"He just didn't have 'it'"

[nostradumbass]

We've all heard that excuse before. A great wrestler gets misused by a promotion, not giving them the opportunities the public feels that wrestler deserves. What do the bookers always say? "He just doesn't have 'it'." This of course meaning that while the wrestler can put on an awesome show, he just doesn't have what the promoter feels it takes to be in the spotlight. Maybe it's because the wrestler's mic skills aren't really up to par with others. Maybe he just doesn't have the charisma needed to draw a crowd. Unfortunately, sometimes the promoter is right. I mean, workrate is fine and dandy, but honestly, it really doesn't take you far without the ability to talk. It's a shame, but mic skills are an very important part in professional wrestling, and when you lack them, there's really nothing you can do.

But there are some wrestlers that never got the rub for "not having 'it'" that really did have "it", at least by most people's standards. Many, many mid-carders have been kept off the upper card for this lack of a so-called '"it". But why? Great wrestler. Great mic skills. How doesn't he have "it"? This has applied to many wrestlers that have been labeled as "it"less. Dean Malenko, Shelton Benjamin, Johnny Nitro, pretty much every mid-carder in WCW, and most recently Lance Storm. Looking at all of these guys, all of them have, at least in my opinion, great mat skills and decent to good mic skills. So why exactly have they been passed on as just another wrestler who didn't have "it" to get that heavyweight title?

Honestly, it seems like main eventers these days are being given the spotlight and titles when, quite frankly, they have even less "it" than most of the mid-carders that are apparently lacking "it". Batista, in the opinion of many fans, has less than desirable wrestling knowledge and very average mic skills. How does this guy really have "it"? Bobby Lashly. Good wrestler (in my opinion. That's pretty debatable, though.), can't talk worth shit, ECW champ. Where's his "it?" Jeff Jarrett. Now we all know why he has the belt so frequently, but the fact remains, I don't see "it" at all in that guy.

So I guess my question is, what the hell is "it"? Why is it so important? Why do certain people have it and others don't? Who really decides who has "it"?

Huh?

[The Raven]

I used to have IT on VHS.


*walks away*




But seriously, it's called 'it' for a reason. You can't explain it.

[Big DSR Energy]

I want to quote Faith No More's "Epic." I also want to quote Abe Simpson. But I won't.


It = the roids. Or backstage politics on their side.

[The Original Gooker]

Recent example of people using the 'it' factor is when Eric Bischoff said Lance Storm didnt have 'it'. I agree that Storm wasnt ultra-charismatic but he was excellent in the ring and good on the mic. I marked out for his "Can I be serious for a moment" catchphrase.




[glow=red,2,300]Iron Jericho - Making people humble since 1950[/glow]

[Scott]

I always thought of Jericho as missing something. He was great on the mic, good in the ring, and the fans loved him. But anytime he got into the main event picture, something didn't seem right.

[The Original Gooker]

partsunknown said:

I always thought of Jericho as missing something. He was great on the mic, good in the ring, and the fans loved him. But anytime he got into the main event picture, something didn't seem right.

Can you please be precise about your point on Jericho missing something, I didnt get it.no pun intended. I always thought that Jericho was/is the complete package, great in the ring and superb on the mic. I enjoyed his world title runs, and believe that he is the greatest wrestler alive....infact I am a Jericholic.






[shadow=red,left,300][glow=red,2,300] - "Jericholics Anonymous" - [/glow][/shadow]

[heffer111]

I think you're wrong man, Jericho definitely had "it", a lot of it though has to do with the build up while some people, like The Rock, can just have it from the first appearance. People like Undertaker have more of a build up it where if he was a different character with a different build up, I don't think he would make it as big as he is.

[salTy]

Someone that has "IT" can be still be popular eventhough they suck. Like Snitsky.

Someone that doesn't have "IT" can be a decent to good wrestler and be hated for no good reason at all. Like Chris Sabin.

[heffer111]

Snitsky is only popular as a complete joke here though, he doesn't have "it". It's all opinion based though i guess

[The Original Gooker]

heffer111 said:

I think you're wrong man, Jericho definitely had "it", a lot of it though has to do with the build up while some people, like The Rock, can just have it from the first appearance. People like Undertaker have more of a build up it where if he was a different character with a different build up, I don't think he would make it as big as he is.

