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Post by BatPunk on Jan 19, 2013 1:03:46 GMT -5
I think he'll be a great fit into the WWE. He is great in the ring, has a charisma that really draws people to him and is a fantastic entertainer.
At the very worst, he could end up in a Santino type role. Which certainly isn't a bad gig. Certainly no massive bumps like the ones that he has been doing with Steen for the past couple of years and getting paid a lot better.
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vingerard
Mike the Goon
PBA Pro Bowler
Posts: 46
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Post by vingerard on Jan 19, 2013 11:05:24 GMT -5
See, I found something out earlier this year when I was talking to somebody who's gotten to know a hell of a lot more indy wrestlers than I have. (Which is to say "More than zero," but which is also to say "Lots.") I asked her "Hey, I know that on the indies different guys can get paid different amounts of money depending on how well-known they are and so on, so out of everybody on the indies today, how many of them make a living just from wrestling? How many of them don't have to work a day job to make ends meet?" The answer was either "Nobody" or "Almost nobody." It surprised me and it's depressing, but it's the truth. If you're a follower of Chikara, you might remember a YouTube video where Tim Donst brawled with Hallowicked inside a furniture store. That store, I believe, is where Tim Donst works when he isn't wrestling. To give you an idea of the kind of money big indy names can expect, Chris Hero in his SMV shoot said that he once went to Quack and asked for a raise. He wanted a raise because he was making $75 a show and he was having trouble paying the bills. (Quack magnamimously offered him an extra five bucks per show, according to Hero, because that's Quack for you.) And then you've got Davey Richards, Kyle O'Reilly, and Tony Kozina infamously taking a payoff for a show and then driving off without working. Now apart from it being a dick move, how much money was involved in that incident? What does the former ROH world champion make working a show like that? "Team Ambition" got $350, split three ways. Not that I've heard wonderful things about working for WWE, mind you: you've got idiotic backstage politics, hazing, a hellish work schedule, the "independent contractor" status and the problems that causes for the talent, etc, and if you're being jobbed out that's one more reason to be unhappy. That being said, the money's better. WAY better. The unfortunate truth (unless I've really got my facts wrong here and feel free to tell me if I do, Vin) is that if you want to get rich wrestling, you need to be in the 'E. Or maybe in TNA, although the stories about Taylor Wilde working at a Sunglass Hut and Jesse Neal qualifying for food stamps bring that into question. A possible third option is wrestling in Japan. I think that Kenny Omega might be supporting himself over there just by wrestling, but I could be wrong. (Anybody know?) So, when somebody gets snapped up by the 'E--Black, Hero, Claudio, Brodie Lee, SDR, PAC, Generico, maybe Sami Callihan soon--I always have mixed feelings. I feel sad that I'm not going to get to watch them wrestle any more. I mean, even if I watch NXT and keep an eye out for them there, I'm probably gonna have to wait several months for their debut. But I don't think "I hope that they're back in ROH/PWG/DGUSA/CZW/Chikara soon." Because if I'm a fan of somebody I want them to be comfortable, I want them to be able to support themselves doing something they love, and if they're happy in the 'E and making six figures or a high five figure annual salary there then they deserve it. It's actually not as out there as you might think to make a living off of the independents, and I think that might be a topic for discussion on an upcoming podcast. It's like any other freelancer position. If you can't keep up with the hustle, you'll never be able to pull it off. It's a matter of dedicating yourself to self-promotion/marketing. Some guys got it, others do not. For example - I'm in no way a big name indy wrestler nor was I at any point, but I was getting bookings every weekend. Were they good bookings? Not really. The bookings alone weren't paying any bills, barely paying gas/food, but if you had merchandise you stood a chance of going home with $50-150 per night. It's a new place to "showcase" who you are and what you can do. Trickle in having your own MySpace/Facebook where you're selling merchandise throughout the week and discussing upcoming/past matches, you're keeping up with the fans. Keeping their interest. There's many more indy wrestling fans out there than the 32 you saw at the show over the weekend in Paw Paw, WV. I was living off of independent wrestling for about 6-months before I fell behind on merch and stop caring as much. It's stressful but rewarding if you stay on it. |
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Post by crowwreak was WRONG on Jan 19, 2013 11:14:48 GMT -5
I think I've come up with a good idea for him in the WWE - El Hijo del Gran Luchadore! actually not a bad idea |
