A View From the Rafters #85: Frozen Yogurt and the Herbig Ae/Be Stars

[Stinger]

"When things were a little bit clearer / When you got nearer / I shied from your touch / Now that I know what I want, see, / I think that it haunts me, / I want you too much / Sweet darlin’, come hold me, / Just a little bit longer now / Sweet darlin’, come hold me, / Just a little bit longer now..."
SHE & HIM: Sweet Darlin' from the album Volume One

- For those of you who don't know who She and Him are, it's Zooey Deschanel and some dude no one cares about.

- Holy shit, how awesome is Ricky Steamboat? Hadn't wrestled a match in over a decade, yet he's still got it. Mad respect for that man.

- As such, I demand a 4-disc Steamboat DVD pronto. To hell with Macho Madness, I want the Ultimate Dragon collection.

- That WWE Encyclopedia is the best damn thing WWE has ever put out. I highly recommend all of you reading pick it up if you haven't already. Turns out Chris Benoit DID exist.

- Oh Zooey, I want you too much too, call me! To the rest of you, I'm Stinger and this is A View From the Rafters #85: Frozen Yogurt and the Herbig Ae/Be Stars*

*Frozen yogurt has jack shit to do with this column, I just wanted to use the pic below as the banner.



Welcome back wrestling fans to the eighty-fifth edition of AVFR. Today, we're going to take a look at the draft... just kidding. It's a big week coming up. Monday we have the draft on RAW, Tuesday is my birthday (happy 23 to me), Wednesday is Tax Day a.k.a. Tea Party Day and Thursday we have the premiere of WWE Superstars and a should-be good Impact featuring a certain return I've been dying to see for quite sometime. A good week indeed. None of that, however, has to do with this weeks column, so it's time for me to stop the chit-chat and just dive right into this edition.

FISHSTICKS

Okay, this column has nothing to do with fishsticks either, but nevertheless that was an awesome episode of South Park. I particularly enjoyed the ending, it was simply classic. Moving on, and this time for real.

The Herbig Ae/Be Stars of WrestleMania 26

This is not a science column, so if you don't know a Herbig Ae/Be star is, look it up. Okay, short answer is "a pre-main sequence star" which would certainly not be the three above gentlemen on the banner.

March 28, 2010, could be a pivotal turning point for World Wrestling Entertainment. That's the date of WrestleMania 26, an event that could likely see three of WWE's biggest names retire, either at or shortly after. We're talking about Shawn Michaels, The Undertaker and Batista. Two of these men are invaluable to the company, the other is always at the top of the card while he is healthy. Their departures from the company will leave a huge hole, and WWE needs to start securing the foundation as soon as possible.

I'm a firm believer that when you're a top star like those three gentlemen are, you should go out by putting a younger talent over and helping to create a new superstar. Some folks, like Hulk Hogan, might not be able to put aside their ego to let a younger guy over, but it's simply good business. All three of these men, if WrestleMania 26 is to be their last WrestleMania, need to go out by doing the J-O-B. Yeah, I said all three, so that includes The Undertaker.

So now the question becomes, who should wrestle these top stars and go over them? It's not a John Cena or a Randy Orton. It's not an Edge or a Chris Jericho. Hell, one of the guys isn't even a WWE employee currently. I'll spare the suspense any longer, and start it off with Batista and the guy he should put over.

Ted DiBiase vs. Batista

Of the two Priceless members, Ted is easily the one that seems destined for singles success. Ted DiBiase has all the tools necessary to become a top star in WWE, and there wouldn't be a better way to start his ascension to near the top than by having him go over the beast that is Batista. Batista has done a lot at WrestleMania, he's defeated The Rock and Triple H, and he's been one of Undertaker's victims. Batista was effectively made at WrestleMania 21 when Triple H put him over, prior to that he was simply the muscle of Evolution. It took an already established star to do the job on the biggest stage of them all, to elevate Batista to that next level.

Granted that was for the title, and this DiBiase vs. Batista match would not be for a title. But it shouldn't be for one, DiBiase is not at that level now and he won't be come WrestleMania 26. But his stock will rise overnight with a legitimate clean victory over Batista. With that one victory, people would start to see him in a different way. There is no better way to make a star, then by having them go over an already established guy in convincing fashion, except for maybe the Bret Hart-Steve Austin route.

There's a lot to be said about young Ted DiBiase. Yes, he's still very young and quite green. To this degree, he is very much like Randy Orton when he came in. But DiBiase isn't currently being groomed for success. Sure, he's running with Orton, which helps him, but how often does he wrestle? WWE needs to give DiBiase a steady stream of talented guys to work with, to help him improve and ready him for that next level and a big WrestleMania 26 match. This process should begin immediately.

