Random Ring Remarks: ROH, Gimmicks, Cruiserweights, Swagger, Orton-Cena?, Miz

Welcome to the fourth installment of Random Ring Remarks.

The third installment can be found at: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/450601-random-ring-remarks-kofi-hhhbret-hart-royal-rumble-cena-a-heel-amp-more. 

You probably already know the format by now. You ask the questions. I give the answers.

You can do that here: http://www.formspring.me/BOestriecher or here: http://twitter.com/B_Oestriecher.

I just started this about a week ago,and the response has been awesome. I've been bombarded with questions, although many of them have been repeats. 

Still, it's a lot fun to answer, and I really enjoy it.

But to keep from answering the same question over and over on Bleacher Report, I will continue to answer all questions on formspring, but will only post the ones that have never been asked here on Random Ring Remarks.

I'll also probably start posting these Random Ring Remarks mailbag every Sunday night, so I can address questions relating to all WWE shows.

And I'm switching to a slideshow format to make it easier on the eyes.

Alright, enough of the BS, let's get started.

Getting Promoted From Florida Championship Wrestling

How long does it usually take for a FCW talent to get promoted to the main roster?

It really depends on the wrestler. The guys who are pretty well known (and more talented in many cases) before they sign with WWE may be in developmental for a year or less, or bypass it altogether.

For example, Alberto Del Rio signed in June of 2009, and debuted about a year later. Daniel Bryan signed in August of 2009, and debuted in February of 2010 on NXT. 

On the other end of the spectrum, you have someone like Skip Sheffield who signed his developmental contract in 2005, was released, then resigned in 2008 before he finally debuted on NXT.

There's also a guy like Johnny Curtis who has been in developmental since 2006. 

You can't really predict how long it takes for a wrestler to make it to Raw or Smackdown. Some wrestlers don't debut until the WWE has a good storyline for them while others have their debut delayed because of an injury.

Some never make it.

Who Chooses WWE Superstars' Ring Names, Gimmicks, And Atires?

Does WWE give talent their names or do the superstars have any say so? Same with the gimmick and wrestling attire?

Many wrestlers use their real names, like Randy Orton, John Cena, Ted DiBiase, and Cody Rhodes.

But the recent trend in the WWE is to give talent new names (without their consent), so that the company can trademark those names and make money off of it. Lately, the names they've been giving wrestlers have been absolutely atrocious. 

It has rubbed many people in the company the wrong way, especially when second generation wrestlers don't carry the names of their fathers.

For example, Husky Harris' real name is Windham Rotunda (the son of former WWE performer I.R.S), and Michael McGillicutty's real name is Joe Hennig (the son of Mr. Perfect). 

WWE wrestlers do have some input on their gimmicks though, usually using the gimmicks that got them over with the crowd on the independent circuit or in developmental. Some also pitch storylines and gimmick changes, but the WWE creative team and Vince McMahon have the final say.

As far as attire, I've heard the wrestlers work with a company seamstress who will help them develop attire that fits well with their character.

So yes, they have some say-so, but they can't just wear whatever they want.

How Does WWE Talent Travel?

How does WWE talent travel?

On overseas tours, the entire roster usually flies together. On trips within the US, wrestlers either fly (if it's a really long trip) or drive.

Many of the top superstars are more privileged when it comes to travel. I've heard top guys like Triple H, Undertaker, and Cena have their travel paid for, or even travel on Vince McMahon's private jet.

While some of the mid-card and under-card performers travel alone -- I think I remember reading Mark Henry likes to ride solo -- most travel with at least one other wrestler to save on travel expenses.

Remember, they pay for their own travel, including the hotel, so the wrestlers who don't make as much money tend to split hotels and rental cars.

I remember at a WWE taping I went to right after Jack Swagger's debut, he was riding with a diva and another wrestler (I couldn't really see who).

I also know that some of the better-paid performers have begun taking tour buses, so they can have their families travel with them or just so they can relax while driving across the country. I don't know everyone who has a tour bus, but I do know that Big Show has one.

Who Is The Best Cruiserweight in WCW/WWE History?

