Azrael Cain
The alternative is unthinkable.
I think it's safe to say that every single star the WWE ever released, they gave up on too early lol but if we are looking at specifics, I don't know if we will find that one specific star that would've been the "breakout" star had he not been released.
I think Sean O'Haire's promos for SmackDown, when he was in a suit and evil, were genius. When it came time to get it done in the ring, however, the WWE completely screwed him over. He did not resemble his character nor was he even given the chance. O'Haire had the best gimmick, and could've easily been a manager for someone with it, and he was phased out and let go. But this is the O'Haire mark talking in me.
I am also a Steven Richards mark, and it has been my opinion that Richards has never gotten a true chance to shine like he should. I could never understand why he wasn't taken seriously or utilized seriously (save the entire RTC idea, which was great, btw!). Richards could have easily become a solid Tag Team Champion (with Venis or even O'Haire -- the idea for a stable full of guy sin suits running wild and promoting sin?! Fuck yeah!) and IC title contender with the proper build-up. And this leads into a segway for Val Venis, who has seemingly been abandoned as well. Who remembers the days when Val was the Intercontinental Champion and was going somewhere? Or the days of Chief Morely, and legitimate talent and skill? And yet what does he do now?
It sickens me.
I suppose the argument can be made that all three of those men had their chances -- but a counterpoint, and an easy one, is the likes of Mark Henry who have been under contract what, twelve years, and have had multiple chances? I have a personal hatred for Henry that I cannot honestly explain. I understand the penchant for "Big Men," and Vince's obsession with them, but I just cannot watch Mark Henry on my TV.
I think it's also worth mentioning that they gave up on the Mordecai character too early, though I believe that was a decision made by Fertig himself and not the WWE (correct me if I am wrong). Though I also understand the decision behind that: he was a little too much like Undertaker, and the fans did not buy into it, if I recall. I personally loved the whole thing, but again, I am probably biased towards stuff.
And Raven is spot on, also. Scott Levy easily has the greatest mind for this business, and the sad thing is Vince knows it. When Levy worked for the WWE during his time there as Johnny Polo, he ran shit backstage. And he ran it well. He was buddy-buddy with Shane O-Mac. But I guess that was then and that was later on. I honestly believe with the right build-up and opposition Raven could've easily been IC Champ also, if not eventually World Champion. But then again, the Raven character is not suited for a place like the WWE. He would've survived, but the tweaks I believe they would've made would have been detrimental and woud've eventually led to the destruction of the character.
I think Sean O'Haire's promos for SmackDown, when he was in a suit and evil, were genius. When it came time to get it done in the ring, however, the WWE completely screwed him over. He did not resemble his character nor was he even given the chance. O'Haire had the best gimmick, and could've easily been a manager for someone with it, and he was phased out and let go. But this is the O'Haire mark talking in me.
I am also a Steven Richards mark, and it has been my opinion that Richards has never gotten a true chance to shine like he should. I could never understand why he wasn't taken seriously or utilized seriously (save the entire RTC idea, which was great, btw!). Richards could have easily become a solid Tag Team Champion (with Venis or even O'Haire -- the idea for a stable full of guy sin suits running wild and promoting sin?! Fuck yeah!) and IC title contender with the proper build-up. And this leads into a segway for Val Venis, who has seemingly been abandoned as well. Who remembers the days when Val was the Intercontinental Champion and was going somewhere? Or the days of Chief Morely, and legitimate talent and skill? And yet what does he do now?
It sickens me.
I suppose the argument can be made that all three of those men had their chances -- but a counterpoint, and an easy one, is the likes of Mark Henry who have been under contract what, twelve years, and have had multiple chances? I have a personal hatred for Henry that I cannot honestly explain. I understand the penchant for "Big Men," and Vince's obsession with them, but I just cannot watch Mark Henry on my TV.
I think it's also worth mentioning that they gave up on the Mordecai character too early, though I believe that was a decision made by Fertig himself and not the WWE (correct me if I am wrong). Though I also understand the decision behind that: he was a little too much like Undertaker, and the fans did not buy into it, if I recall. I personally loved the whole thing, but again, I am probably biased towards stuff.
And Raven is spot on, also. Scott Levy easily has the greatest mind for this business, and the sad thing is Vince knows it. When Levy worked for the WWE during his time there as Johnny Polo, he ran shit backstage. And he ran it well. He was buddy-buddy with Shane O-Mac. But I guess that was then and that was later on. I honestly believe with the right build-up and opposition Raven could've easily been IC Champ also, if not eventually World Champion. But then again, the Raven character is not suited for a place like the WWE. He would've survived, but the tweaks I believe they would've made would have been detrimental and woud've eventually led to the destruction of the character.
