I'm perfectly happy to be stuck with Henry for two more years. Hell, he was the second biggest heel on Raw to Evolution before his latest injury. Pair him back up with Theodore Long and let the big man work his magic in the ring.
Originally posted by knightvibeRico is surprising. Meltzer is reporting that there are at least 2 more cuts to come. I think WWE is trimming payroll and getting rid of people they have no plans for. Probably a smart move. Maybe TNA will capitilize on this. They just introduced 3 more stars this monday on RAW and I'm sure Matt Morgan & Matt Capotelli aren't too far behind. So I don't see them ending the split. None of the people cut really made them any money so I can see the reason for the roster trimming.
I'd put money on Matt Morgan being back on the Smackdown roster after Survivor Series. I think they're pretty high on him.
Two more to go. I gotta think its to two japanese guys on Smackdown. Scotty 2 Hotty could go as well. Man, its gotta suck to be a midcarder right now in the WWE.
The way things are going, I wouldnt be shocked to see some message saying they wish Linda McMahon good luck in her future endeavors :)
Rico!?!?!?! Nooooooo! That really doesn't even make sense. At least the rest of the cut list (for reasons right or wrong) either were off TV altogether or didn't really have much going on. Rico has had a fairly high-visibility program, & is quite popular with the crowd. I'm not a happy girl.
(Is it too early to submit my nomination for 2005's "Most Disappointing News Item" & "Worst Promotional Move"?)
I was quite shocked about Gail Kim being released (I thought she was doing alright, and I have this thing for asian women) and was very surprised to see Rico gone.
BUT in a way it makes sense. If you are only using 4 women, and mostly for sorta-fluff story lines then you might as well let the others go. If you need them again in a year they'll be back..
If you are in a down period of the business why not cut the guys that have been around for 4-5 years (in various incarnations) and haven't really set the world on fire.. In the mean time keep the bigger names around, and slowly rebuild your company. That is a good way of doing it. Too bad we just don't happen to like the hosses they are trying out right now but it does make sense!
"In what may not be a good sign for Hurricane fans, several readers pointed out that he was removed from WWE.com's Raw roster page. Obviously, we'll know soon enough whether this was an error or if he's the latest victim of WWE's cuts.
One source indicated there may be as many as another 4-5 more cuts to the main roster and possibly even several developmental talents dropped as well. Obviously, the morale of the wrestlers is going to be in the toilet this weekend on the road. "
Hurricane's merchandise sells pretty well, so I don't see why they would dump him... plus he's still an over wrestler (something that, in all fairness, could not be said about some of the other released superstars), so hopefully it's just an error. Otherwise, this bizarre week gets even stranger.
Probably the biggest reason they cut Rico was his age. Don't forget, the man was like 45. Even though he was in tremendous physical shape (I wish I was going to look that good at 45), the company probably didn't see much upside for a guy who was probably never going to get past the midcard who could be forced into retirement at any moment.
Originally posted by Tenken347Probably the biggest reason they cut Rico was his age. Don't forget, the man was like 45. Even though he was in tremendous physical shape (I wish I was going to look that good at 45), the company probably didn't see much upside for a guy who was probably never going to get past the midcard who could be forced into retirement at any moment.
Wow ... I knew he was older, but I didn't realize he was that old (not that 45 is ancient) ... If that is the case, I agree with Tenken in that there probably wasn't much upside left in Rico. He had a nice run with the company.
Originally posted by Tenken347Probably the biggest reason they cut Rico was his age. Don't forget, the man was like 45. Even though he was in tremendous physical shape (I wish I was going to look that good at 45), the company probably didn't see much upside for a guy who was probably never going to get past the midcard who could be forced into retirement at any moment.
Age doesn't mean anything, it seems. Flair's older and can still go. Hogan has been known to pull a good match together, and he's older.
If they want to get rid of someone, get rid of Hardcore Holly.
Plus, they really didn't give Rico much chance of getting out of the midcard, outside of a few sweet tag title championship reigns.
Originally posted by Tenken347Probably the biggest reason they cut Rico was his age. Don't forget, the man was like 45. Even though he was in tremendous physical shape (I wish I was going to look that good at 45), the company probably didn't see much upside for a guy who was probably never going to get past the midcard who could be forced into retirement at any moment.
Age doesn't mean anything, it seems. Flair's older and can still go. Hogan has been known to pull a good match together, and he's older.