What do you think the best cruiserweight the wwe or wcw had (cant say Rey Mysterio)

Man, I loved watched the Cruiserweight division back when it meant something, or even existed for that matter.

I really liked it in WCW when Chris Jericho, Eddie Guerrero, Chavo Guerrero, Dean Malenko, Juventud Guerrera and Billy Kidman epitomized that division (along with Rey Mysterio).

It's amazing if you look at how many talented Cruiserweights WCW had, and the WWE even had a pretty talented division until the infamous Hornswoggle title run.

If I had to pick though, I'd have to go with Chris Jericho. I know he wasn't used in the Cruiserweight title picture in the WWE, but I really liked watching him in WCW.

He held the title four times, and had some classic matches with the other guys I mentioned. You can find a bunch of those matches on YouTube.

Would Kofi Kingston Have Been WWE Champion If It Wasn't For Randy Orton?

Do you think Kofi Kingston would have been WWE Champion and or in the main event/title scene if it wasn't for Randy whining and getting his push derailed?

It's hard to predict what would have happened, but the WWE seemed to have a lot of faith in Kofi Kingston at the time.

His Boom Drop on Randy Orton through the table at Madison Square Garden was one of the best moments of the year.

Then, the WWE showed even more faith in Kofi by booking his team to defeat Orton's team at Survivor Series, with Kofi getting the pin on Orton. I thought this mean huge things for Kofi's future.

Of course, that changed when Orton single-handedly killed his push.

Based on how things were going before that, it certainly looked like Kofi was poised to enter the main event scene on Raw. I mean, Sheamus wound up facing Orton for the WWE Championship at the Royal Rumble because Cena was injured, and WWE officials were worried that he couldn't make it through a one-on-one match.

But I do believe that had Kofi's push not been killed by Orton, that slot was meant for Kofi Kingston.

Remember how dead the crowd was for Orton/Sheamus? I think the crowd would have been going crazy had it been Kofi/Sheamus.

So yeah, I think Orton cost Kofi a Royal Rumble title match at the very least. And it's possible he cost him a WWE Championship run as well.

Sheamus Vs. Wade Barrett?

i just wonder if sheamus face wade barrert is a really good one. how about you man?

If you're asking if Sheamus vs. Wade Barrett would be a good idea, I don't think so.

As I mentioned in the last question, it's really hard for the crowd to get into a heel vs. heel match, especially when the wrestlers are relatively new to the main event scene.

Some people, like Chris Jericho, have their supporters no matter if they're face or heel, but who would the crowd cheer for in a Sheamus/Barrett match? No one. 

Sheamus and Barrett are two of the biggest heels in the company right now, so the crowd would be absolutely dead because neither of them are liked by the fans. I

think that's the main reason why the WWE Championship match at Night of Champions is a Six Pack Challenge rather than a match between Barrett and Sheamus.

The WWE is just too worried it won't go over well with the fans.

Should The WWE Copy ROH?

ROH has many wrestlers carry their brand and does not have a one man superstar to carry the ROH brand which I think is a good thing! Should the WWE do the same as ROH by having many guys carry the brand instead of having John Cena be the face of the WWE?

Although John Cena is certainly the face of the WWE, I don't think he necessarily carries the brand.

In other words, the WWE wouldn't simply go out of business if Cena randomly left the company. It didn't happen when guys like The Rock and Stone Cold left, so it won't happen when Cena leaves either.

However, that being said, I do think that Ring of Honor does a better job of having multiple wrestlers carry their brand.

I don't follow Ring of Honor like I do the WWE, but if you look at the WWE/TNA rosters, there's a lot of former ROH stars on them.

In the WWE, you've got CM Punk, Daniel Bryan and Evan Bourne. In TNA, you've got AJ Styles, Desmond Wolfe, Samoa Joe, and Jay Lethal (not mention guys like Homicide and Daniels).

Then, the WWE just signed ROH Champion Tyler Black. (There's probably more, but these are the ones I could think off of the top of my head.)

So yes, ROH does a hell of a job having multiple superstars carry their brand. Evidence of that is that the product hasn't suffered much even after losing all those guys.

They do probably do a better job at that than the WWE does, but as I said, the WWE will never fold because of losing one superstar, just like ROH.

