Josh Isenberg is on the Chair Shot Reality only on Wrestlezone!
NOT going to be Ted DiBiase. There are many fans, critics, and professional journalists that like to stress their frustration on young talent not being utilized like Ted, but it is not their fault. Monday Night Raw consists of roughly one hour and twenty minutes of entertainment, and there is little room for someone to make an impact so quickly. Ted has had opportunities, maybe not enough exposure as a maturing and dominant heel, but he is never going to become Randy Orton, even though the comparisons are eerie.
The look, the skill set are reminiscent of one another. Randy’s father is a WWE Hall of Famer, and we all remember the Million Dollar Man. Randy was young and needed much exposure with a veteran, and was blessed with two, one being Ric Flair, who, in my opinion, was arguably the best all around superstar in professional wrestling history. He began to learn from HHH and Flair at the same time, and ultimately led to his first critical feud with Chris Benoit. After becoming the youngest World Heavyweight Champion at age 24 after a victory at SummerSlam, it was time. The time came for him to sink or swim in the WWE pool. He was able to swim because he adapted to what was asked of him, from a heel to a face, and back to a heel. Randy became incredibly hot as a heel, his mentality made him become a popular fan favorite among the 18-39 male, as well as anti-Cena fans. He took every change in time, ran with it, toned his in-ring ability and character, and created stories inside the ropes. Randy has been able to create a story inside the ring, more than outside. Can you remember a memorable quote, or a memorable interview like you can with other greats in this business? He has not needed a catchphrase to get over with the crowd, or even speak at times. He is closely in a league of his own, but don’t get me wrong, he is not as popular or has cultivated the wrestling world like Flair, Hogan, Austin, and Cena.
Ted was blessed with someone who learned from the best, and yes, you guess it, Randy Orton. Combined with a strong heel stable, and much needed fan hatred, Orton and Ted were able to feed off someone else’s success to make their own. The problem with Ted has many facets to it. After separating from WrestleMania 26 as a single’s competitor, he did not have a standout quality to immediately propel himself into an intriguing character that needed to be seen every Monday night on the USA Network. It is hard to tell what is missing with him, but maybe he is just too bland? Have you ever thought it is his fault that he is not in the position to succeed, and more likely buried? If he was not related to a WWE Hall of Famer, wouldn’t he be looking for work elsewhere? All of these “what if” questions are thought of, but never fully comprehended with fans.
Young superstars need to stand out to get a chance, and with that chance, they need to take it and make the most of it. I don’t think Ted realizes how lucky he is he still has a job. Sheamus got the chance, and didn’t get it with someone like Orton or Legacy; he got his chance with Jamie Noble. He got his chance because he has a specific look that is unique. A cartoon character on steroids, maybe, but he still has a look nobody else does. Wade Barrett was head and shoulders more complete than everyone else in NXT Season One, excluding Daniel Bryan. With leading Nexus, he was exposed and never disappointed, when others were brushed away, like Darren Young and Michael Tarver. He is closer to being a world champion because of the opportunity, and capitalizing on the opportunity. DiBiase had the same chance with Legacy, feuded with Shawn Michaels and HHH, and was in the same spotlight as Sheamus and Barrett. The difference is his personality did not entice the crowd, and did not draw a reaction.
Hopefully, he will get a chance to prove his worth, but can he carry a feud? No. Ted will have to continue to lean on someone else to be carried into the spotlight. And that is unfortunate for the “Fortunate Son.”
Email thoughts and comments to chairshotreality@yahoo.com and check out the latest installment of CSR only on Wrestlezone. As always, Josh Isenberg, over.
