Kofi Kingston: Is He Worthy of a Main Event Spot in the WWE?

Kofi Kingston is often a hot topic in the Internet Wrestling Community, as we can't seem to figure out where he belongs on the card.

Kingston has been stuck in the mid-card since debuting in 2007, but has shown flashes of brilliance (and main event potential) in the eyes of some.

For the others?

Kingston is just another happy-go-lucky spot monkey that will always be a curtain jerker.

Here today, John Cavanagh and I will debate on if Kofi does deserve a coveted main event spot. 

Enjoy!

John Cavanagh

No. Just no.

Look, I have become less of a critic on Kofi Kingston. I have come to the realization that he doesn’t get much of a chance, and WWE booking has made him boring. But, I am still not convinced that Kofi is ready for the main-event at all.

He needs a solid mid-card feud first. What makes him better than the rest? Kofi has been all over the place, and needs to settle down before he can think of the main-event.

Ryan Frye

What tool does Kofi lack?

He is one of the best wrestlers in the WWE today, has very underrated microphone skills and connects with the crowd very well.

If you don't believe he has good mic skills, I would ask you to watch his promo where he destroys Randy Orton's car and all of his stuff on Alberto Del Rio and Dolph Ziggler. 

All Kofi needs is a push, which he has really only gotten once before, which was reportedly halted due to backstage politics. 

John Cavanagh

 Good on the mic?

Look, he’s very clear, and sounds decent, but he is boring! I don’t feel the energy in his promos at all. Kind of like Randy Orton. I am not comparing Orton and Kofi (Kofi is better), but I am making a point. To call his mic skills “good” is raising the bar too high. "Average or “decent” would be more like it.

It would be tough for Kofi to carry on a rivalry with his current skills.

Yes, he does connect with the crowd, but it’s a pop for a mid-carder.

Do you think if Kofi was main-eventing for the WWE Championship, he would get a pop similar to Cena or Punk? No way! If we are talking main-event, which we are, then Kofi would not get enough reaction.

He appears very briefly on RAW each week. He has been getting more time. Do you think that the crowd would be hanging on his every word if he got as much time as CM Punk? No way! I am making great comparisons to current main-eventers, and Kofi doesn’t fit the bill.

Ryan Frye

Kofi is good enough on the mic to be a main eventer.

I mean, you said yourself he is better than Randy Orton on the mic, and Orton is currently in a feud for the world title on SmackDown. Kofi is better than Rey Mysterio, who is another long time main event talent.

No, Kofi does not hold a candle to CM Punk, but nobody on the roster does. There is a reason why Punk is called the best in the world, because he is.

If given more television time, Kofi could get a louder pop. However, he is already the most over mid-carder in the WWE today.

John Cavanagh

Most over mid-carder is John Morrison if he counts. 

You should know, and now everyone will know, that I think Randy Orton is the most overrated wrestler in the industry today. To say that Kofi has better mic-skills than Orton isn’t hard to do in my book. Orton has his last name, and was better as a heel.

But back to Kofi.

He’s better than Rey Mysterio?! Is that a joke? Well, it sure made me laugh, because that is not true!

Zack Ryder has more potential then Kofi! Kofi lacks spark. It’s a repetitive process.

I’m not comparing Kofi to Punk. Punk’s in his own league! I am comparing him to all current main-eventers. If any mid-carder deserved to be pushed, it would be Dolph Ziggler. And honestly, if he got more television time, it might just make me change the channel more…because there’s nothing interesting about that.

Ryan Frye

First, allow me to clarify the Rey Mysterio thing. I was trying to say Kofi is better on the mic, as Rey's promos are too bland.

John Morrison is not more over than Kofi, not by a long shot. Even the biggest JoMoSapiens admit that!

I agree about Randy Orton, but it still doesn't change the fact that if he's good enough on the microphone to main event, so is Kingston.

Kofi and Ziggler are overall pretty even in the ring, but Kofi doesn't need to hang onto Vickie Guerrero to get himself over with the crowd. Not to mention, it's harder to draw heat than a pop. Why do you think everybody appears to be turning heel these days?

John Cavanagh

 If you want bland, just look up a Kofi Kingston promo.

You say Mysterio is bland? Not that I disagree, but how can you say that and defend Kofi at the same time! I think your a little confused!

I am not the biggest JoMoSapien or whatever he calls his following, but I will say there is a reason Morrison has been in a WWE Championship match this year. Both are average on the mic. They tie in that category, but Morrison gets a bigger pop. Morrison is also a better high flyer then Kofi Kingston. They are not just going to put Morrison in the main-event for no reason and cast Kofi aside. There’s a reason for that.