Would I Pursue a Career As a Wrestler?

Would you ever pursue a career as a professional wrestler? For the WWE in particular or maybe even TNA?

I've actually thought about it a lot, but a couple things have held me back.

The career path for a pro wrestler is incredibly hard. For every wrestler that makes it to the WWE or TNA, there are hundreds who never do.

Pro wrestlers don't receive health insurance, they're prone to injury and they often sleep in their cars at rest stops because they don't have enough money for a hotel. That's why guys in the business like Jim Ross have come out and urged prospective wrestlers to get their college degree first, which I did.

I just got my degree in May. You have to have a backup plan because pro wrestling is a cutthroat business that not a lot of people last in.

There's also the fact that I'm not the bodybuilder type, which the WWE loves. I'm 6'1, about 190 pounds, and I'm not sure how far I'd make it unless i put on like 40 pounds, which is just about impossible haha,

I'd probably have a much better chance of making it in TNA. I like to think I'm a pretty athletic dude, and when I watch wrestling sometimes, I think: "Man, I could be WAY better than him!"

I look at guys like Michael Tarver and Lucky Cannon and I just wonder how the hell they've made it this far. I'm sure they've worked hard, but it just bothers me knowing I might not make it that far simply because of my size.

Still, I'd love to become a pro wrestler. It's been a dream since I was a kid. If someone gave me $3,000 to start training, I'd do it haha.

What's Next For CM Punk? Is Jericho Leaving?

what is next for cm punk?bro i really like lies him, he is the one who really AWESOME not miz, and i think that jericho will not go after night of champion, what is your thought?

I really like CM Punk, too. In my opinion, he is currently the best heel in the business.

He hasn't done much of late, which is a shame. I think he'll probably feud with Luke Gallows for a while after turning on him last night on Smackdown.

Hopefully, once that feud is put to rest, he will have another feud for the World Heavyweight Championship with the Undertaker after the Undertaker-Kane feud is over.

If not, he'll probably get stuck in another mid-card feud with someone like Christian (which would be awesome if it was for a world title, but will suffer as a mid-card feud). 

I also think that Chris Jericho will indeed leave the WWE after Night of Champions, but only temporarily.

I just don't see Vince McMahon putting the WWE Championship on him, so I think he'll leave for a while to tour with his band, etc.

I'd expect Wade Barrett to cost Jericho the title at Night of Champions, have Jericho leave the company, then return at the Royal Rumble to reignite a feud with Barrett.

What's Next For Jack Swagger?

hey bro, what will happen at night of champion when sheamus takes on 5 superstar for the title and what is next for jack schwagger?

I've answered that Night of Champions question before, so you can find my detailed answer on one of the earlier editions of Random Ring Remarks.

But the short answer is that Wade Barrett costs Chris Jericho the title, and Randy Orton wins. I think either Orton wins the title or Sheamus retains.

As for Jack Swagger, I think he'll continue his boring feud with MVP for a while, then remain in the mid-card to feud with guys like Christian and Matt Hardy.

The WWE dropped the ball with his World Heavyweight Championship run, and they seem to be taking it out on him. It wasn't Swagger's fault.

The creative team booked him like an absolute MORON by having him either lose or fail to win clean in every match he had.

If the WWE does decide to renew his push though, I could see a Swagger-Undertaker feud. They've had good matches already, and obviously a feud with Undertaker would help Swagger out a lot.

What Do I Think About Alberto Del Rio?

What is your thought about alberto del rio?

Love him. I can definitely see why people compare Alberto Del Rio to JBL because they have almost identical gimmicks.

I think Del Rio should be happy with that comparison though. The fans HATED JBL, and they already can't stand Del Rio even though he's only been around for a few weeks.

Of course, the WWE actually made a perfect, albeit obvious, decision by having him feud with Rey Mysterio on his debut. That was an easy way to get him huge heat.

But I've heard people criticize his mic work, which I completely don't understand. Maybe it has to do with his Spanish accent, but I think Del Rio is damn good on the mic. He also has that perfect little heel smirk that reminds me of guys like Chris Jericho. 

