Smackdown & The World Heavyweight Championship

[Mitch Henessey]

By now we all know that WWE plans on stretching Undertaker VS Kane until Survivor Series. Undertaker VS Kane has dominated the world title picture on Smackdown for a while, and it seems as if this feud will continue to occupy the main event scene on the blue brand for a couple of more months. This might be the BIG feud in WWE right now, but who else is ready to step up as the next #1 contender?

CM Punk can be a great heel world champion, but he's been Big Show's punching bag for the past couple of months, and it seems as if he's going no where in WWE at the moment. Alberto Del Rio might be receiving a big push now, but I highly doubt we'll see him in the world title picture anytime soon. Then you have guys like Cody Rhodes, Drew McIntyre, and MVP. All of these men might receive some nice mid card pushes, but I also don't think any of these guys are ready for a world title run.

Now let's take a look at the guys who could wear the WHC:

Rey Mysterio: Rey just returned, and I wouldn't be surprised if he came out on top in his feud with Del Rio. There's always a chance the little man can come away with the gold in a triple threat or fatal four way match. He's one of WWE's big names and the crowd loves him, so I wouldn't be surprised if he won the belt again.

Jack Swagger: Swagger could have a run with the belt, but I doubt it will happen in the near future. Swagger's been wondering in the mid card, and I think he's going to stay their for a while.

The Big Show: Show might be the most likely candidate to be put into the world title picture next. He destroyed a stable and it's leader by himself for months, and he's been running through the roster. Show has been in the main event before. He also has a history with The Undertaker, so it wouldn't shock me if they decided to have him feud with the world champion after Taker and Kane finish fighting each other.

It's obvious Undertaker is going to become the next World Heavyweight Champion, but who else is going to be groomed as the next #1 contender? I think we might be in for a LONG Taker world title reign. There has been tons of speculation about Undertaker's retirement, so I'm sure WWE would want to give him that one last title run. Still, Smackdown's world title situation is very lopsided right now, because besides The Big Show and maybe Rey Mysterio, there really is no one who's close to being ready for a world title feud.

What are your thoughts?

 

[The Crock]

I could definitely see somebody becoming a first time champ soon, like Kofi Kingston. He just needs to pick up a rub from a former World Champ like CM Punk. I don't see him taking the belt off of Undertaker though.

CM Punk is my prime candidate. He has toiled in the midcard long enough, it is time for him to make that jump again. He's great on the mic and he has proved he can hang with Undertaker. Why not let that happen again? Punk could easily pick up the dirty win and get the title, hell, he could even win clean in my eyes.

Edge is another guy on my radar. He just made the jump and he looked great last night. I mean GREAT. His character really seems to have been rejuvenated. Maybe after a feud with Swagger he could take the belt, especially if he looks really good against Swagger.

Like you said though, there really isn't anybody ready RIGHT NOW. They'll need to groom a guy to take the belt, they'll need to legitimize some new contenders and a few old contenders, because right now... the title picture is looking stale.

 

[Wade's Public Transit Bomb]

Maybe it is just me, (which happens a lot) I don't think SD has a lot of "main event" guys. On Raw, Cena is the guy to beat, even without the title. You know that Cena is going to be a part of the biggest angle on the show.

Alberto Del Rio will obviously be the top heel as soon as Kane and Taker are done. But who will be the number one face? Big Show is carrying the mid-card jobbers in an attempt to make the jobbers relevant. Rey has become whiny backstage, so you really can book him for something without he going down with 'injury'.

And regardless of what most people think of the SD mid-card, a lot of them just flat out suck or aren't ready for the main event.

 

[Dean Winchester]

Why can't they just give whover deserves the title the chance to hold it?...CM Punk deserves it, I mean the guy truly never go a good reign as WE Champion cause he held the belt only for awhile. I think that he needs to have a good long reign as WWE Champion. Just like JBL had when he was WWE Champion on Smackdown a few years ago.

 

[Ultra Awesome]

On the topic of Rey Mysterio, he just barely came back; I doubt that he will jump to the title picture so quick. High chances are him and Del-Rio will have a lengthy fued. I'm fine with that at the momment; I enjoy a quality 'mexican' style match.

Also, I always thought the Big Show was a boring wrestler to watch; he makes a horrible face and really isn't that funny like some people claim him to be. Big SHow is mediocre. I really loath the fact that CM Punk has been jobbing to him as, quite frankly, Punk deserves better than that.

