What is WWE doing to Kofi Kingston?

["Cool Guy" Jensen]

Kofi Kingston has been in the WWE for approximately 18 months, he is a former Intercontinental Champion, a former Tag Team Champion, and the current United States Champion.

Kofi Kingston has been the United States Champion since the June 1st edition of Raw. Since that time, he's defended the title on two seperate occasions. His first in a Fatal Four way match at Extreme Rules against M.V.P., William Regal, and Matt Hardy. While, his second was in a Triple Threat match against Matt Hardy and M.V.P. on an episode of Superstars.

Now, Kingston is forced to defend his title in a Six-Pack Challenge match against M.V.P., Big Show, Jack Swagger, Carlito, and The Miz. In already his 3rd title defense, he is still yet to defend his gold in a traditional one-on-one matchup.

I ask, is this good for Kofi Kingston and the title? Is WWE trying to make Kofi Kingston seem like the ultimate champion by defending his title against multiple opponents and always coming out on top? Is this a bit of a reward for taking him out of the World Heavyweight Championship Elimination Chamber at No Way Out? Will Kingston even retain at Night of Champions?

Let me know what you think WWE's purpose is for booking Kofi Kingston this way. I'm not saying it's bad or good... I just want to know what you think of it.

 

[darbare]

kofi has no character right now, doesnt deserve the u.s. title. he aint bein booked right. if there is a title match, it should be him, bourne and big show. i dont know where carlito and the miz came from in the title scene, and mvp and swagger have something going that could be spectacular one day. kofi needs depth. might as well get a talented guy off the street imo that has a good look. hes a paper champ no doubt

 

[mortis]

it's kofi's entrance music people like it, so he's champ for now. i think wwe is feeling around about who should be us champ. so kofi's fighting lots of guys. they'll (wwe) give the title to who ever get's the biggest pop reaction

 

[Tenta]

Kofi Kingston has been in the WWE for approximately 18 months, he is a former Intercontinental Champion, a former Tag Team Champion, and the current United States Champion.

That's a pretty stacked resume to me. I mean, no matter how you cut it, it shows that the WWE has faith in the guy, and think he can really pan out well for them. There starting a slow build for the man, and I like it. This can be very good, if he's allowed to look good in this US Title run.

Kofi Kingston has been the United States Champion since the June 1st edition of Raw. Since that time, he's defended the title on two seperate occasions. His first in a Fatal Four way match at Extreme Rules against M.V.P., William Regal, and Matt Hardy.

Yep, he beat some very established mid carders to progess more, and to make himself into more of a star. Things are going pretty well, and it gives a pretty good victory to beat all of these men, particularly when one has a history of main eventing, and is seen as the next big face of Raw.

While, his second was in a Triple Threat match against Matt Hardy and M.V.P. on an episode of Superstars.

Again, same big face in MVP, and Matt's still a competent hand. I don't see how this can be bad at all.

Now, Kingston is forced to defend his title in a Six-Pack Challenge match

Yep, let's see the names here.

against M.V.P.

Arguably the new big face of Raw, and has been flirting with the main event scene. Not too shabby at all I say.

Big Show

The guy just came off a Wrestlemania main event, and a feud with John Cena. Having Kofit beat Show brings instant credibility, and makes you believe this guy has the potential to beat other main event stars.

Jack Swagger

The new guy, and he's really looking for that rub too in this match, just like Kofi. Working with these men can do nothing but help Swagger

Carlito

Yeah, this one perplexes me a bit, but I have a feeling his match will be ruined by Primo, so don't worry too much about Carlito here. Plus, he is a former IC and US Champ himself.

and The Miz.

Just got off a feud with John Cena. Again, he's got a rub, and can provide it to Kofi and company

In already his 3rd title defense, he is still yet to defend his gold in a traditional one-on-one matchup. I ask, is this good for Kofi Kingston and the title? Is WWE trying to make Kofi Kingston seem like the ultimate champion by defending his title against multiple opponents and always coming out on top?

Well, I'm not sure if he's an "ultimate champion", but again, look at those names. There are two definite main eventers in there, and at least a couple more potential ones. Beating these names can give credibility to Kofi. I'm not of the belief that you need one on one matches to have credibility, and to me, the more names you can beat, the better for Kofi.

