Titles for unhappy employees!

[Spaceman Spif]

With the title being given to Rey Mysterio at the Fatal Four Way PPV, and the supposed reasoning behind it, it made me think. Is giving titles to people who are unhappy with their current role or are unhappy with things in general a good idea? Rey was wanting to take a month or so off, to rest and heal up, it is also being said he was not happy with his current role, so with The Undertaker out longer than first thought, and Rey unhappy, Vince and the WWE decide to give Rey the title to make him happy again and make him stick around.

Then before they released him, look at how much Vince and the WWE bent over backwards with Carlito to keep him happy, pairing him with his brother and giving him a tag title reign. What's the point?

I don't think it is right for a few reasons. The First being that is sets a precedent in the WWE, that if you are a good talent and Vince wants to keep you, if you throw a fit, say your unhappy and threaten to leave, then you'll get a title around your waist. Vince and the WWE have just opened the floodgates to people using being upset and wanting to leave to get a title.

The second issue I see, is it could put undeserving people in the title picture, thus pushing more deserving people out of it. What about the wrestlers who have worked hard, put in a hell of a effort, deserve the title and are told it is coming soon? How is it fair to them, to been moved down the list, just because Vince wants to give the title to someone else to keep them happy? It's not fair.

The third problem I see is the real anger and splits in the locker room that I can see happening. Guys like Orton, Cena, Edge, Kane, Big Show, Punk even and a few others getting pissed that the title is being given away as a way to keep people happy than as a reward for your hard work or as a reward for a great angle worked and such. I can see this creating some bad blood and ill feelings.

Thoughts and opinions people? Do you agree or disagree?

 

[MCMG]

well obviously vince the business man will not let one of his best money making guys become unhappy. Even though i disagree with him getting the belt rey is old and passed his prime so he can elevate younger guys to the main event.

 

[Decarow]

Well Mysterio is definitely one of the biggest draws for Smackdown, if not THE biggest draw. They didn't like the title on Swagger, Big Show is better at chasing the title, and Punk would gain more heat by beating a face one-on-one. I for one am happy Rey got the title.

This kind of stuff happens in the business world all the time. Hell, I got a promotion a year ago by telling them I was going to walk out if they didn't treat me better.

One big thing I see in your post is the whole "putting it on deserving people". I disagree because Rey does deserve it. Carlito only got tag titles when this was happening, a title that almost meant nothing at the time.

Something you have to realize, is these titles aren't as long-term as they used to be. Rey isn't going to hold this title for 3 years. Hell, he'll drop it before 2011.

And about throwing a fit and getting your way, that's not the case. Carlito was still in the doghouse for a while because of it. He still had to prove he deserved it. They only put him in situations where he could prove himself, he wasn't just handed anything.

And from the sources I read, Rey wasn't THAT unhappy. Think about it. You're about to go on a month vacation and then you can't because you accidentally injured someone. That does bring morale low and could possibly make him perform at his worse.

Also, Rey takes GREAT pride in the belt and actually shows off as a champion. Something some people just can't do.

So ya, I agree with Vince's decision to put the title on Rey to keep him happy. He deserves it and it was a smart business decision. Any other star that gets pissed about it is obviously very new to the industry or is too cocky/brash and will eventually go the way of Carlito.

 

[triniphenom]

im happy rey won but the whole match was built around kane angry about who took out the undertaker so shouldnt of kane be in the match and won the world title tell me wat yall think

 

[harrythem]

Rey has been one of the most consistent ratings draws, merchandise sellers and, more importantly (for me) consistent wrestlers in the last year and a half. He deserves another title run and, this time, at least he wont be treated like crap as he was before. Considering he keeps delaying knee surgery I'd say he's done a phenomenal job in the ring and pulling his weight in his feud with Punk.

Saying throw a fit and you'll get a title. Look at Batista, yeah he was in the title hunt but, he threw a fit and wasn't given the title, he lost all the big matches and looked a bit like a bitch in doing it.