With that said, I would really want to see CM Punk feud for the title against Undertaker next. Sure, it just happened last year, but I feel this is the kind of jolt CM Punk needs right now. CM Punk is a great wrestler with amazing mic skills---him jobbing to the Big Show is just unbearable. A feud between the Undertaker and CM Punk happening again should be quite entertaining to say the least.

Other possibilities such as the rest of the mid-card seem highly unlogical for them to be in the main event (world title) picture yet. Simple fact is, they aren't ready...or at least, they haven't been pushed enough to qualify for main event level...

 

[#hamler]

Jack swagger and Rey Mysterio should never hold gold again. Well, Swagger needs some work. But mysterio is getting stale and boring. He can't do half the things he used to do in the ring and quite frankly, I'm tired of this underdog storyline crap. Swagger needs more feuds to establish himself as a threat to any championship.

My first pick would be Edge
I know he's not officially on Smackdown as of yet but he's ready to wear some gold again. His new tweener gimmick is really interesting. Given the right opportunity, Edge could become a major threat, at anytime, to whoever holds the heavyweight title on Smackdown. That's why Edge is so special, he can be feuding with some lower mid carder one minute, then feuding with the World Championship the next minute. Edge, after putting over some young guys, will be a world champion again.

Alberto Del Rio
The guy has taken out two major midcarders in the last months. He's ready for the big time already. He's got a great gimmick, look, and his in ring ability is magnificant. After Rey Mysterio is done jobbinh/putting him over, i'd like to see him feud with Undertaker for the championship. It may be a little early, but I see no "green" in Alberto.

CM Punk
Do I need to explain? He deserves this more than anyone on the Smackdown (or RAW for that matter)roster.

Big Show
Pretty much everyone has mentioned this guy. He's taken out a huge heel faction on Smackdwon single handed. Won his little (but forgetable) feud with CM Punk. I wouldn't leave my brand in the hands of the Big Show, but he is pretty over with the crowd.

 

[Big Nick Dudley]

Honestly, I see Taker dropping the belt just before Mania. I think he will take it back this Sunday, and start another feud with a new #1 contender for Survivor Series.

The feud with Kane may continue, but I don't know how. They have basically stretched it as far as it can go, with Taker being at "maximum" power right now, with the return of Percy and the urn.

I would guess next in line would be CM Punk, or Big Show..because they are the only two other main eventers on Smackdown. But really, after Sunday (assuming Taker wins the belt), he only has to sustain a feud through the Rumble.

If this really is the end for Taker, don't look for him to carry the belt into Wrestlemania, because he would have to drop the belt. And he is NOT losing at Mania. Read it again, slackers; NOT losing at Mania. I see someone screwing him out of the title in the months leading up to Mania, a feud, Taker destroying that man at Mania, and walking away with the druids and Percy, never to be seen again..or something weird like that.

 

[The Raven's Epitaph]

If I'm being completely honest here, I hope the WWE Draft Lottery comes early this year and I hope Smackdown actually get something good.

Smackdown don't come across as having many main-eventers and more than half the time, have the same guys in the main-event situation. Of course, I'm talking about The Undertaker. He's been in the World Title picture since at least Bragging Rights 2009. So, for arguments sake, he's been in the picture for just about a full year, minus the injury time of course.

If anybody is to become the next World Champion or become the new contender, then I'm going to have to say CM Punk or Big Show. Undertaker is going to be the next World Champion, without a doubt. He's on a major roll and whether he wins at Hell in a Cell tomorrow night or not, he's still going to be in the picture.

CM Punk and Big Show on the other hand, are two valuable assets to Smackdown, and are arguabally the biggest stars there. CM Punk is a 3 time Champion, and it wouldn't be strange seeing him in the run again, rather than see him fizzle out and turn into an MVP. Big Show has been WWE Champion before, so he knows the way things work around that area. I'd actually like to see Big Show with the World Championship while he's as active and as hot as he is right now. He's pretty much rid the SES from Smackdown, and he's still on fire now.

