Enigmatic Debate on Royal Rumble, Hall of Fame and Chris Jericho

Welcome Enigmatic followers for this edition of the Enigmatic Debate.

In case you’ve forgotten what the ED is, it’s a debate featuring writers from EnigmaticWrestling.com. We’re also longtime members of the B/R Wrestling community.

The Enigmatic Debate revolves around the current wrestling world. From IMPACT Wrestling to the WWE, the Debate discusses any and every topic related to pro wrestling.

Ultimately, the goal of the series is to spark debates.

As writers, we’re here to challenge the thinking of readers by presenting topics too difficult to warrant simple answers. We’ll also include weekly thoughts on the programming and pay-per-views.

This week's debaters are RiZE, Jacob Stachowiak, Derek Dunn and myself, Charlie Groenewegen.

For more work by us and more, visit EnigmaticWrestling.com as linked above. May the debate begin!

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Who Is Your Dark-Horse Pick to Win the Royal Rumble?

RiZE: It’s extremely difficult to choose a dark horse when you know who’s going to win. While I still firmly believe Randy Orton will win the Rumble, my dark horse would be Wade Barrett.

Though Barrett has made his intentions to win the Rumble clear, I still don’t see him as someone who will win it.  Yes, he has defeated Orton on occasion and bounced back from a booking slump, but I am not convinced.

Charlie Groenewegen: At this point, I’d consider Sheamus to be a dark horse in the Rumble. He’s good and all, but his booking as of late doesn’t make him look like he’ll come out of the Rumble WrestleMania-bound.

He’s feuding with Jinder Mahal—really? Sheamus is a former two-time WWE Champion, and after Christian was injured, he’s been fed jobbers and squash matches in the mid-card. To me, Sheamus is a dark horse in this year’s Rumble with Jericho being the favorite to win.

Jacob Stachowiak:  I strongly believe that either Sheamus or Orton will win the Royal Rumble. But if we have to pick a dark-horse winner then I’d have to pick: "The One-Man Southern Rock-Band" Heath Slater.

Fine, color me insane. Call me a Slater mark. Actually, call me the only Slater mark on the planet. I have a legit feeling that he will at least do decent this year in the rumble. Though, decent for Slater means lasting more than five minutes.

He has almost a zero percent chance of winning, but stranger things have happened. He’s the ultimate underdog in this match: Hell, even Santino Marella has a better chance of winning. What if he did win? It would be a great and terrible moment just like Brodus Clay’s and Jericho’s re-debut. If WWE continues its recent trend of trolling its audience, then why not have Slater win? It would piss off everybody and I’d be the one calling it genius.

Derek Dunn:  My dark-horse pick is: Cody Rhodes. Yes, he is the Intercontinental champion. That is why he is just a dark horse. But, on the other hand, being one of WWE’s brightest young stars, don’t be surprised if Cody Rhodes is the last man standing.

Who Would You Like to See Announced for the WWE Hall of Fame?

RiZE:  It’s obvious that the WWE is saving Rock for another time, so I’ll leave him out of this. If there’s one man that deserves a spot in the 2012 HOF Class, it’s Macho Man Randy Savage.  

Savage is a first ballad Hall of Famer that should’ve been inducted years ago, but personal issues with McMahon prevented this. Now that Savage has passed, I think it’s befitting and long overdue for his placement among some of the greatest of all time.

Charlie Groenewegen:  I’m happy to see Edge and the Horsemen get inducted into WWE’s Hall of Fame, and it’s only just begun. By "it" I mean Miami, Florida and a big-name star performing in their hometown on the grandest stage of them all.

The Rock is a surefire pick for the 2012 Hall of Fame. He was a big draw when he competed full-time, and he still is. I can’t think of anything better than having The Rock inducted into the Hall of Fame in his hometown of Miami before, quite possibly, his last match against John Cena at WrestleMania.

Jacob Stachowiak:  I’m going to have to go with another dark-horse pick. I want to see Dean Malenko inducted into the Hall of Fame this year. I think he deserves the induction. It’s not all about championships or accolades, but about what a wrestler has contributed to the industry. Malenko was always a dedicated worker and an excellent wrestler.

Derek Dunn:  My favorite time of the year is here! Hall of Fame time, and WrestleMania, but Hall of Fame is the question. My pick has to go to The Rock, being in Miami, and all. Could you imagine if Stone Cold inducted him!

Oops, I apologize, mark out moment. I am sorry you had to see that.

How Will Gunner's Push End?

RiZE: Honestly, I’ve never witnessed anything from Gunner that would warrant a World Championship run. I’ve always considered Crimson the better of the two, but I won’t rule out the possibility of Gunner changing my opinion. 

