Shelton Benjamin.....Under OR Over-rated?

[GW_Hart86]

I for one am really excited at Shelton Benjamin returning to the WWE. I think he is one of the most under-rated wrestlers ever. I really hope the creative team gets it right this time round with him.

I really think potentially he could be a huge star in the WWE and would love to see him in the running for the IC or heavyweight belts some time soon. I know his mic skills might need a bit of work but in-ring ability is fantastic.

I remember when he was IC champ, I thought he was one of the best and when he had feuds with the likes of HHH and Jericho. This proves he can compete with the main eventers.

Fingers crossed the WWE use him well and not let him fade away again.

What you folks think?

 

[AngryCenaFan]

Underrated IMO. Shelton was one of my favorites to watch because of what a great athlete he is/was. MITB was basically the Shelton Benjamin show every year. He had some great matches with HBK but he never got his big break, not a great talker but his athleticism is amazing and I hope he gets another chance

 

[triple_b2k]

Could you post a link to confirm he is returning? I haven't seen or heard one mention of this.

He had a dark match on March 8th before a Smackdown taping. Nothing has been confirmed though and probably won't be until after Wrestlemania.

Back on topic;

If Shelton returns, he could be a big name in a pretty crappy mid-card on Raw. A nice push for the U.S. title would be welcome. He can do the 'shocking' moments in the MITB matches and also put on a great 'regular' match (vs shawn michaels for example).

If he does return, I welcome it. I always like to see that guy wrestle. IMO, he's underrated.

 

[Jack-Hammer]

Shelton Benjamin is extraordinarily overrated. There are a number of IWC darlings that are and Benjamin is definitely in the top 5. The WWE gave Shelton Benjamin a number of pushes over the course of his career and he was just never able to capitalize. There's only so much that the promotion itself can do. Benjamin was given opportunities, he just never had what it took to rise to that next level that many internet fans feel he should have been. Multiple singles and tag title runs, wins over talent like Chris Jericho & Triple H and Benjamin still wasn't able to get over with. Benjamin is someone with ZERO charisma and personality. Calling him bland is an insult to bland wrestlers everywhere.

I'll give Benjamin all the credit in the world for his athletic ability and the fact that he can fall off the top of 20 foot ladders better than anyone. But he just doesn't have it and he never did. All the athletic ability in the world doesn't mean a damn thing if you're unable to make the crowd care about you and Shelton Benjamin never could. If you don't have the invested long term interest of the fans, if they don't care about seeing what you're involved in, then all the athletic ability and legit amateur wrestling background in the world means absolutely nothing.

 

[Twanfusco]

Talented in the ring in one way, unique moves, quick pace and high flying but that's only one dimension and to be a top wrestler/entertainer you need more dimensions. I'm not just talking about mic skills (which he has none), I'm talking about the ability to tell a story in the ring. In all honesty I don't remember one fued this guy had, I remember him beating HHH in a match and having a hell of a match with hbk but to have a convincing storyline you need two guys to be able to tell it in and out of the ring. I was never convinced and this was before I learned of is rumoured lack of interest in the business and willingness to learn. Could potentially have a great series of matches with some of the more technically gifted guys in wwe like Bryan, kofi and Morrison but I don't see him going to the top because his storytelling ability ain't there IMO.

 

[Nate DaMac]

Over rated is putting it lightly. He had great leaping ability and average technical prowess but you know the IWC, that means he's a star!! He wasn't, he isn't, he never will be.

He was a solid mid carder. Not upper mid carder, straight up mid card, meaning he could hold the US and IC belts but in no way did he ever belong anywhere near the World Titles.

 

[Azane]

I've never cared for him, he's majorly lacking in the entertainment part of WWE, and I'm really echoing Jack-Hammer's sentiments, with how the current business is, you can't break past mid-card without showmanship and charisma.

 

[AngryCenaFan]

Shelton Benjamin is extraordinarily overrated. There are a number of IWC darlings that are and Benjamin is definitely in the top 5. The WWE gave Shelton Benjamin a number of pushes over the course of his career and he was just never able to capitalize. There's only so much that the promotion itself can do. Benjamin was given opportunities, he just never had what it took to rise to that next level that many internet fans feel he should have been. Multiple singles and tag title runs, wins over talent like Chris Jericho & Triple H and Benjamin still wasn't able to get over with. Benjamin is someone with ZERO charisma and personality. Calling him bland is an insult to bland wrestlers everywhere.