Going back to the Draft I mentioned at the start of my post, Smackdown would benefit greatly from getting some hot Raw talent. Evan Bourne for one, would lighten up Smackdown for the better. Smackdown would deffenitly use him to a certain extent and he's a fan favourite. He's fizzled out completely on Raw, I mean really, give the kid a break. M.E wise, I actually think Wade Barrett would be a good pick. Not only have Nexus invaded Raw since June-July period, but it'd deffenitly add some excitement to Smackdown if something were to evolve from their move over to the blue brand. Hell, he could even leave Nexus on Raw by themselves. We'll have to see what develops at Hell in a Cell and progress onwards from there. There are many options.

 

[ABMorales787]

Smackdown has been pretty miserable when it comes to building stars as of late. One year ago people expected Drew McIntyre to be the brand's next big heel. Not the case now. People expected Christian to be the next big too, but it hasn't even come close to it. They tried pushing Matt Hardy. AGAIN. And failed. AGAIN. At this point I just can't see where Smackdown will go after the conclusion of Kane and Taker III. Especially if Undertaker wins. Who's gonna beat the biggest figure of pro wrestling if your entire heel roster is composed of mid-card wrestlers and CM Punk? That would be me saying CM Punk is the most likely candidate, but do you really see him winning? The Undertaker is the reason CM Punk is where he is right now.

The only possible scenario I see here is Kane retaining at Hell In A Cell, lead into a feud with The Big Show and Undertaker screwing Kane out of the title in order to allow the feud to be more personal and not feature the World title for casual wear.

 

[The Doctor]

I was thinking the other day about who Taker's challenger would be once he wins the title from Kane. There was only one man who came to mind, who could fit right in and do it well. And that man is CM Punk. Punk has finally lost the SES, which some may say is a step back, but let's face it; he was never exactly made to look strong when they were by his side. Now he's taking on Taker, and delivering flawless promo after flawless promo. He gets so much heat it's unreal. I think it's time to repromote Punk to the main event scene, and this time hopefully keep him there.

The Big Show is a face riding a major wave of popularity and would probably be booed if he tried to go up against Taker. Kane would probably have just lost the title and they've really stretched this feud out as far as it will go (not a bad thing; this has been a very enjoyable storyline). Drew McIntyre sucks, Del Rio isn't ready, I have no desire to see Edge vs. Taker again, especially with Edge being his same old boring Ultimate Opportunist self, and Cody Rhodes is busy. CM Punk is just the best choice for a heel challenger right now.

 

[Ferbian]

You're completely right about the 3 people listed available to actually challenge for the world title besides Kane if Undertaker becomes champion again. However, it's obvious that it most likely won't be either Rey Mysterio or Big Show. Considering the fact that they're faces, and Undertaker is a tweener at the position so popular that he'd automatically turn his opponents into the heels.

It would only really work for Jack Swagger on that list. Especially due to the fact that we have pretty much nobody in the mid-card of heel position able to step it up, who isn't already doing something. That being Drew McIntyre who could've at least stepped up somewhat, to test the waters so to say. Other than that, there's only Jack Swagger.

And really, I feel that it's only fair that he gets to give it a go once again. He wasn't given the right opportunity back when he was champion. And it hurt his position with the management, which ultimately caused him to loose the championship. Beating Undertaker would be a HUGE accomplishment for Jack Swagger, and would automatically make him somewhat of a credible champion in people's eyes.

So really, Jack is the only one that would make sense as of now. And it's probably also the only one I want to see do it.

 

[FunKay the Inevitable]

I think it's going to be interesting to see where they take Taker from here. I feel that it's highly unlikely that Taker will be involved in the possible Unification Match at WrestleMania which means that he'll be dropping it before hand. I suspect that it may happen at the Elimination Chamber PPV but it could happen before then.

Right now, Taker is locked in his bitter rivalry with Kane which is supposed to go to Survivor Series (if that report on the front page is anything to go by). Post then, there are only really three heels that could be Takers next foe:
CM Punk
Jack Swagger
Alberto Del Rio

These three men are the biggest heels SmackDown has right now. Taker needs a strong heel to take the belt from him and head to Mania with the Championship (Much as Jericho did earlier in the year). There is a possibility that we could see a Face vs. Face feud with Mysterio, Show and Possibly Edge making their way to that slot, but I don't think WWE wants to go that route.

The best choice for me would be Punk. I'm a Del Rio mark, I'll admit it, but I don't see him touching the Main Event of WrestleMania this time round. Swagger is still in the midst of recovering from his failed title run leaving Punk. Punk also has history with Taker and the fans will be willing to accept Punk as the heel who takes the title from Taker.

