The New HBK?

I read somewhere, probably back in December, that the reason why Brian Kendrick got a shiny new bodyguard, was so that WWE creative could start grooming him to be the new Shawn Michaels.

At first glance, the two have similar characteristics. Both had fairly successful tag-team careers, and Kendrick still seems to, albeit aided by a monster of a bodyguard name Ezekiel Jackson, much like HBK's Diesel in the 90's.

Both have fairly high-flying tendencies with their repertoire of moves as well. Kendrick has tried to add more substantial moves, but so far has faltered, much like HBK did in the early part of his career.

The Jannetty/London link also exists, but in reality, London is the better wrestler of the group. However, Kendrick is better on the microphone, so look who still has a job. The WWE is focusing in on the entertainment rather than the wrestling, much like in the '90s, so of course Kendrick gets the nod and the push.

A big similarity, and probably the most important factor in deciding Kendrick's fate as the new HBK is the fact Shawn Michaels trained him. Kendrick is a graduate of HBK's wrestling school.

So here's where I put my foot down. Kendrick can't be the new HBK, because there is a better option on every front.

His name? "The Shaman of Sexy," John Morrison.

John Morrison is a better wrestler(has already won a major title,) is younger (albeit by only a few months,) and has had more success as a tag-team wrestler. Kendrick and London held the titles longer than anyone, but Morrison has done it with two partners who weren't as talented as Paul London was. Morrison essentially carried MNM and still carries The Miz.

What makes my case more than anything else is Morrison's character. John Morrison's attitude, persona, gimmick, style of wrestling, and even his look to some degree, is HBK.

And Morrison has a partner that he could legitimately turn on. I highly doubt Brian Kendrick at 5'7", 170 pounds, would stand a snowball's chance against Ezekiel Jackson who currently stands 6'2", with 270 pounds of muscle backing him.

Morrison also has proven he can be a legitimate champion. Can the diminutive Kendrick really wrestle a 300-pounder, or worse, guys like the Great Khali or Big Show? Probably not at his size.

John Morrison can play a likable character, or a giant douche of a human being. He has the lighter side that can eventually appeal to fans, but also displays that arrogance you look for in a great heel.

In the end, WWE creative is going to make the mistake of branding Kendrick the wrong way. He needs to go compete with Hurricane Helms, and maybe Rey in the cruiserweight division, which needs to stage a comeback. The WWE found out that smaller guys aren't legitimate champions. Rey wasn't and Kendrick will never be.

After Randy Orton, the future of the WWE is John Morrison. It has to be.

He's one of the very few who can wrestle, and still get on the microphone with the best of them. He has to be the HBK to Randy Orton's Triple H. It has to be this way if the WWE is going to keep their monopoly of the wrestling business.