Who would you push in place of Kozlov?

[ExtremeSwagga93]

I was reading a topic today, it talked about how R-Truth should've gotten the final spot in the elimination chamber match instead of Koslov, and that gave me an idea for a thread. Who on Smackdown (or moved from another brand to Smackdown) would you give a a major push like Koslov is getting, who would you select to take his place? There is no doubt nobody else is getting pushed on SD as hard as Koslov is. He went from mid-card to main event in less than a year. I myself am a Koslov fan, I know he isn't the best wrestler and has no charisma at all, but he's kinda an old fashioned beat 'em down with nothing fancy type guy, and that's cool with me.

Anyway getting back on topic, I'd give Umaga a Koslov type push. He's been in the WWE longer, is way more talented, and dare I say more over. Although, he did get a major push on RAW, he's dropped down the ranks like crazy it seems, and isn't really viewed as a main event player. I think he's too good to be crushing jobbers like jimmy Wang Yang and Kung Fu Naki, he should be up there with the likes of HHH, Jeff Hardy, Undertaker, and Edge. Plus if they want a monster character in the main event I think he'd be a better choice than Koslov.

Who would you push instead of Koslov.

 

[klunderbunker]

When I was reading that thread, i started to think the same thing. Who could you put in there besides Kozlov? The answer I came up with: I ahve no idea. There really isn't an answer to this question as Kozlov is kind of the only option right now. Matt has Jeff to feud with, Umaga is just now back and apparently as a face, R-Truth just isn't ready, and that leaves just one person that's an actual option: Shelton. The problem is, he's just not good enough. His finisher is AWFUL. He doesn't even grab the person. It's just shoving them to the ground and it's always sloppy as hell. His reign has been a total failure. That all being said, Kozlov might be the best option right now for lack of any other choices.

 

[Showtime]

Agreed, aside from Kozlov right now, no one on Smackdown is ready to be in the EC match. Umaga stands the only chance, but his return has only just begin and needs time to get going, especially if he's coming back as a face. Matt and Jeff are feuding, R-Truth has been a disappointment so far and needs more work, Shelton has had a horrible title reign and one wonders how he's kept it for so long, MVP is just turning face and just getting past that long ass losing streak, Hurricane's been rough since his return, the Great Khali's rarely seen and The Brian Kendrick's in the dog house.

I found it silly at first how we're talking about who could replace Kozlov. Compare the SD EC match to the RAW one and the SD one has way bigger stars in there's. True the RAW one is leaving out some of RAW's bigger names like Orton, Michaels, JBL and the injured Batista, but that's not to say that SD doesn't have depth. It's taken them a long little while, but SD finally has about as much depth in the upper and middle card as RAW does. True, RAW may have a few more upper level talent, but there really weak on middle carders.

Anyway, off topic a bit, aside from Umaga, the only other person who you push on SD instead of Umaga is Kennedy. Now, I'm not one of those big Kennedy fans anymore who say he should be world champion, he's still too risky anymore. I'm saying, he could still get pushed in Kozlov's place instead because unlike all the above middle carders mentioned, the WWE hasn't ruined them in the last 6 months. MVP's a jobber, Sheltons an awful champ, R-Truth and Hurricane have failed, Khali's hurting, Brian's not getting high up in the right places. With injuries and some wrestlers complete sucking, SD has had to reach out desperately and gave Funaki his biggest push in years. Kennedy's the only one who hasn't been runied yet and since he still hasn't made his official in ring return yet, he can still be pushed right to make him look like a star again on SD.

And then there's Christian, but there's enough threads about him, so we'll end it at here.

 

[thewrestlinghero]

well who i think shoud have got koslav match that is a big man wrestler would oviously be big show or maybe that one guy zeke that manges kendrick he is pretty good in the ring for his size and could be a incredble monster if pushed right

but really there is no one you could replace koslav with i mean i would put kendrick to see how he dose in a main event type match up but other then that no one

 

[hArdyPUNKmArk]

No one. I think Koslov is the perfect one to be pushed into this match. If anything Big Show should be the one this thread is about, why is he there???

