Post by Tapout on Nov 4, 2009 18:27:57 GMT -5
Some excerpts from JR's blog below. With respect to the wrestling business, I really think this guy "gets it." It's a real shame he's no longer part of creative/talent acquisition since A.) I think he did a tremendous job finding guys like Kurt Angle, and B.) since he seems to have a really good grasp of what would improve the product for wrestling fans.
"Just an opinion, but when Regal's wrestling days have ended, he would make a tremendous manager. Plus, when some one realizes that really good wrestling managers can help any company's presentation and that many of today's fans would look at managers as "new" we'll see it happen. A contemporary approach to an old school presentation is what I'm trying to say plus it adds "new" to TV Wrestling presentations. Plus, some young stars don't have a clue as to how to verbalize and rely on memorization and how they "perceive" a wrestler would react and respond to particular situations."
--
"The continued evolution of Sheamus, the big Irish guy with no last name, is something that I'm enjoying. Hopefully, this build will be consistent and not rushed as it is obvious to me that Sheamus, the big Irish guy with no last name, has marketable potential. I like his size, physicality, and obvious toughness and he also has a strong work ethic and desire to not just be a player to be be a main event player. Sheamus is one of the most intriguing personas in WWE right now for my money. Can you imagine how fast Sheamus would progress if he were managed by a red hot, mouthpiece who was relevant in today's marketplace?"
--
"Good to see Kofi Kingston, who's now from his original homeland, continue to get his at bats. Kofi and Orton represent in ring youth which is a really good thing on which to build. Kofi's next few months of TV exposure will be crucial in his development as fans seem to be curious as far Kofi can go. I happen to feel that Kofi has a distinctive upside. However, too many stubbed toes or false starts seem to be the kiss of death with many of today's fans."
--
"It's easy to see that the WWE Divas are "smart, sexy and powerful" but what else good do they represent? Just curious."
--
"Seems like my interview with the Baltimore Sun's Kevin Eck got a fair amount of play. When I first saw that I was being "critical" of the recruiting system being used by WWE I was somewhat taken a back to some degree but upon further review I understood what some pundits were saying. First of all, any system can be improved upon no matter what it is or who is in charge. Every level of one's business has room for improvement much like our personal lives. I do think that the future of the pro wrestling business lies in the hands of the development and evolution of new talents as fans/consumers want fresh elements added to the equation. It also seems to make common sense that one would want to recruit the best athletes in the world, if possible, especially gifted athletes who are fans of the genre and who demonstrate an aptitude for athletically entertaining discerning fans.
Big time athletes who can develop their wrestling personas organically and not merely portray what they perceive a wrestler would do in a certain situation but instead be enhanced versions of themselves is an ideal situation to create.
"I'm not really a wrestler but I play one on TV" doesn't work for me."
"Just an opinion, but when Regal's wrestling days have ended, he would make a tremendous manager. Plus, when some one realizes that really good wrestling managers can help any company's presentation and that many of today's fans would look at managers as "new" we'll see it happen. A contemporary approach to an old school presentation is what I'm trying to say plus it adds "new" to TV Wrestling presentations. Plus, some young stars don't have a clue as to how to verbalize and rely on memorization and how they "perceive" a wrestler would react and respond to particular situations."
--
"The continued evolution of Sheamus, the big Irish guy with no last name, is something that I'm enjoying. Hopefully, this build will be consistent and not rushed as it is obvious to me that Sheamus, the big Irish guy with no last name, has marketable potential. I like his size, physicality, and obvious toughness and he also has a strong work ethic and desire to not just be a player to be be a main event player. Sheamus is one of the most intriguing personas in WWE right now for my money. Can you imagine how fast Sheamus would progress if he were managed by a red hot, mouthpiece who was relevant in today's marketplace?"
--
"Good to see Kofi Kingston, who's now from his original homeland, continue to get his at bats. Kofi and Orton represent in ring youth which is a really good thing on which to build. Kofi's next few months of TV exposure will be crucial in his development as fans seem to be curious as far Kofi can go. I happen to feel that Kofi has a distinctive upside. However, too many stubbed toes or false starts seem to be the kiss of death with many of today's fans."
--
"It's easy to see that the WWE Divas are "smart, sexy and powerful" but what else good do they represent? Just curious."
--
"Seems like my interview with the Baltimore Sun's Kevin Eck got a fair amount of play. When I first saw that I was being "critical" of the recruiting system being used by WWE I was somewhat taken a back to some degree but upon further review I understood what some pundits were saying. First of all, any system can be improved upon no matter what it is or who is in charge. Every level of one's business has room for improvement much like our personal lives. I do think that the future of the pro wrestling business lies in the hands of the development and evolution of new talents as fans/consumers want fresh elements added to the equation. It also seems to make common sense that one would want to recruit the best athletes in the world, if possible, especially gifted athletes who are fans of the genre and who demonstrate an aptitude for athletically entertaining discerning fans.
Big time athletes who can develop their wrestling personas organically and not merely portray what they perceive a wrestler would do in a certain situation but instead be enhanced versions of themselves is an ideal situation to create.
"I'm not really a wrestler but I play one on TV" doesn't work for me."
