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Gary's Grumblings- Can Danielson and McGuiness cut it in the WWE
Date Added: September 10, 2009
Story By: Gary Bishir
If you want to see the future of the WWE I would suggest going to a Ring of Honor Show.
CM Punk, Evan Bourne, Jamie Noble, and Brian Kendrick all hit the independent scene with ROH before making it big with World Wrestling Entertainment. And here’s a big surprise, the WWE’s newest signees are both ROH superstars; Bryan Danielson and Nigel McGuiness.
In the last five years the most distinct path to a WWE contract is going through the Ring of Honor. In that timeframe the WWE has signed roughly fifteen ROH stars to either WWE or developmental contracts. And this doesn’t even include the ROH wrestlers who have garnered success in TNA (Samoa Joe, AJ Styles, Jay Lethal, etc…). It is becoming very clear that ROH is a trampoline of sorts to a major promotion. But just because a ROH wrestler inks with the WWE doesn’t always equate to success and fame. ROH star, Colt Cabana was signed to a WWE contract and within a year he was called up to the main roster. His future seemed to be very bright but once he appeared on television, writers and producers were not happy with his work. He spent several months as a goofy jobber named Scotty Goldman before being released. Ace Steele and Silas Young also made the jump to the WWE but were let go from the company while still in Ohio Valley Wrestling.
The question I am begging is, will Danielson and McGuiness be the next CM Punk or will they be the next jobber getting their brains bashed in on Friday nights.
Bryan Danielson’s fans call him the best wrestler in the World and it only makes sense that now he belongs to the best wrestling company in the World. In the PWI 500, Danielson has cracked the top 25 in the last four years and has been named the most outstanding wrestler by the Wrestling Observer for three years running . Danielson has been with the WWE before. He was in WWE’s Memphis Championship Wrestling and had several matches on Velocity and Heat. His most notable WWE match was on Velocity against John Cena in 2003 (It is quite good, it’s on Youtube. I recommend that you watch it). Danielson’s intense repertoire of brawling, high flying, and technical wrestling has the wrestling world buzzing. Name any wrestling move and he can probably do it. And do it well.
But his critics are saying that he is too small and his wrestling style won’t fit with the WWE’s approach. Those harsh words sound awfully familiar to the remarks that CM Punk first got when he first signed with the company four years ago. Now Punk is a three time World champion even though many predicted that Punk’s tenure in the WWE wouldn’t last over a year.
Now onto Nigel.
Nigel McGuiness is best described as a rich man’s William Regal. Nigel can brawl, he can talk, and he has what many would consider the “WWE look”. The British brawler was ranked by Pro wrestling Illustrated as the seventh best wrestler in 2009. McGuiness’ wrestling ability is not on par with Danielson’s but Nigel is a more well rounded wrestler. With his current British snob gimmick, he makes an excellent heel. Even though his wrestling isn’t flashy, he has the ability to work a great match.
The Bottom Line.
Danielson is a better wrestler than the majority of the WWE roster. At first glance he doesn’t look like a wrestler. You might guess that he is a banker but you wouldn’t guess that he is the pro wrestling juggernaut that he is. Despite some knocks on Danielson’s size and appearance, I think the Washington native will be fine. He is a very knowledgeable wrestler, he will adapt his style and fans will be captured by his ability.
Nigel already has a polished gimmick. The man could easily be put on TV within weeks of joining the company. Danielson is a cult hero on the independent scene but I see McGuiness having more success right away.
Both wrestlers are capable of entertaining. I think Danielson has a good chance to turn out like CM Punk. Danielson is a versatile wrestler that has a lot of range. His mic skills and charisma are a lot better than people give him credit for.
Nigel has the potential of being a big time heel. His gimmick and look alone, will take him far.