 

[rondiesel2005]

With the title being given to Rey Mysterio at the Fatal Four Way PPV, and the supposed reasoning behind it, it made me think. Is giving titles to people who are unhappy with their current role or are unhappy with things in general a good idea? Rey was wanting to take a month or so off, to rest and heal up, it is also being said he was not happy with his current role, so with The Undertaker out longer than first thought, and Rey unhappy, Vince and the WWE decide to give Rey the title to make him happy again and make him stick around.

Then before they released him, look at how much Vince and the WWE bent over backwards with Carlito to keep him happy, pairing him with his brother and giving him a tag title reign. What's the point?

I don't think it is right for a few reasons. The First being that is sets a precedent in the WWE, that if you are a good talent and Vince wants to keep you, if you throw a fit, say your unhappy and threaten to leave, then you'll get a title around your waist. Vince and the WWE have just opened the floodgates to people using being upset and wanting to leave to get a title.

The second issue I see, is it could put undeserving people in the title picture, thus pushing more deserving people out of it. What about the wrestlers who have worked hard, put in a hell of a effort, deserve the title and are told it is coming soon? How is it fair to them, to been moved down the list, just because Vince wants to give the title to someone else to keep them happy? It's not fair.

The third problem I see is the real anger and splits in the locker room that I can see happening. Guys like Orton, Cena, Edge, Kane, Big Show, Punk even and a few others getting pissed that the title is being given away as a way to keep people happy than as a reward for your hard work or as a reward for a great angle worked and such. I can see this creating some bad blood and ill feelings.

Thoughts and opinions people? Do you agree or disagree?

I dont know what to say i mean, am not really a big fan of rey like i use to when he was in WCW, If he was unhappy then they should put him in a better fued with another wrestler that way he happy, but i mean is he really going to hold on to that belt for a looooong time???

 

[BigLuther]

Well, it certainly was a nice bargaining chip to get Rey to stick around. Remember, he was supposed to have knee surgery all the way back in January, but stuck around because both him and WWE didn't want him to miss yet another Wrestlemania. Then, he was gonna get the surgery immediately following Mania, but WWE wanted the angle with Punk to continue. The angle with Punk finally ends in May, and Rey is looking forward to time off. But wait, just kidding, Rey! Taker is more hurt than you and you have to stay.

Postponing surgery for as long as they did is not only dangerous (especially at this point in Rey's career), but it's gotta be aggravating to be told you're getting time off and then asked to stay time and time again. A World title run was probably the only thing to get him to stay. Let's face it... his first run with the belt in 2006 was awful, and they likely wouldn't give him the belt again unless they had to. That seems to be the case now.

Swagger really wasn't cutting it as World champion. I like the guy, but it just wasn't working. Big Show doesn't need the title, so the next logical choice I guess is Mysterio. I don't see him keeping the belt past Summerslam. I'd like to see McIntyre win MITB and cash in on Rey at SS.

 

[The Duke]

I think the most logical thing to do last night was to put the title on Punk. I never really liked Punk until the whole Straight Edge Society thing worked. The E needs to ACTUALLY give him 1 or 2 more people and get Serena to wrestle. You get someone in the midcard scene in there and a legit tag partner for Baldy and you've got yourself a dominate stable. Punk takes the mask and the belt off Mysterio, Midcarder B wins the IC/US title, Baldy and Mystery Partner wins the tag titles and Serena takes the womans title and you have that dominate force you've been looking for.

Instead, they put the title on Mysterio and have chance Punk around with some phantom "assailant" that put his brother in a coma which we all know will eventually be revealed to be Kane himself. I just wonder if at this point the writers are just trying to prove to themselves that no matter what they do, we'll keep watching.

This going to set up another Rey/Big Show thing and I'm sick of that. For real, something NEW needs to happen. Get that dominate stable, make things happen! Fuck the whole PG thing. They need that attitude era back or eventually TNA is going to figure out to put the round block doesn't go in the square hole and actually make a run at this thing.

