It Begins…..Again: The Answer Right In Front Of Us
In the modern era of professional wrestling & sports entertainment, there is a simple element that exists that seems to always go over well. That element is the “teaser promo” that airs and lets the audience know that someone is coming back or debuting.
This element goes over even when we are meant to know who the promo is promoting. The current videos running that feature Kane are a great example. We know the videos are for Kane but are still excited to see how and when he returns.
The “It Begins” promos have dominated wrestling fans' conversations because of the wide range of speculation on who it could be. These promos are great. They create a buzz amongst the audience. They give the audience a target date to tune in. Ratings for 1/2/12 episode of RAW will be higher than average. On 2/21/11 they were higher, the night that we were to find out who the special guest of WrestleMania 27 would be, they were higher. It's so simple and it works.
Stephanie McMahon, Shane McMahon, Vince McMahon, Skip Sheffield, Brodus Clay, Kharma, Goldberg, Brock Lesnar, Kane, Matt Hardy, The Undertaker, Chris Jericho and Mike Adamle are all getting their names associated with the “It Begins” promos. I made up the part about Mike Adamle. His name is always good for a cheap pop from a wrestling audience.
The first deduction is that the promos are obviously promoting a return and not a debut. This is a given based on what is said from the little boy who is speaking.
There is only one logical choice. Chris Jericho.
Rumors have circulated for months that Jericho would return and suggested that a rivalry with CM Punk could be a possibility.
CM Punk who is “The Best In The World.”
All of the promos end with the little boy saying the same thing. “It will be the end of the world as you know it.”
That phrase and simple logic gets lost in the middle of wrestling fans wanting to be surprised. I think everyone has heard The Undertaker or Chris Jericho's name but that wouldn't be unprecedented. Both guys have made habits of having return videos and the “smart” fans want to be SHOCKED BEYOND BELIEF! So Brock Lesnar and his expiring UFC contract makes an appealing story. It isn't the most ridiculous story that I have heard from the wrestling community, but it's still wrong.
The language in which it is spoken is textbook Chris Jericho promo material. The kids, the swing on the playground swinging when nobody is there, this all has a mysterious feel to it that many associate to The Undertaker. The videos aren't dark enough for it to be The Undertaker. He is known for night time, raining, graveyards, religious symbolism, but not the class room/school.
It's a win for WWE, as it will be a highly anticipated and highly viewed episode. It's a win for people like myself, as it's material to talk about on my various shows and increased traffic on this site. It's a win for all fans, as the videos will likely result in a great rivalry between two greats.
Follow @JustinLaBar on Twitter
Continue to page 2 with a diary from a roast and night spent with wrestling legends.
