If you didn't watch last week's WWE RAW watch the youtube video below before it get's pulled. I wanna start off by saying that I think Chris Jericho has now developed one of the best heel characters the business has seen in years. No more cool heel, no more catch phrases and attempts at humor that just end up endearing you to the fans in the long run. He's just a dispicable he
el with no redeeming qualities. There are no reasons for the fans to like him other than the fact he puts on good matches. I love the suit and the scowl on his face, the low key deliberate delivery on his promos. Guys who want to be a great heel in current times should really study Jericho's recent work because it's some of the best out there and certainly the best of his career. It seems he's one of the few who finally "get's it", the heel doesn't need to get over, they just need to be hated, truly hated. People want to see him get his ass whipped. He doesn't just come off like somebody "playing the bad guy" he comes off like an evil prick who really looks down his nose at the fans. Just a phenomonal job. The closest anyone else has come to pulling this off in recent years in WWE is Edge. I don't think there's anyone in TNA whose truly over as a heel, there's too much turning back and forth. The only person who ever really had heat was Jarrett so they turned him babyface.Now let's take a look at Roddy Piper. Was Roddy Piper ever a great "worker"? By star rating standards, no. Did he often times do promos and things that were way over the top and sometimes just down right silly. Yes. However whether it's 1985, 1995, or 2009, when he wants to "Rowdy" Rod
dy Piper can deliver some of the most emotional and riveting promos of anyone in the history of the buiness. The promo above, you have to admit whether you like Piper or not that promo was heartfelt and real. It drew you in, it made you care about what was going on and even if you don't like Piper after he poured his heart out there in the ring you still had to feel disgusted at Jericho for attacking a guy whose just there cause he loves and respects the business and it's fans. In my opinion there are only a handful of guys in wrestling who are truly great promos. There are a lot of good ones, but guys like Piper, Dusty Rhodes, Jerry Lawler (in Memphis), Ric Flair, and very few others are great enough they can go out there and generate enough interest just by what they are saying to make you buy tickets or buy a pay per view to see what's gonna happen. They are able to go out there start a feud or turn one completely around just by one great promo.Yes, this whole "legends" angle has been done before (most recently and notably with Randy Orton) but I think Jericho is more effective in the 'legend killer' role than Orton. The reason these angles work is the "legends" can still hold up their end and make themselves relevant even though their best days are clearly behind them. I say they use these angles now while they can because in 2030, I don't know that the "superstars" of today will hold up quite as well when they become the "legends".
I plan to write more soon on heels and babyfaces. Who my favorites are and why. Hopefully it will spark some discussion on the board. Also Cheap Heat Radio is getting ready to start a new season. Our first show will be announced later today which is scheduled to be a discussion of IWA Deep South, but more details later today.
