RVD & Ricardo: WWE's New Odd Couple

[Jack-Hammer]

On Raw last night, Ricardo Rodriguez interrupted Alberto Del Rio's promo. Rodriguez was "fired" by Del Rio a little while back, fired in no uncertain terms at that, and made his return last night. He told Del Rio that he's representing someone new, someone that's a "real hero." Now the fact that Del Rio was playing up to the Latino fans in the audience last night made me think that Rey Mysterio was about to pop out and make his return. However, Ricardo brought out the last guy I was expecting: Rob Van Dam. So it looks like that, for the next little bit, RVD is going to be challenging Del Rio for the World Heavyweight Championship.

On one hand, it's kind of interesting. RVD has been doing well since his return and he's been embraced by the fans. He & Del Rio have clashed a couple of times, including one very good match, in which RVD picked up a clean win. RVD is someone who could use a mouthpiece and Ricardo's past with Del Rio gives him a unique role in this particular program.

On the other hand, the odds of RVD becoming champ aren't that good. As a result, it's hard to really get all that excited. If the reports regarding RVD's current deal are accurate, he's going to be taking some time off after he's been working for a 90 day period of time. So him becoming WHC is probably not going to happen. If it does, then I wouldn't be surprised to see Damien Sandow using the opportunity to cash in his MITB briefcase, maybe "injure" RVD to put him on the shelf for a bit before feuding with him upon his return.

 

[hatehabsforever]

I thought exactly the same thing as I just posted in a different spam thread. While ADR was pandering to the Hispanic in Anaheim, and RR announced he had a new client, I was expecting a Rey Mysterio return, which I'm sure would have blown the roof off the stadium.

Safe to say we are indeed headed for a feud between RVD and ADR over the WHC. I disagree though, Jack, about it being unlikely that RVD could win this belt. Considering the lack of prestige and importance assigned to the WHC these days, I feel absolutely anyone could win it. I don't mean that as any sort of slight whatsoever against RVD, who I actually like and who has been on quite a roll since returning to the big leagues, I simply mean that RVD is definitely as good a candidate for that strap as anyone else on the roster.

I fear this will ultimately be a RVD versus ADR feud for the WHC, with Ricardo double crossing RVD and reuniting with ADR to allow ADR to retain the belt, although I really hope I'm wrong about that. It could be RVD wins with the assistance of RR, with Rodriguez helping cost his former friend the title. This would set up some interesting matches in the future involving guys like Damian Sandow, Cody Rhodes, or even Dean Ambrose.

In the meantime, count on some cheap humor and tongue in cheek comments regarding the union of two Wellness Policy guys.

 

[Wald]

I'm intrigued but disappointed with it. I was hoping for an RVD heel turn to side with Heyman so he could Punk's placeholder feud until Brock comes back to be honest. We've never seen a heel RVD in the WWE and anyone who watched him in ECW can tell you that the guy can do heel very well.

 

[BeastFromTheEast]

The situation just doesn't make sense to me. Sure it put a smile on my face as he announce RVD, but ultimately I wanted to see Ricardo actually drop the announcer thing and have a real wrestling feud with Alberto. I was sure that the reason Ricardo was using fat burners, which led to suspension, was for getting into shape for the ring. It appears I may be wrong, but still have hope that maybe this is the plan in the long run. I've seen Ricardo in the ring on NXT and he honestly was rather intriguing. If WWE is looking for a "latino hero" then Ricardo would be the way to go since, despite any rumors, Rey is never coming back.

 

[Mustang Sally]

.... I was expecting a Rey Mysterio return

Yes, that's exactly what I was looking for. It never occurred to me that Ricardo would be paired with anyone but a Latino, since that's what he seemed tailor-made to do. Instead (shades Of Antonio Cesaro being depicted as a Real American) they bring out Rob Van Dam to work with the man in the tux.

I don't know where they plan to go with this; it seems so unusual to pair RVD with anyone....he's always featured as a loner. On the other hand, Ricardo offers to bring some excitement.....even if much of it amounts to slapstick excitement.....and RVD can use some of that.

