I'm starting to notice a pattern with WWE. It's a pattern I've seen before: tons of talent, not used in an obvious or logical way.
I just got done watching RAW. Alberto Del Rio was on commentary with Zeb Colter during what was arguably the best match of the night, a three-way tag match with Cena and the Rhodes Brothers vs. Damien Sandow and the Real Americans. Never mind for the moment the fact that Cena is not main eventing the night. Never mind the fact that the Real Americans are losing matches. The tag team scene in WWE is at its hottest, and now is the time for them to strike and get some good bids out of it.
What we have here...are factions.
The Real Americans are a tag team of two guys that WWE had nothing better for. And honestly, Swagger is floundering in the team. Cesaro is the real star. But it's helped both guys get TV time they might not have otherwise. I say that's best for business, certainly. But what about all of the other great talent WWE has waiting in the wings, either constantly in the gym or hanging out around the catering table? There is an opportunity to do the same with a lot of them. I'm not suggesting they make every jobber pair a tag team, but there are some that are natural fits where there could be something done. For the others, the division simply needs to be refined, and Smackdown is the key to that.
Let's start with factions. "The Authority" is a faction. "Paul Heyman Guys" is a pseudo-faction (although there are only two guys in it at present, one of which isn't a full-time employee). If played right, Alberto Del Rio could easily create a faction of his own. I have no idea what to call it. But look at where he is now: He's calling everyone "gringos", which is a slang way of describing white people - if you were a black man and called someone a "cracker", same basic premise. People have wanted Del Rio to get back to his flashy cars and amazing entrance, and WWE, either due to disinterest or budget restriction, won't do it. But what if Del Rio were to "hire" Hunico and Camacho as his heavies? Straight cholo thugs that do his bidding, guard him, etc? It seems WWE wants Ricardo to turn face, which is unfortunate since his destiny seems to be to announce Del Rio on the way to the ring. He would be a perfect compliment to this new Scarface-ish faction especially if they do skits and promos outside of the ring, like showing Del Rio counting money at his mansion or something.
Then there's the straight tag teams. Many may not recall that Curt Hawkins and Zack Ryder are former Tag Team Champions as The Edgeheads. Neither is doing anything as separate competitors; teaming them back up would make perfect sense given the current state of tag teams in WWE. You've also got Justin Gabriel who quite frankly was at his best as Justin Angel in FCW, but barring that, he really should be a tag team with Heath Slater as they were in Corre. Done right the WWE could really have something with Hawkins/Ryder, The Corre, and Los Matadores. Right there you've got 6 of the best talent on the roster. Throw The Rhodes Brothers in the mix, and WWE may end up making more legends than they know what to do with.
That leaves the singles guys. The Cruiserweight belt definitely needs to be brought back, period. Guys like Sin Cara, Tyson Kidd, Kofi Kingston, Justin Gabriel, Epico, Hunico, Primo, Cody, and soon to be Tyler Breeze could easily steal the show nightly by being allowed to showcase the moves that make the division shine.
Treat this as a mini-rant if you will. But I really hope WWE starts to really push the envelope somewhat. Have Smackdown be the show that has all of the exciting action. Have RAW be the show that tells the stories. Have NXT be the show where mat-based wrestling matters. Keep the three independent, cross over only when it makes sense.