 

[peteaypan]

I, like most people I guess, was suprised that Rey got the title.
However, I am pleased he got it. What with a lot of people saying that he got his 1st title reign because of his close friendship with Eddie, it is nice to see him get it again. Whether it was to keep Rey from resting up for a while or to make him happier I obviously am not sure (i kinda hope not, and it was actually because he deserves it) but either way im pleased.

Also, when he is announced how do people feel about him being called the World Champion and not the World Heavyweight Champion? I realise he isnt a heavyweight but he has that title so in my opinion he should be called it. A bug bear of mine tbh!

 

[The Shockmaster]

I am not a fan of Rey winning the title. I mean a guy that the smaller in height than my sister winning the world"heavy"weight title just seems wrong to me. I loved rey in wcw and his early years with the wwe but he it not the same guy anymore.

Plus now were does this leave big show. If he is going to chase after the title against rey ill stop watching smackdown until the Undertaker comes back. No matter in a ring or in the street is it believable that a guy that is 350 pounds lighter and a couple feet shorter than the big show is ever going to be able to beat him. Its not logical and to me...not entertaining to watch.

The title should of went to punk yesterday. Hes getting heat with striaght edge...mocked the biggest drawer of smackdown the undertaker in the previous smackdown and just has a bunch of momentum. Him winning would of started of fued between him and kane until the undertaker got back to deal with kane and eventually punk.

But no...the wwe decides to put the championship on rey...a filler for the match and the guy that injured the man that was probably suppose to win the title in the first place. Not that another taker reign is needed right now but to me is more welcomed than a guy that owned in the cruiserweight division for years holding the "heavy"weight title

 

[Poop Master Flex]

Personally, I don't believe in giving your top title to a guy just because he is unhappy, but you also have to look at it from Vince's point of view. In Mysterio's case it is probably not a good idea to have the guy unhappy, he is one of your top draws in the company, the kids love him (which seems to be the direction the WWE's going) and he's a merchandise monster, therefore you have to keep the guy happy or else you lose out on quite a bit of revenue (eventually Mysterio can and will be replaced, but building another guy to that level takes time).

I'm sure they could of found a better way to keep him happy (like just letting him attend that AAA event for starters) but Mysterio as champion is not really a bother to me, I would of liked the title on Swagger (he could use it more), but Mysterio is probably the next best choice on Smackdown (especially since Punk doesn't need the title to be over, and Big Shows doing well in his current position).

With that said, if you have a guy like Jeff Hardy (who everyone knows is leaving) then its not a good idea to appease him, especially since you really have no way of keeping him on the roster. Keeping someone like Hardy (who is a top draw) happy is useless because he's only looking out for himself, but someone like Mysterio obviously loves and cares for the business, so its a good idea to keep someone like that around and if you have to bend a bit to make him happy so be it.

 

[jake122683]

There are pros and cons of Rey winning the title for me.


Pros-He always puts on a great match and enjoys the title and it shows. He is a top talent and wrestles hurt. Whatever feud he is in is a top feud on the show. They are rarely if ever, duds.

Cons-He did get the title because

A: He was unhappy.
B:He injured The Undertaker and got his spot on the event, which I feel could possibly set a bad precedent.

but also, hasn't he been in trouble for substances a few times? If it is once, I'll let it go but it seems like twice in the last few years he has tested positive. I am sorry, but I don't like giving the title to people who have repeatedly done as such.


I would have much rather seen WWE have Kane win his match against Rey and be the final participant, win the fatal four way, have a two-month reign and then lose to the Undertaker at Summerslam. Kane deserves it. He came come off as a monster heel based on his character alone. I really don't see the point in his storyline. He is losing every match he is in and interfering with the ones he isn't in. Where is this going? It seems nowhere.

 

[pjIXOYE]

"oh look! Its Rey Mastrio, he's barely more bigger than Hornswoggle" - One of the greatest santino lines ever.