If they want to get rid of someone, get rid of Hardcore Holly.
You're missing the point, or just choosing to ignore it. No one would take Flair now if he were a new wrestler. Same with Hogan. They're there for name-recognition. I'm not saying that Flair can't wrestle; I'm saying that his wrestling ability at this point in his life is probably not why he's in the WWE.
I agree with SOK. If anyone should have been on the chopping block, it should be Hardcore Holly. Personally, I still find Flair entertaining going toe-to-toe with the younger guys. He's still believable. I had no idea Rico was that old, but he was my favorite wrestler on the Smackdown roster. Even if he wasn't able to pull active wrestling duty, why not just put him back in a position as a "stylist" or even in the role of a co-Commissioner with Teddy Long. I like Teddy as the Comish, but that would have been even better.
I'm going to miss Rico and his best spin kick and back kick in the business. He could have taught Heidenreich a few things on how to do some "from behind" manuevers with style.
The thing with Flair is you can still use him and his ego right now is not as bad as Hogan's. Hogan still believes he can be a champ, but Flair I think has realized he can't be anymore. Flair still puts on great matches too. If I had a choice between Flair and anyone on that list of cuts, I'd still take Flair. He has a great legacy, he can cut amazing promos, has charisma, the fans love him and he can still go. The rest of the talent has one or a handfull of those qualities, Flair is the complete package even at his age.
I did hear rumors, Hurricane/Rosey or Val will be cut. I have no problem with Val, because I know he can find work. Hurricane/Rosey are one of a few tag teams left. I think it would be a mistake cutting them. I'd rather see JBL cut or Hardcore, but that probably won't happen.
"All faith reguires is giving into the possibility of hope."
Y'know, with all this going on, Lance Storm is probably sitting at OVW and realizing what a lucky move it was for him.
I think he's great, but I could just see his name popping up on a list like this if he wasn't already working for WWE in another capacity.
I wonder if Davis and Cornette will looking into bringing a couple of these guys back as trainers? Cornette always gushed about Rico being his "go-to guy" when a match fell through and they needed to fill the card. That kind of improvisational talent shouldn't go to waste.
Originally posted by SnookumY'know, with all this going on, Lance Storm is probably sitting at OVW and realizing what a lucky move it was for him.
I think he's great, but I could just see his name popping up on a list like this if he wasn't already working for WWE in another capacity.
I wonder if Davis and Cornette will looking into bringing a couple of these guys back as trainers? Cornette always gushed about Rico being his "go-to guy" when a match fell through and they needed to fill the card. That kind of improvisational talent shouldn't go to waste.
I can't help but think this is a case of holding a guy's gimmick against his value as a performer. He's worked his ass off to sell the stylist gimmick, and he's gotten himself over as a hated heel and recently a cheerful face. He's shown he can work with a variety of styles, sell moves, regularly work in recognizable moves to involve the crowd and work the mic. He's stood out as respectable despite his cartoonish character, and deserves more than being cut.
"To be the man, you gotta beat demands." -- The Lovely Mrs. Tracker
And now my tribute to the WWE Talent that's been let go.
Another one gets the cut *sung to the tune of "Another one bites the dust"*
It's quiet in the arena now Some spirits are way down low When Brisco says out to the gang "He's letting some of you go"
Are you ready, Are you ready for this Are you hanging on the edge of your seat He thinks there's too many employed It's time to trim the meat
Another one gets the cut Another one gets the cut And another one gone, and another one gone Another one gets the cut Hey, Vince is firing you Another one gets the cut
BOOO to Rico being cut. Ever since he played "Shave & A Haircut" on Rob Conway's ass on Raw in tribute to Jack Tunney the day after he died, I've been a fan.
Seconding the hatred of the Rico cut. The man was a bonafied talent. As the heel manager of Billy & Chuck, the man brought those two more heat than either of them could have managed on their own. And his work on Smackdown was one of the highlights of the show.
Thread ahead: Roddy Piper becomes a stand up comic/commentator Next thread: Edge may be a genius. Previous thread: The Great Thomas SmackDown! Report 11/11/04 - Also, Tough Enough!
Terry Garvin (the one from WCCW, not the one from the WWF) did an AMA (Ask Me Anything) on Reddit last night that I found quite interesting. It's nice to hear from an old timer who isn't bitter and isn't trying to sell themselves.