Load DiBiase up with quality opponents throughout 2009, to maximize his chances of having good and memorable matches, then have him go over Batista at WrestleMania 26, and there's no reason in the world why he couldn't be a World Champion before the end of 2010.

Now that Batista has just made Ted DiBiase, who should be the lucky individual to end the Undertaker's streak and be given the rub of all rubs?

CM Punk vs. The Undertaker

It's a sad reflection of WWE booking when a guy can be a two-time Money In The Bank winner, former World Heavyweight Champion, former Intercontinental Champion, former Tag Team Champion and former ECW Champion, and still be seen as a guy who has no credibility and not be viewed as a top-level guy. Unfortunately, that appears to be the boat that CM Punk finds himself in, with many, maybe even a majority of the fans. The fault with this does not fall on CM Punk, it falls squarely on WWE creative. Nevertheless, the situation can be remedied, and quite easily at that.

CM Punk uses his MITB contract for a scheduled match at Summer Slam, and loses the match. What? How is that going to give him credibility? Well one thing it does, is end the pretense that if you win MITB, that you're going to win the championship. Everyone who has cashed in, has won, that needs to change. In cashing in and losing though, it gives CM Punk a wonderful opportunity to turn heel.

I like Punk Rock, CM likes Punk Rock, and there's a thing where when one of those bands goes mainstream, you say they "sold out" and their music isn't what it once was. That's what Punk can do. Say he "sold out" and catered to the mainstream WWE fan, and watered himself down in the process. Anyone who has seen his stuff in Ring of Honor knows two things: 1.) Punk is fantastic in the ring and 2.) Punk is fantastic on the mic. It's time to take the chains off of this young man and let him show what he can do, it's time to finally see a heel Punk in WWE with his whole "straight edge means I'm better than you" shtick.

After the heel turn, you feed him upper-midcard guys and a top guy for the next few months. When the Royal Rumble rolls around, you have Punk target the Undertaker and set up a match between the two. Everyone *knows* The Undertaker won't lose at WrestleMania, so that's when you shock the hell out of everyone by having CM Punk end the streak. In one great match and one shocking finish, WWE would have just solidified a new top star for years to come. Undertaker solidifies his legacy as being one guy who was totally selfless and who always did what was best for business.

After a great match with and victory over Undertaker at WrestleMania, the sky is the damn limit for WWE with CM Punk established and "made". But what about Shawn Michaels, the legendary "Mr. WrestleMania", who should go over him?

Bryan Danielson vs. Shawn Michaels

The word making the rounds is that Bryan Danielson's contract with Ring of Honor is coming up, and that instead of resigning with them, he's going to Thailand to continue his Mixed Martial Arts training for three months. So in August, roughly, his training there will be finished, and WWE should toss some money his way and sign him. Everybody has a price, and that includes the best in the world, so WWE would be foolish not to make a serious effort to snag him. And as it relates to this column, WWE succeeds in signing the American Dragon, but what do they do with him?

For starters, you don't send him to development, you bring him straight up and immediately push him. I'm not talking Brock Lesnar levels here, but a serious push nonetheless. Ideally, I'd bring him in as an ally and partner of Shawn Michaels and have them feud against another thrown together duo or stable for a few months. Dragon then turns on Michaels and puts him out of action for a while, giving Michaels much needed rest. Meanwhile, Danielson is now having quality singles matches, and earns a shot at the WWE Championship at the Royal Rumble. He fails to win it, thanks to a returning Shawn Michaels causing the match to end in a DQ. A heated rivalry ensues, and the stipulation is made that if Michaels loses at WrestleMania, he has to retire.

Danielson gets this opportunity because wrestling Shawn Michaels at a WrestleMania is about as big as it can get for a young wrestler, and there isn't a better young wrestler in the world than Bryan Danielson (a Shawn Michaels student). Anyone who has ever seen a Danielson match knows that he is something special and a real treat to watch wrestle. Shawn Michaels and WWE would best be served having Mr. WrestleMania pass the torch on to an up-and-coming star who hasn't yet been "made". Bryan Danielson, a real student of the game, is as deserving of that honor as is anyone else.

After a great 25 to 30 minute wrestling classic, Bryan Danielson makes Shawn Michaels tap out to Cattle Mutilation, thus ending the wrestling career of one of the greatest wrestlers to ever live at the biggest event of them all. With the departing Michaels having lost, a new star has been firmly etched into the minds of wrestling fans and a new era begins in WWE. A match and moment like this would be a true passing of the torch from a mentor to a student. And it would be a very special moment to witness.

If you're a new guy in Titan Land, and you defeat Shawn Michaels at WrestleMania, you become the man. It's as simple as that. There is no better way to make a true superstar.