And he's already shown that he's a good in-ring worker as well. After all, he's already 33 years old, and was one of the biggest stars in Mexico, where he worked as Dos Caras.

So he's already got a wealth of experience to go along with a good gimmick. I certainly wouldn't be shocked to see him in the World Heavyweight Championship picture sooner rather than later.

The Rock Vs. Stone Cold?

will we see one more match between the rock and stone cold?

I don't think Stone Cold will return, if just for one match, because he retired due to serious neck problems. I doubt he'd want to risk another injury.

I'm not too optimistic The Rock will return either because of his movie career, although I think he's much more likely to have one more match than Steve Austin.

However, even if they both returned, I wouldn't have them face each other. I'd have John Cena face The Rock, and Stone Cold face CM Punk.

Both of those feuds would be epic. Imagine the possibilities.

Who Will Orton Face at Wrestlemania?

Who do you think Randy Orton will fight at WM 27? Will he be in a championship match, or could he possible finish his feud with Edge once and for all?

I could see the Edge-Randy Orton feud being put to rest at Wrestlemania, but I think the WWE should go a different route. Assuming Orton is still in his face/tweener role, this is how I'd start Orton's Wrestlemania feud.

We all know that the WWE doesn't mind doing inter-brand matches at the biggest event of the year. So at the Royal Rumble, have Orton eliminated by CM Punk in a cheap manner to ignite a feud between the two.

Orton would in turn cost punk the title at Elimination Chamber, and the two settle their differences atWrestlemania.

They wouldn't need a title involed. It would just be one of the company's biggest faces against the Straight Edge heel.

Cena Vs. Orton at Wrestlemania 27?

do u think john cena and randy orton cud headline wm27 i think it wud be just like the stone cold and rock rivalry at wm 15 the rock was a heel and stone cold was a face and at wm 17 both were face same wid cena an orton..biggest faces facing of at wm 27

I've heard the comparisons about John Cena being the next Rock, and Randy Orton being the next Stone Cold. But I don't think that's a fair comparison.

Yeah, they have some similarities, but I don't think Cena is trying to be like The Rock or Orton is trying to be like Stone Cold.

Orton is trying to be Orton, and Cena is being Cena.

I actually do think it would be a bit different for Cena and Orton to feud with both wrestlers as faces, and I could see it happening if Orton's popularity continues to grow.

But how many times have we seen them feud already? Like 10? I just don't want to see another feud between those two no matter what.

Is The Life of a WWE Superstar Really That Hectic?

Do you think the life of a WWE Superstar is as hectic as people make it out to be?

Yeah, I think it's incredibly hectic. WWE superstars basically live out of their suitcases.

They are on the road 4-5 days a week and work around 300 days per year. I think the average worker in the US works around something like 260 days per year.

Plus, most of them aren't taking the physical beating that WWE wrestlers are. They also do a lot of driving and travel in general, they stay in hotels way more often than their own homes, and there's obviously no off-season like in pro sports.

That's why guys like Rob Van Dam, Jeff Hardy and Kurt Angle are in TNA (I'll forgo any weed jokes). The TNA schedule is much lighter, and guys don't get burned out as quickly there as they do in the WWE.

Even considering all that, I bet that the adrenaline rush WWE superstars get when performing in front of thousands of people makes it all worth it.

Is Becoming a WWE Superstar Easier Today Than It Used To Be?

Do you think becoming a WWE superstar is easier nowadays? I do, I mean just look at The Miz; Former Reality TV star, now huge name in WWE, perhaps next big star. R-Truth and MVP, former ex-cons and MVP had the longest US title reign in WWE history.

No, I actually think it's harder to become a WWE superstar these days.

If you look at the independent scene, there are so many promotions out there that you can't even count them. Those promotions are filled with thousands and thousands of wrestlers whose ultimate goal is to make it to the WWE or even TNA.

And look how many wrestlers are on the main roster and in development. Not very many.

I think what you pointed out is that the WWE is open to giving wrestlers from all walks of life a chance. Years ago, I don't think Vince McMahon would have ever pushed someone who gained fame on a different show (The Miz).Now, that obviously isn't the case.