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Post by Mr. Socko's Brother on Jan 19, 2013 11:48:42 GMT -5
See, I found something out earlier this year when I was talking to somebody who's gotten to know a hell of a lot more indy wrestlers than I have. (Which is to say "More than zero," but which is also to say "Lots.") I asked her "Hey, I know that on the indies different guys can get paid different amounts of money depending on how well-known they are and so on, so out of everybody on the indies today, how many of them make a living just from wrestling? How many of them don't have to work a day job to make ends meet?" The answer was either "Nobody" or "Almost nobody." It surprised me and it's depressing, but it's the truth. If you're a follower of Chikara, you might remember a YouTube video where Tim Donst brawled with Hallowicked inside a furniture store. That store, I believe, is where Tim Donst works when he isn't wrestling. To give you an idea of the kind of money big indy names can expect, Chris Hero in his SMV shoot said that he once went to Quack and asked for a raise. He wanted a raise because he was making $75 a show and he was having trouble paying the bills. (Quack magnamimously offered him an extra five bucks per show, according to Hero, because that's Quack for you.) And then you've got Davey Richards, Kyle O'Reilly, and Tony Kozina infamously taking a payoff for a show and then driving off without working. Now apart from it being a dick move, how much money was involved in that incident? What does the former ROH world champion make working a show like that? "Team Ambition" got $350, split three ways. Not that I've heard wonderful things about working for WWE, mind you: you've got idiotic backstage politics, hazing, a hellish work schedule, the "independent contractor" status and the problems that causes for the talent, etc, and if you're being jobbed out that's one more reason to be unhappy. That being said, the money's better. WAY better. The unfortunate truth (unless I've really got my facts wrong here and feel free to tell me if I do, Vin) is that if you want to get rich wrestling, you need to be in the 'E. Or maybe in TNA, although the stories about Taylor Wilde working at a Sunglass Hut and Jesse Neal qualifying for food stamps bring that into question. A possible third option is wrestling in Japan. I think that Kenny Omega might be supporting himself over there just by wrestling, but I could be wrong. (Anybody know?) So, when somebody gets snapped up by the 'E--Black, Hero, Claudio, Brodie Lee, SDR, PAC, Generico, maybe Sami Callihan soon--I always have mixed feelings. I feel sad that I'm not going to get to watch them wrestle any more. I mean, even if I watch NXT and keep an eye out for them there, I'm probably gonna have to wait several months for their debut. But I don't think "I hope that they're back in ROH/PWG/DGUSA/CZW/Chikara soon." Because if I'm a fan of somebody I want them to be comfortable, I want them to be able to support themselves doing something they love, and if they're happy in the 'E and making six figures or a high five figure annual salary there then they deserve it. It's actually not as out there as you might think to make a living off of the independents, and I think that might be a topic for discussion on an upcoming podcast. It's like any other freelancer position. If you can't keep up with the hustle, you'll never be able to pull it off. It's a matter of dedicating yourself to self-promotion/marketing. Some guys got it, others do not. For example - I'm in no way a big name indy wrestler nor was I at any point, but I was getting bookings every weekend. Were they good bookings? Not really. The bookings alone weren't paying any bills, barely paying gas/food, but if you had merchandise you stood a chance of going home with $50-150 per night. It's a new place to "showcase" who you are and what you can do. Trickle in having your own MySpace/Facebook where you're selling merchandise throughout the week and discussing upcoming/past matches, you're keeping up with the fans. Keeping their interest. There's many more indy wrestling fans out there than the 32 you saw at the show over the weekend in Paw Paw, WV. I was living off of independent wrestling for about 6-months before I fell behind on merch and stop caring as much. It's stressful but rewarding if you stay on it. Okay, it's good to know things can be better for somebody in the indies than I thought because as I said I do want a guy to do well if I'm a fan, like I'm sure most people who follow them do. Thanks for answering in such detail. And I agree that it'd be an interesting podcast discussion topic. I also get that even if wrestling isn't a person's primary source of income, it doesn't automatically mean they're dirt poor or anything. I mean, I've heard of one well-known guy in particular who makes enough money at his other job that he doesn't need to wrestle at all. But he does, regularly, because he has fun doing it, and I guess that might be a common thing. |
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CM Dazz
King Koopa
Chuck
Posts: 10,475 
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Post by CM Dazz on Jan 19, 2013 12:04:48 GMT -5
Put him in a white mask & call him El Blanco.
