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TALES FROM THE PULPIT 9/8: My never before published 2008 Torch Draft selections Sep 8, 2008 - 1:00:35 PM
As mandated, but never used by esteemed Torch editor Wade Keller. I present to you my legit (shoot?) top ten draft picks for 2008.
(10) C.M. Punk: Punk is another guy who I believe is the future of wrestling, alongside Joe if pushed properly. He can cut promos and comes across as someone who legitimately loves what he’s doing. A lot of my top picks are older, so if I’m starting a new company, I need to ensure I have a stable of young talent that will draw in the future and Punk fits the bill.
(9) Samoa Joe: Despite how he’s been pushed in TNA, I feel he’s the future of this business if pushed properly. He can cut promos and he fits the role of an ass kicking machine that people will pay to see wrestle against top stars as evidenced by TNA’s largest PPV buyrates featuring Joe in the top slot.
(8) Batista: I can’t believe I’m putting him in the top ten after watching him put on some brutal matches in 2006 and 2007, but he’s improved a great deal and has shown the ability to set a crowd on fire in big match situations. He’s up there in age, but still has many years left in the business and I feel he’s got the potential to play both a heel or a babyface and draw.
(7) HBK: He’s simply a great wrestler to have on your roster. He’s still a draw in big feuds and doesn’t need to be feuding over a title to make money if I’m starting a wrestling promotion. He’s also gotten better with age, which is amazing due to the toll injuries have taken on his body over the years.
(6) The Undertaker: Taker is one of those guys you have to have on your roster if you’re starting a wrestling promotion. He appeals to a wide range of fans and he’s one of the last true characters left in wrestling. He’s also a draw against a variety of opponents due to the limited schedule he works.
(5) Randy Orton: Orton has great potential and I’m putting him in my top five because his in-ring work, promo skills, and facials all have improved greatly in the past year. If Orton continues to improve as a performer, he’s going to be a huge draw for the next several years.
(4) Triple H: Triple H has proven over the years that he’s a star that can cut good promos. He’s also still a very good in-ring performer. I would keep him as a heel for awhile before turning him babyface. He tends to get stale very quickly as a face.
(3) Chris Jericho: Jericho has totally reinvented himself and is right behind Edge in the best heel in the business category. I would use Jericho and Edge in tandem to feud with my top babyfaces and create a multitude of interesting programs and feuds for them.
(2) Edge: He’s the best heel in the business right now. I’d use him to put heat on all of my babyfaces. He’s good for long programs against a variety of babyfaces. He’s shown he’s a ratings draw as well.
(1) John Cena: He sells merchandise and appeals to kids, which will draw a lot of money for any wrestling company. He would be my top choice when starting a new wresting promotion simply because he generates a passionate response be it positive or negative from most fans.
Important Alert: This weekend, myself and co-host Derek Burgan will be announcing a great new contest for a fantastic grand prize package as well as a variety of other prizes for those who don't win the grand prize. The only way you can enter is by signing up for a VIP membership and logging into the Sean Radican Zone in the PWTorch Forum. I look forward to seeing you there this week!
Sean Radican and Derek Burgan deliver state-of-the-art wrestling audio each and every weekend exclusively at PWTorch.com/members. When not writing his obnoxiously successful “Tales from the Pulpit,” Sean delivers intellectually honest commentary on pro wrestling. Contact him at PWTorchSean@gmail.com.
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