What next for the One Man Band?

[Mike1411]

Now before the IWC dogs are set on me I am in no way saying Heath Slater should be: World Champion, Face of the Company, King of the World.

That being said I DO think he deserves some sort of push or program now his bit with the legends has come to an end. Before his feud with the Raw legends I hated Slater, everything about him. But during this feud he has shown that not only has in ring work improved (slightly) but he has got a personality which is more than can be said of other talent getting pushed.

I'm not suggesting anything huge for him but I have developed a fondness for him during this feud and think it would be a bit of a shame if he just returns to Superstars now for random matches with Tyson Kidd and Jinder Mahal.

Thoughts?

 

[Mustang Sally]

My initial thought was that the company cut a deal with him: Make a fool of yourself by jobbing to a bunch of over-the-hill legends while behaving as an obnoxious blowhard.....and we'll give you a serious push when it's over. That's what I'd like to see happen to Heath, who played his part so well.

Then, I thought of Charlie Haas, who did such a terrific job impersonating a bunch of legends.....and when the program ended, WWE never really gave him anything again, until finally releasing him.

I hope Heath Slater is given something good to run with, but I wouldn't be surprised if it doesn't happen. Maybe he's had his day in the sun......and being stink-faced by Rikishi was it.

 

[Da Prophet]

Let him feud with Santino and beat him for whatever title Santino has at the moment. He can win that and have a good little heel run before dropping it to some face character, probably Ryder or someone. Over the past couple of weeks I've grown to like Slater and now I want to see him do something in the mid card area. Working with Santino is what he needs as it isn't to high up or to low for him at the moment.

Santino vs. Slater will equal the ratings for WWE.

 

[DallasMack]

A program with Santino for the U.S. Title would be nice. It's not like that title has a whole lot of prestige anyway.

I am really enjoying seeing Slater on my TV. Nothing makes me laugh more than the ONE MAN BAND BABYYY.

 

[WJDwjdWJDwjd]

Heath has grown on me. While I think he's light years away from holding any title besides the Tag Titles right now, I hope they have something for him. I really think he should be Ryback's first real feud. Have him pull a Jericho or a Miz, and trash talk for weeks about Ryback, and then refuse to face him or duck out every chance he gets. The old "doctor's note" excuse, baiting "via satellite", trying to cost him matches, etc etc. Look up Goldberg's mini-feud with Chris Jericho in WCW. It gives Heath more air time, it'll certainly give Ryback his first enemy, and it'll be fun once Ryback FINALLY gets his hands on Heath for annoying and pestering him for weeks, maybe a month and a half.

Another idea would be to have him try to date AJ now that she's the new GM. Each week, Heath tries to hit on her, and then she puts him in a match that's impossible to win. After this going on for weeks, he finally pulls out a fluke victory, and then she puts him in another match right after that. Basically he's just overly cocky like he is now, and he gets punished week in and week out for it.

Heath just needs to stay on television and he'll be good to go. Even guys who are losing each week are staying relevant. if you don't think there's something on the end of this losing streak for Jack Swagger, you're sorely mistaken. The fact guys like Heath and Jack are on each week is a great sign for both of them despite losing. Their names are staying fresh, the crowd is hopefully familiar with them enough by now, and they're on these discussion boards.

 

[Radical]

I really do hope they push Slater up after the hard work he put in over the last number of months making over the hill Legends look good.

Slater has a good gimmick that gets good heel heat. He is a joke right now, though so they have to do a little something to make him more credible. My suggestion would be for him to bring an ACTUAL guitar to the ring all the time instead of the air guitar he likes to play. He can then pull out the guitar, wack his opponents with it when the ref isn't looking and start winning some matches in true heel format. And I don't think people have to worry about "Ooh, Jeff Jarrett copy cat". Jeff Jarrett was a long time ago in WWE and has even been of TNA for a while so a guitar-hit gimmick would work and would be new enough.

I'd like to see Slater face Santino and win the US title and have a nice run with it until a good face steps up like ... a new, built up face that needs a push like Yoshi Tatsu or Trent Baretta.

 

[dtroppe]

His days are numbered- he is corny as hell and way overrated on the mic. He just doesnt stack up to the top WWE guys now and certainly not past top superstars.

 

[vinnychase]

In all honesty nothing.

If you want to look at the glass half full, well the new 3 hour format for Raw might bring some hope for Slater. If last night indicated anything, it is that there will be a massive amount of filler going forward. This is the only spot I can see for THE ONE MAN BAND. He might be a mid-carder at best, but more than likely he will become another comedy act.