Anyway, I would probably utilize TNA’s current strategy. I would have Gunner demolish a plethora of talent until he reaches the World Champion. I’d also keep Ric Flair with him along the way.  

Charlie Groenewegen: That’s a good question. Gunner injured Garrett Bischoff for a little bit, he was used to write Jesse Neal off of TV, he took out Douglas Williams and even put an end to RVD’s TV role in IMPACT Wrestling. He took out a Triple Crown Champion in Williams and a former World Champion in RVD.

I’m not sure where his push will end or how it will end. To be honest, I kind of hope it doesn’t end for a long time. Gunner taking out all these people is great. Maybe feed him Mr. Anderson, Brian Kendrick and a few other guys I don’t like.

As far as his push ending, I’d like to see him get some sort of World title match. Be it IMPACT or pay-per-view, another TV title run is definitely more realistic than a World title run.

Jacob Stachowiak: It all depends on his manager Ric Flair. Will Ric jump ship to accept his second HOF induction? If he does, then he surely will be gone from TNA. If Flair stays at Gunner’s side then Gunner will stay relevant and he will continue to be "the roster butcher."

However, I believe that they are pushing Gunner so hard solely as an effort to keep Flair on TV. If Flair goes—despite Gunner’s talent and natural ability to get over—I’m afraid TNA will slowly forget about his push. Flair being his manager does nothing for him except keep him relevant with the booking staff.

So, assuming Gunner does stay relevant either with Flair or without, he will not break out into the main event scene. It’s much too crowded this year and possibly the next. However, Gunner can become an upper-mid card staple and could involve himself in some high profile feuds with the likes of Crimson, Morgan, etc. 

Derek Dunn:  Well, I am pretty sure that it will end with his return to the Mid Card. It’s almost like Mark Henry’s push, except Gunner has talent.

Are You Pleased or Disappointed with Daniel Bryan's Heel Turn?

RiZE: Admittedly, I was uncertain at first. After watching SmackDown, I must say that I am very pleased with Daniel Bryan’s heel turn. It’s obvious that the WWE didn’t know which direction they should go with Bryan, but it has worked out for the better. He’s opening the show like a World Champion should while cutting promos most didn’t think he was capable of.

Thing is, he isn’t being booked as a coward like a normal heel would. He’s intelligent, cunning and manipulative, and it’s working for him. Simply put, I am very pleased with this. 

Charlie Groenewegen:  I’m glad Daniel Bryan is done being the happy-go-lucky face so, in a way, I’m pleased with his heel turn up to this point. I still think it’s too early to judge him and/or his character, but as long as he’s not dancing with Divas on RAW, I’m pleased. 

Jacob Stachowiak:  I’m certainly not disappointed. It’s interesting, not very logical, but interesting. I can relate to his character. The success is going to his head. He is becoming increasingly defensive of his girl and his abilities. These are realistic traits that I can get behind and are intrigued by.

However, Big Show is a terrible opponent to book his turn against. Daniel Bryan being able to compete in a match against Big Show is incredibly unrealistic: It’s like a Spike Dudley vs. Kane rivalry, if Spike was heel and Kane was face. I don’t understand how anyone could root against Bryan even with his changing attitude. 

Derek Dunn: I am very pleased with Bryan’s turn to the dark side. I like the fact that he is built as intelligent, not cowardly. I prefer to call it the new and improved Christian. To cement this turn, it appears they’re going to have him break it off with AJ by having him manipulate her into a brick wall...I mean Big Show.

If this is true, I am available AJ!

What Is the Best Wrestling Show on TV Right Now?

RiZE: Is this even a question? SmackDown easily takes the “best wrestling show” moniker even though it seems as if Michael Hayes kidnapped the head writer this week. SmackDown is an overall better show than RAW/Impact and is consistently booked great. 

Even if it wasn’t SmackDown, I’d place Impact before RAW as the normal time for a RAW match is more or less than six minutes. 

Charlie Groenewegen:  Best wrestling show on TV? Oh man…here we go. Sometimes when I watch RAW, I may get bored and change the channel. This past RAW was pretty bad since it was based around John Cena, Kane, Zack Ryder, Eve and a pretty weird “horror” theme. I don’t watch Smackdown and, you guys seen this coming from a mile away but, IMPACT is the best on TV.

As I said, I find RAW boring at times, I don’t watch Smackdown and I’m a big IMPACT fan.  

