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CALDWELL: WWE Draft Week 3 - Analyzing ECW's Draft Picks and their contributions to the ECW brand May 13, 2009 - 1:30:44 AM
The ECW brand only scored six draft picks in the recent WWE Draft and it wasn't until D.H. Smith debuted on this week's show that a new Draft pick truly made an impact on ECW TV.
Sure, there's been Kozlov squashing and Zack Ryder primping and Gregory Helms interviewing, but the ECW brand wasn't given that "shot in the arm" until Smith showed up to re-form the Hart Foundation with Tyson Kidd and Natalya.
ECW is built around Jack Swagger, Christian, and Evan Bourne (who was nowhere to be found on this week's show) and they were already on the brand prior to the Draft. The ECW brand's real draft picks will be the infusion of new talent from Developmental...if WWE can find the next Swagger or Kidd training in Tampa, Fla.
Following is a break down of how I perceive each of the new wrestlers who officially came over to the ECW brand in the recent Draft and whether their stock is going up or down based on how much "quality" TV time WWE is investing in the person's character or storyline.
Best Performing Draft Picks
(1) D.H. Smith. One major return to WWE TV was all it took for Smith to shoot to the top of the ECW brand's Draft list. Smith looked impressive beating up Finlay on this week's show. His stock will continue to rise or it will fall based on how well he performs in the ring and on the mic, but the new Hart Foundation already has a great spokesperson... (Stock Rising)
(2) Natalya - the Spokesperson. Natalya's official move to the ECW brand from Smackdown meant less wrestling time and more time managing Tyson Kidd, which has worked out well for her. Now, she'll be managing the new generation Hart Foundation and her speaking ability will help develop Smith and Kidd. Lots of potential for her non-wrestling role. (Stock Rising)
(3) Gregory Helms. Helms has been consistent with his backstage interviews and helped set up the younger wrestlers for their talking points. He's worked out well thus far. There's always the potential storyline where he pushes someone's buttons a bit too hard to set up a return to the ring when/if he's physically able to wrestle again. (Stock Holding)
Need to see more
(4) Kozlov. We've seen a handful of squashes, training videos, and one promo in a Russian military outfit. We need more information on whether Kozlov is ever going to become a main event quality player who can actually wrestle a ten minute match and not put the crowd to sleep. Need to see more than just WWE trying to re-build the foundation. (Stock Holding)
(5) Zack Ryder. Not a fan of the "I need permission to leave the building early to work in the gym" promo from Ryder backstage with GM Tiffany. I understand Ryder as a 2009 primadonna-type character, but a heel with a set would have just said he's leaving if there's no work. There's no credibility to a character that needs a hall pass to make a decision. WWE might think that way about the younger stars - that they need babysitting at the arena - but it doesn't enhance a character on TV. (Stock Dropping)
Nothing to report yet
(6) Ezekiel Jackson. Zeke has yet to show for work on Tuesday nights. Perhaps GM Tiffany lost his cell number or The Brian Kendrick is withholding that information. Eventually, I'm looking forward to seeing how he's utilized on ECW, as he has potential. He just needs some work. (Stock Unlisted)
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