 

[.]

[QUOTE="iMPACT! Player" Riaku;2479952] One year ago people expected Drew McIntyre to be the brand's next big heel. Not the case now.[/QUOTE]

True McIntyre was almost as big a flop as Kozlov

People expected Christian to be the next big too, but it hasn't even come close to it.

Due to the fact they are pushing young people not people in their late 30's

They tried pushing Matt Hardy. AGAIN. And failed. AGAIN.

No. They didn't they just gave Matt a feud he could work with. If it were a push he would've had a match with McIntyre on PPV instead of a 9 minute lackluster match on Smackdown. WWE has never pushed Matt, they just pushed his opponents; Edge, Jeff, MVP.

Anyways the possibilities i see to face Kane/Undertaker are:

Kofi Kingston
Why the hell not? He stole the show at MITB and had a good match with Dolph Ziggler at NoC. He can work the mic well enough, can wrestle great and has a unique look. He has been on a roll since moving to Smackdown rather than being squashed on RAW and a main event spot could be the next logical step. He is

CM Punk
The biggest and best heel WWE has right now. He has Jericho Syndrome right now where if he wins a world title it is just a transitional reign. The big problem with this is that the Punk/Taker feud has already been done and i don't think anyone would like to see a heel v heel match. Punk needs something right now but it doesn't look to be the world title.

There are others on Smackdown you may say. Jack Swagger needs a feud, a possible feud with Edge looks good. Alberto Del Rio needs to develop more heat and have his feud with Mysterio develop. The Big Show is a face with a huge pops but i just don't want to see him in the main event. McIntyre and Rhodes are busy with the tag titles.(Not saying either deserve a world title run at the moment, Give Cody a few years and give McIntyre something for us to give a flying fuck about.) Edge, like i said should feud with Swagger.

 

[TheChampionOfTheWorld]

Putting the World Heavyweight Championship on the Undertaker is a move in needed. The Undertaker doesn't need the championship to be over. It doesn't help him at all.

CM PUNK, JACK SWAGGER, & DREW McINTYRE would be my 3 top choices. CM PUNK is a great character, the title could give the SES a chance to become an elite stable. Punk needs a good fued to bring out the best in him. Like his fued with Mysterio. Would love to see more between those two. JACK SWAGGER could use a title run to establish him as a Main Eventer. His first run was cut short, but he did beat Orton clean but then it went downhill. I think Swagger fueding with Taker would be a great program for Swagger. Lastly, MCINTYRE would rise to the next level. He has been proclaimed the chosen one. Give him a run and I think people would be surprised how much talent the kid has.

I just want to see fresh faces hold the title. You can't establish new stars by holding them back.

 

[Dean Winchester]

I think WWE just put the belt on Undertaker because he brings fans in to see him thus is cash cow. Imean alot of people like Undertaker and like to see him at the shows. Remember all the World Championship belts go to the guys that are bringing the butts into the seats.

 

[RH23]

CM Punk: He's been stuck in the mid-card for far to long. Its time he gets back into the main event scene. I think a feud with the Undertaker would be a good one as both are good on the mic and somewhat good in the ring.

Edge: I would love to see Edge back in the main event scene. But I just don't see him feuding with the Undertaker again. Its already been done and he's turning into a tweener now and the only way I think he would be good for being in the main event is if he were feuding with a heel.

 

[Ferbian]

Well, considering Edge officially being Smackdown material right now, and Undertaker or Kane being world champions once their feud is over. Well then I can certainly see Edge challenging for the championship. More so if Kane is the champion, considering Edge seems to be turning face or tweener right now.

And of course, we all know that everybody can fight Undertaker. No limits on that guy. So to put Edge, who still has his heel antics here and there against Undertaker, would certainly also be a doable thing. Revisiting the feud just a little bit. Besides, Edge could do wonders for the main event of Smackdown, considering it truly needs a little bit of revival ever since the last draft.

 

[I_Am_Electro_Boy]

I think that Big Show deserves the title, he hasn't got many years left in him now and has been looking really strong as of late. He looks like he can run the brand and be the top man, I'm really growing fond of the big fella.

Also I think Swagger could hold te belt, his last reign was highly underatted. He was an okay champ and I think he could now have a better reign because people now look at him as a true contender.