Vladimir face turn a good idea?

[Sora/roxas]

OK, the guy is a destroyer. He doesn't speak English. How is this a good idea? They did this with The Great Khali and he hasn't been nearly as dominate. And from the looks of it hes going to be a comedy piece like Santino. That is a waste of his talent.

So my question is a good idea or not please explain.

 

[Viola Moonlight]

Vladmir Kozlov has been wasting away for some time now and making him something of a machine isn't going to work the second time around. They tried a lot to get people to hate Kozlov, but they welcomed him with nothing. The best the audience would do is chant "USA" over and over again. So they are trying to use Kozlov in a position where he has been tested already and seemed to work.

Santino and Kozlov were a team in the developmentals and did oka, so why not try it up in the big leagues? Santino is pretty over with the crowd as a face comedic character who has impeccable charisma, something Kozlov doesn't have. Kozlov is a big unit who has gone toe-to-toe with some of the best and has come out on top, something Santino can't achieve. By teaming them together, not only will these two overshadow their weaknesses, but it will keep them relevant on the already stacked RAW roster. The Main Event scene is huge, and the midcard division has enough guys. Why not add them to the tag division that has a lack of teams?

It makes sense to do this. People don't want to see another big man dominance story with Kozlov again, it's been done before. This is refreshing and an idea that has little risks. Why not?

 

[xcalypsox]

While I don't really like the idea of Kozlov being a face Falkion made some really good points of why it's the best choicefor him. Before this whole Santino wanting him as a tag team partner Kozlov wasnt doing much and their isnt that many tag teams so it's good for the tag division and Kozlov's career.

Also aren't the Hart dynasty the only face tag team right now? so this will add a face tag team for some feuds

 

[stuey1985]

I remember them doing something pretty similar with Booker T and Goldust a few years back and while Booker slid off the charts for quite a bit till his US Champ vbattles with Benoit and King Booker, compared to where the Booker T character was going in the post-invasion period, I think it redeveloped him as a likeable popular and respectable face who could hold up some decent rivalries, I mean he had a world hevywight championship shot against Triple H at Wrestlemania the following year. So it may work with Koslov.

Scotty2Hotty also gave some albiet short-term relevance for Albert a few years back.

Compared to where Koslov was going I don't think it was a bad idea at all and i expect he will probably get a heavy rivalry out big Zeke Jackson when Jackson returns

 

[UFOcalling]

I like the idea of Kozlov as a face, especially with Santino. It was a good change of pace to see such a big grin on his face on Raw tonight, and I've been enjoying the program he's been in lately (Santino trying to "woo" him to be his tag-partner).

I think this will be good for Kozlov, because as the "Moscow Mauler" the guy had the personality of a wet sponge. This story line with Santino has given him a little bit of depth lately (emphasis on the word "little"), and will probably work in the long-run to get him a bit more over with the crowd.

The formula has been tried and tested, and can definitely work again for these two (Kozlov and Santino)...they can be a team for a while, then eventually (somewhere way down the line) one will turn against the other. This can/could start a decent feud between the two, and might actually be a decent way to elevate both wrestlers.

A great way to do this would be to have Santino play the heel when the inevitable break-up happens. I think this would be a great way to get Santino out of the comedic role he's been stuck in, and possibly elevate one (if not both) of these guys back to at least the IC/US-level of competition.

So to answer your question, yes...I do believe that a face turn for Vladimir Kozlov is a good idea.

 

[The 1-2-3 Killam]

I honestly don't think it matters. He's completely irrelevant to the flow of Monday Night Raw whether he's a heel or a face. At least this way they can use him in comedy pieces, and he'll be doing something. As a heel, he's not really a threat. Sure, he's a big tough destroyer, but he's never been taken seriously, and with guys like Sheamus around, he'll never go anywhere, which is fine with me. Not that i"m really a hater, I just have never seen him going anywhere, and I dont' expect that to change any time soon.

 

[Krobra]

I think once Cena and Edge slip into the HBK role where he isn't needed for a Championship and there for mainly boosting feuds or helping elevate a new guy, Koslov would probably be more important to the show, but probably serve the Kane role. Not carrying the Championship, but still put on decent matches and help elevate more talent. I do see Koslov as a one time WWE/World Champion one day. Not in one, two, or even three years. But probably four or five years he'll get the belt for a few months before giving it back to the Miz, who I see as a 2-3 time WWE/World Champion by the end of 5 years.