And yes, both MVP and R-Truth are ex-cons, but they've moved on from those incidents, and the WWE has given them their "second chance." That doesn't mean it's easier to get there.

It just means they were good enough to overcome that part of their pasts.

I'd say it's probably more difficult now than ever to make it big in professional wrestling.

Who Should Write Promos?

Why don't WWE creative staff let their talent write their own promos? Or do they? I think if they did the promos would be much better.

In some cases, the WWE does let wrestlers write their own promos.

It's very rare, but I do know during their feud in 2008 that Shawn Michaels and Chris Jericho pretty much worked without a script and ad-libbed many of their promos. But those guys are two of the best the business has ever seen, and not every wrestler is cut out to do that.

The WWE doesn't let its wrestlers write their own promos for several reasons. If the wrestlers script their promos, then they basically control the feud.

We all know that the essence of most feuds is what the wrestlers say to each other. "I hate you. You're a coward." Stuff like that. That's how two wrestlers begin to hate each other.

If the wrestlers said whatever they wanted to, then that would be the basis of the feud. The WWE doesn't want its wrestlers having that much say in the creative process to where they basically control everything about the feud.

Also, just because a wrestler can deliver a promo doesn't mean he can write one.

Take an excellent actor, for example (Just pick one). Yeah, he might win an Oscar or a Golden Globe for the character he portrays, but he probably couldn't write a script as good as the one that earned him the award.

The same goes for a wrestler with his promos. He might have the crowd glued to his every word when giving a promo that's written for him, but his mind might go blank if he tries to write his own.

Who Will Win The Most World Championships: Cena, Edge, Orton, Or Triple H?

Do you think John Cena and Edge will reach or have more World Title Reigns than HHH; who's 13-time World Champion? Cena is only 33 and he's a 9-Time World Champion tied with Edge. What about Randy Orton as well?

Do you think John Cena and Edge will reach or have more World Title Reigns than HHH; who's 13-time World Champion? Cena is only 33 and he's a 9-time World Champion tied with Edge. What about Randy Orton as well?

I think an important person you omitted from this group is Ric Flair. He has 16 World Championship reigns to his credit (although he'll say it was more like 20-something).

But anyway, I'd actually expect Triple H to reach or even break that record before it's all said and done. He's probably got five years or so left, so I think he'll get to 16 with no problem.

I don't think Edge will get to 16 because he's already come out and said he will probably retire in about two years.

But I would basically bet all the money I have (even though that isn't much) that Randy Orton and John Cena will both win at least 16 World Championships before they retire. 

The WWE Championship has changed hands 13 times since the beginning of 2009, with the longest run lasting about three months or so. The World Heavyweight Championship has changed hands 12 times during the same time period.

That's pretty ridiculous.

I don't see that trend changing either. At this rate, Cena and Orton will probably each have around 20 title reigns or so before they call it quits.

Who Is The Next John Cena?

who will be next john cena for about 10 years? the money maker for wwe!

Can I say John Cena? Haha.

I honestly think think he'll still be around then, so it's entirely possible that the "next John Cena" is indeed John Cena.

I'm not even sure there's someone on the roster right now who will ever sell the amount of merchandise that Cena does because most of the young talent in the WWE are heels.

But if I had to pick someone, I'll go with Kofi Kingston.

He's got a kid-friendly gimmick, and he has an attire that is easily marketable: the red, green, yellow, and black colors with the armbands and that ridiculous Kofi face on his trunks. 

Of course, a heel who turns face could be huge, just like Cena. Maybe even someone like The Miz.

To be honest though, I don't think the next huge money maker is currently on the roster.

When Will The Miz Cash In?

When do you The Miz cash in his MITB briefcase?

I think The Miz will have a lengthy program with Daniel Bryan before losing the United States Championship around Survivor Series or so.

After that, I look for The Miz to hold onto the Money in the Bank briefcase all the way until Wrestlemania.

Why? If he loses the title to Bryan, the WWE will want to get him on a nice streak to rebuild his momentum.

If the WWE wants to truly make Miz a big star, I think they'll wait until Wrestlemania and have him challenge John Cena for the WWE Championship. Not cash in, actually challenge him.