Now the likelihood of any of this happening is pretty slim to none, right? Of course it is, but so what. WWE needs to really make new stars, especially when some of their biggest stars could be leaving at or near the same time in 2010. You can't rely on Edge, Orton, Hardy, Cena and Triple H continously, it gets a tad repetitive after a while. So that is why you don't use the leaving stars to put over the likes of those already made individuals, or letting the departing guys go out winning. To do so is simply a wasted opportunity at creating, in one night, the next round of top-tier talent who go into this new era in WWE as extremely credible challengers for the top titles and with some big time bragging rights to boot.

WrestleMania 26 should be remembered as the night three huge superstars retired and made three superstars to take their place.

Well damn folks, we have reached the end of this weeks column. I hope you all enjoyed reading it, I certainly enjoyed writing it. If you didn't, hell there's always next time then, right? I believe there could be another BMF's Present column in the works, that could possibly be out sometime around the end of the month. I will hopefully return with edition eighty-six of AVFR next week, but until then, thank you for reading and may you all have a very happy Easter!

- Stinger

[Martin Riggs]

I really enjoyed reading this. It's your 85th column, so i'm glad there are no spelling/grammar mistakes, or sentence structure stuff that was way off. That would be a bit disconcerting, really. Overall, the column was excellently laid out. But you knew that, didn't you?

I really like the idea of CM Punk beating Undertaker, and a heel Punk at that, i think it would be awesome! The same for Dibiase, though not as enthusiastic, he's great but i'm not 100% sold on him yet. Due, like you said, to him not really having much of a presence, matches/promos etc.
I can't agree with you on Danielson, as i don't know the guy or his methods. It would be foolish to blindly follow you, so instead i'll say from what i heard, this sounds like a cracking idea.

Good column, nice topic, very entertaining

[BeyondKnight]

Stinger,

Have I told you yet that I have really been digging your return? Cuz I have been. You have a great narrative voice, your columns topics are always varied and interesting and you have great presentation. Plus Zooey is hot.

Some people may say this column was on the shorter side, but I disagee. You presented and argued everything you needed to clearly and concisely without losing the reader in unneeded rhetoric.

My only complaint is that while I agree with most of your arguements, "I'd hate to see Mania 26 pigeonholed as "the year all the rookies won". There is probably enough storyline here to book other great PPVs and I think wasting it all on Mania could be a mistake.

Great job though, and read you next time!
~BK

[NightofDay]

Loved the shit out of this column Stinger. Ted DiBiase over Batista is something I totally dig. It would not only be fresh for a young gun to gain a huge win over a big star at the biggest show of the year it would also kick DiBiase's young career into overdrive.

CM Punk defeating Undertaker at WrestleMania? AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! I'm a huge Punk fan, probably his biggest mark but even I can't see Punk beating Undertaker at WM. If that happened I would probably lock my jaw from how long my mouth would be wide open.

Danielson over Michaels is the least likely to happen in my opinion because like you said Danielson isn't even in the damn company. Although if I remember correctly Danielson had a tryout a few months ago against Lance Cade and I think WWE were keen on him. Who knows?

Looking forward to next time.

[HBKRKO]

Great column man.

Love the idea of Bryan Danielson ending Shawn Michaels' career, as he is the only opponent that could put on a match as good if not better as Shawn's match with 'Taker.

I don't think ending Taker's streak would be good as it wouldn't really leave 'Taker with too much of a legacy.

I agree with you that Ted DiBiase will win a World title in the next 18 months but I don't think that putting him against Batista would be a good idea. You said that they should give him a steady stream of talented wrestlers to work with leading to a match with someone as untalented as Batista. Just doesn't make sense.

[TheMonkeyBoy]

Great read dude.

I dont agree with Takers stream being ended but I think him and Punk will put on a great match which will be enough to get Punk over. However, I do agree with HBK v Danielson. Ive been saying this for weeks and people think im mad. Glad somebody agrees.

Really enjoyed this!

[cicero]

Would H ever let Danielson back into WWE? Or 'Taker put over the arrogant and 'indy' CM Punk? Will Zooey ever get any respect?

Awesome as always, a joy to read.

[Roger Murtaugh]

First off, well written as always and of course I agree that WWE needs to put over some young talent and fast. Hell I even agree that WWE needs to pull the trigger on having the MITB winner not win the belt. Sucks for Punk as you said, but that was my train of thought even before Punk won.

The rest I go to disagree with. Ted Jr. just hasn't shown me anything special at all. Outside of looking like a wrestler he really does nothing for me. His promo delivery is painfully dry and he hasn't had enough matches to make me think he's ready for a singles run of any kind. He works fine in a tag team or stable but I'm not so quick to say the guy will be a big player anytime soon, especially as soon as next year.