Koslov was getting his push nicely until the Edge/Jeff/HHH thingo started and then he dropped out of the spotlight. Now here's the second part of his push and he should be in the chamber. I thought he should have been in there right off the bat, but having him win the battle royal was good.

No one else on Smackdown! should be pushed to main event yet other than Koslov, i find him believable in the mainevent and has the power to keep up with the likes of H, Edge and Jeff. Let's hope the match is a good one and that Koslov's push works in his favour....

 

[The Todd]

When I was reading that thread, i started to think the same thing. Who could you put in there besides Kozlov? The answer I came up with: I ahve no idea. There really isn't an answer to this question as Kozlov is kind of the only option right now. Matt has Jeff to feud with, Umaga is just now back and apparently as a face, R-Truth just isn't ready, and that leaves just one person that's an actual option: Shelton. The problem is, he's just not good enough. His finisher is AWFUL. He doesn't even grab the person. It's just shoving them to the ground and it's always sloppy as hell. His reign has been a total failure. That all being said, Kozlov might be the best option right now for lack of any other choices.

I actually like Shelton's finisher. Think it is different, and another you can hit from nowhere. Shelton would be my pick to get pushed. It is overdue, sure he doesn't get much reaction from crowd, but he might if given the main event slot. I would give him the MITb and see how he does. It would give him a gimmick, and if it didn't work out I would have him lose the MITB in a match with MVP or Morrison.

 

[AnthonyMango/NoFate007]

Umaga would've been a better fit for the Elimination Chamber if they didn't just use him as a stepping stone for HHH to eliminate and look dominant. There's no point in giving someone a push just to have them be the fall guy for nothing that isn't even a proper feud.

Shelton has more charisma and talent than Kozlov by leagues in my opinion. Sure, his finisher might not be fantastic, but we're comparing him to a guy that used a HEADBUTT for months. And not even a good looking headbutt!! How often does it really look like his head hits the guy as opposed to what he really does (so obviously) - put his head down and push the person in the chest. Its one of the absolute worst finishers the WWE's had. Hell, the Khali Vice Grip looked better than that crappy move. The chokeslam thing he has now is definitely better, but when you've already got Undertaker using a chokeslam, Big Show using a chokeslam, Kane on Raw using a chokeslam, and Ezekiel using a variation of a chokeslam, it makes you wonder why they couldn't think of something better.

MVP would've done fine in there.

R-Truth and Helms, although I don't like Truth at all, it might have helped salvage their careers to have them be associated with the bigger guns, even if they were the first eliminated. Similar to Kendrick being in the scramble. He was on a sturdy ladder with that one, but screwed it up himself by being a problem backstage.

If the WWE wanted to use someone as a stepping stone, they could've thrown Chavo in there. He could take a quick loss to make Hardy or HHH look dominant. That'd make more sense than having Kozlov NEED to lose his undefeated streak in the middle of a chamber for no reason as opposed to in a one-on-one situation with someone that could use the push by going over the undefeated guy.

Kozlov is serving absolutely no purpose by being in the EC outside of being someone that HHH can eliminate so he comes out of it looking strong. Oh, he might have lost in the end because of Edge getting a cheap shot or whatever, but he toughed the Elimination Chamber AND defeated the guy nobody could ever beat. Isn't he amazing?! It's not good enough that he won 125 out of his 145 matches last year and lost most of those 20 due to interference or whatever...lol

 

[truk24]

I'm going to go out on a limb and say Festus. He is a solid big man wrestler. I enjoy his matches, and I'm not sure why. He moves well, and puts a great effort in to making his moves look devastating. Besides he has been in the ring with both Show, and Taker. It would be the four of the tallest in the WWE battling it out. Taker, Kane, Show, and Festus.

 

[The Palace of Wisdom]

I don't dislike Kozlov, I just dislike what he represents. All he is is someone they have built up to unbeatable status, and who eventually will lose to HHH and Taker, and become a Mid-Card Monster like Umaga. He serves his purpose right now, and I'm fine with him in his spot. Yeah, I would rather watch Shelton, MVP, Kennedy, Kendrick or Umaga in the Chamber. But Kozlov will be just fine in there.