When it comes to being unhappy and getting his way...think about it like this...they are setting up Rey vs. Punk for Summer Slam and Punk will win the title then. Possibly a title vs mask match. Its setting up for great TV.

 

[supersrc]

Im actually glad rey got the title, he is a big draw and takes alot of pride in being champion. Vince made a smart buisness move, I dont feel alot of guys, (like cena CM punk, Jack Swagger) dont see the wwe and world title as prestigeous championships, but as job security and props. Hopefully seeing guys like rey and batista throwing fits over the belt, and how much the title means to alot of the older talent, and multi generation talent (like Rey Undertaker Orton HHH) that the up and commers and younger talent will learn or relearn that even though its "sports entertainment" its still pro wrestling and being the main champion should be the ultimate goal of any sport entertainer or profesional wrestler

 

[Marks "R" Us]

Getting or keeping titles cause of being uphappy or throwing fits? Didn't HBK make a career of this in the late 90's? As the old saying goes the squeaky wheel gets the grease and that definately seems to hold true for wrestling. I don't approve of it but I don't see it changing anytime soon.

 

[Travaje]

I think OP is reading into this a little too much. I'm not saying OP's theory isn't possible, but if Rey really needs the title to be happy, then Rey needs to retire. I sincerely doubt Vince is going to put the belt on someone who doesn't want to do business.

From WWE's standpoint, it makes sense. Rey is a top draw. I would imagine that WWE puts the belt on someone that can draw by time the shows goes to cable. If it were me, I'd put the top belt on a face for Smackdown before I would on Raw. And I know so many of us love heels (myself included), but given their audience, I would think faces should be winning more, and if heels are being pushed, it's only to eventually push faces over said heels.

Now, who does Rey face? Rematches against Swagger? I wouldn't. I can't imagine those two doing big business. I know some of you want Swagger pushed and probably thought it was too soon to have him drop the belt, but he had his chance and I don't think he got over with it. As with Sheamus, have him drop the belt, work on getting over more, then let him have another chance. The logical choice for Rey is CM Punk. And if that's the case, the company really believes in those two, as they've already had how many matches? They must be drawing good money.

 

[mk_philly74]

The big problem I see with this is that if I'm not mistaken, Rey was the one who injured Taker in the first place. So they take away his vacation time and reward him with the title? That's just funny. I don't know what kind of pull Rey has in the back, but it must be big to be able to injure one of your top guys and get the belt.

 

[CactusJack91]

Look, I can remember watching Rey Mysterio Jr. in his early days in WCW fighting in tournaments for the Cruiserweight Titles, putting on classic and probably the most underrated rivalries in the 90s, Rey v. Malenko, and he's never disappointed. I respect him for being a pioneer in the business, the top crusierweight ever, hands down, and for his times as "The Giant Killer" in WCW. Then the big deal was people his size couldn't compete with the big boys i.e. Kevin Nash, the Giant, you get the idea.

But now they've been running with this Ultimate Underdog angle with him, and it may have killed me on Rey. If you are a two-time World Heavyweight Champion, defeated people like Big Show, Kevin Nash, Chris Jericho, Dean Malenko, Eddie Guerrero, and so on, you're not an underdog anymore, I'm sorry. And last night I thought the World Heavyweight Championship Fatal Four Way Match was going great, honestly Kane coming out I thought sucked the emotion out of the match, but I digress.

However, I understand Rey is one of your biggest draws with the kids, brings in merch sales yadda yadda, but honestly over the last year that I've noticed on SmackDown!, Rey, it almost seems isn't allowed to lose. When he dropped the IC Title to Morrison way back when, he got in trouble, had to take time off, and therefore, a hurried decision by management made the decision to drop the belt to Morrison as opposed to Dolph Ziggler, who was supposed to win it soon. And apparently he's been in trouble before, then he breaks Undertaker's face and now he's champ. Watching SmackDown! every week, watching who's also drawing heat, or drawing pops, or what have you, Big Show, CM Punk, or Kane would've been better choices. Probably the Big Show, the kids have really started to cling to Big Man with the Heavy Hand. I dunno, I just don't agree with the Rey decision.

