Kofi: Anyone else not feeling it?

[ayumidah]

Never been a Kofi fan so it's "eh" for me, but there's enough for me to enjoy in Smackdown/WWE right now that I don't really mind if Kofi gets his Mania moment.

[Mid-Carder]

I've never really been a big fan of his but I'm delighted for him and for wrestling in general that a popular guy who hasn't had the opportunities he's deserved is finally getting it. Even if it's not my guy, that can only ever be a good thing.

[Abdullah]

I don’t watch my favorite TV show just to see my favorite actor get all the good storylines.

Like... Miz is one of my favorite people but I’ve skipped his ‘impending heel turn masquerading as a storyline’ segments in recent weeks. Primo is my favorite but he doesn’t exist. Cesaro hasn’t done anything of substance in two years.

The idea of having a favorite, and watching for that favorite, doesn’t really work when almost no one is booked well. At least for me.

Kofi has been though. He has an absolutely compelling storyline with a good amount of storyline potential and he’s an excellent wrestler. Plus, I have literally been watching him for 11 years. So there’s that.

[Zen411]

The involvement of new day is part of the charm of the story. The guys genuinely care about each other and want him to succeed. Seeing him win and their celebration would be epic.

Plus it opens up for a big e heel turn and challenge for the title.

Call it a feel good title reign. It's a far step up from jinder or Randy Orton boring us to tears a year or two ago.

[Duke Cameron]

I’m indifferent to the idea of a Kofi reign. Wouldn’t mind if he won, but would prefer Bryan just keep it.

[Xxcjb01xX [PIECE OF: SH-]]

Considering that they've stated the only reason New Day formed, this is Xavier's words, he's said this unscripted in interviews YEARS AGO, was to get Kofi Kingston a world title shot and get that man his just due, I really don't see how you CAN'T be invested in that. This entire New Day journey is a climax to this moment.

[2coldMack is even more baffled]

Yeah, I'm pretty "eh" on it myself. Dude had one hot week, and everyone's pissing themselves for him to get the belt. The part that really irritates me is that it derails Ali's push, and how quickly the narrative shifted from "Wouldn't it be cool if they gave Ali the ball and he ran with it?" to "Well, Ali wasn't REALLY ready to get this push."

[Fade]

I mean regardless of feeling it, it’s hard to deny. WWEs definitely pushing it but the audience are feeling it. And if nothing else, it’s elevetaed Kofi and hes hit a new high in his career.

[abjordans]

You are right, they should go with the OTHER babyface the crowd is super into with lots of momentum for that spot... Oh wait...

[Deleted]

All on the Kofi train as he's great, deserves it and after he wins the belt be it at mania or backlash there's a lot of options there (heel Kofi, KO feud, AJ feud, TND breaking up from envy, being a further part of this 'out of touch Vince' vs the world storyline...and more) the only thing that's off about it is that there's been little foreshadowing as if not for Ali's injury Kofi would spend mania prancing around on the undercard or preshow. But that can be fixed. Hype videos, the tension with KO, Bryan will work his butt off to make sure we feel that he fears/hates Kofi, TND internal problems, Vince throwing barriers on the road..all of these and more will ensure the feud has more heat than when Swagger got a random WM title match that few cared for a couple of years back.

Is this a rare case of backstage politics using their forces for good rather than evil? I'm sure pre EC the plan was Bryan/Rey or even Bryan/Orton (with a hasty turn for one of them beforehand) as they want the big names on the big card but Xaiver's campaign to make Kofi champion I like to think gathered a bit of momentum with the rest of the locker room and soon influential people (Bryan, Orton, AJ ect) were whispering into Vince's ear as Kofi is both beloved and respected backstage.

[King Devitt and the Woke Mob]

I was a bit skeptical after the gauntlet match even though he did an amazing job.
But he won me over in the Chamber.

This past Smackdown, dude was OVER.
Gimme something organic the fans want any day.

I actually very much prefer it to Mustafa Ali.
I like him, but this is a better fit for Kofi.

[brentreznor]

Pretty much feel the same way as the OP. I don't dislike Kofi or anything. I just don't really care to see him as champion.

[Deleted]

I completely agree. I’m not entirely against it or anything, it’s just “.... eh.”

There’s about 10 other guys I’d rather see as WWE Champion. Let’s just put it that way.

[abjordans]

I like things the fans genuinely like and are excited about. The next best option is being presented “this is happening whether you like it or not” and the fans responding with “well, we don’t HATE it”, which is what I believe we generally get and why things are boring a lot of the time. Rollins is an example of this. But, the guy the fans REALLY want to see getting a go at it? That is what has always been most enjoyable about wrestling.

I do wish Kofi would be a little more “this BEEN shoulda happened” instead of “aw shucks” in the buildup. Hopefully, he goes a little more that way as things progress.

[Moppy]

See, I've never been a fan of his before now. Never seen him as a main eventer. Not even my second-favorite member of New Day. But this recent push is absolutely great.

They've pulled this storyline completely out of their asses, held together purely by letting him shine literally in TWO big matches within the space of a week. And the dude knocked it out of the park, and he's reaping the rewards.

He's clearly very popular backstage, and the crowds are behind him. They've kept him with New Day, which is absolutely the right decision.

If Daniel Bryan would prefer to work literally anyone else at Mania he'd be crazy. This IS the hot angle right now. I just hope they do have Kofi win because this Wrestlemania is shaping up to be very face-victory heavy, in theory.

Mar 2, 2019 8:41:25 GMT -5 abjordans said:

But, the guy the fans REALLY want to see getting a go at it? That is what has always been most enjoyable about wrestling.

And Amen to that. I'll always get far more joy out of watching wrestling with overwhelming live crowd favorites vs heels, ahead of my own personal preferences.

[Dub H]

[clodhopper]

Kofi vs Bryan for the title at WM > Kofi thowing pancakes into the crowd and doing crap comedy every week.

[crowley1986]

Mar 2, 2019 7:38:28 GMT -5 brentreznor said:

Pretty much feel the same way as the OP. I don't dislike Kofi or anything. I just don't really care to see him as champion.

same, ive never been compelled to watch a show with Kofi on it, he  screams midcarder , find him the weakest out the 3 New Day guys..Servicable mid carder/tag guy like the Modern day Tito Santana....and honestly the Main titles reigns shouldn't be given as a thank you or for participation reasons....

[crowley1986]

ive a feeling this is to set up a New Day break up, where Big E (more likely) will turn on them

[Deleted]

Some of you have no joy in your hearts.