True. The one who says Jericho didnt have "it" doesnt have "it"(brains)




[glow=red,2,300]Paul Heyman is the greatest mind in the business of professioanl wrestling - So All Hail Paul Heyman![/glow]

[Scott]

anurupecw said:

heffer111 said:

I think you're wrong man, Jericho definitely had "it", a lot of it though has to do with the build up while some people, like The Rock, can just have it from the first appearance. People like Undertaker have more of a build up it where if he was a different character with a different build up, I don't think he would make it as big as he is.

True. The one who says Jericho didnt have "it" doesnt have "it"(brains)

I'll ignore that statment.

I'm not taking anything away from Jericho, but there was something that made him more awesome as a midcarder rather than as a main eventer. He had all the factors that should make anyone the top name of any company, but something holds them back a rung or two. Benoit would be another good example. Some actors can shine as character actors or in supporting roles, but never draw interest in lead roles. It's a way of life dictated by an "it" factor. You can call it booking, but if booking was the true dictator of the course of a career, the Rock would have gone into oblivion in 1997.

[heffer111]

Like I said, a lot of it is opinion and combination of booking, remember that pop Jericho got when he "won" the title from HHH, then had it reversed. I dunno, I think that shows something though.

[skiller]

I think the only thing Jericho lacked was "face intensity". He usually came off a little bland as a face, especially during his later years in WWE.

A guy I really feel lacks "It", but has just about everything else is Jeff Jarrett.

[carter 15]

As someone else said, you can't explain "it" that's why it's called "it". IMO Scott is right, Jericho was the full package, but he didnt have "it", when ever he was in the main role it jus didn't feel right.

The exact opposite is someone like Goldberg, he isn't the best worker, not a very good talker, but he definitely has "it".

[Baixo Astral]

I suggest that Snitsky actually does have the elusive 'It'... he just doesn't have much else to go with 'It'. A Snitsky that could work reasonably well and had a decent look would be a big success, IMHO. In fact, a Snitsky that can work well (yes, in his own way and when he felt like it he could work) and had a good look was Hulk Hogan.

[mragent]

I think one major influence is how intense of a person you are. Rock even when cracking jokes was intense. That intensity goes to the crowd and builds intel you get that "electrifing" feeling which could help with it.

[Big BosskMan]

Abe Simpson says: "I used to be with 'it,' but then they changed what 'it' was. Now, what I'm with isn't 'it', and what's 'it' seems weird and scary to me."

It'll happen to you!

[seanwalsh]

I have a feeling "it" refers to something sexually.

That is all I have to say, let's open it up to the floor!

[American Nightmare]

"it" often refers to the ability to get over to a higher level. Its the connection with the fans. For example, Benoit is a great wrestler, with passable mic skills, he can play both heel and face well. But, there is nothing about him that the crowd connects with. Theyre just like "hey that guy is cool"

Austin on the other hand, has all these things, but also has the connection. Fans see him and go "yea, i wanna punch my boss out, i like to chug beers, hell yea!" It was explained to me that a ticket selling face needs to connect with the crowd either by connection (Dusty, Austin) or being so cool the fans want to be him (Rock, Flair). On the contrary, all a heel needs is the ability to get hated. This is sometimes tough, but an understanding of the human psycology is very important as a heel.

However, it does not rely on one person. Feuds need to be booked correctly to excentuate what the fans want to see in their hero. Some guys with "it" can carry feuds alone, but most cant (and whod blame em?). For example, Jericho vs Cena. Cena and Jericho both have the it factor, no question. However, the fans wanted Jericho to be the face, cuz they thought he was the man as a heel. Cena, not so much, as it was evident he didnt have what it takes to go back and forth on the mic with Jericho. That feud kinda flopped. Whereas Dusty vs Flair was great. You had the "son of a plumber" (working man, connecting with the fans) vs the rich boy who was everything you as a fan werent (envy can also lead to hate).

And you dont necessarily need mic skills to have the it factor. Sid was WAY over in WCW simply because he was so freakin sick looking the fans wanted to see him kick ass. He couldnt work or talk, but he had the look and natural charisma to get over.

Hope this clears a bit up, at least to my understanding of the it factor.

[Nice Guy Cody]

"It" and the lack thereof is just a blank wild card for guys like HHH and Hulk Hogan to go on radio shows and put down all their co-workers.


See also; "The right look".