Is this a bit of a reward for taking him out of the World Heavyweight Championship Elimination Chamber at No Way Out? Will Kingston even retain at Night of Champions?

Perhaps, it's very much possible. It's a reward, in some ways, but not for that. It's a reward because he's done very well in his reign, and the crowd seems to like him. There's the reward of it.

Let me know what you think WWE's purpose is for booking Kofi Kingston this way. I'm not saying it's bad or good... I just want to know what you think of it.

The purpose, I feel, is to get this man more credible, and make him look like the next star ready for the main event. And if it works, we'll be cooing about it later.

 

[wbuqed]

Ok I agree with mortis in the idea that his music and laid back gimmick are the things that he is getting a U.S. title for, he's in with the kids hence he gets a title reign <cough> CENA <cough>. I think the way the WWE packaged Kofi makes it very hard for him to have believable dispise for another wrestler. I mean how believable was his anti-big show bit last week. As for the 6 pac match, well it looks like a pre-cursor for summerslam or future raws cause you have the beginning of a decent feud between Swagger and MVP and Kofi/Big show, I think they put Carlito in the match without Primo because the Hardy feud a few months ago didn't generate a big enough spark. The Miz though I thought would have been better suited as Jericho's tag partner (who better to be an anti-fan heel with Y2J). With that I'm a lil more curious for the tag title match.

 

[Spaceman Spif]

kofi has no character right now, doesnt deserve the u.s. title. he aint bein booked right. if there is a title match, it should be him, bourne and big show. i dont know where carlito and the miz came from in the title scene, and mvp and swagger have something going that could be spectacular one day. kofi needs depth. might as well get a talented guy off the street imo that has a good look. hes a paper champ no doubt

Hmmm are you watching the same Kofi Kingston I am? No character? Really where do you get that? The guy is pure character, do you really think he walks around outside of wrestling slapping his hands together and jumps all around? Interesting theory. Kofi has a great character, it's apparent when you listen to fans cheer him. He's the fun-loving, easy-going, smooth talking jamacian. He's fun to watch, he's entertaining in a business that thrives on you guessed it... entertainment and he does deserve the title, he's had solid matches and feuds for a loooong time, and we have yet to hear of any backstage problems or issues at all, so I'm guessing Vince and creative feel Kofi is a good person to have the title on and I agree. That being said the match itself is going to be a cluster, but what match that's more than a triple threat isn't? Anyways I'm guessing the title will changes hands, to who I do not know, but I'm also guessing this match will be used to start and continue some mid-card feuds. WWE typically uses PPV's for such things, however this PPV is championship matches only, so in order for the WWE to get more people involved, they have to have more people in the matches themselves. Thus six people who have histories with the others are in a match for the U.S Title. That's where they all come from. That's my on your thoughts.

it's kofi's entrance music people like it, so he's champ for now. i think wwe is feeling around about who should be us champ. so kofi's fighting lots of guys. they'll (wwe) give the title to who ever get's the biggest pop reaction

So according to you logic, everyone who has likeable entrance music and gets the biggest pop should be champ? Wow, we'd have like a dozen plus champions that would never change their entrance music and find ways to continue to get pops. So correct me if I am wrong, but by your logic and yes I am picking this apart because of it's absurdness, according to you logic, Cena, Orton, Kofi, MVP, HHH, Taker, HBK, Kane, Jeff Hardy, Edge, Evan Bourne, Christian, Hornswoogle, etc... would all be champions all the time and no one else. Ummm no that's just plain silly, sorry if I cam across as an asshole... but eh!

 

[The People's Tampon]

This strikes me as the WWE booking themselves into a corner on 2 fronts.

They clearly want to do something with the Big Show. After the feud that involved interfering with John Cena at Wrestlemania, they don't want to take him off the pay per view. The E knows the backlash it would get if they were to book Cena v. HHH v. Orton v. Show (two lame played out storylines in the same room). BUT, they want him involved in the Night of Champions. Perhaps as Jericho's tag partner would have been a decent gig for him as well, yet I digress.

