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PWINSIDER Q & A: LASHLEY IS NO STONE COLD, POST-MANIA LETDOWN, TITLES BEING WORTHLESS, ORTON-MANIA AND MORE

You mentioned in a previous Q and A that the IC, United States and World Tag Team Titles are nothing but props now. I wish I could disagree with you (Especially the IC Belt since Tito Santana was my favorite wrestler growing up.) But sadly, You are right. Back in the 1970's to about the late 1990's I thought that all three belts were considered hot belts to hold and the IC Belt and the U.S. Champions were considered Number 1 Contenders for the World Titles (WWF,NWA and WCW). When do you believe the belts lost their value and credibility in today's WWF/E??

It's happened over the last few years as the company got away from the formula of, in many cases, having tomorrow's champion cut his teeth by holding the IC Title first.  I don't have an exact date but as the creative team got into the habit of booking the top talent up at a high level and everyone else down there, the IC title and the tag belts have suffered and lost their credibility.  As for the US Title, I don't think it really ever had much credibility in WWE.  It was a WCW import and thus was largely treated like one.

Why push Bobby Lashley as the next Stone Cold? That's obviously what they're doing with this ongoing feud. Stone Cold has more charisma and mic skills in his one finger than Lashley will ever have. That being said, why didn't they try to build someone up like Mr. Kennedy, Carlito, or even CM Punk? All of those guys, especially Kennedy, would play be able to player a better role since they can actually cut a promo.

Vince McMahon is consistent, if nothing else.  By that I mean that if something works once, he will do it 1,000 times.  He feels that since Lashley isn't a great promo, the best way he can book him is by having him "stand up to the boss and let his actions speak for him".  Hey, it worked before right?  I agree with you, Lashley is not Steve Austin and he shouldn't be booked like that.  But, Vince likes to go with what he knows, so that is what we get.

As for the other guys, Kennedy and Punk are being pushed so I don't know what you mean.  The company doesn't like Carlitio's attitude/work ethic, which is why they had Ric Flair cut that worked-shoot promo on him a while back.  Carlito could be more of a player but he is holding himself back and WWE is not going to push him hard until they feel they can trust him in the role. 

Where is WWE going with their storylines? I can understand the let down after Wrestlemania, but why would they simply repeat WM23 (in some cases improving the matches, like Mickie James and the four way) at Backlash. It's like saying "nothing is special not even Wrestlemania, and if you watch for a couple weeks you will get every match we can give you no matter how illogical or repetitive." I mean Kennedy wrestled Taker two weeks after Mania to no fanfare, but we are supposed to fear his money in the bank lingering title shot. Trump vs. Vince eased into Vince vs. Stone Cold Lashley in an exact repeat of last year's Michaels feud. Cena's character needs a change of direction yet he's been champ for three WMs. Your thoughts?

I agree with everything you say about the current creative process and have said the same things myself many times.  They basically tell you, "Don't worry about buying the PPVs because we will give it to your for free in a week or two anyway".  I think it's insane what they are doing.  

As for Cena, I don't have a problem with him on top since he's one of their best draws and he sells a ton of merchandise.  I would like to see them at least try to strengthen his character a bit, like they did in the Michaels match on the 4/23 Raw, in an attempt to at least try to get the male fans that hate him to stop booing.  I think Cena works hard and gives you all he has and if he is booked correctly, he could be cheered by most of the fan base instead of the portion that does so now.

With all these rumors (that I feel are unfounded), what do you think the odds are of Randy Orton being at Backlash AND staying with WWE? If he should turn up on TNA, I'd stop watching WWE.

The rumors weren't unfounded.  We don't report unfounded stories as fact.  Even WWE was forced to address it, albeit briefly, on their website.  You already know what happened at Backlash (but I don't since I am typing this on 4/25 before I go on vacation) but as for his long term future in WWE?  I think he really needs to take a long hard look at himself and decide what he wants out of his life.  If he wants to stay in WWE, he needs to do what it takes to stay out of hot water with the bosses.  If he doesn't, he will probably get his wish soon enough because there is only so much WWE management will put up with.  And with all due respect, if Orton is the only reason you watch WWE now, I find that really, really sad.  He is engaged you know!

Do you think after putting the IC title on Santino Marella, do you think it possible they could you this a chance to bring back some of the grandeur that it once had?

With all due respect to Marella, they would need more than just putting the strap on him to bring it back to prominence.  What it will take is a conscious effort by creative to make the title important again.  I haven't heard anything that would make me think they want to do that so until that changes, don't get your hopes up.

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