Post by Goldash on Feb 15, 2013 6:47:14 GMT -5
First of all, it's AWESOME to see Dutch Mantell on WWE programming again. His Zeb Coulter character has the potential to be the biggest heel manager since Vickie Guerrero or Shawn Daivari.
But let's not get too far ahead of ourselves after only one promo (two if you count tonight's as-yet-unaired SmackDown). I'm glad Swaggie has a manager that isn't a man in an eagle suit...let's not kid ourselves, though, SSE was fucking awesome in his own right.
However, Mantell (as Coulter) could be a controversial mouthpiece for the former World Heavyweight Champion and I honestly think a successful feud with Del Rio is on the horizon if WWE doesn't royally fuck it up. What better way to get face Alberto over than against a racist even more racist than the first racist he feuded with (Show)? Granted, WWE's not going to go full-on xenophobic, but if handled correctly this "Real American" persona could push Swagger over the top. I wouldn't be surprised if they replaced "Get On Your Knees" with Hogan's old theme...well, at least to fuck with the crowd for one night only.
However, Mantell (as Coulter) could be a controversial mouthpiece for the former World Heavyweight Champion and I honestly think a successful feud with Del Rio is on the horizon if WWE doesn't royally fuck it up. What better way to get face Alberto over than against a racist even more racist than the first racist he feuded with (Show)? Granted, WWE's not going to go full-on xenophobic, but if handled correctly this "Real American" persona could push Swagger over the top. I wouldn't be surprised if they replaced "Get On Your Knees" with Hogan's old theme...well, at least to fuck with the crowd for one night only.
Of course, Swagger doesn't have nearly the look, the charisma or the mic skills Hassan did in the mid 2000's, but think of it this way:
- Both Hassan and "Real American" Swagger are disgruntled (some would say marginalized) Americans.
- Both are not afraid to voice their displeasure for being angry, "victimized" Americans.
- Both feature loudmouthed managers who can cause crowds (at least in Daivari's case) to boo with a single syllable.
- Both wrestlers have pretty good in-ring talent, though I'd say Swagger wins by a landslide in that department.
Unfortunately, we all know Hassan's gimmick was cut short long before it could truly lead to a main event push. WWE made the wrong choices at the wrong time and the fans were robbed of someone who could have been one of the WWE's top heels regardless of his age, experience or in-ring ability. Thankfully, I was able to watch his final match against Taker at the Great American Bash in person. Even after all this time I find myself thinking about what could have been had WWE not mismanaged Hassan's character in the wake of the London bombings.
WWE has another chance to truly break new ground and play on current events in a way they haven't done since Hassan's run. Unfortunately, I have a good feeling they're either going to mess it up, say something that angers their sponsors or ruin Swagger's dwindling credibility.
I hope it succeeds. It's about time WWE had an edgy super-heel not named CM Punk. Of course, Swagger's not going to outshine Punk in the promo department anytime soon, but I have a good feeling Dirty Dutch, Uncle Zeb or whoever you want to call him has the potential to turn him into a bonafide ignoramus.
I hope it succeeds. It's about time WWE had an edgy super-heel not named CM Punk. Of course, Swagger's not going to outshine Punk in the promo department anytime soon, but I have a good feeling Dirty Dutch, Uncle Zeb or whoever you want to call him has the potential to turn him into a bonafide ignoramus.
Let's just hope it doesn't come at the cost of a Conway Pop.
