What's everyone word? I couldn't come up with a solid answer, but all that matters is the future right?
There it is.
The WWE have shown and took steps of looking ahead with pushing and or beginning to push the slew of young stars from Sheamus, Dolph Ziggler, Eric Escobar, Miz, Kofi Kingston, John Morrison, and a few others. The stars today are the superstars tomorrow and everyone just can't wait for their stars to become supernovas.
A step was taken even further with Sheamus earning the No. 1 contendership against John Cena at the WWE TLC PPV. On ECW WWE took it a step further as Shelton Benjamin earned his shot against Christian and will face the ECW champion in a ladder match for the ECW championship.
This could be it; this could be it.
Benjamin defeated Zack Ryder to become the No. 1 contender in a great match going over 10 minutes giving both talents enough time to showcase their skills. The "no reaction" people can shut their mouths because the crowd was hot for Benjamin, the IWC came out this time for the Gold Standard.
Before the match started there were "Let's go Shelton" chants, a chant that John Morrison isn't getting these days, so eat your heart out John Harris.
Ashley Morris wishes well for Benjamin as do myself, but eat your heart out too. The "no charisma" folks better find something else to shoot down about Benjamin 'cause that nonsensical claim just became even more nonsensical. Kofi got the push (and I'm happy for him and Dub), but Benjamin might be on his way to becoming the face of ECW, he'll run his own brand even if it's the C show.
WWE had a Grand Design (Benjamin's nickname dubbed by Matt Striker) all along, but many didn't want to listen. Yoshi Tatsu and Zack Ryder couldn't get title shots on PPVs because they aren't credible enough and Survivor Series is all about the teams; so, ECW's three PPV drought wasn't to spit in the face of ECW though WWE does, but it was a strategy to stall until they could pull the trigger on Benjamin vs Christian.
R-Truth and John Morrison used Shelton as stepping stones sweeping him in feuds and destroying any credibility Benjamin had left earlier this year in the spring. When he was drafted to ECW everyone started to make funeral arrangements for his career and now, baby now, the bandwagon is about to head out of the station.
Benjamin has broken through to the audience into the television of children and new age fans slowly and it's starting to pay off. The IWC is on fire, Captain Charisma vs. The Gold Standard in a ladder match has folks marking all across the country.
Shelton Benjamin lost on his first night on ECW this year to newcomer Yoshi Tatsu and went on a winning streak that lasted about four months before losing to a RAW bound Sheamus after the rug was pulled from under him. The big boys could no longer hold back WWE's greatest athlete and the fans were finally giving it to them.
Shelton chants filled the air as we all knew it was finally coming and my goodness it did. WWE or WHC title? No, but true fans can really appreciate what is being done here. In back to back nights two guys who have never been world champion are now receiving world title shots at WWE TLC.
Unlike Regal, Ryder, and Tastu, it was Christian who proposed the challenge to Shelton asking him to steal the show with him at TLC. It may be the mark in me speaking, but you can just feel the intensity in the air, the hype, the relief, the joy, the near catharsis.
Benjamin asked him if he was out of his mind to challenge him to a ladder match and Christian told him that they'd both be in the best ladder highlights of the decade if they were shown. Benjamin told him he'd be his partner in crime accepting the challenge and the crowd erupted.
This is a championship match seven years in the making as WWE's most prestigious title (at the moment) will be on the line in a ladder match between two ring vets, two ladder vets, and two of WWE's greatest workers. Christmas is coming early people. Dare I say it may be a potential match of the year candidate if WWE lets them steal the show.
Shelton Benjamin as ECW champion can be simply out of this world, the ECW champion isn't valued by the title itself, but the holder. Big Show's title reign was the best to date since ECW resurfaced and Christian's current reign is nothing short of marvelous. Benjamin already puts on near five star matches every night; he'd outshine Cena and 'Taker on the C brand as champion with his undeniable abilities.
This teaches us all one thing:
WWE knew Shelton was too damn good to give up on.
Don't forget that line. He'll be in one of the four main events in WWE's last PPV of the year while John Morrison (I like him, but not his bandwagon) and he rest of "THE FUTURE" will be sitting out. Ask R-Truth "What's up?!"
Ask Ziggler why he's being bamboozled and ask Morrison why he's 0-2 against The Miz and why his Intercontinental reign is almost bland. Ask why isn't Drew McIntyre getting a title shot if Sheamus got one? Ask why is Jack Swagger just floating around?
They're all great stars, but the future isn't just yet people, guys like Cena, Edge, Orton, and Benjamin will carry the load when Trips, 'Taker, Batista, and HBK are gone. Babies don't turn into adults, they turn to teens first and it'll be the teen who'll step it up when the adults are on social security.
There is only so much ways, so much excuses, so much reasons that could have been done to deny Shelton Benjamin a push and receiving one seven years later shows how important he is to the company, it shows his career's longevity as well.
A role model backstage, a mentor to young stars, a loyal company man, a fantastic in ring talent, and a fan base that have been supportive for nearly a decade shows the type of star Benjamin is. Many of the greatest stars in WWE history had to wait nearly a decade like Shelton and this could be the beginning of the rest of Benjamin's career, the ceiling might just be shattered after all.
If Shelton Benjamin merchandise is on the way you better believe I'm buying it all!
His day is coming, oh baby it's coming.
Ain't No Stopping Him...NOOOOO!
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