I am quite annoyed with how the Lord Tensai character has been received by much of the WWE fan base since his return. Tensai is the walking embodiment of an old school heel. He’s theatrical, a bruiser and his work looks legit. Had this character been around in 1987, he would have main evented WrestleMania against Hulk Hogan. In today’s WWE, the Lord Tensai character is having a hard time finding footing. Considering the massive level of success Matt Bloom (Tensai) enjoyed over in Japan, I lay virtually all the blame for his tepid fan response at the feet of Vince and World Wrestling Entertainment.

How much different would the pro wrestling landscape have looked in the mid-80’s had Verne Gagne not been so out of touch with not only his fanbase, but his employees? By the late 80’s, after years of declining interest, subpar rosters, and an inability to change with the times, the American Wrestling Association (AWA) was all but dead in the water, ultimately shutting down in 1991. But did it have to be that way? Had Verne Gagne, rather than digging in his heels, gotten with the times, or rather, hired someone to get with the times for him, would the AWA have had at least a punchers chance at not only surviving, but thriving into the 90’s and beyond?

Kofi Kingston is capable of so much more than what he’s shown us since his 2008 WWE debut. The thing about it though, it’s not Kofi’s fault in the least. I lay the blame squarely at the feet of WWE’s almighty booking contingent, as it is they whom have pigeonholed the Ghana native into the smiling babyface role he’s held for his entire 4+ year run.

One thing worth remembering about professional wrestling is you never say never. Time and again we have seen instances, whether it was Hulk Hogan’s return to the WWE in 2002 or Bret Hart making amends with Vince McMahon and Shawn Michaels, where something you never thought you’d see, up and happened right before your very eyes. For many, especially those with knowledge of Vince McMahon’s personal feelings on undersized wrestlers, the return of the Cruiserweight Division to the WWE seemed like one of those things you’d never see again. After all, WWE did everything they could to destroy the value of the Cruiserweight Title, finally retiring the belt in 2007, shortly after current Superstar Hornswoggle won it at the Great American Bash. But with the WWE rolling out their shiny, new network, could the need for original programming be enough to bring the division back to life within the company?