Koslov as a face right now is a pretty good idea, and enjoyed the skits with Santino. He's hilarious, and with Koslov and Santino working together to overshadow each others weaknesses and bring out the positives, like FalKon said before, it will help more than hurt each other.

 

[NYJETMET]

IMO, he sucks. Just sucks. Kozlov should not even have a contract.

The guy is dull, slow, a horrible ring technician and has no mike skills. Even his finisher looks horrible when executed. They are wasting a roster spot with this guy. One year ago, he was headlining against HHH for the title (and still I am trying to figure out how and why). Now, he's a bad comedian? Give me a break.

Santino should have more of a role because he IS funny. The 'MOSCOW MORON' should be out pumping gas in Red Square.

 

[Dave]

I don’t think this is a good idea for Kozlov but I can definitely see why they have done it.

There is no doubting it, Kozlov is lost in a sea of talent and nothing sets him apart from any other heel on the roster. When he debuted in the WWE, he was undefeated and even ran Triple H close a few times. However, he never really managed to take that to the next level and soon enough, he was bumped back down to the mid-card, then ECW and then over to Raw again. Since that feud with Triple H, Kozlov has just been waiting on something to do and right now, there is nothing worthwhile. He was very dominant as a heel when he debuted and I would have liked to see him continue with that but as I said, I can understand why they have turned him face.

Santino needs something to do and whilst you wouldn’t think that they would make a great tag team, I am willing to wager that they get at least one Tag Team Championship shot. They have some build right now and it would be a complete and utter waste if they let that go to waste. I say give them some time and give them a few actual matches and see how far they can go. It would accomplish nothing if they were just crushed by everyone but whilst Kozlov looks semi-strong and Santino is still relevant enough, I say give them a chance. Kozlov may not be the best pick for a face but with Santino as his partner, anything is definitely possible for these guys.

So no, I wouldn’t say it was a good idea to turn him face but I certainly do see why they have done it and at least it gives him something to do for the most part.

 

[Nate DaMac]

It appears that they traded in Hornswoggle and Chavo for Kozlov in the comedy skits, and I'm ok with it. Santino and Vlad seem to play off of each other pretty well, I haven't really been disappointed with any of the segments they have had yet. The dance off was fucking hilarious, and hell, Santino has actually got a win or 2 under his belt as of late. I'm liking that they're centering the comedy skits around wrestling for a change instead of always inevitably having Santino deal with a Guest Host who doesn't even know who he is.

I never liked Kozlov during his tenure at the top of the card, I just think he was severely out of place. He couldn't fuck with none of the vets when it came time to use the mic, although he wasn't terrible in the ring.

So yes, I think turning Kozlov face is a good idea. He has at least a bit of a chance to keep his job now.

 

[pun2003hh]

God, it's situations like this that bother the hell out of me and really make me mourn for the loss of the traditional "Manager". There is no need to turn him face. As a comedy act, there is nowhere to go. You are the comedy act until you dramatically change your gimmick. For some, this is ok, just ask Santino. Santino unique look lends itself to a character like his, but it's going to be very hard to give the guy a serious push ever again.

Kozlov though had the potential to be a monster heel. He has a heel look, and the perfect Russian gimmick. His thick accent is great, but it is a double edged sword because this limits his promos, and for anyone to truly get over, they have to cut a promo (especially heels). Kozlov's original character was very similar to Ivan Drago from the Rocky series, and he would have benefited immensely by having a manager with a similar accent but who could speak clearer English. Or any manager for that manner, a Paul Heyman or a Tommy Duke. Someone who can properly hype up Kozlov as a monster.

But instead, they take this raw potential, and pair him with Santino. So I say, no, its not a good idea. It will be entertaining in the short term, and then what?

 

[D-Man]

Man, you guys are ridiculous. Did you ever stop to think that it doesn't matter what your personal opinions are in regards to enjoying him more as a heel? Have you ever seen him as a babyface? Do you know if he'll be a better babyface than heel? No, you don't. So why are you all bitching? Especially because the guy has been floating around in limbo between two different shows as a failed heel character. It's time for a change with this guy. If the past few years as a heel haven't been working for him, the guy needs a character overhaul, period. Fact of the matter is that he's not drawing anyone, he's not improving as a heel, and he's not going anywhere, yet he's still collecting a paycheck. The guy needs to earn his money and start to draw people before he's future endeavored. This face turn is the WWE giving him a chance to shine. You should all give him a chance, too.