 

[Dudebuster420]

This was a pretty big let down for me. I knew going into the match that because Rey Mysterio was in it, he was going to win to further the "Ultimate Underdog" thing. Personally, I'm tired of it. I can only suspend my disbelief so far. As a company guy I love Mysterio, he has done a lot for the WWE and earned his place at the top of the card. He has a great work ethic, he can still fly in the ring, he sells tons of merchandise, and does have a massive following. You can't just replace that so indeed he does have his value. I ask though, How much is too much Mysterio?

I have that answer: When he is holding the World Heavyweight Championship. I have a problem with this for a few reasons that all start with the words "Heavy-Weight-Championship". Notice that keyword "Heavyweight"? You see, generally to compete for a "Heavyweight" Championship you have to meet the qualifications of being a heavyweight, which means weighing enough and being big enough to fall into that category. 180-200 off a diet doesn't meet the heavyweight requirement, neither does 5'5''. Unfortunately though, as it pertains to Rey Mysterio those qualifications do not adhere and I have a problem with a little guy like that beating the likes of......Everyone he steps in the ring with despite their size, strength, or technical superiority. It's difficult to buy into Mysterio beating someone as normal sized as Jericho or Miz, let alone Big Show, or Batista, or C.M. Punk, on and on the list goes.

As for the Politics behind his win, I could care less about that because the above mentioned should take precedence anyways. He shouldn't even be in the WHC picture. I think that just devalues everyone else who just lost to him because they could beat a little worm like Mysterio. I don't get it, he injures Undertaker, and they basically reward him for it. Sure, he was about to go on vacation for a month so you want to make him filling in for Taker worth his while, but still the only reason that instance has occurred is because of him injuring the biggest guy in the company, so why put the strap on him? Make him fill in and do it because he is at fault and do it without winning a title. That is the message and the precedent I would be trying to set, rather than rewarding him for fucking up.

 

[The 1-2-3 Killam]

Personally I think WWE wrestlers are given a tremendous opportunity, and if they really want to be the man on top, they need to work for it. I'm not saying that Mysterio hasn't earned that title win, but giving it to him in order to keep him on the payroll isn't right at all.

Rey Mysterio has been around for a long time, and he's accomplished a great amount for somebody his size (considering how Vince looks at smaller wrestlers). His last World Title run was lackluster, and I really don't think this one is going to be any better. If Rey is unhappy about the way he is being used, he needs to deal with it. He has a job with the WWE, as a top face on Smackdown. If he wants to be used in a specific way, he needs to ask for it, and if he doesn't like the answer, he is free to go. But whining until he gets the World title given to him is the wrong way to go. But maybe it wasn't his fault. Maybe he wasn't asked, and they just gave him the title to keep him happy. In that case, the WWE needs to focus on building guys and giving titles to the people with good reactions (both heel and face). Rey Mysterio lost a VIEWER'S CHOICE vote to CM Punk weeks ago... that match was decided by the fans, and he still lost to a top heel? And at Fatal 4-Way Mysterio got almost no reaction during his backstage promo with Big Show.

I really don't agree with this title run, but I guess we'll see what happens. To answer your original question, I think giving wrestlers titles and opportunities just to keep them employed is wrong. At the end of the day, wrestling is a business, and if Mysterio was putting fans in the seats, I could see making him happy. But the truth is he's fading right now, and he has no room to complain.

Carlito was just bad for the WWE in every way. Apart from his original push against Cena years ago, he's never had a great reaction from the crowd, and he's well known for being lazy and selfish. They should have let him go years ago, and it should have never come down to a failed Wellness failure.

 

[Mudd2010]

yeah how does rey get rewarded for injuring the undertaker and thats the reason he was given the title because undertaker is going to be out longer then expected. Hello, wwe he is out that long because of the guy you just gave the belt to.

