Every wrestling fan who grew up during the 80’s knows that WWE used to have a good deal of managers. Some managers were better than others, but there were absolutely plenty of them around. Mr. Fuji. Slick. Miss Elizabeth. Bobby The Brain Heenan. Brother Love. The list goes on and on, and of course, could be extended to cover the similar depth in WCW and on the independent circuit. As things progressed, it seemed that WWE was more interested in sexy women to serve as valets and little else (Sunny alongside LOD2000?). A manager is past a dying breed within WWE now. Paul Heyman is the notable exception, which is why it was quite frankly shocking when Paul Ellering returned alongside Authors of Pain to lead them in NXT. But, as we know now, once they moved up to the main roster, Ellering was ditched in short order. The stories are out there, with one side claiming Ellering couldn’t travel much, and Ellering himself saying he was fine with the travel and grind of the road. So, what does it all mean?
It means that WWE needs to get over the anti-manager stance. Heyman is, of course, a special case, perhaps this generation’s Heenan (or better). But while he’s the ultimate mouthpiece, there are plenty of other guys in the company who are talented in the ring, but less so on the mic. And those are the precise reason why managers are needed. I am not saying every single one needs a manager. However, having a couple more in the company would not be a terrible idea. As others have suggested, they do not all have to be men-look at women like Sensational Sherri, Miss Elizabeth and Sunny, and clearly you can have a powerful and influential manager who also happens to be very easy on the eyes-if that is something that the company deems important.
I suppose I get Vince’s stance, assuming this is even it-why pay a decent chunk of change for someone who is merely a mouthpiece, just make the wrestlers speak for themselves. It is, however, easier said than done. Some guys can be good, or get good. Some always struggle, or are just inconsistent, or can’t connect with the fans. And the reality is, if you have a wrestler who can’t engage the fans but who is awesome in the ring, they could very easily flop. If that happens to be the case, wouldn’t it make more sense to invest in a manager to help get the wrestler more over and thus more of a money making act? I would tend to think so.
WNZ readers, do you think WWE needs more managers?
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