|
Post by barryhorowitz4ever on Oct 4, 2007 21:52:38 GMT -5
whatever happened to them? it was more interesting that way.
|
|
BxB
Unicron
Only the shift key stands between him and copyright infringement.
Posts: 2,849
|
Post by BxB on Oct 4, 2007 21:55:11 GMT -5
Yeah, it seems like JBL is the only one left, now. I thought Lawler was 10 times more bearable as a heel commentator, now he's just annoying.
|
|
Big L
Grimlock
Posts: 13,883
|
Post by Big L on Oct 4, 2007 21:55:58 GMT -5
Yeah, it seems like JBL is the only one left, now. I thought Lawler was 10 times more bearable as a heel commentator, now he's just annoying. agreed on everything u just said
|
|
Tapout
Hank Scorpio
WWE Creative(TM)
W.W.W.Y.K.I.
Posts: 6,919
|
Post by Tapout on Oct 4, 2007 23:25:07 GMT -5
Lawler, I agree. He was only entertaining as a heel.
Tazz flat-out sucked as a heel commentator (he forgot he was a heel every 10 seconds) and is a lot better when he can mark out like a regular babyface.
I know commentator Tazz isn't real popular around here and nobody likes Coleslaw, but when the two of them were actually pretty OK when they were both babyfaces who marked out like crazy during the SD 6 days. Could've been a lot worse. (Of course, the ringwork back then, which featured Rey vs. Angle and Eddy vs. Benoit feuds, was so good that it was easy to mark out while watching.)
|
|
wwerules60
El Dandy
"Bring what? a vomit bag? a fig newton?"
Posts: 8,999
|
Post by wwerules60 on Oct 4, 2007 23:47:49 GMT -5
I would love to hear Paul Heyman commentate with JR again. They were amazing.
|
|
|
Post by PTBartman on Oct 4, 2007 23:52:30 GMT -5
This has been one of my biggest bones of contentions for years. I even posted it on JRs blog once but never got an aknowledgment. I remember Heenan as the greatest heel comentator of all time (Heyman second and JBL third.)
|
|
The OP
Bill S. Preston, Esq.
changed his name
Posts: 15,785
|
Post by The OP on Oct 5, 2007 0:01:45 GMT -5
I think they should move JBL to Raw and put Lawler on Smackdown. Or at least try it for a couple weeks.
|
|
Cranjis McBasketball
Crow T. Robot
Knew what the hell that thing was supposed to be
Peace Love and Nothing But
Posts: 41,998
|
Post by Cranjis McBasketball on Oct 5, 2007 0:05:30 GMT -5
I miss the small things Ventura and Gorilla would say, like "If they lose this match, it could be a year before they're in line for a title shot again."
It didn't have to be true, it just made the match seem more important.
|
|
The OP
Bill S. Preston, Esq.
changed his name
Posts: 15,785
|
Post by The OP on Oct 5, 2007 0:18:36 GMT -5
That's a good point. I miss that too.
|
|
Squirrel Master
Hank Scorpio
"Then the Squirrel Master came out of left field and told me I'm his bitch!"
Posts: 6,658
|
Post by Squirrel Master on Oct 5, 2007 9:27:05 GMT -5
I remember Heenan as the greatest heel commentator of all time (Heyman second and JBL third.) Aren't you forgetting someone?
|
|
The OP
Bill S. Preston, Esq.
changed his name
Posts: 15,785
|
Post by The OP on Oct 5, 2007 9:35:51 GMT -5
IMO, Ventura was definitely the best at selling for the heels. He was almost too good; he made you root against the babyface sometimes.
|
|
repomark
Unicron
For Mash Get Smash
Posts: 3,054
|
Post by repomark on Oct 5, 2007 9:41:32 GMT -5
Heel commentators play an important role, and as has been said in Jerry Lawler's case in particular it is evident. JBL is the most entertaining commentator currently working and I totally agree with the prospect of putting him on Raw.
I would also like to see Jim Cornette back in a heel commentator role but that is just a dream probably. I think Ric Flair could play the role well, either that or a manager role. Piper and Dibiase are other possibilities who have been co commentators in the past.
Even having a different guest commentator every week with the main play by play guy as a resident, would be a better option. I think Jerry Lawler is sadly past his sell by date and the time has come for a change.
Heenan though is unquestionably the greatest heel commentator of all time though - his work on Royal Rumble 92 and Wrestlemania 8 alone gets him that title in my view. That said - I also miss the way Monsoon and Ventura would build the imporance of a match by placing it in context, and how Ventura would argue about how breaking the rules was acceptable for faces but not for heels, particularly in tag matches.
"I've heard you say a hundred times tonight - it only counts if the referree sees it."
|
|
bagsley
Samurai Cop
Demolition Bear is da king of Ruthless.