I'll give Benjamin all the credit in the world for his athletic ability and the fact that he can fall off the top of 20 foot ladders better than anyone. But he just doesn't have it and he never did. All the athletic ability in the world doesn't mean a damn thing if you're unable to make the crowd care about you and Shelton Benjamin never could. If you don't have the invested long term interest of the fans, if they don't care about seeing what you're involved in, then all the athletic ability and legit amateur wrestling background in the world means absolutely nothing.

Really, what "pushes"?

The few times he got a shot against top talent he delivered excellent matches. look no further than a match with HBK several years ago on RAW.

 

[Nate DaMac]

Really, what "pushes"?

The few times he got a shot against top talent he delivered excellent matches. look no further than a match with HBK several years ago on RAW.

What the hell do excellent matches have to do with anything? Yes, when he's partnered up with someone who's light years ahead of him in every fathomable way, he can excel. But that doesn't change the fact that he has the personality of a wet dish cloth and couldn't make anyone give a fuck about him.

He got 3 wins over Triple H. He won the Intercontinental Title. These are opportunities most in the business would kill for, but he was so stale it all just failed miserably and he was the sole recipient for the blame.

 

[Karaoke Superstar]

I would say within WWE he was rated appropriately more or less. He is very athletic and can put on a great match, however he didn't have the personality to push him to the next level, and I've heard he didn't have the work ethic either. He is a great addition to the mid-card, imagine the matches he could have with JoMo, DB, Kofi, Ziggler etc. Even if he doesn't move above upper/mid-card there's still nothing wrong with being there.

 

[GW_Hart86]

absolutely, he has superstar talent, never in any way got the push he deserved and its down to the WWE from where I'm sitting. I really hope they get it right this time because he is more than capable of climbing the ladder to world title status in a short period of time. Get him wrestling sheamus for the us title and lead from there.

 

[TCBT]

Really, what "pushes"?

The few times he got a shot against top talent he delivered excellent matches. look no further than a match with HBK several years ago on RAW.

He's had a few matches in the main event of RAW's against Triple H at a time where Triple H was annoyingly unstoppable. He's been heel, face, in-between, and still, nothing.

I agree, he hasn't had MANY opportunities. But his mic work seriously lagged. He's great in the ring, but the bus stopped there. I personally think he couldn't recover from his Shelton's mama heel turn. It was downhill from there. But I DO think that if he would've had strong mic skills during the time when he was given the big singles push after moving to RAW from Smackdown (when he was in the WGTT), his career would've been A LOT different.

 

[Long Island Iced WXYZ]

I for one am really excited at Shelton Benjamin returning to the WWE. I think he is one of the most under-rated wrestlers ever. I really hope the creative team gets it right this time round with him.

I really think potentially he could be a huge star in the WWE and would love to see him in the running for the IC or heavyweight belts some time soon. I know his mic skills might need a bit of work but in-ring ability is fantastic.

I remember when he was IC champ, I thought he was one of the best and when he had feuds with the likes of HHH and Jericho. This proves he can compete with the main eventers.

Fingers crossed the WWE use him well and not let him fade away again.

What you folks think?

I don't want to see Shelton Benjamin. Who the hell cares about him really?

The IWC loves him of course like they love John Morrison because if you can do crazy stunts that makes you world championship material.

Forget it, he's a lost cause, he has had many opportunities to get over and he never did.

He doesn't have what it takes. He's overrated.

 

[NoBloodEra]

K guys, we can go back and forth ALLLL day, because there are many opinions on both sides.

Everyone should just think about the times that he had a chance to get us on our feet in a "big" match for his statndards.

The answer is all of them. He was a great entertainer and he could get the crowd going, (ie. WM 25 MITB front flip!!!(search it up) and the WM 24 MITB onto ladder), he was a great seller and didn't question his risks to get the crowd into some of the greatest matches of all-time.

I just like to point out that he had sold his body for the WWE and now he needs them to pay up in some way.

 

[Jack-Hammer]

Really, what "pushes"?

The few times he got a shot against top talent he delivered excellent matches. look no further than a match with HBK several years ago on RAW.

