a year, then 6 months, now weeks most of the time... so we end up with Edge as a 10 time champ already... Trips well on the way to 16 and Seamus on 2 already...

In Wrestling a championship serves a different purpose... in the words of Hitchock its a McGuffin, the reason for the story... the object that gives a story purpose and indeed a resolution... but unlike a movie, wrestling is an ongoing saga... each story arc is about someone's quest to hold the title... whether they achieve it or fail and how they fare once they have it... and once their time with it is up another story begins...To that end EVERYONE is capable of holding the title... however the story of Santino Marella winning the World Championship would not hold the fans interest for long... or sell tickets or PPV's... so the belts go to guys who do... or who will pique the fans interest enough to spike both for a while... might even be for one day... but everyone IS capable of getting there, they just have to have the right story...

 

[1ofThePeeps]

I think it depends on how they build him. You're right, he's not physically imposing, and doesn't look like he can beat Cena or Orton or Taker in a fair 1 on 1 match..

But if they make him smarter, then it may become believable. They've put him in a perfect position to be built this way, too. MITB is the perfect way to put a conniving, slimy heel over.

He may not be believable as a top-draw, dominate champion.. but I think he could be the perfect heel world champ. Miz is the next Jericho.