Former World Champions going for Midcard Titles

Tommy Platinum · 05-15-2009, 02:42 PM

I was talking to somebody on msn (not somebody from WC) and they were saying that Jericho vs Rey is a terrible idea because Jericho, as a former multi-time World Champion and established main eventer, should not be challenging for the Intercontinental Championship. They said that the IC title (and presumably the US title) should be reserved for up and comers in order to help boost them towards the main event scene. I know Mysterio is a former World Champion too, but the situation is slightly different because more often than not he is still a midcard wrestler.

My question is, do you think its ok for main eventers to hold midcard gold, or at least challenge for midcard gold, or do you think that, as the title has been used traditionally, it should be reserved for younger guys to show what they can do?

King Steventon · 05-15-2009, 02:50 PM

Eh, the main problem is that the fued isn't actually over the title itself. Jericho isn't gunning for the title, he just wants revenge on Rey (as far as I am aware, could be wrong), and Rey just happens to be holding the belt.

I think former champions going for it, and losing can really help elevate and build younger guys, but I don't think anyone really benefits from it the way they are going it currently. If, for example, Batista or someone like him, was challenging MVP for the US title, that would be good.

RaiZ-R · 05-15-2009, 03:00 PM

I agree with Steve basically.

The way the IC and US Titles have been treated over the past decade or so has been pretty ridiculous and it's to the point that neither really means much anymore. I think the fact the IC Title this year has been held by three former WWE/World Champions is a real boost for the Title itself, and if Rey has a nice long reign and then drops it to Morrison or Ziggler, it'll be a real boost for the next guy holding it to. The US Title holder being involved in the main event picture on Raw is another fantastic way to pull it up in importance, and since The Draft I have been really impressed with WWE's pushing of not only the Titles but also of new and younger stars into prominent postitions on TV.

I agree that Jericho not caring about the IC Title, but more about getting hold of Rey, is a little annoying but in the long run I don't think that will affect the belt in any real way... As long as Rey retains of course.

Bigpapa42 · 05-15-2009, 03:13 PM

Have to agree that the titles just aren't made to mean anything anymore. They are just booked to be passed around. Not that the booking for the main titles is much better...

If it was well-booked and done right, a main eventer getting a mid-level title could work. It could add prestige to the belt, and be a big boost to the midcard guy who eventually takes it away. The way the WWE tends to do things now, I think it just hurts the credibility of the wrestler more than helping anyone or anything.

Tommy Platinum · 05-15-2009, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lord Steventon
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Eh, the main problem is that the fued isn't actually over the title itself. Jericho isn't gunning for the title, he just wants revenge on Rey (as far as I am aware, could be wrong), and Rey just happens to be holding the belt.

I think former champions going for it, and losing can really help elevate and build younger guys, but I don't think anyone really benefits from it the way they are going it currently. If, for example, Batista or someone like him, was challenging MVP for the US title, that would be good.

Very true, but I also think former World Champions holding the belt can be great. It makes it look like something truly worth winning no matter who you are and what you've done, rather than simply a stepping stone belt which you don't give a shit about once you've held the big one. Also, nothing gets someone over more than defeating a former World Champ for a midcard belt. Look at the whole MVP/Benoit feud and how well that was booked.

I think if done sparingly, former World Champs winning midcard titles can be a great idea.

As for your other point, I agree that its usually bad when there's a feud with a title on the line even though the title is an afterthought.

King Steventon · 05-15-2009, 03:17 PM

Yea that's true but you also have to think about if an established guy is holding it that means someone who isn't, um, isn't. Get meeeeee?

Tommy Platinum · 05-15-2009, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lord Steventon
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Yea that's true but you also have to think about if an established guy is holding it that means someone who isn't, um, isn't. Get meeeeee?

As long as the aim is to get somebody new over at the end of the established guy's run, I don't see a problem with that. Obviously if its just former champs holding it for the sake of it due to lazy booking then that sucks, but in the case of the Benoit example I gave, the objective was to get somebody over.

Rated-RKO-Franklin · 05-15-2009, 04:17 PM

I like it that former world champions go for MidCard Titles. It holds get befits. Shelton made a name for himself when he defeated Y2J for the IC title. RATED-RKO were a great tag team for 8 months and had a very good reign as Tag Team Champions with plenty of title defenses. Kofi was put on notice when he defeated Y2J for the IC belt.

The point is that with main eventers with midcard titles is great. It help pushes younger talent by winning the titles from the main eventers and it gives them creditiblity. It also brings interest to the show and certain feuds.

Sir Nicky Talent · 05-15-2009, 04:26 PM

I think the Intercontenental Title are perfect for main eventers like Mysterio and JBL who are slowly falling out of the spotlight to maintain their popularity. But three consecutive former world champs (and possibly four) were the past three IC Champs. It gets too the point where the tourch should go down. Like Dolph Ziggler, who has shown amazing improvment.

The Raw King · 05-15-2009, 09:41 PM

If you have a mainevent player not going for the main gold, what the next best thing? IC or US title is the next best thing. Giving them a good run for with the belt is fine, as long as it isnt like them becoming 3-4 time midcard champions in a year. If they have a shot at the IC/US title once a year, it is fine. Just so they are involved in the show. It's better than them jobbing to newcomers.

Former World Champions going for Midcard Titles

This is a discussion on Former World Champions going for Midcard Titles within the WWE Discussion forums, part of the Wrestling Forums category; I was talking to somebody on msn (not somebody from WC) and they were saying that Jericho vs Rey is ...