By Jon Cudo, PWTorch specialist

TRUE - FUNKASAURUS IS VERY LIMITED

The debate may be over already on whether WWE blew a potential new monster heel when they made Brodus Clay into the Funkasaurus. Since his debut, he has shown a very limited moveset and a style that is much more Santino Marella than Brock Lesnar on the credibility scale.

The recent introduction of Lord Tensai shows the model for what some people had in mind for a new power heel. At the same time, Tensai shows the level of work that is needed to credibly pull it off. I am not saying that the former Albert has it, but I can say with certainty that Brodus Clay does not at this point.

This week punctuated exactly what WWE must feel they have with Brodus. He danced to the ring to face-off against the best bump-taker in the business today (Dolph Ziggler) and was given 22 seconds of rope to hang himself with before a run-in to end the match. This may have been in-part to protect Dolph, but Brodus has shown he has real limitations at this point and WWE is aware of it.

All of that said, I will admit to popping every time the music hits. I love the act and it has a place on television. WWE just needs to find a way to get this big man's work to out of the lower-card comedy world.

ALSO TRUE - TENSAI HAS SOME REALLY ILL-CONCEIVED HEAD TATTOOS

If Michael Cole is correct (and when is he wrong?), Lord Tensai has some of the dumbest face tattoos of all time. Cole explained that across his face Tensai has the phrases "Lord Tensai is Coming" and "Beware of Tensai." Really?

If I even make the decision to get tattoos on my melon, I hope they are more profound than announcing my arrival or emulating a yard sign that references the presence of a dog. There is a lot wrong with the packaging and presentation of Lord Tensai and it seems the more we hear, the lamer it gets.

FALSE - JOHN LAURINAITIS SHOULD NOT HAVE INTRODUCED BROCK LESNAR

On the Bruce Mitchell Audio Show show last week, PWTorch columnist Bruce Mitchell said Brock Lesnar should not have been introduced by and connected with John Laurinaitis. The WWE storyline is that Laurinaitis signed him and brought him to the show. Mitchell noted that "No one believes that he actually runs the show," and having a comedy figure like Laurinaitis set up Lesnar in this way was a huge mistake.

First, I believe there are a large number of people who watch who believe Laurinaitis would make such decisions. It's not a majority, it's a vast majority. The creative team is writing for the throngs of people who believe or want to believe the storylines. To hold WWE to a standard of presenting a storyline that is both factually true and storyline true I believe is truly absurd. In addition, in his non-TV role, John Laurinaitis does have the role of signing and managing talent. While signing Brock Lesnar may have been outside the purview of his job, it's not ridiculous or ruinous to position it that way.

As PWTorch editor Wade Keller added, to position it outside of a Laurinaitis signing makes no storyline sense. Jason Powell of Prowrestling.net also noted they may be occasionally inconsistent, it is not the first time new talent has been introduced as a signee of Laurinaitis, like Brodus Clay. It is the storyline role and WWE is wise to keep all their talent working under the same rules.

I agree that Laurinaitis and Brock should not be on-camera or linked together on a regular basis, which could diminish the aura of Brock Lesner, but I thought this introduction was fitting in the proscribed WWE world.

TO BE DETERMINED - THE FCW CALL-UPS WILL CATCH FIRE

The most interesting part of the post-WrestleMania season might be the call-ups. I am fascinated to see if the seasoning at FCW will pay off for performers like Damien Sandow, Antonio Cesaro, Seth Rollins, or Dean Ambrose. The FCW project has created talent, but not a signature performer or talent.

As is often professed, wrestling boom periods start when a new star emerges. It remains to be determined if any of the 2012 call-ups from the FCW system can create such a spike in interest.

***

Jon Cudo is the newest PWTorch specialist, presenting the "True-False-TBD" format. Jon has worked in the sports entertainment industry for over 20 years, including major league sports teams and Nike. He has been a life-long pro wrestling fan and has attended WWE, WCW, and ROH events in person, including backstage access at multiple events. He grew up in Minnesota and now lives in Cleveland. He runs his own business, www.GameOps.com, a website designed to connect sports teams and event producers with ideas and tools that will enhance the entertainment value for fans attending their events.

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

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