#2: Mason Ryan: WAY Too Early To Tell
X-Pac tweeted during Raw Monday that Mason Ryan looked more like a star than anyone else in that 12-man tag match main event. Who am I to disagree with someone as experienced as Sean Waltman when it comes to star potential? At the risk of sounding like I am, I have to question the timing a bit. In my humble opinion, it's way too early to tell whether or not Mason Ryan can rise to that level.
Take away the obvious physical resemblance to Batista, there's a lot of areas Ryan is lacking in that I thought Batista had pinned down pretty well – especially in the end of his run.
Mic skills – Prior to his recent time off television, Mason Ryan never proved that he could talk at all, much less to the point it takes to become a true main event star. Batista shined during the latter part of his career with that dark, sadistic approach he took on the mic – emphasized by the dark arena and the spotlight shining on him in the middle of the ring.
Fan connection – the WWE Universe reacted to Batista and believed he was a bonafied superstar. He looked and acted like a legit badass and it was easy to love and hate him at the appropriate times. We, as fans, have been given no reason yet to feel the same way about Ryan.
Batista came first – the biggest obstacle for Mason Ryan to overcome. Self-explanatory, too.
I'm not saying Ryan "couldn't" be a top draw for the company someday, but that day isn't today and it's too early to tell one way or the other yet. He showed a lot of spark during that match on Monday and I was impressed more than normal. However, one good (maybe great) moment during a packed main event doesn't guarantee future stardom. Have 100 more of those moments and then there just "might" be something there.
Nick was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, and lived there until the age of 18, when he decided to pack his flack jacket and move to New York City.