The point of my prior long-winded paragraph is that they don't want to leave Big Show in the cold (yet, they have no problem leaving out the hottest young star in the company, John Morrison for multiple ppv's if I'm not mistaken...what can I say except grimace and shake my head).

They also need a good heel for Kofi to feud with. Big Show needs a feud. Match meant to be. Except they don't trust Kofi's offense to go over on the Show and believably be sold, plus they also obviously want to involve Bourne and the other guys. My guess is he either retains (which the Powers that Be dont think he could do realistically over Big Show) or they give it to Bourne to give him a boost and credibility on Raw.

Also if you're going to have a 6 man match, why not get Mark Henry involved? Correct me if I'm wrong, I was at a friend's house tonight surrounded by polite company, hence, no Raw, but he's not involved at N.O.C. despite having a lot of momentum as well?

 

[beefthelegend]

By the tone of the title, i thought this would be a Kofi bash thread, or rather, a thread bashing the use of Kofi. I'm glad it's not.

Kofi has been on Raw for a year. One year. In that time he's beaten Chris Jericho for the Intercontinental title, MVP for the US title, had a tag title reign with the current World champion (albeit a forgettable reign). Not to mention running through most of the RAW midcard. That's alot for one guy-similar in fashion to Punk's year of awesome, but to a lesser extent.

I gotta echo Mastadon in saying that the WWE is comfortable with Kofi. They like where he's at, they love where he is going to be. They trust putting the spot light in the mid card division on the flagship show on him. On a stacked flagship show. And he continues to raise himself to new limits, and look better and better every week. I for one love that he has no problem losing. He has lost to Bourne and Show this month, and i think that adds to his "Underdog" factor. He loses the small ones and nails the big ones.

I am a bit disconcerted, however, that he hasn't gone over in a one-on-one title defense. I think this makes the WWE look weak. Sure, it could be said that beating two, three, or in this case five opponents makes him look like a top dog. But it's the way he wins. It's because he's got an explosive finisher, that can be utilized quickly and efficiently. As i'm sure the case will be Sunday, he will have some great spots, but the focus of the match will not be on him, until he nails Trouble in Paradise and retains.

Good or bad? Well...it's kind of towing the line of neutral. It's not making him look super weak, but he isn't coming across as a credible threat IMO. I think that Big Show being involved in this angle/match isn't helping. He should be feuding with Swagger or Bourne. I think either of those two feuds would help the title scene. As for the Miz, i don't buy him as a champion, save for tag team. I don't think he would work well as champion, and i think WWE sees it the same way. Their treatment of the Cena angle should speak to that.

Long story short, Kofi doesn't just excite the kids, the average wrestling fan, or the IWC- he nails all three. And his alleged lack of character is no fault of his own, and is slowly changing. Every week he becomes a little deeper. I really think he is mirroring Punk's rise, but again, to a lesser extent.

 

[Paradox100]

No doubt in my mind that JAck Swagger is going to win the US title this sunday. No, not just because people consider him. Because the man is the "All American American" Putting the United States Championship on him will extend that further.

 

[darbare]

guys, i'm not saying kofi isnt a likeable guy, trust i'm a fan of his work. i jus dont believe he has wat it takes right now. wat has he really done.. think about it for a sec...wat has he really done in the past year and a half to make you say wow he's gonna be somethin special. nuthing. yea he's liked by alot of ppl, mainly kids, but thats not enough. how often do we hear from him. i have yet to see him cut a promo in the ring, correct me if i'm wrong. commentating at the table doesnt count. wat legit rivalry has he had, none. he's got loads of potential, but its not being used right, thats all i'm sayin. and if anyone one of you brings up, o he beat jericho for the ic title and mvp for us title, those dont count. no one cares and no one will remember in the next 5 years. paper champion, you cant dispute that. he had no build up to the title wins, and jus got lucky in both wins.

 

[Little Jerry Lawler]

guys, i'm not saying kofi isnt a likeable guy, trust i'm a fan of his work. i jus dont believe he has wat it takes right now. wat has he really done.. think about it for a sec...wat has he really done in the past year and a half to make you say wow he's gonna be somethin special. nuthing. yea he's liked by alot of ppl, mainly kids, but thats not enough. how often do we hear from him. i have yet to see him cut a promo in the ring, correct me if i'm wrong. commentating at the table doesnt count. wat legit rivalry has he had, none. he's got loads of potential, but its not being used right, thats all i'm sayin. and if anyone one of you brings up, o he beat jericho for the ic title and mvp for us title, those dont count. no one cares and no one will remember in the next 5 years. paper champion, you cant dispute that. he had no build up to the title wins, and jus got lucky in both wins.