I would like to stop comparing Kofi to other superstars (that are all better than him, especially Dolph), and focus on Kofi himself.

Lets come to this conclusion.

Kofi was good on Smackdown. He had a good feud with Ziggler that ran its course. But in that feud, Kofi was the one boring me. I was ready for Ziggler to move on to better things, and he did. He used Kofi as a stepping stool, and I have no problem with that. Address this. You make him out to be someone who has all the tools and can be the number one face in the company! I don’t even know if he could be number three.

Ryan Frye

Bland?

How about you watch Kingston destroy Randy Orton's NASCAR? I can tell you for a fact Mysterio or Morrison have not cut a promo that good as a face.

Kofi and Morrison have different styles, but Kofi is more unorthodox, while JoMo uses his parkour training to his advantage.

I suppose it's just a matter of preference as far as that goes, but Kofi is better on the mic and gets a bigger pop.

Morrison seems uncomfortable for whatever reason, while Kofi seems to be more relaxed. Keep in mind I like John Morrison, too.

Kofi has a gimmick that caters to the kids, so of course we may find him on the stale side. Nonetheless, he plays the gimmick well, and did not need a heat magnet to carry him to a mid-card championship.

John Cavanagh

 Oh, I’m sorry; where’s Kofi’s World Title? Did he borrow Dolph’s to feel special?

Yes, I saw the Kofi promo with the NASCAR race car (NASCAR is one of my favorite sports). Kofi was good. No doubting that, but are you sure you like John Morrison? Are you sure? I know Big Nasty doesn’t but do you? Calling JoMo’s promos worse than Kofi’s is tough. They are equal!

Morrison cut very good promos on Smackdown. He was actually very funny imitating Drew McIntyre and Jack Swagger. Morrison has had good spots as well. Lately, both have been declining in promo work.

We can compare Kofi Kingston to other wrestlers all day. Fact is, you are running out of things to say. Play the gimmick well? Dolph has a recycled perfectionist gimmick that he still makes work. Kofi’s is different, but he has already dragged it down to the ground. Kofi’s style is unorthodox. Okay, and Morrison’s isn’t?

Anyway, we are getting off course. Kofi can’t be in the main-event because he wouldn’t be able to hold his own. Just ask Randy Orton! By the way, in the NASCAR promo, Orton was just as good. Nothing special.

Ryan Frye

 Oh, Dolph's 11 minute title reign, which Vickie handed him like everything else in his career? After all, what had Dolph accomplished before he got Vickie?

She makes him.

Morrison is a much better heel on the mic, but we are talking about them as faces. I just haven't seen JoMo cut a serious face promo, nor really snap on his opponent like Kofi has (the Madison Square Garden Boom Drop anyone?).

My point is, all the superstars you bring up have flaws that Kofi does not, and that's why he should be ahead of them in-line for a main event push.

Kofi is always on promotional posters, which is rare for a guy that never headlines a show. That tells me the WWE knows Kofi is marketable, and really is over with the kids (who spend the most money out of any demographic).

John Cavanagh

 Kofi doesn’t have the “it” factor to be a main-eventer.

He is a good wrestler, and has his spots, but he lacks the entertainment value that keeps us tuned in.

Kofi Kingston main-eventing. Am I going to be so excited to tune into RAW? Probably not, except you, though. You would be waiting every minute. He has no fire! He is too relaxed!

In his promo with Orton, he was good. But get angry! Get going! Let's go! He got his message across, but show emotion! I’m literally screaming at my computer while I do this!

If Kofi had such a good reaction, the WWE would’ve pushed him already. WWE may not listen to the fans, but they will if it’s obvious.

Where are the fans in their Kofi merch? He doesn’t sell! The little kids don’t have on Kofi merch! Where are Kofi’s signs? I am not saying he isn’t talented; I am just telling you things as I see them. Ask people. It’s tough to picture him as World Champion. Well, they will have to keep picturing, because it will never happen.

Ryan Frye

Kofi has proven he can be entertaining, and even you admit that his serious promos are good. So, why should he be punished for being booked to look too happy?

That isn't his fault now, is it?

Kofi obviously sells, because if he didn't, he wouldn't have new ring gear and attire so often. He wouldn't be on promotional posters and things such as that.

Conclusion

 We must draw this debate between John and I to a close, but you still have a say?

Do you think Kofi Kingston is worthy of a main event push? Or is he just all sizzle and no steak?

Please, your feedback is much appreciated.