Or claim he's Brett's Mexican cousin, Jose Hart.
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Post by Mr. Socko's Brother on Jan 19, 2013 12:19:13 GMT -5
Put him in a white mask & call him El Blanco. Or claim he's Brett's Mexican cousin, Jose Hart. You know, that got me thinking of something else they might do. I thought "Bret doesn't have red hair." Followed by "Sheamus does, though." Followed by "El Generico as Sheamus' Mexican cousin?" And finally "No, no, that's a stupid idea...I think...yeah, it's a stupid idea, they shouldn't do that." You shouldn't do that, WWE, if you have somebody lurking here as people suspect. I did LOL at the "El Blanco" name the more I thought about it, though. |
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CM Dazz
King Koopa
Chuck
Posts: 10,475
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Post by CM Dazz on Jan 19, 2013 12:25:13 GMT -5
Put him in a white mask & call him El Blanco. Or claim he's Brett's Mexican cousin, Jose Hart. You know, that got me thinking of something else they might do. I thought "Bret doesn't have red hair." Followed by "Sheamus does, though." Followed by "El Generico as Sheamus' Mexican cousin?" And finally "No, no, that's a stupid idea...I think...yeah, it's a stupid idea, they shouldn't do that." You shouldn't do that, WWE, if you have somebody lurking here as people suspect. I did LOL at the "El Blanco" name the more I thought about it, though. Haha, I did think about Jose O'Shaunessy, but, Jose Hart is smoother. |
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Post by Hit Girl on Jan 19, 2013 12:35:18 GMT -5
If they keep the gimmick, he'll be fine.
If not, it's all pointless
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Post by hitchslap on Jan 19, 2013 13:12:01 GMT -5
he's a great talent, but super skinny. i hope he bulks up a little before he hits TV. i don't mind smaller guys but he has little to no muscle definition.
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Jimmy
Grimlock
Posts: 13,317
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Post by Jimmy on Jan 19, 2013 13:19:58 GMT -5
he's a great talent, but super skinny. i hope he bulks up a little before he hits TV. i don't mind smaller guys but he has little to no muscle definition. That's not completely true. He could stand to have some more definition, but he's not 'super skinny' nor does he have 'no muscle definition'.  |
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Post by hitchslap on Jan 19, 2013 13:39:58 GMT -5
he's a great talent, but super skinny. i hope he bulks up a little before he hits TV. i don't mind smaller guys but he has little to no muscle definition. That's not completely true. He could stand to have some more definition, but he's not 'super skinny' nor does he have 'no muscle definition'. I don't know, man. there are times I've watched his matches where he looks ridiculous in there. I'd hate to see him in there with Albert, say. it just wouldn't work. |
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Jan 19, 2013 13:42:12 GMT -5
I see him teaming with Santino in the very near future.
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Post by Digital Witness on Jan 19, 2013 13:42:35 GMT -5
I say put El Generico on the road for about 6 months to a year with Ryback. Worked for D-Bry.