Why don't him beating Jericho and MVP count? By my recollection, he did pin their shoulders to the mat for a victory and Jericho and MVP did he titles so he beat them for those titles. Half the titles won in the WWE don't have any buildup, yet a title win is still a title win. Kofi hasn't been in the WWE for long and he has plenty of time to develop and tell me how his title wins are considered lucky.

 

[sevastra82]

I just dont think they are booking him correctly. Slowly...I think he's getting stale. He's had the same "happy, smiling, jump around" gimmick since he's entered the WWE. And I bet he's said a total of 5 sentences on the mic. If they really want to build his character, they need to start giving him some Vignettes backstage (or on the beach of Jamaica). Or let him speak a little to build his character. He's got a TON of potential, but the WWE is doing nothing to build his character, and sadly, if they dont do anything in the next year...I think Kofi is just going to fall by the wayside and eventually we'll never see him again.

 

[supersayian]

oh come on man this guy is great and has a the best chance to succeed. he will get his character going just give him time. the guy already has a great record two time mid card champion and tag team. so he will be alright. just give him some time. it seems to me Raw is great place for him. as i thought he would already be at the bottom but he has proved me wrong each time by getting better.

 

[Spillz3000]

I definitely believe Kofi has a bright future ahead of him. I think people need to learn patience. People now a days want their stars built over night. You guys have to remember what happened to most wrestlers that they built up in a short period of time, they end up quitting or getting fired by the WWE(example Lashley and Kennedy and I know there's tons more). I mean the WWE has to protect their company while their at it and they don't want to make the same mistakes they made in the past. I would love for new stars to be made right now but I completely understand why they have to slowly build these people up.

As far as Kofi having five challengers this Sunday, it's because it's Night of Champions and there are a lot of people with no championship programs right now so the WWE figures they'll have interesting ways to put them in title matches that's all. Trust me if this was a regular PPV then Swagger would face MVP, Show or Bourne would challenge for the U.S. title, The Colon's prob would have a match(who am I kidding it'd be on Superstars). But because they have to stay true to the name they all have to be in championship matches(Which I like cause I believe titles should be defended more frequently).

The only thing that bothers me in this match is how Bourne is not in it but Carlito is. Bourne has been involved with Big Show and Kofi for about a month now and all of a sudden he's not allowed to be in the Six Pack Challenge. I'm a huge Carlito fan but this is a match he hasn't really earned. I mean he is a former champ but he hasn't done anything in the past year that Primo hasn't done so how did Primo get the shaft of not being granted a title shot as well. I think Bourne should have been in the match and the Colon's just fight on Superstars or something.

I'm sorry back on track, Kofi is definitely a talent that Vince plans to put time into when the time is right. He has had a great career so far with the different title reigns and short flirts with the Main Event scene. Patience people you'll see Kofi come out on top and if not he'll get at least 3 TNA World Title reigns within his first year if that's what it comes down to ha.

 

[Nerotheory]

I think the E is doing a good job with him so far. Hes title reigns have been strong and the opponents hes faced are creditable. Hes one of those guys that you really can't count out cause he can catch you at any time with his finisher. Maybe one day he will get a revamping but right now i think hes good were hes at.

Night of Champions i hope he wins cause it would boost him a little higher and get him to that upper tier, i hope at least. If he doesn't win i hope Swagger wins cause he had a ton of potential like Kofi.

 

[darbare]

hey watever, i said my peace. i like kofi and all, i jus dont see it yet. no need to "try" and get on someone cuz they dont believe in one wreslter. yea he beat jericho and mvp for those titles, but he won them when those titles were meaningless and dead. ima kofi fan but i call it as i see it jerry lawler, dude. mvp and jericho are still higher up on the ladder than kofi still. mvp was supposed to move on to bigger things but didnt. and jericho was jus holding it until someone else came along. who cares