Jacob Stachowiak: As much as I want to say Impact is the best show, I can’t. Even I, one-half of EGW’s TNA contingent, have to admit that Smackdown has been the best wrestling show. If it’s any consolation, I’d pick Impact if Hardy wasn’t pushed so hard and Garrett Bischoff wasn’t featured on it.

Smackdown just has better writing and more consistent storytelling. Impact is consistently decent, but it’s just not good enough for me to truly think it's the best. I’ll go with Smackdown in first, followed closely by Impact and Raw in a distant third. 

Derek Dunn:  Well, SmackDown is the easy answer, and luckily, it’s the right answer! It features good, consistent booking, combined with compelling storytelling, and great wrestling. SmackDown takes the cake, at the moment. But, RAW will come around, and the two will continue to flip-flop more than a common Kardashian!

As a Person Who Gains Viewers, Should CM Punk Get His Main Event Spot Back?

RiZE: I don’t have a problem with that, as he is the WWE Champion and the WWE hasn’t done enough to emphasize on this program with Dolph Ziggler. Honestly, Ziggler is the proverbial “third wheel” to this John Laurinaitis/CM Punk fiasco.

Nonetheless, as long as it doesn’t end with Eve Torres and making Ryder look like an idiot again, I’m all for it. 

Charlie Groenewegen:  I think CM Punk should definitely be in the main event, and I’m not even a fan of his! The guy is the WWE Champion. He’s holding the top prize in the organization, but is constantly placed in the mid card for matches that get ruined by Johnny Excitement over here.

Instead, John Cena with no championship or prize is in the main event with Kane in their cheap horror flick. The Cena-Kane thing was cool and all, but the champion should be the big main eventer. CM Punk is in high demand within the WWE Universe (I hate the term, by the way), and because of that—the merchandise sales, his fanbase, the WWE Championship—he should be main eventing RAW almost every week. 

Jacob Stachowiak: Sure, why not, as long as the show never ends on Zack Ryder trying to change a tire again.  

Derek Dunn: I was sold: He should’ve never lost it. But, with that bit of evidence, it is now evident, CM Punk is one of WWE’s better draws, and he happens to hold that big shiny thing called the WWE championship.

John Cena happened to be the other, by the way. So if I were RAW, I would use them to my advantage.

Do You Have Any Interest in the Cena/Kane Feud?

RiZE: I don’t have any interest, as it’ll end with Cena triumphing over Kane like he does everyone else. The fact that the only thing Kane has been doing is choking out Cena doesn’t help either.

Honestly, I am starting to think that we’ll never see a Cena heel turn at this point. That’s the only reason I cared about this angle in the first place. 

Charlie Groenewegen: I had interest in it, but this past Monday kind of killed that interest. Thanks for the cheap horror movie scene, WWE Studios...geez. 

Jacob Stachowiak:  No. The final segment of Raw stripped me of any interest in this angle. I thought this was about Cena’s slow-burn heel turn, not a cheesy horror film from the SyFy network. I honestly don’t give a hoot about Kane, Ryder or Eve’s involvement in this storyline.

All I want is Cena’s heel turn. That better be the endgame, because this angle is getting unbearable. 

Derek Dunn:  Yes, I for one am still interested in the Kane angle. Now, that does not mean we should continue to have Ryder try anything else with cars. Did we ever get Eve out of that car? Anyway, I am intrigued by what direction they decide to go once it is time for the Royal Rumble’s arrival.

When Will Chris Jericho Talk or Wrestle?

RiZE: I can’t give you an answer to this as I honestly don’t know. While everyone sees this as some huge angle that’ll change the WWE and elevate CM Punk, I see this as boring, and just Punk beating another mid-carder. Whenever Jericho appears on RAW tonight, I’ll just change the channel like I (and 80,000 viewers), did last week.

Charlie Groenewegen:  I don’t know when he’ll talk or wrestle, but I expect it to be before the Royal Rumble. With officials high on the idea of a Punk/Jericho feud over the WWE Championship going into WrestleMania, I think Jericho has strong odds of winning the Rumble.

Beforehand, Jericho must talk or wrestle. If not, I’d be so stupid to have Jericho win the Rumble and still give everyone the silent treatment. 

Jacob Stachowiak:  This is getting old fast. I’m supposed to be patient in order to enjoy this angle. However, I’m incapable of such ability. This angle might as well last all the way up to WrestleMania. Jericho can come out for 10 weeks straight, say nothing and do nothing for all I care.

To answer the question: He won’t speak until after WrestleMania, but he will wrestle and lose (of course), before then.

Derek Dunn:  I believe he will wrestle in the Royal Rumble, and then talk soon after. I believe he might actually win it, ultimately setting up the feud with CM Punk—something we’ve all been salivating over.

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