I'm usually with KJ on a lot of subjects, but this isn't one of them
And I said exactly the opposite in my opening statement.
When it comes to Robbie E, to me, he comes off ultimately as another overly hyped indy darling. When it was first announced he was coming to TNA, it seemed that every other post I read about the guy proclaimed how great he was and how much of a asset he would be to TNA. I didn't know anything about him so I kept my mind open. When he made his debut with Cookie, the first thing that popped into my mind, aside from the obvious attempted piggy back of Jersey Shore, was that Robbie E was a poor man's Zack Ryder. The differences being that Ryder is just an overall superior worker in every relevant manner.
First of all I have never heard of him as an indy darling. This is the first time. I was here when they said he was coming, maybe I didn't log in so much but I didn't catch his fire-crush on the internet.
Ok, maybe he is saddled with a gimmick that is a present day rage. Nothing wrong with that. I hate Jersey Shore, have tried seeing it but the ugly women (expect one who was ok) have turned my stomach fierce. But his obnoxiousness can go beyond just this gimmick. Him and Ryder, I don't expect to be faces of their company, but in Robbie I see a guy with a lotta funny. I alluded to his Spin Cycle episode where he brought out genuine LOLs outta me with his promo. Almost everyone on that table impressed me one way or the other, but Robbie's comic timing especially at 'Bangkok isn't a country bro' really took it. He is someone who can go beyond just The Jersey Shore gimmick. Someone I would want to be given a longer leash on the mic, just like Aries, and then you see him go. Riaku is right in naming this thread "Robbie E Is A Few Tweaks Short Of A Great Talent", there are tweaks very much necessary.
Don't misunderstand me, I'm not a huge Ryder fan either. I like the guy ok and I admit that he's busted his ass to get himself over and noticed. Even though Ryder & Robbie's characters aren't exactly the same, there are more than enough similarities between them so that you can't help but compare them. Robbie comes off more like a stereotypical guido like you'd see on Jersey Shore and, for me, it just makes him difficult to watch, listen to or take seriously. His work in the ring, on his very best day, would be average and I've definitely seen nothing above average from him.
Really don't give a fuck about Ryder, never have. This domino effect of people just chanting 'We Want Ryder' because other fans in other cities do it, they see it on TV and ape it when Raw comes to their town is my logical explanation. I don't have to like a guy if people in Madison Square Garden are drooling all over him do I?
I see Robbie as a funny seller, someone who hasn't had a five star match, maybe never will, but I see a good talker and an average in-ring worker.
Ryder, I haven't been impressed by his promos, his matches are maybe a little better than Robbie's, but just a little. Robbie can improve and so can Ryder for that matter.
As for him being Television Champion, that might mean something if the title itself had any legit meaning to it. The two matches we've seen Robbie E work on IW since winning the title have been embarassments. The first was a comedy match he lost to Eric Young and, because he lost, had to put on the turkey suit. His second match was against RVD in which he was booked to look like a complete, 100% scrub that didn't belong in the same ring as RVD.
Hasn't been used right is what you're saying? I agree, but do I expect him to set the ring on fire. Not really.
Robbie E comes off as someone that needs a complete overhaul if there's any hope of him becoming a great talent.
Don't agree with complete overhaul, someone who is obnoxious and just needs to transcend The Jersey Shore gimmick by waiting till creative lets him be pig-headed without any modern day fad-restrictions.