The man was given multiple championship runs in the WWE. He was a 3 time WWE Intercontinental Champion and a former WWE United States Champion. His 1st run with the IC title lasted 244 days and his US title run lasted 243 days. During his time, including some of his title reigns, he scored wins over the likes of Chris Jericho, Christian, Triple H, Rob Van Dam, Matt Hardy among others. He won the title a second time from Ric Flair. Ric Flair, arguably the greatest of all time.

These are examples of opportunities and high profile feuds that Shelton Benjamin was given during his time in WWE. He just wasn't good enough to close the deal when it was all said and done and that's on him, not anyone else.

 

[mikej690]

I don't want to see Shelton Benjamin. Who the hell cares about him really?

The IWC loves him of course like they love John Morrison because if you can do crazy stunts that makes you world championship material.

Forget it, he's a lost cause, he has had many opportunities to get over and he never did.

He doesn't have what it takes. He's overrated.

WOW! Shelton's not championship material? In a year we've see Sheamus(A guy who barley came to the main roster) and Jack swagger (The Daffey Duck of wwe) become world titles. So who gives a damn if shelton wins the world title?They switch like every 2 weeks. He can wrestle and he risks his life to have good matches. He made the MITB matches awesome! What more can you ask for? Guys like John morrison and daniel bryan are the best wrestler/ risk taker right now in wwe. They can't even win the world title? People can shit on shelton about not having mic skills but what about brock lesnar? He had Paul heymen as a manager! he didn't even have to say a word! Plus when he turned face and paul was a heel he turned on brock. Getting him over as a face! Why not give shelton a manager like that? Would it helped? Dolph ziggler has vickie gurrero and he's considered a world champion (without even winning the title)in the wwe history book! But shelton can't even be called a world champ? Shelton was underrated! They could have given him alot more then they did.

 

[Long Island Iced WXYZ]

WOW! Shelton's not championship material? In a year we've see Sheamus(A guy who barley came to the main roster) and Jack swagger (The Daffey Duck of wwe) become world titles. So who gives a damn if shelton wins the world title?They switch like every 2 weeks. He can wrestle and he risks his life to have good matches. He made the MITB matches awesome! What more can you ask for? Guys like John morrison and daniel bryan are the best wrestler/ risk taker right now in wwe. They can't even win the world title? People can shit on shelton about not having mic skills but what about brock lesnar? He had Paul heymen as a manager! he didn't even have to say a word! Plus when he turned face and paul was a heel he turned on brock. Getting him over as a face! Why not give shelton a manager like that? Would it helped? Dolph ziggler has vickie gurrero and he's considered a world champion (without even winning the title)in the wwe history book! But shelton can't even be called a world champ? Shelton was underrated! They could have given him alot more then they did.

See.

The man was given multiple championship runs in the WWE. He was a 3 time WWE Intercontinental Champion and a former WWE United States Champion. His 1st run with the IC title lasted 244 days and his US title run lasted 243 days. During his time, including some of his title reigns, he scored wins over the likes of Chris Jericho, Christian, Triple H, Rob Van Dam, Matt Hardy among others. He won the title a second time from Ric Flair. Ric Flair, arguably the greatest of all time.

As pointed out, Benjamin was given everything to succeed and he never got over.

It's his fault.

Nobody is going to tune into RAW or Smackdown because Shelton Benjamin is on it.

He just doesn't have it.

 

[Calderownz]

Truthfully, it depends on who you're asking. Honestly, threads like this are always a bit confusing. Because everyone replying is simply going to have a different opinion on the matter. Generally, there is no real consensus.

Nonetheless, I think it depends on what you're talking about. I think he was/is overrated when it comes to his marketability and drawing ability in general. However, I think that he's underrated as a worker by some. Both are just as important as the other.

Sure, you can get by with charisma and even draw with charisma. However, that will fade far faster than your in-ring abilities ever will in most cases. At the same time, you can wrestle your ass off and it won't matter if the crowd doesn't give a damn.

He simply needs a gimmick that works with his abilities. To me, this is WWE's biggest problem with it's young(er) talent. They try to make all of their wrestlers good talkers and good workers. Simply doesn't have to always work that way.

I would make him more of a quiet assassin-type character. A hired gun that takes guys out for someone else to start out. He could come out of the crowd one night to showcase this. Over time, he can say a bit more here and there. He could have a manager. Whatever. Just needs to be worked the right way.