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Post by Citizen Snips on Jan 19, 2013 14:04:50 GMT -5
If they keep the gimmick, he'll be fine. If not, it's all pointless A lot of people said the same thing when Mick Foley dropped Cactus Jack to become Mankind. Again, worked out pretty well for Foley in the end. |
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jakes
Trap-Jaw
Posts: 269
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Post by jakes on Jan 19, 2013 14:18:30 GMT -5
It doesn't matter since Jim Ross mentioned in his latest blog that the main focus is still on signing college athletes. So fans need to take recent rumors with a grain of salt that claimed WWE would soon sign several top Indy names. It's not going to happen. Hell, I don't think Generico is even 100% official. This rumor pops up at least once a year claiming that WWE is looking to sign several top Indy names. As always, nothing ever happens . At most they'll sign one or maybe two names. It's baffling that WWE still has this mindset when a lot of these college athletes have no passion and see wrestling as con to milk money out of before making a quick exit.
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Post by Hit Girl on Jan 19, 2013 14:22:46 GMT -5
If they keep the gimmick, he'll be fine. If not, it's all pointless A lot of people said the same thing when Mick Foley dropped Cactus Jack to become Mankind. Again, worked out pretty well for Foley in the end. That's because they replaced a good gimmick with a far superior gimmick I have no confidence in WWE doing the same for El Generico. It's more likely IMO they'd replace his gimmick with a FCW-type no-name |
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BigWill
Bill S. Preston, Esq.
Posts: 16,619
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Post by BigWill on Jan 19, 2013 14:29:03 GMT -5
It doesn't matter since Jim Ross mentioned in his latest blog that the main focus is still on signing college athletes. So fans need to take recent rumors with a grain of salt that claimed WWE would soon sign several top Indy names. It's not going to happen. Hell, I don't think Generico is even 100% official. This rumor pops up at least once a year claiming that WWE is looking to sign several top Indy names. As always, nothing ever happens . At most they'll sign one or maybe two names. It's baffling that WWE still has this mindset when a lot of these college athletes have no passion and see wrestling as con to milk money out of before making a quick exit. It sounds like you're being serious... but I still have the urge to post that image. |
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Post by Mr. Socko's Brother on Jan 19, 2013 14:35:00 GMT -5
If they keep the gimmick, he'll be fine. If not, it's all pointless A lot of people said the same thing when Mick Foley dropped Cactus Jack to become Mankind. Again, worked out pretty well for Foley in the end. Okay, that's fair. I guess the reason I don't want them to change him too much is because years of shitty booking and ideas have worn down my faith in WWE creative to the point where not even good stuff like Cesaro, the Shield, Team Hell No, PTP, Damien Sandow or heel champion Punk have completely restored it. (Things like turning Miz face and have him make lame jokes like how Cody got his mustache because he was kissing Sandow and some of Sandow's beard rubbed off on his lip might have something to do with that.) Plus, I think that Foley could've gotten over just as well as Cactus back in the day. And I think that if he had played the Mankind character with the name McMahon originally wanted to saddle him with, "Mason The Mutilator", he would've had a more difficult time. I think the only time you should change somebody's gimmick is if they have trouble getting over with the one they've got, or if the one they've got has become stale. Generico's got a good gimmick already, and if they change it they're rolling the dice. They might give him something good, maybe something even better somehow...but they might also give him something that backfires spectacularly, something that'll end up being inducted on WrestleCrap. Why take the chance when you have so much to lose and so little to gain? |
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Post by The Portable Stove on Jan 19, 2013 14:41:29 GMT -5
I think whatever Generico does going forward will be interesting, because it seems that he's going to go in a different direction. Yeah, the El Generico persona would be great to see in the WWE and would be perfect for kids, but who's to say he can't come up with something else that's profitable?
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Waffel113
Bill S. Preston, Esq.
Ain't no Rap Mobile with his Waffels
Posts: 19,020
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Post by Waffel113 on Jan 19, 2013 14:55:16 GMT -5
I'll be happy if he keeps the BRAINBUSTAHHH!!!!!
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