You need actors in the main event, workers in the midcard. It's worked that way ever since 1984. WrestleMania III had Steamboat/Savage, but at the same time it had Hogan/Andre drawing the viewers.
That said, when someone does develop a good in-ring style, there is a very good chance - especially in today's WWE - that they're going to stay midcarders. What should come first and foremost, is attention to character. Anyone can become a good worker with enough dedication. What they should be looking for his charisma and acting talent. I have yet to see Orton really impress me with that.
We're talking about two different beasts here, and Orton isn't ready in either respect. Orton is unproven, both in the ring and on the mic. He's had his brief flashes, though.
Yes, Randy Orton isn't ready for the main event yet in any way, shape, or form. But, if WWE is going to try to make him a main eventer - and again, this is based on a loose rumor - then good ringwork isn't what he needs to get the job done.
If his acting ability improves before his working ability, I say screw the working ability. That's not what will make him successful. Unless he wants to remain a midcarder for the rest of his life.
Didn't seem to factor in much when he put HHH over Austin and Rock in their prime.
He was just trying to make another megastar, unfortunately he created a monster ...
Wow... that’s the first time I’ve ever seen anyone gripe about HHH going over Rock, or HHH going Austin. Considering that the HHH/Rock feud took place when those two were putting out four-star matches on a top-drawing feud that spanned over half a year (where, if anyone was being blasted by the internet, it was the Rock for being a babyface when everyone online wanted to see him as a heel), and the HHH/Austin 2-out-of-3-falls match was considered to be the MOTY that year, is this just some sort of new revisionist history by the HHHaters that dictates that nothing HHH has ever done has been worth watching?
Back to the discussion on hand: the only thing that I’ve seen of Orton that would brand him as ready for the main event is the fact that he came in as part of the same OVW class as Brock Lesnar and John Cena.
Thread ahead: your WWE SMACKDOWN WORKRATE REPORT- 9/4/2003! Next thread: Quick summary of Mick Foley's Off The Record appearance Previous thread: Velocity - 09.06.2003
Thanks to A1Wrestling.com for pointing this out: Thanks to beating Rob Van Dam on RAW this past Monday, Chris Jericho becomes the second man to ever win the Intercontinental Championship 6 times. Tying the only other man to do it, Jeff Jarrett.