I digress. The point is that it depends on who you ask and what you're exactly talking about.

 

[Richard]

Over-rated most definately.

He may have had athleticism, but that a lone won't get you over in WWE. He had no pressence, charisma, personality, mic skills, anything and was given quite a few golden opportunties to pick up the ball and run with it with pinning Triple H when he was in his 'God' run, pinning Jericho for the IC title, he's had a couple of memorable spots in the Money in the Bank ladder match and he still just couldn't do it. Towards the end of his WWE tenure, in ECW he was right where he was and should be.

I don't ever want to see a World Championship reign by him, ever.

 

[achromat666]

This is a pretty subjective question.

If it's merely the IWC, then many will say overrated only because so many believe he should have had a world title by now.

If it's based on his work in the ring, then you can't really say underrated because the WWE always accentuated his talents in a given match. Someone with the ability to actually mat wrestle, tell a story in the ring and spot monkey when called for wasn't something that was underrated. I would actually call him a rather big success, considering how many titles he's held.

I think he may have at times been underused, which isn't the same as underrated.

But I would love to see him back.

 

[RatedRockstar]

Hes in the next ROH ppv so idk if hes for sure back in the WWE though if he is thatd be great. I love shelton, i like him in ROH, his matches with haas vs kow are classic. He always puts on a good match hes really athletic and is not bad on the mic in anyway. Im not saying he needs to be a top guy but he should be like daniel bryan should be, give them a benoit career, keep them as a top midcard (have them in good, memorable feuds, including ones with each other, thatd be insanely fun to watch) and then give them each a title reign or 2, and switch them back and forth between main event and mid card, like benoit did, so obviously i feel he is underrated

 

[lionyates]

Boring as hell, obviously there was something stopping him and that was his utter lack of anything that could stand apart. Maybe if he had started dying his hair rainbow colours and shooting up anything he could jam in a syringe he might have had it different?

 

[Guardian of Takhisis]

I'd say he's underrated to a certain extent. What I mean is that he's underrated because there are plenty of people that like him but on a whole the crowd just doesn't get behind him. Plenty of times there is a wrestle that is great in so many ways but the crowd just doesn't want to like him. It doesn't matter what type of push that person gets. Look at The Rock. When he was first introduced the audience hated him. He found a way to make it work to his advantage though. I agree with what another poster said in another thread about how we should eliminate the words over- and underrated. Because normally people you use overrated already have a biased opinion against the person. There's the possibility that if the crowd could have gotten behind Shelton more then he could have gone farther and even been given a world title. That's just my opinion though.

 

[sharu7]

Over-rated.

I have no idea why the IWC keeps jizzing over this guy. He had a pathetic gimmick, and all he could do was fly around the ring. Yeah I want a guy who flys around the ring as my World Champ. If he was ever to get over with me, then he should have been given a gimmick similar to JBL's.

Coming to the ring in a suit, cutting heelish promos, but without the limo.

He should have been given a stable of some sort, just like JBLS cabinet.

If the Texas Bradshaw could be World Champ with the JBL gimmick I don't see why Shelton couldn't. If the texas Bradshaw from 2002 was to be a challenger for the title some day all of you would be like what the fuck. But a gimmick change did wonders for him.

If Shelton was given the same treatment we would have a star right now. He was tremendous in the ring, would have been over with the crowd, and probably would have gave us plenty of 4-5 star matches.

If they are ever going to bring him back, he needs to have a gimmick change...If not then TNA!

 

[Notorious718]

I wasn't sure what to make of Shelton Benjamin during his WWE run. I was in awe of the man's athleticism and the fact that he could pull off great matches. He had a pretty successful midcard career but in spite of that, he was never able to transition into the main event. I actually thought he was showing glimpses of hope during the last few months of his run when he was thriving in ECW and after his draft to Smackdown. I was a bit disappointed when he got released. It's been said before, the man is great in the ring but his poor promo skills and inability to let his personality shine through on the mic hurt his chances of becoming a main event mainstay. If you can't establish a connection with the crowd, you won't get over. I don't know about overrated or underrated but looking back, he really wasn't anything but a glorified spot monkey. Would I like to see him come back? Absolutely. Do I see him as a main eventer in WWE? Absolutely not.