Post by Robbymac on Apr 4, 2010 19:01:28 GMT -5
2010 isn't over yet. Soooo...we can count Sheamus and Swagger if they get over. I can also count Eddie Guerrero. Its not WWE's fault he died. Even efforts were made to put Benoit, Kennedy, and Rob Van Dam into ME spots. Again its not their fault they failed.
Also HBK was already main eventing in '95. Wrestlemania XI? Kane is a huuuuuuge stretch. Big Show showed up as a main eventer from another promotion seen at the time as the equal of WWE. Something they don't have the benefit of now.
Really what you'll find here is from 96-02 they just hit the jackpot on EVERYONE they tried. from 04-10 they have had a few misses. Either the guy didn't get over like they'd like (Benoit), Died (Guerrero), F***ed up (RVD), Couldn't stay healthy (Kennedy), or just didn't have the passion for the business (Lashley)
I fail to see how we can blame WWE when they've tried, and it just didn't work for a variety of reasons. They got incredibly lucky in the attitude era, and as a result they got a boom period out of it.
You asked the question and I answered it.
Yes from 1996 to 2002 the WWE created more than 8 main eventers. I would not argue Kane was a huge stretch. From his debut in 1997 to about 2000 he was huge. He certainly main evented at least 3 ppvs in 1998 winning the WWF title from Austin to boot. I'm pretty sure Wrestlemania 11 was the only time HBK main evented a show in 1995, and he lost. it wasn't until 1996 that he was officially made The Man.
Am not saying it is easy to make main event stars. Am not even saying the WWE hasn't been unlucky in that the few people they have tried to make big has backfired.
The fact is the majority of them have backfired leading to a very stale main event. Just because it hasn't worked out a few times doesn't mean the WWE should give up. You can argue the WWE has tried to make new stars. I can't see how anyone could argue the main event scene we are left with in 2010 is anything other than stale even if it isn't totally the WWE's fault.
And they are continuing to try. The guy who just got done carrying the WWE Title for a couple months and wrestling a very competitive match with a 13 time World Champ at Wrestlemania, and the guy who came out of nowhere to hold the World Heavyweight Championship is evidence of that. Sometimes it could be argued they are jumping the gun and trying too hard.
Shawn main evented Wrestlemania XI, and In Your House 3 (Diesel & Shawn vs. Yoko & Bulldog). He also WON the 1995 Royal Rumble. This was in a year with only 10 PPV's, a MUCH smaller roster, and only one brand (carried by a one hour show). I would say he was definitely a main eventer in 1995.
As for Kane he main evented King of the Ring, Fully Loaded, Breakdown, & Judgment Day in 1998. After that he pretty much fell back down to being what he is today. Big monster heel or babyface that was used to put people over.
Also in three of those main events he was really only there to serve as a supporting role to the Undertaker-Austin-McMahon program.