The new "Ask the Specialists" Roundtable is the latest spin-off from the "Ask the Torch" feature. CSI led to CSI: New York and CSI: Miami, which is where you'll find the Specialists tackling a daily topic submitted by PWTorch readers to askpwtorch@gmail.com.

Ask the Specialists Roundtable #15

- Question from PWTorch reader Aaron: Where does WWE see Alberto Del Rio at this point? Is he considered an upper-card guy not quite at the level of Randy Orton, John Cena, and Daniel Bryan (who Del Rio faced on Raw)? Or, do they see him as more of a mid-card guy? He seems to have really gone downhill since he last lost the World Title. Have they somewhat given up on him after the failed babyface turn and trying to get him to be the next Mexican market star like Rey Mysterio? And, did the too quick turn from heel to face back to heel again hurt him too much?

- "Hits & Misses" Jon Mezzera responds: I suspect that at this point they want him in the mid-card. He isn't only below Orton and Batista on the heel side of things, but also below Cesaro and maybe even Bad News Barrett, too. I think this is temporary. I don't know that he'll ever get another main event run, but I would expect him to get raised to the upper mid-card and even the upper card from time to time.

I do think that if there was still a brand split (or even a semi-brand split) with separate titles, he would be on Smackdown and would likely be one of the top heels fighting over the World Title on that brand, with Evolution on Raw. I think the quick turns from heel to face to heel also did hurt him, but he is at least cast correctly as a heel now.

- "Mr. PPV" Nathan Kyght responds: Well, I certainly don't think the rapid babyface-heel turns helped any. In terms of where he sits on the card in the company's eyes? I'd say they're certainly cool on him right now. His character is in need of an overhaul of some kind, as I don't think he has been booked in a fashion that makes the crowd see him as a credible threat on the World Title level. Also, I don't think anyone is clamoring for a Del Rio vs. Daniel Bryan program this summer. (It seems WWE took care of that on Raw.)

As with most characters, a few tweaks and a winning streak can get them over with the crowd again, but for now he certainly seems to be treading water. As for him "replacing" Mysterio as a Mexican star, I get what WWE was thinking, but surely they know that telling the crowd how to react (remember how pandering the babyface Del Rio's promos were?) is a quick way to get a guy the wrong kind of heat. The fastest way to get boos at a wrestling show would be to hold up a sign that says "applaud."

- "Falls Count Anywhere" Tony Donofrio (@TonyDonofrio) responds: I would think at this point that Del Rio is an upper middle-card guy. With there being only one World champion in WWE now, you'll never see him get another title run. Where this puts WWE is that they now need to seriously put more effort behind the mid-card titles. I pine for the days of the Intercontinental Title and European Title. During the late '90s, both titles meant something and always had meaningful feuds around them. Guys like Del Rio, Sheamus, Wade Barrett, etc. should be pushed in a manner to help re-build a strong mid-card. If that can happen, you could then start to rebuild meaningful lower mid-card wrestlers. However, the first step would be good enough for me at this point.

- "Common Fan" Jimmy Eaton (@TheCommonFan) responds: I think WWE sees Del Rio as a capable guy in the ring with solid ability, just not a long-term main event player. He may be used as someone to fill in from time to time or to help elevate other talent, but will never be the "guy" compared to other talent they have. The babyface turn definitely was not a help and really derailed any momentum he had.

I don't think they're looking for him to be next Mysterio since he's currently a heel and isn't a big merchandise mover, but it's not impossible for him to at least improve his status somewhat. It's very difficult to predict with only so many spots open at the top. Mid-card guy is definitely the best way I think to describe him at this point in his career. I don't hate his work, but he usually has to be with someone who can carry him a bit in terms of main event level matches. Thanks for the question.

- "Mr. TV" Justin James (@Justin_M_James) responds: Del Rio is in the same spot as Sheamus or Big Show, an upper mid-card character who can carry a main event on Raw, lend some prestige to a secondary title (e.g. Sheamus on Raw), or get beaten by a top-tier person at a PPV to give that person some credibility. Have they given up on him? I am sure that the rumors that he would only be around for a few years, save his money, and head out have not helped his cause much. The failed babyface run did not do him any favors, either, though the case could be made that he did the best he could with what he had. It felt that Del Rio had slipped a bit when they stopped giving him the car every week, it told me that they did not want to invest real money into him any longer.

I don't think Del Rio has "gone downhill" so much as that the lazy writing and booking has made him so one-dimensional that prolonged exposure at the top wore audiences out. But, this is a common problem in WWE's mid-card right now and is hardly unique to Del Rio.

- "Showstopper" Shawn Valentino responds: Thanks for your question, Aaron. It is hard to tell where WWE sees Alberto Del Rio's character right now. The ill-fated face turn definitely set his career back a few years. It was unbelievably awful judgement, especially since it happened with basically no build or logic, and his character is a natural heel. Additionally, it did not help when that goof John Cena was undercutting his character by calling his luxury cars rentals. The awfully written "Born in Mexico, made in America" catchphrase was a complete flop as well.

Despite the pratfalls, I believe Del Rio will continue to transition between the upper mid-card and the main event. He is one of the best natural villains on the roster, and as long as they book him properly, he can be rebuilt up to the main event. There is no second World Championship so that is one of the reasons he has gone down the card. I think Del Rio has a great look, charisma, and he is one of the few naturally cool wrestlers on the roster so he should continue as an important player on the show.

***

[ FYI: The specialists consist of a mix of current PWTorch contributors providing their opinion on today's wrestling scene and modern wrestling history questions, including Shawn Valentino, Michael Moore, Ben Tucker, Jon Mezzera, Justin James, Brian Leahy, Jimmy Eaton, Nathan Kyght, Tony Donofrio, and Mike Roe. ]

[Torch art credit Travis Beaven (c) PWTorch.com]

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