The two have a pretty long history together, and I think that could be a pretty solid feud. The only thing that worries me about this is that I'm not sure Vince McMahon has the guts to have Cena lose at the biggest show of the year.

Will Christian Ever Be a World Champ?

Do you ever see Christian winning a World title in WWE?

No, I don't think Christian will ever win a World Championship in the WWE.

Like many people, I thought the WWE would at least give him a role in the title scene on Smackdown because it is so short on main eventers. But the fact he hasn't made it out of the mid-card on the "B-show" leads me to believe he never will. 

Also, I think Vince McMahon likes to humble workers who go to TNA and come back (except for Jeff Hardy). Although Christian was a star in TNA, Vince wants to prove you're only a superstar if you win a world title in the WWE.

Also, he turns 37 in November, so his window is closing pretty quick. I don't think we'll ever see Captain Charisma as WWE or World Heavyweight Champion.

Who Works Closest With The Wrestlers?

What sort of jobs are there backstage that involve working with the superstars quite closely? And also, does the crew travel with the superstars? For example, do they stay at the same hotels etc?

The people on the WWE crew who work most closely with the wrestlers are agents, who are also known as road agents or producers. A

gents are usually former wrestlers who work with the current WWE stars to plan storylines, help set up their matches, etc. Some current WWE agents are Arn Anderson, Dean Malenko, and Ricky Steamboat. 

From everything I've read, the crew does travel with and stay at the same hotels as the wrestler.

I'm pretty sure that not all wrestlers and WWE crew members stay at the same hotel when they go to a certain city though. The WWE often spreads them out over a few hotels to prevent chaos.

What's Ortons Backstage Reputation?

Is Randy Orton still an asshole backstage, like people used to say he was?

From what I've heard, Randy Orton has basically done a 180 since he got married and became a father.

Once viewed as a headcase or even an asshole like you said, becoming a husband and father has changed Orton for the better.

His backstage reputation has improved so much that Orton is now one of the locker room leaders, along with guys like John Cena and The Undertaker.

What's The WWE Backstage Atmosphere Like?

Do you know what the general atmosphere backstage is like for Edge now, after the whole Lita/Hardy issue?

The WWE atmosphere is often pretty chaotic when things aren't going well business-wise, and Vince McMahon isn't in a good mood.

But I do know that many, if not most, WWE wrestlers prefer to work on Smackdown. Raw is generally seen as the show that deals with politics and has a lot of backstabbing going on. 

Smackdown, on the other hand, is known to have a much more relaxed atmosphere. A lot of that has to do with the fact that the Undertaker is the Smackdown leader while the son-in-law of the boss, Triple H, is usually on Raw.

How Do WWE Superstars Work a Match?

Does a WWE Superstar discuss his match with the opponent before hand or do they freestyle? If so, how does that work?

Yeah, WWE wrestlers don't plan the entire match out, but they do plan the bigger spots (especially in matches with a lot of people like the Money in the Bank match).

They generally arrive several hours before the show starts to go over the basic flow of the match, and those big spots as I've said. I know that heels used to call the moves (tell the other wrestler what to do) during the match, and I'm not sure if that is still the case although I think it might be.

However, ever since WWE went high definition, Vince McMahon has told the wrestlers not to verbally call their spots as often as they used to.

Who Controls The WWE Storylines?

First, does Vince go over storyline ideas with the talent or do the other crew members? And two, do the WWE crew let talent decide if they want to be heel or face?

Vince McMahon goes over the storylines with the creative team. Usually, the creative team pitches ideas and Vince either shoots them down or gives them the green light.

After that, the WWE producers (or road agents) go over the actual storylines with the talent. That is, they work with the wrestlers on promos, etc. Vince rarely seeks the opinion of wrestlers on their storylines, with the exception being the bigger stars in the business.

Also, WWE performers don't have any input on the creative process, including whether they are face or heel. Wrestlers are known to pitch ideas to the creative team or Vince, but they often get turned down.

The WWE creative team and Vince ultimately have the say-so on how a talent is booked.

Final Thoughts

That'l do it for the fourth installment of Random Ring Remarks.

Hope you enjoyed it.

That picture is for my loyal readers!