In 2017, debates are won with emojis and exclamation points. However, here at WWE on Pop Culture, we’re a little retro. Instead of loud volume ad hominem attacks, we’re bringing back civil discourse. Given that it’s such a rarely used means of communication today, we thought we could practice polite debate in the world of WWE.
So with the use of logic, data, and pseudo-intellectual opinions, we’ll be attempting to figure out WWE’s most polarizing topics.
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For today, we’ll have a war of words covering WWE Cruiserweight Champion Enzo Amore and the NXT Legend and most recent addition to RAW, Asuka. Both of these Superstars have a lot to get excited about, but not without their caveats. That said, which one of these budding stars has the brighter future?
Let’s begin!
For Enzo
Jack says:
It is impossible to not have an opinion ofย Enzoย Amore. His innate ability to stay remarkable is a rare commodity in wrestling and one that will keepย WWE’sย creative team busy as long thatย Enzoย is around.
While the content ofย Amore’sย promos may be obnoxious, his charisma and comfort on theย micย are undeniable.ย Enzoย is a magnet for reaction and because of thisย WWEย has handed him his own show.
Arguments against limited ring ability are missing the point, too. Hulk Hogan used 5 rudimentary moves on his way to becomingย WWE’sย version of Jesus Christ. Whileย Enzoย won’t headline a consecutive decade ofย WrestleMania’sย like theย Hulkster, he can sprinkle a similar brand of fairy dust.ย
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Against Enzo
Ryanย says:
Enzoย Amoreย was sent to run wild on theย cruiserweightย division because he had worn out his welcome with the rest of the roster. While he can continue to be the big fish on 205 Live, that’s a much lower ceiling than whereย Asukaย figures to be headed in the women’s division. For example, the women’s title match will always be a bigger deal atย WrestleManiaย than theย cruiserweightย title.ย Amoreย will not headline the top of the men’s card likeย Asukaย will headline the top of the women’s card.
While it’s true that you don’t have to be a great in-ring performer to be a huge star (such as Hogan), you do need something special. Hogan was a bigger than life personality with an exceptional body that theย WWEย machine was behind. He had an established fan following with a big budget movie (Rocky 3) on his resume. The machine will never be behindย Amoreย in that way, and to be blunt,ย Amoreย just isn’t as special of a talent as a Hulk Hogan. He is a great talker, yes. But the business is full of guys who were great talkers who couldn’t take their game to the next level.
His greatness on the microphone is not enough to catapult him higher thanย Asukaย in theย WWE-pantheon simply because virtually everywhere else he is lacking, and his abilities don’t make up for the way he rubs the decision makers the wrong way (read: Shawnย Michaelsย could get away with being a jerk because he wasย a other-worldlyย performer in the ring). I seeย Enzoย being a big deal on 205 Live as long asย WWEย lets him, but that’s about the ceiling. Perhaps anotherย undercardย titleย runย if he really impresses the powers that be.
For Asuka
Ryan says:
The ceiling forย Asukaย within her division is significantly higher, and with the female audience growing due to projects likeย Total Divas, the women’s division can continue to become even more important.ย Asukaย can rule her division and become world champion.ย Enzoย Amoreย can not.
Asukaย is one of the most talented performers on the roster (not just the women’s division), which is obvious. She’s carried theย NXTย women’s division on her back for a year. She knows what it takes to be at the top of the card in a way thatย Amoreย does not. She is a special performer who stands out from the pack nearly instantly, thoughย WWE’sย booking didn’t do her any favors in her first two main roster matches, especially givenย WWEย planned to release Emma anyway. Havingย Asukaย not run through Emma and instead portray their matches asย hard foughtย contestsย is even moreย head scratching now.
Even so, all is not lost.ย Asukaย can still one day be the face of the women’s division. If she’s not, it’s entirely onย WWE’sย booking. They just need to let her do her thing. The brass ring is still there for her to grasp.
Against Asuka
Jack says:
One of the dirtiest secrets inย WWEย is thatย NXTย call-ups tend to flop on the main roster. Whileย Enzoย is certainly anย NXTย graduate, the days of being Big Cass’ mouthy elf are long gone.
Neville,ย Samiย Zayn, Bo Dallas,ย Cesaro,ย Shinsukeย Nakamura, Finnย Balor, andย Baley, represent just a sample ofย NXTย alum who have yet to find lasting success as solo stars inย WWE. While there are examples like Kevin Owens who have been tremendous, he looks to be the exception that proves the rule.
While theย NXTย Curse is still a working theory, the fact thatย Asukaย is the strong, silent type is what legitimately dampens the chances of her success. Theย NXT-ersย who have carved out a permanent spot inย WWEย (Owens, Bliss, Rollins, Ambrose, and of course,ย Amore) can all cut above average promos. The microphone is whereย WWEย makes their money and without the help of say, Paulย Heyman,ย Asukaย is going to have a tough time staying relevant.
