Heath Slater - Your Thoughts?

I've been discussing on other threads the merits of Heath Slater, and his potential within the WWE, and have been suprised to come up against quite a lot of negativity towards the one man rock band.

For me Heath is a bright star on the Smackdown undercard, and has shown the potential to be a future star at maybe as high a level as the Intercontinental title. He's got a unique look. He's good in the ring, and on the mic. He's cocky and brash. And he's already made a name for himself within the Nexus and the Corre.

For me it's a real shame that he and Justin Gabriel seem to have distanced themselves from each other, because they were a good pairing, and could have gone on to be one of WWE's great tag teams. And maybe this is the division which holds the most hope for Slater long term.

I think Slater deserves to make an impact in WWE in 2012, whether it be as a solo act, or as part of a tag team, and I really hope he seizes any opportunity he is given to make it so.

What are your thoughts on Heath Slater?

Does he have a future with the WWE?
Or has any hope been extinguished by his Wellness Policy violation?

I would say that he is a good in-ring worker who is destined for a lower card career with the odd title run if it is part of an advancement storyline for another performer. I can't see him going beyond this as while he is OK at most elements of the game he does not look like a main eventer.

In terms of his long term future I don't think that the Wellness Violation per se with affect him, he will either he liked and therefore they won't care; or he will not be liked and therefore would have been likely to have been on the road out of the company regardless.

I would say though, who would have thought 10 years ago that K-Kwik would be back in the WWE in one of the most important story lines of the year? Heath Slater now may not cut it, but if he went away then that isn't to say he couldn't achieve more in future.

Kat Slater has more chance of winning a singles title than Heath.

He should be happy with putting over the likes of Zack Ryder on Superstars.

I can think of about a dozen midcarders who are miles better than Heath Slater.

Mr. H : I'll take a bet with you now that Heath Slater wins a singles title in 2012.

Might get some heat for this but I reckon he could be a top heel if he dropped the one man rock band gimmick and beefed up slightly.

I think he has massive potential plus he isn't generic.

Take it Mr H, there is no way you will lose!

I agree with Owl - he doesn't stand much of a chance as a face, but if they make him heel then he's got all the makings of a future Cody Rhodes style career trajectory. I truly believe that.

I don't think "One man rock band" is really a gimmick, it's just a catch phrase - similar to "Ayatollah of Rock and Roller" or "The Game", so no need to drop it.

Electric Demon wrote:I agree with Owl - he doesn't stand much of a chance as a face, but if they make him heel then he's got all the makings of a future Cody Rhodes style career trajectory. I truly believe that.

I don't think "One man rock band" is really a gimmick, it's just a catch phrase - similar to "Ayatollah of Rock and Roller" or "The Game", so no need to drop it.

ED - He is (or at least supposed to be) a heel now...

Yeah - he is, but he's kind of a floater isn't he? He's not really doing anything heelish. He's just not cheered, as a result of his Corre/Nexus days.

Electric Demon wrote:Mr. H : I'll take a bet with you now that Heath Slater wins a singles title in 2012.

If Heath Slater wins a singles title i'll change my username to 'i touch kids' for the rest of the year, how about that?

Electric Demon wrote:Yeah - he is, but he's kind of a floater isn't he? He's not really doing anything heelish. He's just not cheered, as a result of his Corre/Nexus days.

The problem for him and others in his place is that with the Raw Supershows et al there is no room on the card to build him up. Look at how long it has taken Zack Ryder to get recognition and a push as a result of his Youtube stuff. Unless Heath has some backing backstage I think he will continue to drift along.

HitmanOwl wrote:Might get some heat for this but I reckon he could be a top heel if he dropped the one man rock band gimmick and beefed up slightly.

I think he was attempting that before his Wellness violation

Mr H wrote:

Electric Demon wrote:Mr. H : I'll take a bet with you now that Heath Slater wins a singles title in 2012.

If Heath Slater wins a singles title i'll change my username to 'i touch kids' for the rest of the year, how about that?

I don't want you to do that. I just want you to admit you were wrong.

Id happily admit it if i was wrong, i have no problem whatsoever in doing that, but i wont be needing to admit anything because he wont win a singles title, he has more chance of being released.

Oh, and the Divas title doesnt count!

You don't actually give a reason why you're a Slater Hater Mr. H.

I don't think he is a slater hater....just that he recognises that slater has no chance to climb the ladder.

Sorry Demon, I am with H. I can't see a Slater title run in 2012.

I dont hate him, i just dont rate him. He has no charisma, he'd never draw, has no star power, he cant talk and he looks more like a character out of Harry Potter than a professional wrestler. There's just nothing special about him.

Maybe Mr.H couldnt find a Heath Slater tshirt either

He's a waster.

He holds absolutely no entertainment value for me at all.

You said yourself he is supposed to be a heel right now but is just flaoting. Why not Take THIS chance of being a heel and force his way in to things.

