Why Is Christian Cage So Hyped Up Right Now? Isn't It Obvious?

When you think about the WWE, you think of a few names—John Cena, Triple H, Shawn Michaels, Undertaker, Randy Orton, and even the Hardy's.

However, some still say the same old names like The Rock and Stone Cold Steve Austin—especially people who are not really WWE fans. And why do they say those names instead of people like Orton and Michaels? Well, it's quite simple. They made an impact outside of the wrestling ring.

The Rock and Austin have been in numerous movies and TV shows including appearances on SNL and MadTV. So, the demographic they reached brought fans to the squared circle.

Yet, another name has emerged out there, although he has not made one appearance outside of a wrestling event. Christian Cage is the hottest topic in wrestling right now and some wonder why.

Well, it's pretty obvious. He went to TNA about three or four years ago which was around the time Jeff Jarrett's full-time wrestling career was coming to an end.

So, many attributed Cage's winning his first World Title to the fact that there was no other "big name wrestler" to hold it. He became the headliner—the main event. He became the "Instant Classic."

With him holding the TNA World Title, some thought that he was not going to do well because he had never held a World Title before. Also, he didn't have anything close to the level of competition that he would have had in a WWE title match.

Then, Kurt Angle came along. This was a huge TNA acquisition. Angle was the big name that they needed. All of a sudden, Cage was seemingly forgotten. He went to TNA to be the big name, but once Angle came, that was over.

So, he had to do something. He was no longer the headliner—the main event—that Instant Classic that he once was. How would he regain that level of recognition?

Well, he had a rivalry with Angle, of course. Remember the Angle Alliance and the Christian Coalition? He also won another World Title while Angle was in TNA.

In other words, his TNA popularity level was so high that he could hold the World Title despite Angle still being in TNA. He was a bigger name all over the world. Christian was not nearly as well known.

Yet, despite all the hype, he still won the World Title. And he held it well. However, TNA, for some reason, began to disrespect him by giving him mid-card type matches that wouldn't get him anywhere near the World Title.

And the bogus storylines were just too much. Now once he left, he was going to be the head of TNA's Front Line. It seemed a little too late for Cage. So he left and now wants to come to the WWE.

But while that is nice, he shouldn't be so hyped up, right? Well actually, the WWE made this happen. Insiders and others decided to write about him, and with word being spread that he was going to be Jeff Hardy's attacker, many became interested.

Considering Hardy is a huge topic right now, once the Cage rumors came out, Hardy won his first World Title. He was on top of the wrestling world. As a result of Hardy's win, Cage will be big from the moment he steps into the WWE.

The WWE knows he can be a main eventer who is the Instant Classic. Coming into the WWE, he could easily be in the running for the World Title.

They know how well he did in his TNA World Title reigns, which means he could do just as well with a WWE World Title. WWE executives have said that he could be the top 2009 TNA free agent.

Angle's and Rhyno's contracts are up in the spring. That means that they think so much of him that they would put him above names like Angle. Plus, he is still relatively young. He could be around a lot longer than many currently in the WWE.

Within the next four years or even sooner, people like HBK, Triple H, and even 'Taker will be gone from the WWE. But Cage could be around a good seven or eight years.

In that timeframe, for years to come, Christian could be a big star and even a World Champion quite a few times.

So, why is he not hyped? He's already going to make an "Impact" his first year in the company. Why are people so hyped up?

Well, he did do well in the WWE. Sure, he was a TNA World Champion, but not in the WWE. He was a multi-time Tag Champion, Intercontinental Champion, and European Champion.

So, he did have success while in the WWE. He was already a top guy and would have been anyway if he would have never left. He is now coming back possibly being just as good as he was when he left.

Or, he could be just as big as he was in the TNA—which I see happening. Why is he so hyped up right now? I told you—it was obvious.

For this and more topics, listen to my online radio show tonight at 8 p.m./7 p.m. central on www.wildtalkradio.com. Former WCW announcer Scott Hudson will be on the show. Hudson will talk about the downfall of WCW.