Xavier Woods Is Being Miscast as R-Truth's Tag Team Partner

Lost in the proverbial new-car smell of Xavier Woods was an apparent and egregious miscast.

A Ph.D candidate with two bachelor's degrees, Woods is looking to solidify an educational background that is virtually unprecedented in pro wrestling.

It's common knowledge that the best WWE characters are hyperbolic real-life versions of the individual in question.

Steve Austin didn't explode in the WWE until his roots as a beer-drinking redneck were integrated into his TV persona. John Cena's real-life love of hip hop and battle rapping was the basis for his career ascension.

Yet instead of building around Woods' most unique and marketable qualities, the former TNA star instead debuted as the tag team partner and hype man for R-Truth. Woods teamed with R-Truth for his TNA debut as Consequences Creed—an Apollo Creed parody—in 2007

Two bachelor's degrees and one Ph.D candidacy later, Woods' dialogue was limited to "It's morphin' time!"

Michael Cole made sure to pepper in Woods' educational background on commentary, which was used as a pivoting point for a JBL barber joke. The playful barb fit Woods more than any mention of education ever could.

It was professional horseplay disguised as a feel-good story. 

The on-paper disservice to creativity suggests this is an elaborate setup for a deeper, more educated individual who fits the description of this so-called scholar. There has to be more to a future doctor of psychology than a shuck here and a jive there, right?

There isn't.

WWE fans have been trained to accept the objectionable stylings of Koko B. Ware, Junkyard Dog and Cryme Tyme with very little incident. In fact, two of those three cockamamie acts made it all the way to the Hall of Fame.

This is not the first or last instance of a WWE alliance originating from superficial similarities. Kofi Kingston, a graduate of Boston College, was paired with Truth in 2012 with no explanation. The two went on to win the WWE tag team championships and even have a Wikipedia page together.  

One of their few similarities is an unfortunate one. Despite contrasting backgrounds, both Truth and Kingston are booked to rely upon rhythmic gyrations to stay connected with the WWE Universe. Kingston's weapon of choice is the Thunderclap. Truth uses pelvic thrusts.

Little effort is spent by WWE announcers distinguishing one character from the other. The same can be said about Xavier Woods.

Following his first WWE match, Woods' debut and perceived future was a bigger story than his duplicitous gimmick. 

"

Xavier Woods is going to thrive on the WWE main roster. #NXT

— Reece Longland (@OrtonitesRKO) November 22, 2013"

"

Who would you rather see Xavier Woods debut and team with Truth or Kofi?

— Nick Money Elzer (@NickMoney07) November 19, 2013"

"

He made his debut on #Raw & now @WWE.com takes a look at @XavierWoodsPhD! FULL STORY: http://t.co/zO8gFBSG4b

— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) November 21, 2013"

"

@Maurice_Bear Yeah... I'd like to see Xavier Woods do the "Millions of Dollas" dance with the Primetime Players. XD

— Brandon Taylor (@YuGiOhFan2012) November 21, 2013"

The backgrounds of Woods and Truth wouldn't be any more contradictory if Woods were wearing a singlet that read "I hate rap."

This makeshift tag team is not a case study in opposites attracting, it's an unsettling social commentary.

Education or not, those who look like R-Truth had better learn a signature dance move.

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