Message-ID:  

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/tribune-review/sports/columnists/detore/

Shelton sharp in debut; Triple H is back

By Rennie Detore

Sunday, April 4, 2004 

Shelton Benjamin made his "Raw" debut last Monday, while Triple H
returned to the show -- and perhaps to form.

The rookie and "The Game" paired off to deliver a very respectable
main event that finally ushered in some much-needed wrestling to the
Monday night staple.

Benjamin's highly touted, untapped charisma prevailed during his bout
with Triple H. The former WWE tag team champion carried himself like a
veteran, showcasing mannerisms reserved for only the best, and more
experienced, babyfaces.

On several occassions, Benjamin subtly flaunted his in-ring skills and
gave more credence to the notion that amateur wrestlers can
successfully cross over into sports entertainment.

Brock Lesnar did that quite well before he decided to quit. Benajmin's
former partner, Charlie Haas, spent his collegiate days on the mats at
Seton Hall. Even veterans such as Scott Steiner boast an amateur past.
Scott, and brother Rick, donned their Michigan jackets while competing
professionally in the early-to-mid 1990s.

More importantly, Benjamin flashed a serious sneer and even tapped
Hunter on the chin with a pseudo-punch, in essence telling him that
he's a pretty good "kid."

But Triple H isn't a kid, he's more of a WWE staple. Only a few years
ago, Hunter was Vince McMahon's new "go-to" guy, while stars such as
The Rock, Steve Austin and The Undertaker became either stale or
preoccupied with other out-of-the-ring activities.

Lately, Triple H hasn't mirrored a seasoned superstar, instead coming
across as more of a "go-away" guy. Besides trying to portray another
"Nature Boy," Triple H's workrate drastically dropped in recent years.
A once guaranteed four-star performer, Triple H barely become
tolerable with his long-winded promos and equally exhausting, plodding
matches.

That downward trend seems to have tapered, starting with Hunter's
performance at "Wrestlemania XX" on March 14 at Madison Square Garden.
He wrestled his best match in two years at the landmark event and "put
over" Chris Benoit by tapping out to the "Crippler Crossface."

Besides his renewed work ethic, Hunter finally appears to have found
his old physique. Gone is the bulk that prevented Triple H from
raising his arms halfway above his head, impeding him from barely
throwing a punch.

A much leaner and toned Triple H played the perfect foil for the
debuting Benjamin, making the former University of Minnesota star seem
comfortable and not out of place in the top spot on "Raw."

Perhaps Triple H finally understands the concept of reaching down and
pulling up a younger competitor and making him a star. That type of
mentality, one that Triple H once embraced, will only serve to sustain
"The Game," and other top-tier players, as marquee draws.

Implementing fresh talent such as Benjamin provides fresh fodder for
better known wrestlers, instead of forcing fans to ingest the same set
of main events month after month. Triple H vs. The Rock or Mick Foley
vs. Steve Austin still draws a crowd and subsequent interest but
consider that of those four superstars, only one is a full-time
employee (Triple H).

Fans enjoy Rock, Foley and Austin on television but can't appreciate
their star quality at house shows because they're not there. Who is?
Benjamin, Haas and Rene Dupree -- three unknowns working to carve
their WWE niche after being prominently featured in the WWE draft
lottery.

But the three aforementioned rookies are more than just fodder, as
Benjamin proved last Monday.

He's already elevated himself to the top of the "Raw" roster, not
because of his victory over Triple H, but because he delivered on the
heralded hype that has surrounded his name since Lesnar left for
potential gridiron glory.

Benjamin exceled under the pressure, and "Raw" found itself with a new
character and basked in the apparent return of an old one, Triple H.


Note: Developmental wrestler Nick Dinsmore should be debuting soon on
"Raw." He had been working arena shows last weekend under the
character, "Eugene."

Rennie Detore's Pro Wrestling Insider appears Sundays in the
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.


--- Internet Rex 2.29