Who knows... his babyface character might be more suitable for him. After all, when he tries, he can be a very funny guy. His dancing segment was hilarious. That shows us that he has a personality and is capable of complimenting Santino's style of comedic wrestling.

Try to look at the BIG picture before you judge this decision. The selfish IWC needs to wake up and realize that Kozlov is terribly stale and really needed this. Just like with every other new idea that the WWE throws at us, be a little patient and at least give the guy a fucking chance before you all shit on the WWE for making this change.

 

[Little Jerry Lawler]

I don't have a problem with him turning face. He hasn't done anything for a while as a heel so this could be good for him. Him and Kozlov can be the comedy team that Booker and Golddust were. It's good to have another face tag team in the mix and it gives them something to do for the time being. I don't know if this will save Kozlov's career but at least it will keep him around and who knows what might happen.

 

[pun2003hh]

Man, you guys are ridiculous. Did you ever stop to think that it doesn't matter what your personal opinions are in regards to enjoying him more as a heel? Have you ever seen him as a babyface? Do you know if he'll be a better babyface than heel? No, you don't. So why are you all bitching? Especially because the guy has been floating around in limbo between two different shows as a failed heel character. It's time for a change with this guy. If the past few years as a heel haven't been working for him, the guy needs a character overhaul, period. Fact of the matter is that he's not drawing anyone, he's not improving as a heel, and he's not going anywhere, yet he's still collecting a paycheck. The guy needs to earn his money and start to draw people before he's future endeavored. This face turn is the WWE giving him a chance to shine. You should all give him a chance, too.

Who knows... his babyface character might be more suitable for him. After all, when he tries, he can be a very funny guy. His dancing segment was hilarious. That shows us that he has a personality and is capable of complimenting Santino's style of comedic wrestling.

Try to look at the BIG picture before you judge this decision. The selfish IWC needs to wake up and realize that Kozlov is terribly stale and really needed this. Just like with every other new idea that the WWE throws at us, be a little patient and at least give the guy a fucking chance before you all shit on the WWE for making this change.

Well, that kinda defeats the purpose of this forum, doesn't it? I mean, if we can't speculate on how these ideas are going to pan out, what are we supposed to talk about? How how Maryse is?.... Actually, that sounds like a plan!

Anyway, I am just frustrated because Kozlov has the all the tools to be a monster heel, the type of Soviet heel we haven't seen since the 80s, something that the WWE (and wrestling in general) have lacked for a long while. I am also frustrated because of the thought process to turn him face. Usually, when a heel to face turn is successful, its because the amount of popularity the wrestler had gained while he was a heel. It worked for Randy Orton, it worked for Steve Austin, it worked for countless others. It even worked for Santino a few short years ago.

But when you take a heel that has no heat or popularity what so ever and turn him face because of that, the results are usually not great.

I also believe, as I said earlier, that a manager could really put Kozlov over. The best example I could use is the late Umaga. He came on the scene as a bulldozer. Someone who did not cut promos, but he had the highly entertaining Armando Estrada to do that for him. And together, they got over, and even broke through into the main event scene for a short while. Then they took away Estrada and slowly but surely, that heat he generated disappeared, because no one was cutting promos on his behalf. I think with a proper manager or spokesperson, he could be a top heel in the company, something that at least in my eyes, would be a hell of alot more valuable then someone who is in a comedy act tag team.

 

[The People's Peep]

Whether or not a face turn is "a good idea" is yet to be seen. Turning him face just has to happen right now.

Kozlov has been completely irrelevant for the longest time. Even when he was borderline main eventing on ECW, he was still irrelevant. He wasnt over as a heel. A face turn is really an effort to get him relevant again. Not only does it hopefully make him relevant again, but it also fills the hole left by Chavo and Hornswaggle. The comedy guys have moved to Smackdown. While most of us hate those skits, lets face it, the WWE is going to keep them. Kozlov can now team with Santino to do the comedy skits.

However, I think more can come out of this. Through the comedy skits, Santino has become one of the most over stars. Its possible that Kozlov could do the same, but then use that overness to make some moves. Its not like they're making him look weak with the comedy skits. They are still managing to keep him looking strong for the most part.

