Thumbs Up/Thumbs Down to the WWF

The WWF continues to dominate the wrestling business in all aspects. Here is a list of what is working and areas for improvement.

Thumbs Up

+ RTC. I realize I’m probably in the minority on this one, but I enjoy the right to censor group. The WWF has finally found a way to utilize the talents of Steven Richards. Ivory has been the perfect female addition to the group.

+ Edge and Christian. There is talk that the WWF wants to split up this dynamic duo to push Edge as a single’s star. Edge and Christian is a strong tag team in the ring, and comic relief out.

+ Smackdown! The WWF creative department has recently focused on making UPN’s Smackdown! an equal “A” show along with “Raw Is War.” The quality of the show has improved, and the ratings have reflected the upgrade.

+ Trish Stratus. She is a natural beauty and has been training in Toronto to deliver and accept in ring bumps. Stratus has improved enough that the company is comfortable enough putting her in matches. I would personally move her away from managing T&A, which seems to minimize her star power. Positioned correctly, Trish has the look to become the next Sable.

+ William Regal. While I don’t agree with Jim Ross’s assessment that Regal is a future main eventer, I am impressed with Regal’s dedication to getting his life back on track. The persona he portrays is ideal for his demeanor.

Thumbs Down

- Test. One year to date, Andrew Martin was involved with Vince and Linda McMahon’s daughter Stephanie. The angle, regardless of how it ultimately turned out, should have propelled Martin to the top of the promotion. It is obvious that Martin has passed the test, and deserves a push.

- The Austin/Hit and Run Angle. The WWF opted to keep Triple H in the center of attention rather than using the angle to evaluate someone such as Jericho, Beniot, or even Test.

- Sunday Night HeAT. The new MTV version of the show simply is not hip, and does nothing to promote the wrestling product. The show has been a shell of itself since the company started producing Smackdown, demoting the program to a “C” show.

- Radicals Reunion. The Radicals angle was originally just a way to debut Beniot, Malenko, Saturn, and Guerrero on WWF television. The WWF creative department decided to reform the group after running out of ideas for Saturn and Malenko. Beniot’s push to elite status has again been halted.

- Kane. It is obvious to this observer that Kane should be a babyface. The WWF has quite simply turned his character too many times with no apparent direction. I also prefer the muted Kane, which added an element of mystic to the charter.

Tidbits: Reports indicate that Hulk Hogan’s contract expires in March 2001 … ECW superstar Rob Van Dam has filed for a breach of contract, meaning he could end up a total free agent … Valet Torrie Wilson earns a reported $250,000 annually, which is ruffling a lot of feathers in the WCW locker room.

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