The one man band might have played his last song.

 

[boywithbluehanger]

Here we go again. Its just like with Cody Rhodes. It seems that everyone is always so quick to credit the wrestlers whenever they get over with the crowd with their gimmick. But no one ever seems to credit the creative team for okaying, coming up with these characters, and shoving them upon us. But the moment a storyline or a gimmick fails, so many are quick to bash them.

Being that Heath Slater is just as terrible as most of the guys on the roster at acting, I think they've done a good job having him stick to his same old script. The schtick is entertaining and still kind of funny for now. I like that he's getting owned by the legends and tarnishing any shred of credibility he might have had at one point. It all makes for a good, silly, fun, segment. Hopefully he's actually using this opportunity to further his forte: selling moves.

Assuming that Creative will eventually want to explore his drawing power, they'll put him in a feud. However if they're smart about it, they'll go an unconventional route again by maybe having him in a title match against a main eventer where he gets lucky through obscure cheating, ALMOST getting the victory. That way you catch the audience off guard in that no one would expect a main eventer to waste time putting up the title against a scrub. And they'd catch people off guard by scaring them into thinking he's about to actually win the match through an almost successful, dishonest, way. After all is said and done, we'll be impressed enough to accept him moving from the bottom of the totem pole to the lower midcard.

If you hop from the first step to the third, the worst that can happen is that you land on the second.

 

[ultramattman]

I agree that Slater is ready for a run with a midcard title. Go full Honky Tonk Man and have him take the US belt from Santino. WWE tends to overdo it with cowardly heels, but in Slater's case it works because he is PURE coward.

The Ryback idea's not a bad one either.

 

[Mike1411]

@boywithbluehanger

I'm not saying its Slater's magnificent star power that has made him more relevant. I am fully aware that the creative team have put him in a program with past legends has had a great deal to do with him being more over now. But simple fact is whether he was doing it alone or not when he was in Nexus he was kicking John Cena's ass week in week out and that didn't get him over. I just think now that creative/Slater has managed to get him over with the crowd as an annoying yet funny heel they should not let him drift off.

 

[DX Mols]

My guess is he'll continue to job to the stars, but I agree with a lot of people. I used to hate Heath Slater with a passion. But now he makes me laugh. I hope he stays on TV and taking the US strap makes alot of sense as it means absolutely nothing right now with Santino as Comedy Chump.

 

[ccotreau1]

I always liked Heath Slater. Back on NXT, I felt that he was one of the guys atop the mic skills then, and today, who else besides Daniel Bryan is getting mic time (not counting Wade Barrett where he is injured)? I am excluding Darren seeing he have AW doing that for them, and Ryback only says FEED ME MORE, and FINISHED, we haven't heard those 3 cut a promo since returning, and Justin Gabriel is on Superstars. Otunga has had mic time, but mostly as Johnnys sidekick, and was meh IMO and Tarver is done with the E. I would enjoy anything they do with Heath because he has worked his ass off to do better.

 

[daddyJ_t]

im telling u, put him with the htm. honkey tested the the waters of managing with roaddogg and rock-a-billy. it worked breifly, what better way for slater to get over and get cheap heat then to partner the omb with honky. hell perhaps with his current gimmick maybe can easily change his finisher(does he even have one) tot he shake rattle and roll

 

[Manof1,004Holds]

Heath Slater, the One Man Band Babaay! This guy, I'm starting to like. I've been eyeballing him since the start of this whole Legends/Heath thing, and it was the perfect ending to it last night. For now I think Heath should be granted a US Championship match. I'm glad young guys like him, are starting to get mic time and matches on RAW.

 

[KoC417]

He's our jobber! *clap 5x*
He's our jobber! *clap 5x*

After being beaten by LITA last night that sums it up for Slater. I understand he was beaten down by several legends but in all fairness Lita did pin him.

Slater just isn't that entertaining in the ring. He's more fun to watch get beaten to a pulp hence why he will probably remain a jobber. Although I agree that Santino would be the next best person for him to feud with as they are both still seen as slight jokes.

 

[swallop]

put him in a #1 contenders match with a few other guys for the us title have him win and challenge santino at summerslam. i think he wud be over with the crowd and a big win wud make him even more relevent. build him to be the cockyest guy on the roster and go from there.

