Swagger. There are many definitions of the word. Verbally, it means to walk with a bold, arrogant, or loudly stride. In other words, it's strutting. It also means to boast, brag, or show off in a loud, superior manner. As a noun, it sort of means having an air of overconfidence, arrogance, and cockiness. Now-a-days, it's just one of the many words in the English language that people wouldn't give two thoughts about, if it had not become a buzz word popularized by celebrities.
In the world of wrestling, there have been many wrestlers who have had quite a swagger to them. Most of these wrestlers were heels, because an honorable wrestler would never be so cocky. As time has passed, wrestlers with swagger were not relegated to just being heels, as faces with swagger started coming out of the woodwork. Either that, or, heels with that much confidence became the objects of the fan's desire. When it comes to a wrestler with incomparable swagger, many names come to mind: Harley Race, Mr. Perfect, "Superstar" Billy Graham, "Million Dollar Man" Ted Dibiase, Randy Orton, Rob Van Dam, Triple H, Shawn Michaels, Edge, and the king of wrestling swagger himself: "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair. These guys have had their best matches as they brimmed with confidence, to the point where it was so darn annoying. Now, another wrestler has come onto the scene, brimming with confidence, and he's in ECW. His name is Jack Swagger. With a name like that, you'd be hard pressed to think that he didn't ooze with confidence. You'd also be hard pressed to think that he might not have the makings of being the crown jewel in the ECW superstar initiative. But, who is Jack Swagger, really?
First off, his true name is Jake Hager. The story about Hager is that he was recruited to the University of Oklahoma as a two-sport athlete, playing as a defensive tackle in football and a heavyweight wrestler. In 2006, as an All-American wrestler, he set the single season record of 30 pins/victories in a row. After this, he reported to WWE and its farm systems, where he spent 2 years developing into a star for one of the main shows. He would win major matches their for an amount of time with his amazing ability. The rest is history. Now, this story is abridged, so feel free to check on its validity. In the end, that's how he maintained the moniker, "The All-American American". He's a red-blooded American wrestler who is an All-American as an athlete.
So, that's who he is in a nutshell. He's a big man, about 6'6" with a wrestling prowess that some people wish they had, and an ego the size of his homestate of Oklahoma, maybe larger. Every week, he comes out putting on an impressive showing in the ring against other superstars on ECW. Not to mention the fact that he's undefeated. Why is he the crown jewel in the superstar initiative: he's just what the WWE is looking for. The WWE will always perennially be a big man's organization. Big wrestlers will always have a place in the heart of Vince McMahon, no doubt. He loves watching big, powerful men run over their opponents. Jack Swagger is a big man, who can wrestle, and has moderate to good mic skills. Not to steal a phrase, but he's the total package of what an upcoming wrestler should be. He's "the next big thing" in pro wrestling.
Now, here's why this is a crucial time for the WWE. They have already lost two other big men who could wrestle excellently. Bobby Lashley had an impressive set of tools that he could use as accolades for his wrestling future. However, it took some backstage politics to chase him out of the WWE and a malaise for the wrestling industry as well. Meanwhile, Brock Lesnar had the same credentials as both, and only stayed until 2004. He was given the impression that he had done just about everything there is to do in wrestling. So, why not move on? In short, Lesnar was pushed to the moon rather early, costing the WWE a top talent for the future. If the swagger of Jack Swagger has to stay alive, the WWE has to make sure they do not give him the impression that leaving is appropriate. He has to be tested with decent challenges and pushed moderately. On the other side of the coin, Swagger can't get ahead of himself and should keep himself in the best graces of anyone backstage. It's great that Swagger is tops as a wrestler, but one wrong word and he's finished, but good.
For once ECW has some swagger: Jack Swagger. For it to stay, the necessary precautions have to be made and considered as to whether or not Jack is or isn't leaning towards departure. If he stays, the WWE will once again have a complete package they can utilize for the future as a top talent like know other, with title shots coming left and right. Now, that's something to smile about, eh, Jack?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
Its interesting that you seem more excited about Swagger than you do about Ricky Ortiz. They are of comparable size and both have some "fun and innovative" moves on offense. Is Swagger's amateur background really what is so tantalizing, or is it the fact that he is being pushed as a heel?
It is Swagger's amateur background, but it is also the heel part as well. As a heel, a wrestler can get to show his or her prowess as a wrestler by taking control of the match with various moves, since the face doesn't really show his stuff unless it's early on in the match and later near the end. Also, I'll say this now and I'll stick with it: anyone with a great amateur training is #1 in my book. If you look at wrestlers like The Iron Sheik, Bob Backlund, Bret and Owen Hart, Kurt Angle, and so on, they can execute moves with precision and grace the likes of which the most jaded rookies could only dream. Sadly, the only well-executed move I've seen Ortiz do is the Emerald Fusion or Emerald Frosion. The Big O is about as poignant as the 5-knuckle shuffle to me. With Swagger, you can have another Lesnar, Lashley, or Angle in the works, and maybe even Mr. Perfect as they are patterning him to be so. With Ortiz, I'm starting to get a Cena-like vibe from him. Plus, all he's done was lift and play football. I will admit this: he's pretty agile and quick, which is a plus. I just hope there's more to him for later.
Post a Comment