Poor Bobby Roode! His failure to catch on isn't even his own fault. It's the effects of TNA rushing his build-up to main event status. Rather than immediately pushing him into the main event, he should have spent a year carrying the TV title, working some angles there with James Storm, and THEN moved with his former partner into the main event scene, ultimately feuding over the World heavyweight championship.
Unfortunately, that's not the route they took, and it's worked against him. He's had what will ultimately be recalled as a lackluster tenure as TNA World Heavyweight champion. Ideally, he'll have a future opportunity to prove himself. He's certainly deserving. Sometimes, it just takes a while for audiences to warm up to and accept a performer as both credible and championship worthy.
See, for example, the evolution of Bully Ray. Whereas TNA rushed Roode into the title scene, dropping the big strap on him far too quickly, the company has allowed Bully a slow build to a full boil. And, boy, is he ever!
One great match, amazing promo and shady victory at a time, he's moved slowly up the TNA totem pole. For some who saw his potential shortly after the split of Team 3D, it might seem to have taken an infuriately long time, but I believe it is quite possibly the only thing TNA has done perfectly in the last year!
A legendary tag team doesn't generally break up and immediately give way to a tremendous solo superstar. People have to reacquaint themselves with the performer, shift their perspective and begin to believe he can make it on his own. (This is what TNA did not allow to happen with Roode!)
Look how long it took Bret "The Hitman" Hart to move from one-half of The Hart Foundation into being a bona fide singles mega star and believable World Heavyweight contender and, eventually, Champion. That is that exact blueprint TNA should have followed for Roode. Instead, they rushed him quickly into the main event, and people are rejecting him.
On the other hand, Bully Ray has been able to formulate a solid, believable character. He's amassed enough solo success that people have started to not just accept him as a World title contender but demand it. Rather than forcing the idea onto audiences, audiences are forcing it onto the company!
When the time comes, Bully Ray is more than up to the challenge! He is an outstanding worker, ridiculously over with the crowd and delivers a fantastic promo. It's not whether a run with the gold is warranted, it's how best to transition him into that spot without losing the momentum he's built -- basically through his own efforts -- over the last year.
As I said, he's nearly the only thing I think TNA's done "just right" in a long time. I'd hate for them to fumble the ball at the most crucial of times!