Punk over Taker? If it wasn't at Mania I'd be all aboard. There is absolutely no way that streak needs to end, it's the one thing that sets Taker apart. Besides, someone could retire Undertaker in a non-Wrestlemania match and they'd still get a hell of a rub from it.

I'd love to see Danielson in WWE and a win over HBK even could have some history to it, I just don't see it happening (as you said).

All in all a good stuff but you left me wondering one thing....

What are you, a gay fish?

[Captain Awesome]

Stinger, I enjoyed what you had to say, you're a good writer. I think some of your ideas might be a tad far fetched, but thats neither here nor there. What's important is that you gave us a good column with some valid arguments.

If Punk ends Taker's streak I will be shocked beyond belief. It almost seems too smart for the creative team to let a young up-and-coming guy get a rub from the streak. My current guess to end the streak is Cena, and if he does, it might be the last wrestlemania I watch.

[The Maz]

Hey Stinger - It's actually nice to see you on your own here as the collabs have been coming one after another. This was a very interesting piece and I really want some new main-eventers/upper mid-carders soon. I also agree about MitB needing to be lost. Could you imagine how great it would have been if after the beat down on Edge by Batista, Punk came out, cashed in and Edge rolled him up... there is your moment of 2008! As you can tell, I have only seen the WWE watered down Punk and the thought of him ending the streak hurts me. Batista - DiBiase is probably the most likely of the three to happen, particularly if Batista turns on H and has any part of a relationship with Legacy. Danielson I have also not seen but I have heard good things, I am sure, retiring or not, Shawn would not have a problem doing the job at Mania as win or lose, he will come out smelling of roses.

As always, very solid work.

[Stinger]

J-Boom - Thank you very much man. We'll get a small sample of a DiBiase vs. Batista match will be like on Smackdown, just too bad Ted is still green and the match will likely be a squash.

BKnight - I appreciate the comments, and hells yeah, Zooey is super hot. I agree that there is enough there to book other PPVs around, but the premise was these three retiring at WrestleMania 26 and using that retirement to make three new stars. Thanks for reading and feedbacking.

NightofDay - Glad you loved it Night. I would probably join you in lock jaw if Punk were to ever defeat Undertaker at WrestleMania. I think Danielson ends up in WWE before the end of the year, or at least I hope he does.

HBKRKO - Thanks for the feedback. I disagree that a Taker loss wouldn't leave him with much of a legacy. In fact, I think it would cement his legacy as a selfless performer in a business where most in his position would be looking to put themselves over.

MonkeyBoy - You're right, Punk/Taker would definitely get Punk more over, regardless of who won and loss. Glad you enjoyed it, thanks for reading.

Cici - What does H have against Danielson? Taker would definitely put Punk over. And no, Zooey will probably never get the respect she deserves. Appreciate the comments man.

Doc Monk - I can't deny who I am anymore man, I am a gay fish. You're actually probably right about Ted Jr. I see a ton of potential in him and think he could be on the level of Randy Orton, but I don't think WWE is going to be content on doing anything worthwhile with him anytime soon, and that's too bad. And sure, retiring Undertaker at a non-WrestleMania event would still be one hell of a rub. Appreciate the feedback buddy.

Capt. Awesome - Hell, if Cena ends the streak, it might be my last WrestleMania as well. Thanks for reading and leaving feedback.

The Maz - The collabs were fun, but it was time to get back to solo for sure, although there will be another collab (BMF) in the near future. Man, I would have laughed so hard if that would have happened to Punk last year. I would have been marking like hell when his music hit, and overwhelmed with both anger and laughter if he would have lost in such a manner. Thank you for the feedback, always appreciated.

[Leonard]

Hey there, Stinger. Very nice work here...arguments were backed up, and good points were made. I just have a few comments about Danielson. For a long time, I had never seen any of his matches, so I just never commented on the athlete. Having now watched several of his matches, I think he's good, sure, but I wonder if he could make a long term impact on the worldwide scale. Speculation on my part is neither here nor there, but I'd be interested to see his success rate if he ever signed with WWE. I like the Punk/Taker match, though I too think his streak should remain intact, as the match itself would likely be enough to make a large impact on Punk's career. For me, the jury's still out on DiBiase. Anyhow, great work.

--Leonard

[Stinger]

Leo - Thanks for reading and leaving feedback. I think Danielson could be pretty big in WWE, if he were booked right. He's not great on the mic, but he is excellent in the ring and that can easily be molded to making a huge star. I don't know if WWE would ever be serious about pushing him, but if given the ball, I think he'd preform really well for the company.

[Andy_Savana]

Your columns were always the shit.

Taker should never job. Well Punk is pretty bad ass but it would have to be one hellacious match.