 

[Klown_Karnage]

It's my opinion that perhaps we're overreacting on this one a bit. It seems to me that the IWC has latched on to that one statement in the report (more than likely delivered by a biased source and most probably geared to be used as a story line bit sooner or later) and not looking at the big picture. I'd like to point out a few things.

First, in earlier reports speaking of Evan Bourne's push, it was mentioned that Vince was going to start focusing on some of the smaller wrestlers who were being underused. With that attitude in mind, putting the championship belt on Rey only makes sense.

Secondly, I think we all remember what happened with Mickie James when she was transfered to Smackdown because of "weight issues". First we got that report and then we were hit with the "Piggie James" story line. How do we know that this report wasn't simply planted to go with the story and perhaps the whole thing with the "disgruntled" Mysterio is the same situation? We don't. Vinnie Mac is a master at using the legitimate press to further his own story line agenda. I can almost guarantee you that this report will come back as a kind of story angle sooner or later.

Thirdly, are we really so nieve as to think that Mysterio was some how able to emotionally blackmail the WWE? He's a great performer and a huge draw, but if they can live without Jeff Hardy, they probably can see themselves living without Rey Mysterio. They've got tons of other big draws and it it's not as if they were in danger of losing Cena or Taker after all.

Fourth, I personally think the fact that Taker was injured in a match with Mysterio is irrelevant except in terms of possible vengeance by Taker against Mysterio upon his return. Listen, folks, even among the most careful wrestlers, injuries happen. Both these guys are getting old in the wrestling business and you can't expect their bodies to last forever. Both of them knew what they were getting into when they put themselves in that ring. Just 'cause they're veterans doesn't make 'em perfect. Taker will have some heavy receipts for Mysterio, no doubt about it, but I also have no doubt that these two understand each other enough to know it wasn't personal.

 

[mayankeagle]

The Fatal Four Way results are really frustrating and they could point to a certain direction as far as the storyline of Undertaker's "vegetative" state is concerned. Rey Mysterio winning the title? Are you "kid"ding me? That was a disappointment to say the least, except for the "kids". Here is what this does:

* Completely wastes the credibility of Jack Swagger as a champion. His MITB win was a waste, since his title reign hardly lasted - it was not dominant at all, and he was not shown winning too many singles' matches as champion (even non-title ones) either.

* Continues to degrade the championship's status because it exchanges hands at every other PPV and the concept of long title reigns that we used to have during the days of guys like Sammartino or Hogan or Flair or Bret Hart or Austin or Rock or even Goldberg/ Lesnar/ HHH are gone. The last long title reigns I remember were what Batista and Cena had in 2005/ 06.

* It is certain that Mysterio will soon drop the belt to someone else because he came back from his vacation to replace Undertaker. It means his vacation is pending and he'll be looking forward to it when Undertaker returns. Hence, his title win will also be short-lived and there's no point in giving these short title-reigns. It just makes the WWE look like they don't know what to do with the title, unless someone is holding it for a long dominant reign.

* Earlier the Wrestling Observer was reporting that the WWE will make Swagger as the culprit for Taker's state, but now that he is not champion anymore, that storyline will have to be dropped and it will probably be Kane himself who would be the one responsible for taking out Taker. This is a repeat of a story we have seen 1476786353412563412563 times in the past, and I am not interested in seeing it again. It will also ruin the great promos that Kane has been giving on Smackdown and nullify all of it to nothing. Instead they could've created a Taker-Swagger rivalry to give Swagger a much-deserved push.

I am furious with the WWE for doing all this.

 

[dotty_84]

I just feel Mysterio must just be behind Taker and Cena for losing matches it's crazy. Will they use him to put people over, no. He's face and sells masks like hot cakes he'll not put anyone over never to the level Jericho can.

It's poor from Mysterio in my eyes, he should be loaded. I bet this run is nothing substantial and a waste id rather not have the title than have the title like for a month or two.

He doesn't need petty belt wins like this, no need. For me Punk and Swagger are the future for smackdown atleast. Can Rey be used in much more storylines?