Unless this Wellness Policy is part of a long term plan of him being FE'd and being Mr FE then I can see him disappearing into obscurity and being released without any fanfare.

Mr H wrote:I dont hate him, i just dont rate him. He has no charisma, he'd never draw, has no star power, he cant talk and he looks more like a character out of Harry Potter than a professional wrestler. There's just nothing special about him.

I'd say all that about Cody Rhodes a few years ago (apart from the Harry Potter bit), and look where he is now. OK, he's got a famous dad which always helps - but there's no reason Slater can't take his core competences and turn them into a winning formula, just as Rhodes has.

It all depends on if wwe want to do anything with him.

Would you rate Vladimir Kozlov over Colt Cabana (Scotty Goldman)? No? Me neither. Now take a look at their debuts.

End of the day, if wwe thought Slater was someone they could push, they would have done it by now.

Yeah - he is, but he's kind of a floater isn't he?

The kind that won't flush?

Surely they showed they had faith in him with Nexus? They showed a massive leap of faith in him and his fellow rookies, and he delivered. So on the contrary, I think WWE will have on file that Slater is a go-to guy when they are ready to shine a light on him.

You don't just push everyone who deserves to be pushed constantly. That would make no sense. That's why it was ridiculous when everyone was whinging about CM Punk's PPV record. He was clearly on the waiting list.

I think Slater is now on a waiting list too. (I'm not for one minute suggesting the same one - obviously they are leagues apart)

ok, how about this for putting your neck on the line. I bet he is FE'ed before WrestleMania.

For me he hasn't done anything to warrant the kind of praise that you're laying on him ED.

Fair enough, he's decent in the ring but his mic skills are rubbish - he sounds like a brain dead hick - he's got a crap look and he's done nothing to distinguish himself from anybody else in the Superstars Brigade.

When he comes out for his matches, there's zero reaction for him, the crowd just let out a collective "Meh!"

Granted, he could go on to bigger and better things but from what I've seen from him so far I doubt it highly.

This wrestlemania coming?

You're smoking

Demon you're clutching at straws mate, Slater was only part of Nexus because he was one of the rookies on NXT, it didnt matter who the rookies were they still would have been in Nexus, its not as if they were hand picked because of their talent. If Wade Barrett cant be used properley, someone who CAN talk, has presence, swagger and charisma, then there is no hope for someone like Slater.

Slater being a go-to guy? For putting others over on Superstars maybe.

Also, there is a massive gulf in class between him and Cody Rhodes. Whatever 'it' is, Cody has it. Slater doesnt.

Electric Demon wrote:This wrestlemania coming?

You're smoking

Yeah, this WM. I was going to say before the year is out but I am hedging my bets.

Mr H wrote:Demon you're clutching at straws mate, Slater was only part of Nexus because he was one of the rookies on NXT, it didnt matter who the rookies were they still would have been in Nexus, its not as if they were hand picked because of their talent. If Wade Barrett cant be used properley, someone who CAN talk, has presence, swagger and charisma, then there is no hope for someone like Slater.

Disagree - I think WWE had a bunch of guys that they knew could deliver, so they put on NXT. They wouldn't have just taken a risk on throwing anyone into their main even scene on live TV.

Mr H wrote:Also, there is a massive gulf in class between him and Cody Rhodes. Whatever 'it' is, Cody has it. Slater doesnt.

And you knew that a couple of years ago did you? Yeah right...

I went on record to state I thought Rhodes had huge potential a couple of years ago...

Slater will make it to Mania, they tend to have their annual clear out after that I give him until June next year, though if the rumours are true on why he got suspended he may be gone quicker.

What rumour?

Electric Demon wrote:

Mr H wrote:Demon you're clutching at straws mate, Slater was only part of Nexus because he was one of the rookies on NXT, it didnt matter who the rookies were they still would have been in Nexus, its not as if they were hand picked because of their talent. If Wade Barrett cant be used properley, someone who CAN talk, has presence, swagger and charisma, then there is no hope for someone like Slater.

Disagree - I think WWE had a bunch of guys that they knew could deliver, so they put on NXT. They wouldn't have just taken a risk on throwing anyone into their main even scene on live TV.

Mr H wrote:Also, there is a massive gulf in class between him and Cody Rhodes. Whatever 'it' is, Cody has it. Slater doesnt.

And you knew that a couple of years ago did you? Yeah right...

But half of them cant deliver. There is no way the WWE had plans for The Nexus before NXT even started. The rookies were just in the right place at the right time to be part of the group. Anyone can stand in a line wearing the same t-shirt whilst the promo guy talks, and it doesnt take talent to stomp on and beat down someone before standing back to watch Justin Gabriel hit a 450 splash.


And no, i didnt know that, but Rhodes has more potential back then than what Slater has now.

The rumour is he's a big recreational drug user and has been taking a drug known as 'spice' (this sounds like a Day Today sketch).
Vince ain't a fan of recreational drug users in the fed (although he has let Booker T back) and someone that's pretty much considered minor league like Heath won't get the same chances that a guy like Orton did.