 

[IT Factor]

I wasn't a huge fan of Slater in the Nexus. I laughed my ass off when John Cena called him "Wendy's" and thought WWE would run with that. Sadly, they didn't[isn't there an endorsement deal they could work out? ].

I am slowly beginning to come around to One Man Band and he is capable of becoming a star. I'd say he needs to be built slowly. Finish doing the legend thing and have him do all he is capable of within that to familiarize him with audiences. Put him in the mid-card and have him defeat Santino for the US title. Test him in that role and if he does well, make him a main eventer. If not, he's still capable of helping to round out a solid mid-card division, whether it's IC or US. There's also the real possibility of making him a good tag team wrestler. Make a new age Freebirds type of tag team playing off of the One Man Band, only it's obviously two man. Anyone with a different look and the ability should be given the opportunity to shine. Slater has proven he has potential. Whether WWE can capitalize on that potential is the big concern I have seeing their past track record of letting potential stars slip through the cracks.

 

[The Proverbial Cheese]

I admit I've never thought much of Slater until recently. His voice and accent were annoying, and I didn't see anything special there. But he's grown on me these past few weeks. I'M THE ONE MAN BAAAND BABAY! It's funny the way he says it and times it. There's nothing wrong with him "jobbing" to legends for the past few weeks, he's made the most of it and done a good job.

 

[trashboy]

I'm not one of those "fans" that thinks everybody in the world needs to be world champ. *cough*Cody Rhodes*cough*. I've been a big fan of Heath Slater's since the NXT days. Loved him, while everyone else hated him. He's very entertaining. I do think he deserves a little push, he doesn't ever need to be a main eventer. Just have him fight for the US or IC titles. I remember the days when midcarders were fun to watch. For some reason these days, everyone thinks everyone should be a world champ if they get the slightest of pushes. *cough*Cody Rhodes*cough*

 

[SickJames]

What's next for The One Man Band?

Isnt it obvious? ...One Man Gang!

I'm truly shocked they didnt have him face Slater yet. Dont recall if he was on Raw or not, ever, but they could atleast do this in the future

One Man Gang vs One Man Band is marketable. I know it's just based off nicknames, but hey, if he could kick his ass it'd be impressive, in a feud for best one mam group. It could be a mini feud leading to The Slammys and a winning of a Slammy for Best One Man Group

it could bea match tha night actually that determines a Slammy winner for once. There's nothing wrong with that idea. OMG is big enough to be a great win especially with a lift spot of some kind even from the top rope. It could be something to put Slater over on a feud level

 

[NotoriousMEAT]

Slater is the freakin MAN! I love anybody who can continue to entertain me and make me laugh. I also appreciate the dedication. In two years he's gone from defeating Chris Jericho and main eventing SummerSlam, to complete jobber status. But his legend's angle brought him back to relevancy on Monday nights, mainly because he did the best he could and ran with it. I knew it was on when he began to sing his 'One Man Baaaa-aaaaaa-aaaand' in front of Cyndi Lauper. And his "ONE MAN BAND, BABAY!" is my favorite catchphrase today. Some people might not get it, just like with Zack Ryder, but if you can entertain me without being in championship matches and being the face of the company just with your creativity and hard work.. I'll probably love you for life. But with that said, I don't want him to ever succeed. Make him WWE's greatest jobber. I want a program with Ryback.

 

[MCMG]

I'm not sure why but I do really like Heath Slater. His segments are usually entertaining and he deserves something substantial to do. Perhaps winning the US belt of Santino.

 

[The Perfect Max]

Quite honestly, up until his jobbing status with the legends, taking a shit was more entertaining then Heath Slater. But, since he has found his new role, I have been very, very happy with what he has done. He has always put on a good speaking role before every legend walks out and he seems comfortable in the ring with these legends.

I'd like to see him chase the United States Championship. Santino doesn't need it, and to be honest, since he won the title, I've lost all interest in him and the title, so if Heath was to win it, I'd be very much pleased.

Something similar to Charlie Haas when he was impersonating WWE legends, such as Hulk Hogan, would be a good next step as well. Maybe this before going for the United States Championship. It wouldn't really make sense going from being beaten in under two minutes by WWE legends to winning the United States Championship, so this gimmick first would be awesome.

 

[GrandSword]

I think a comedy feud running for two - three months with Santino over the US title would work. Slater and Santino could work really well toegther and give the WWE Yooniverse their yuks for the evening for a while.