Posts: 2,139
|
Post by bagsley on Oct 5, 2007 9:44:25 GMT -5
IMO, Ventura was definitely the best at selling for the heels. He was almost too good; he made you root against the babyface sometimes. You got that right. Watching old matchs with Ventura on the mic he really did an awesome job putting the heels over. Ventura was a great commentator.
|
|
Just Jay
Unicron
DIESEL!?!?!
Posts: 3,282
|
Post by Just Jay on Oct 5, 2007 9:45:57 GMT -5
I honestly think JBL with JR would liven RAW up so much more. Unlike Cole, JR can and will defend himself. That's just 2 hours of entertainment.
King will eventually get sick of Cole, and go back to his old ways.
And Tazz and Styles...well, they can continue doing what they're doing. As long as we get awesome lines like "GOOD FOR YOU BALLS!" then I'm cool!
|
|
|
Post by T.J. "the Crippler" Stevens on Oct 5, 2007 9:54:33 GMT -5
I think it just evolved that way. King never really turned babyface, the fans turned him. And it happened durring the attitude era when the guy who was the prototypical heel suddenly became the babyface. Most of the guys that King cheered for their heelish antics (like DX, The Rock, Steve Austin, etc.) ended up becoming babyfaces without changing a thing. Nobody really saw that coming. Forcing King to change his ways to satisfy the "heel announcer's" role would've made no sense. They were still doing all of the things that he cheered on before. It was too late then, and it's way too late now. I think JBL's got it down though. I think Booker T would make a great heel announcer as long as he doesn't turn babyface before he retires.
|
|
Tapout
Hank Scorpio
WWE Creative(TM)
W.W.W.Y.K.I.
Posts: 6,919
|
Post by Tapout on Oct 5, 2007 11:57:29 GMT -5
That's a good observation, but I would personally be very disappointed if Booker retired with the King Booker gimmick. I mean, it's not a terrible heel gimmick, but the guy's a natural babyface and he's a lot more fun to watch when he's playing to the crowd and actually able to talk a bit, instead of doing his usual snobby king shtick, which just seems more limited.
I still mark for Bookdust-era Booker.
|
|
|
Post by valiens on Oct 5, 2007 12:03:23 GMT -5
Rewatched the Owen Hart tribute match, which is more surreal than surreal at this point because it's Benoit Vs. Bret. Anyway, Bobby Heenan's commentary is comedy gold. It's as if he didn't know it was a tribute match and he should be respectful. At one point one of the other commentators says something like, "I wonder if Stu Hart is watching this from home in Calgary."
The other says, "I'm sure he's watching every second of this match" and gives some platitudes about Stu.
Heenan chimes in with: "Only two more payments and the television's his."
We just don't get that kind of comedy anymore, although JBL comes close sometimes.
|
|
Big L
Grimlock
Posts: 13,883
|
Post by Big L on Oct 5, 2007 12:05:57 GMT -5
Rewatched the Owen Hart tribute match, which is more surreal than surreal at this point because it's Benoit Vs. Bret. Anyway, Bobby Heenan's commentary is comedy gold. It's as if he didn't know it was a tribute match and he should be respectful. At one point one of the other commentators says something like, "I wonder if Stu Hart is watching this from home in Calgary." The other says, "I'm sure he's watching every second of this match" and gives some platitudes about Stu. Heenan chimes in with: "Only two more payments and the television's his." We just don't get that kind of comedy anymore, although JBL comes close sometimes. JBL is our only hope as a heel commentator
|
|
|
Post by valiens on Oct 5, 2007 12:10:11 GMT -5
Why can't they bring back Paul Heyman? He was good.
|
|
Tapout
Hank Scorpio
WWE Creative(TM)
W.W.W.Y.K.I.
Posts: 6,919
|
Post by Tapout on Oct 5, 2007 12:12:57 GMT -5
Rewatched the Owen Hart tribute match, which is more surreal than surreal at this point because it's Benoit Vs. Bret. Anyway, Bobby Heenan's commentary is comedy gold. It's as if he didn't know it was a tribute match and he should be respectful. At one point one of the other commentators says something like, "I wonder if Stu Hart is watching this from home in Calgary." The other says, "I'm sure he's watching every second of this match" and gives some platitudes about Stu. Heenan chimes in with: "Only two more payments and the television's his." We just don't get that kind of comedy anymore, although JBL comes close sometimes. Yeah, it's pretty clear that Heenan's whole deal in that match was to purposely act like his usual insensitive heel persona, to help break up all the emotions for people who were still having trouble dealing with the tragic news. Basically, make it easier to deal with by laughing every so often. Of course, it worked. The bit at the end where he asks Tony and Mike Tenay (who were on the verge of tears) to get him popcorn was the clincher. Too bad you can't teach that kind of quick wit or comedy timing.
|
|