 

[TwistofRKO]

Kozlov deserves his place. They need to elevate what they've got. Benjamin can put on a good show through the match duration, can sell, and is athletic. Build him up better. R-Truth is over, work on his character. Umaga just needs time before they put him in a title match. WWE looks fake enough, you can't throw him in the EC for beating Kung Fu Naki.

 

[RATEDRKO4LIFE]

I agree with Ron killings being put in the chamber.
I think koslov and taker will start something in the chamber and at WM25 It'll be undertaker vs koslov. Which wud be kinda good. they shud've gave koslov the title at survivor series and got it over with. When he wrestled 2 years ago against small competition on smackdown every week i fast forwarded it as i knew the outcome, then all of a sudden he's in the title hunt. to b clear i just dont like him. hes rather boring.

Brock lesnar vs Vladimir Koslov

 

[Legendary_Undertaker]

Benjamin can put on a good show through the match duration, can sell, and is athletic. Build him up better.

Exactly, A HUGE push for shelton benjamin is long overdue. He's the best pure wrestler since Kurt Angle and he's great on the mic. IMO Benjamin would be a great addition to the EC.

But in all due honesty the 6 they have in the now works well for me too. But I wonder whats going to happen to the Hardy/Hardy fude now that jeff is in the EC? That went nowhere fast.

MVP would've also been a great choice for the EC and it kind of fits his story. He ould've recieved a huge push after winning the EC. Its too bad he was in the doghouse and got stuck in the crapy storyline. But I'm not opposed to seeing MVP/Benjamin eaither

 

[MikeZnox]

Let us look at the viable options:

MVP- A face, in my opinion, not a good option, too early after his face turn to try to push him. Already 3 faces in there.

Umaga- I would like to see this. I don't really consider Umaga to be a good guy, since you can't have a complete monster be a good person. He just rips people apart and would be interesting to see him in the chamber just to see what he could do.

Matt- Would be decent, adding to the Hardy-Hardy fued by having them both in the same match. Doubtful, but it makes me wonder what they're going to do with Hardy at NWO.

Shelton- First off, he needs to drop that useless belt known as the US title. He deserves better. I haven't seen a Shelton match that I do not enjoy, he is a great wrestler. Unfortunately, he hasn't gotten the push he deserves, ever. A good showing in the Chamber would be just what the doctor ordered. This would be my selection.

You could always throw R-Truth in there, but quite frankly, I would be 100% against that idea. One, he's a face. Two, I just don't think the dude has it, at least until he loses his stupid gimmick of running out of the stands rapping that same old annoying song.

 

[The Mark of Zur-En-Arrh]

Has everyone been watching a different Shelton Benjamin than me? The guy has ZERO charisma at all. I remember him doing a promo not too long ago baout having a problem with Truth, and it actually made me wretch, that's how bad it was.

What we all seem to be forgetting is that Koslov's current run is only about 5 or 6 months old now, and he's undefeated (as in never bin pinned/tapped out). Who else is there on SD! with similar credentials right now?

You've got R-Truth who is an ok singer and dancer, but not a very believable wrestler.

TBK who's being held back due to his own problems

Shelton who only does something spectacular when he's on PPV, and these days he's only on PPV to fill space ie SSeries and RR, otherwise while being fast and agile, his matches aren't anything spectacular. His mic work is terrible

Umaga JUST came back you can't throw him in the title picture straight away.

MVP would need to build some serious momentum before getting another title shot.

Kennedy isn't likely to be back until after NWO.

There's no one else that would be a decent option for the EC sunday. It's the perfect platform for someone to finally pin Koslov, and then he can continue beating guys in 1 on 1 situations for as long as they like afterward. They can play the whole 'he only got beat trying to fend off 5 other guys at once, all of which are former WWE champions' card and make him suffer the sort of fall from grace that Umaga suffered after his first ME push.

I can see it being Taker who eliminates Koslov and then we'll probably get a shit Koslov v Taker match at 'Mania rather than Taker v HBK like it should be. (If they don't do Taker v HBK, who's going to be in the inter promotional match this year?)

Who else has the total package to be pushed like Koslov? Only Kennedy and MVP tbh, especially if the champion remains heel.