ECW's Superstar Initiative Hits the Jackpot!

When former SmackDown General Manager Theodore Long arrived in ECW, he implemented the ECW Superstar Initiative. Since then we have seen such stars as Evan Bourne, Jack Swagger, Ricky Ortiz, and DJ Gabriel (whoever he is). While some of them have risen to big things (Bourne winning a Slammy and Swagger being ECW Champion), the other two mentioned really haven't done anything.

For weeks now, there have been articles all over the Internet about when Christian Cage would be returning to the WWE, and what brand he would be on. All signs pointed to SmackDown. They said that he'd be feuding with Jeff Hardy, that he was the person behind all of Hardy's "incidents."

There was talk of reviving the old Hardy Boys/E&C feud. They said that the two top feuds on SmackDown were gonna be Cage VS Edge and Hardy VS Hardy.

I even saw an article today (Just "Open" Your Eyes: Christian Cage Will Return At No Way Out) basically saying that it was a sure thing guarantee that Cage would return at NWO. Then I see an article (from the same guy I think) saying that Cage showed up on ECW tonight.

I couldn't figure out why he was on ECW. I thought he was supposed to be on SmackDown? Hang on a minute, I need to go wipe all this egg off my face. Ok I'm back, I still have some left in my hair, but I'll just take a shower later.

I couldn't perceive why in the hell the WWE would waste somebody of Christian's caliber on ECW. I mean come on, their most exciting superstar is out with an injury and their champion is still in his rookie year, and their Tag Team Champions don't even defend their titles on their own show for crying out loud.

There's obviously something wrong on ECW, so why would you put Christian over there? He'd be so much better on SmackDown. I mean there's Edge, both Hardys, Triple H and so many other top superstars he could feud with. The veteran of ECW is Mark Henry (not including Tony Atlas).

C'mon, seriously? Mark Henry? During his 13 year tenure in the WWE, the only titles he's ever won was the European Championship and the ECW Championship, which he won almost 10 years after winning the European Championship.

Why would they put a former NWA World Heavyweight Champion on a lack-luster show like ECW with no star power at all? Wait...did I just answer my own question? Why would they put...yes, it all makes sense now. Why didn't I see it before? Why wouldn't they put Christian on ECW? Every reason that I just gave as to why I thought they shouldn't put him there, is in fact, every reason why they should.

Having Christian on ECW will raise the credibility of the show and if he wins the ECW Championship...that will raise the credibility of the title, and people will maybe start regarding it as a legit world title. Well, a legit title at least...they don't even refer to it as the ECW World Championship anymore.

I think that he will win the title, maybe not right away but who knows. I think it'd be cool to have Swagger retain the title (although I'd love to see Finlay finally win one of the 'big ones') and him feud with Christian all the way up to and then drop the title to him at WrestleMania.

On the flip side, if that were to happen but Christian were to lose to Swagger at WM25, that would put Swagger over in a big way.

Wether or not he wins the ECW Championship from Swagger or Finlay, I see big things on the rise for Captain Charisma in the land of extreme.