The "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 #42

- Question from PWTorch reader Chad Gelfand: I loved the MITB match and thought all of the wrestlers did a great job, but I couldn't help but feel frustrated at end of the match. Frustrated at the fact that Kofi Kingston gets two opportunities to be highlighted and show off his talent and always delivers, yet he never gets the opportunity to have a feud or any promo time. I'm even more frustrated that guys like Alberto Del Rio or Sheamus get chance after chance, yet guys like Kofi and even Dolph Ziggler have been continuously held out of the spotlight. So, to wrap this up how would you ideally book Kofi Kingston?

- "Hits & Misses" Jon Mezzera responds: I used to be frustrated with the lack of a push for Kofi Kingston, but I guess I'm over it. He does get an occasional feud and he has gotten mic time from time to time and he has never delivered. He sounds generic whenever given the chance to talk. There is something missing from him. Yes, he is exciting to watch. He can deliver in the ring. But, he never seems to elevate himself higher with his overall performance than he is now. So, I think I would do what WWE is doing with him other than at least making him seem like someone who has a chance to win big matches and not just someone who is going to do crazy/entertaining moves, but have no chance to actually win.

- "Mr. PPV" Nathan Kyght responds: Unfortunately, I think that the company has cooled on Kofi Kingston and his move up the card is a thing of the past. As for how would book him? In his current person, much like he's being booked now, honestly. He's entertaining, but aside from a mid-card run and maybe another go with the IC Title, I think that the character (at least in it's current state) is pretty flat.

- "Common Fan" Jimmy Eaton (@TheCommonFan) responds: Thanks for the question, Chad. I think Kofi is also a great talent and would love to see him go 20 minutes with someone, not to mention get a shot at the next level. But, as with Ziggler, Creative has "nothing for him" and they devote more time to other talent. It's definitely a crime, but it's the nature of the business.

I would start by trying to just give him some kind of story that he can do that allows him to talk more. That's always a huge part of being a main event talent unless he has a manager. A solid mid-card feud with a story should lead to in my opinion a shocking Rumble or MITB win. Probably the latter. It at least rewards him for all of his stunk-like spots and makes him instantly more credible in the eyes of the more casual fans. Who knows what could happen after that, but it would be a start. Scenarios like that are always fun to think about.

- "Instant Reaction" Ben Tucker (@BTuckerTorch) responds: I'm going to be honest with you. I like Kofi Kingston, but he has never shown any main event level "It" factor in his career. He's a great hand in the ring, but can't cut it in terms of promos or making himself stand out. Dolph Ziggler has been relegated to Superstars duty every other week, but still manages to leave people talking about him by the night's end.

Kofi Kingston's segments on TV rarely make any sort of impact. Yes, WWE hasn't given Kingston any sort of character, and when they did focus on Kofi in 2009 he made some sort of impact. Yet any sort of a long term push for him would never pan out in an era with the likes of Daniel Bryan, the Wyatts, Dean Ambrose, etc. Kofi has indeed been overlooked by WWE to an extent, but has rarely done anything to warrant the company to take another look. So, if it were me, I'd keep him as an upper mid-card spot monkey and representative for WWE.

- "Mr. TV" Justin James (@Justin_M_James) responds: I hate to say it (because I do like his in-ring skill and would like to see more of it), but I think that Kofi Kingston is in the exact right spot, being used the exact right way, for his qualities as a performer and his motivation levels. Kingston is a really fun wrestler to watch and highly athletic. His matches are extraordinarily formulaic, and - other than his MSG moment with Randy Orton - he has never shown the ability to deeply engage the audience in his act. (And how much of that came from Orton who was a deeply hated heel at the time?). Kofi's promos are all identical ("You've been running your mouth and I am here to shut you up!" is the summary of every promo from him that I can remember) and by all accounts he seems to be happy working at the mid-card level.

- "Showstopper" Shawn Valentino responds: Thanks for your question, Chad. In regards to Dolph Ziggler, he deserves to be held down because his character needs a serious overhaul. He seems oblivious to how goofy his look is and how off-putting his mannerisms are. There is absolutely nothing cool about him. Kofi Kingston's role should be a of a mid-card athletic act that excites the crowd. There is nothing wrong with that role. He has been around over five years and he has barely showcased any personality. We know nothing about him, and most people do not care because we are accustomed to him being in the middle of the card. He has a goofy look and awful entrance music so the character presentation is not one to be taken seriously. It takes more than being able to be a high-wire act a couple times a year to become a true superstar.

Just look at Shelton Benjamin as an example. It is true that Kofi seems to have a little more innate charisma than the dull Benjamin, but I do not think there is anything wrong with the position he is in unless he bursts out with some hidden traits that have yet to be displayed. Until then, he should remain the lame, smiley trampoline act that provides a spark in the middle of the show.

- "Mr. Europe" Brian Leahy (@CobyHectic) responds: The simple answer is give him feuds and promos! Unfortunately, Kofi has taken over the Shelton Benjamin role in hitting key spots in big multi-man matches like MITB or the Royal Rumble, which while gathering high praise and coverage for about 15 minutes after the match, doesn't actually provide any career opportunities. Kofi's character at the moment lacks an edge that guys like Del Rio have, and Kingston remains essentially the same character he was when he debuted over six years ago. Much like a lot of the mid-card, WWE needs to invest much more time (i.e. ANY time) in developing a multi-dimensional character for Kofi so he can get involved in featured feuds.

***

[ 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. ]

We suggest these recent related articles...

ASK THE SPECIALISTS ROUNDTABLE: Who will be WWE's Next Top Star?

SATURDAY’S ASK PWTORCH STAFF for 4/11: How should WWE cater to Texas at WM32? Does WWE using Sting and Hogan add to chances more TNA wrestlers are hired? Do NXT gimmick wrestlers have a chance? Is El Generico really Sami Zayn?

THURSDAY’S ASK PWTORCH ALL-STARS 4/9: Are El Generico & Sami Zayn the same person? Next MITB cash-in for IC or U.S. belt? What match do you show non-fans so they get it? Why don’t heel teams cheat?