I thought you'd be above Slater Hater Slander, Hero.

My love for all things Ginge doesn't make me blind.
Gabriel > Slater

Mr H you are on fire today!!

"If Heath Slater wins a singles title i'll change my username to 'i touch kids' for the rest of the year, how about that?"

"and he looks more like a character out of Harry Potter than a professional wrestler"

--------------------

The thing is ED, slater just isn't that talented, sure he has the potential to be a solid worker, but his limitations outweigh his ability.

I honestly thought you were yanking our collective chains with the Slater love ED.

I seriously do not see where it comes from.

I got some amount of abuse for saying Cody Rhodes would be a World Champion way back in 09

Slater is just an uncharismatic jobber, win a title next year? I'll be surprised if he can see out 2012 and still have his job, the guy isn't 1/10th of the performer Curt Hawkins is, for in ring ability, charisma, mic ability all round potential

Slater for his look and dearth of charisma and his lack of connection would without doubt be in my bottom five of WWE male talent

It's all your opinion - frankly I'm very very suprised at the negative reaction.

Hero - I like both. You'll see on the voting thread I championed both. I think together they would have the potential to become one of WWE's greatest ever tag teams. They worked well together, and they've got a good look.

All this being said...if ED is right, a lot of humble pie will be going round.

We will build a statue in your honour sir, and call it ED: The idol of foresight.

Thanks Twist - I hope I am right.

If it comes to be, I shan't gloat.

I just don't see anything in Slater, McGillicutty and Otunga are perhaps the only two on the roster who have less charisma.

the-gaffer wrote:I got some amount of abuse for saying Cody Rhodes would be a World Champion way back in 09

Slater is just an uncharismatic jobber, win a title next year? I'll be surprised if he can see out 2012 and still have his job, the guy isn't 1/10th of the performer Curt Hawkins is, for in ring ability, charisma, mic ability all round potential

Slater for his look and dearth of charisma and his lack of connection would without doubt be in my bottom five of WWE male talent

I was one of those you gave you stick gaffer, he still wont be a World Champion though. He's done well to reach IC Title status and i like what he's done bringing back the old strap, but World Title status? Highly doubt it will ever happen.

Demon, i dont know why you are suprised about the negative reaction.

McGillicutty I agree with - but he was an afterthought really wasn't he? Brought in to make up the numbers.

Otunga has a gimmick now that should really work for him if he sticks with it.

Mr H wrote:Demon, i dont know why you are suprised about the negative reaction.

I honestly thought he was the sort of guy the 606v2 community would buy into. But I appear to be completely out on my own on this one.

Mr H wrote:

the-gaffer wrote:I got some amount of abuse for saying Cody Rhodes would be a World Champion way back in 09

Slater is just an uncharismatic jobber, win a title next year? I'll be surprised if he can see out 2012 and still have his job, the guy isn't 1/10th of the performer Curt Hawkins is, for in ring ability, charisma, mic ability all round potential

Slater for his look and dearth of charisma and his lack of connection would without doubt be in my bottom five of WWE male talent

I was one of those you gave you stick gaffer, he still wont be a World Champion though. He's done well to reach IC Title status and i like what he's done bringing back the old strap, but World Title status? Highly doubt it will ever happen.

Demon, i dont know why you are suprised about the negative reaction.

He's as near a lock as you'll find tobe World Champion, by the time 2012 is over Rhodes will be a World Champion, I don't even think it now, I'm 100% certain that if he doesn't get a long term injury he's an absolute lock for a WHC run

Hero wrote:I just don't see anything in Slater, McGillicutty and Otunga are perhaps the only two on the roster who have less charisma.

As long as they keep Otunga out of the ring he at least has a gimmick that makes him watchable, McGillicutty was doomed to fail when the called him that, he still has a chance if he can drop the name and come back as Joe Hennig, the Perfect Son, Slater is a donkey though, when I rate guys I look at the basics

Does he have a good look? No
Does he have a good gimmick? No
Does he have a good character? No
Is he charasmatic? Hell No
Do the crowd react to him? No
Can he cut a promo? No
Is he good in the ring? Unknown as he is a jobber with very little offence
Does he sell well? Yes, tho' most jobbers have to

Agree with gaffer on this one. The WWE really seem to trust Cody and I would go as far as to say that I think that he will win a World title in 2012 and they trust him enough to not do it through the MITB route either.

Cant see it myself. He's getting a huge push but come Draft time he'll tumble back down the pecking order. I'd love to see him as the guy to unify the IC and US titles though.

I'd flip most of you Gaff,

Does he have a good look? Yes
Does he have a good gimmick? Not yet
Does he have a good character? Yes
Is he charasmatic? Yes
Do the crowd react to him? No
Can he cut a promo? Yes
Is he good in the ring? Yes
Does he sell well? Yes