 

[Ruthless-RKO]

As of recently they've bene transorming him into a comedic act..just like santino..I don't like this...and a face turn is bullshyt..why acn't he just be a dominating heel like he was when he debuted...remember he went undefeated for a long time...

Why can't they just give him a proper opponent and let him to what he is good at...

 

[MakeDamnSure]

Personally the first time I seen Santino come out and try to get Kozlov as his tag team partner the first thing that popped into my head was that Sitcom that was talked about a while back with Kozlov as Santino's neighbor and that's what I'm still guessing this is ultimately about...unless that's completely dead and I've missed that news somewhere.

With Kozlov doing all of these skits he's being and turning face as Santino's tag team partner...I'm guessing that's what is going to be expected on the Sitcom along with getting the fans used to seeing them together and ultimately as long as it works for it's purpose, I don't have a problem with it at all...that is if I'm right, which I could be way off.

 

[Marks "R" Us]

I think Kozlov will wind up mildly over as a face similar to the great Khali. Considering he really wasnt very over as a heel I guess its a step in the right direction. To bad Vince didnt wait a couple weeks though cause after the news today I am sure he would have jumped at the chance to give Kozlov a Russian spy angle.

 

[Theo Mays]

What else is there for Kozlov to do? I have no problems with giving Vlad a test run as a face, what will it hurt. If it fails they can always revert him back to a heel or give him a future endeavor. I think it was Dave who mentioned Booker T and Goldust and I believe this could be a newer version of the team. A serious guy like Vlad teaming with a comedy guy in Santino. I think the team has potential to entertain and could get a title shot here or there. D-Man's post is perfect in the retrospect that none of us know if Kozlov will be a better heel than a face or vice versa. I personally think it will work and it was a move that needed to be done, as Kozlov is just there right now and this gives him a spark and some personality.

 

[Scotty]

Why the hell not? He was a boring heel and could benefit greatly as a face. It is fresh for his character and it gives him something to do. He showed during the dance off and his match last night with Santino that he has charisma and the crowd was semi interested in him. i say give it a go as Kozlov as a heel makes me want to change the channel.

 

[(s)AINT]

As i said before, he is being cast as Santino's best friend in Santino's upcoming sitcom. So, it makes a lot of sense that WWE would want him to be a face too for when it debuts. Besides, he has been funny the few times they let him play the comedic role so who knows maybe we will get some comedy gold? I'm more than happy to give him a chance. =)

 

[Jonnie Walker]

I don't see any problems with it. As the "Moscow Mauler" he was boring, had no personality, and was a boring wrestler. Now, they have him with one of the most over people in WWE who is foaming at the mouth with personality, but isn't going to main event anything. Like Falkon said, this is like the Goldust Booker T tag team. Things can only go up for Kozlov from here, because if they had gotten any lower, he would be in the unemployment line. He's been much better recently than he's ever been, and these guys can only play off of each other's talents. They're gonna be one of two face teams, and they should put on some funny segments, so yeah, this is a great idea, all things considered, because what's the worst that could happen.

 

[Para]

I'm liking this face turn and its making the whole Santino/Kozlov situation fun and entertaining to watch. If they can stick in a few heel tag teams to face them, I think a decent storyline would come out of this.

 

[Goliath Uterus]

Koslov, while seeming out of place, has seemingly found his niche in comedy skits, and comedy wrestling. I thought he could have been a really good mid card heel, a guy who put younger talent over, but obviously WWE didn't see that. He was damn boring, so I'm glad they put him in the lowest of the low card. Now what we have is a comedy Koslov, which so far has been pretty good.

I'll admit that last year, I would have told you that you were stupid had you said Koslov would become comedic relief along w/Santino. And like others have stated, he seems to feed off of Santino well, these two are perfect for guest hosts and whatnot, they finally have a place for Koslov.

 

[Big Sexy]

This is really just the last step before his eventual release. He started out as a monster heel, got a big push, and no one cared. He then became a jobber to the stars and people cared even less. The only reaction he has ever really gotten is the recent stuff that he has done with Santino. The WWE recognized this and now you have "Kozlov the Wacky Russian." He may get some kind of small push but I doubt it. He will most likely keep his job doing comedy skits with Santino and once people stop caring he will be gone.