Hi guys. I decided to merge two mini columns today to give you something lengthy to read. I hate column boards filled with 2 paragraph fluff articles.Paul Burchill - The Next King of Wrestling?
The British are no strangers to royalty, but does the UK's own Paul Burchill have what it takes to become the King of Kings in the WWE?
Although he may not seem familiar to everybody, Paul Burchill has already graced the main WWE roster twice in his career. In 2005 he was called up from the now defunct OVW development territory to the Smackdown brand, where he teamed with William Regal as an evil English grappler. Although impressive in the ring, his character lacked depth and by the end of the year he was back in development waiting for re-characterization.
In true WWE fashion, the creative team put their many heads together and felt it would be best for business if Paul Burchill became a pirate. Now there is an obvious thought pattern behind this move, mainly the popularity of The Pirates of the Caribbean movies, but those movies were set on a boat, not WWE Smackdown. Despite being lumbered with a "career killer," (a gimmick that is so ridiculous, you can never escape it - aka Eugene), Burchill worked through it and came across as quite entertaining in his promos. Ironically, what many think would have jeopardised Burchill's career, ended up saving him from walking the plank as he took time out to have knee surgery and Captain Jack was forgotten, along with his wench William Regal, who has now gone on to be Raw GM.
A common theme among great Indy workers and WWE involves any credibility they have being thrown out of the window, often having to change their style and character to fit what WWE's Vince cloned Hollywood writers have come up with. Prior to signing with WWE, Burchill was a standout star in the UK scene. He was big and rugged, but could do amazing athletic moves like standing shooting star presses and being able to see his early FWA work was a pleasure. When it was revealed in 2007 that Burchill was planning to return to the main roster after dominating OVW I felt like abandoning ship, feeling sure that they would give him an equally embarrassing character. There were rumors that he may work a "ripper" gimmick where he'd go back to being a ruthless fighter, which had me intrigued again.
Then what happened. Incest! Yes I said incest. It half makes you want to throw up, but continue to watch like a car wreck. About a month ago Paul Burchill and Katie Lea began working on a strange gimmick where the two were siblings, but Katie would get off on seeing her brother destroy other wrestlers. It has since debuted on Raw.
I don't know what it is, but there is something within Vince McMahon that makes him create and/or approve some of the weirdest and twisted angles imaginable. Many just tasteless. Katie Vick? Mae Young's baby hand? Mae young in general? Cooking a live dog then feeding it to Al Snow? Sleeping with everyone? Nearly being the father of his daughter's baby (Steph rejected the idea). Having a ten bell salute for his own death? I could be here all day. I can't put my finger on it (yuck) but Vince has some strange perversion for repulsive shock value.
Despite the angle, Paul Burchill has put on a great performance already and I am filthfully entertained by it all. I must say I did love the movie Cruel Intentions. The true test will be to see if they actually go all the way and some how "christen" the storyline. I hope not.
So what's beyond inter family relations for the monster that is Burchill? The top spot I hope. Burchill has the right look (maybe a little too Triple H-esque) the right size, more than enough in ring skill and from what I have heard some basic mic talent; and this never stopped Lashley or Batista. One thing that could work for or against him is his Englishness. WWE have a tendency never to look past stereotypes, but uniqueness is what causes a breakout star.
The Rock got past Rocky Miavia.
Steve Austin got past The RingMaster
Triple H got past that snobby bloke.
Batista got past being Devon's church buddy.
Let's hope Burchill gets past ruthless British inbred pirate.
Will he ever be the King of King's? As long as Triple H is able to walk then no. But will he make it up the royal hierarchy. I jolly well hope so.
Hogan Bischoff Promotion Unlikely:
I'd just quickly like to discuss the likelihood of Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff starting a new national promotion with a top TV deal. It's pretty unlikely.
There have been rumors of this happening every year, around this time and the reason for that, is Hogan is trying to get a Wrestlemania deal. He sends word that he's about to "take on WWE" in hope that Vince gets scared and gives him a Wrestlemania appearance. Now Vince is not stupid, he knows it is highly unlikely that Hogan could pull this off, but it's better to have Hogan on board than off bad mouthing and challenging the company.
Bischoff and Hogan obviously have connections in the TV Industry, but it's not as though they can walk in off the street and get a top deal on a top network. To get a TV deal you need tapes to show the big wigs, examples and a business plan. Did we hear of a Hulk Hogan TV taping?
Where's the money? Hogan is rich but making a wrestling TV show with top quality production values and top talent needs BIG money. It took TNA years to get where they are.
If Hogan has anything lined up it will either be some kind of Legends tour or an Indy promotion with syndication. Although I hope that I'm proved wrong because anything of this nature is quite exciting.
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