After all, I don't know what his new WWE contract allows in terms of what he ingests during his leisure time (remember his previous tenure with the company)....but dang it, no one is that mellow all the time. If he can't get excited about his stage act, bring in someone to do it for him.

 

[#tamale]

RVD and Ricardo are definitely an odd couple. I'm still not sure how the dynamic will work but it is interesting. Plus, we will get a good match at Night of Champions between RVD and Del Rio.

I don't think that Alberto Del Rio will lose though. Some of it has to do with RVD's schedule, but I also think that they are really trying to build up Alberto Del Rio for the guy who will take the title away from him.

Just don't do the heel turn for Ricardo. Alberto Del Rio is improving as a heel and pairing him back with Ricardo would be a waste. And yes....I'm depressed it wasn't Rey Mysterio.

Almost forgot this
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[closet_fan]

I am in the majority that thought we'd get a Rey Mysterio surprise, especially since RAW was in California.

The pairing is very odd to say the least, but I'll be interested to see where it goes. I get the feeling it's going to turn into a comedy bit, which does nothing for either guy.

I actually thought Ricardo would make his return at SummerSlam while ADR was giving him the "I am your Mexican hero" speech.

An ADR vs. Ricardo match would be cool to see since RR can actually wrestle.

 

[Dave_duncan]

I'm intrigued but disappointed with it. I was hoping for an RVD heel turn to side with Heyman so he could Punk's placeholder feud until Brock comes back to be honest. We've never seen a heel RVD in the WWE and anyone who watched him in ECW can tell you that the guy can do heel very well.

They tried to make him heel when he first arrived and also with the invasion. He just became a tweener. He is to popular in many ways to play the full blown heel.


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[The Eighties]

I think this is most likely temporary, like most everyone else I thought it would be Rey given the angle is built on being a hero to the Latino fans, but the RVD and Ricardo pairing could be short term fun and the match will likely give Del Rio another good win on his defense list.

It's also a way to get Ricardo some semblance of revenge during the build to NOC as I'm not sure WWE will have him actually wrestle Del Rio.

 

[AJ1981]

To be honest I'm not a fan of this at all. RVD seemed to be in the beginnings of a program with The Shield and now has suddenly changed tack to feud with Del Rio. Whilst I'm not against ADR/RVD, the danger is the issue will be more about Del Rio & Ricardo and a wrestler of RVD's stature shouldn't be playing second fiddle to a ring announcer. I was hoping Dolph Ziggler or Cody Rhodes would move into contention

 

[cherrickb]

I disagree though, Jack, about it being unlikely that RVD could win this belt. Considering the lack of prestige and importance assigned to the WHC these days, I feel absolutely anyone could win it. I don't mean that as any sort of slight whatsoever against RVD, who I actually like and who has been on quite a roll since returning to the big leagues, I simply mean that RVD is definitely as good a candidate for that strap as anyone else on the roster.

I think he is saying that he doesn't think RVD will because he has it in his contract that he can take time off after 90 days or something like that, not that he couldn't win it. And we are approaching that 90 day mark here soon.

 

[H33LTurn]

Damien Sandow injuring a recently championship crowned RVD would be a great way for him to get heat. RVD and Ricardo will probably be together as long as Rob's program with Del Rio goes on. Its not a union I want to see, but I can understand the necessity storyline wise.

 

[MCMG]

This is a very strange move. I'm not sure if I think it will work but Ricardo has such a great connection with the crowd that it is stupid to leave him of TV. Moreover, I don't think RVD has the polished promo skills for WWE television. RVD can speak but only when it is when he had freedom which he doesn't get with the WWE.

Even if Ricardo just follows RVD, says a few things and acts goofy it will be a success. A month of these two won't hurt either but they will be an immensely popular duo.

 

[Cheesechops]

I don't like it! It should have been Rey Mysterio. I don't think there's much chance of del Rio being WHC champ after NOC though so it'll have to be RVD or Sandow.