The WWE has been littered with memorable factions throughout their history. D-Generation X was a major part of the Attitude Era, Evolution dominated the Ruthless Aggression Era and the Corporation were a perennial thorn in the sides of Stone Cold and Mankind. Nexus showed potential in 2010 but with the current state of the company it wasn’t surprising to see John Cena break them apart. Factions were popular during the AE because heels attract heat by outnumbering opponents and cheating, while faces are cheered for fighting despite the odds; it’s wrestling psychology 101.
Fans were shocked when Paul Heyman was found to be working with CM Punk. At the moment it is hard to notice the advantages of the WWE Champion having a manager; Heyman is one of the best antagonists but the Best in the World is solid all round. Perhaps one benefit would be if the former ECW owner created a faction featuring some of the best young talents in the company.
Here are four wrestlers who could be in a Paul Heyman faction.
1. Antonio Cesaro
The former ROH-star has had a solid start to his WWE career – winning the US Title – but his main weakness is his success on the mic. If a heel can’t deliver a decent promo then he struggles to draw heat; that’s where Heyman comes in.
Heyman often has the crowd in the palm of his hand and he controls their reactions superbly. Cesaro is a talented guy but he really requires support in the promo area if he wants to move up the ladder. Many of the best factions had a top guy – in this case CM Punk – a mid-card performer and a tag team.
Cesaro could be either the mid-card guy or he could reform the Kings of Wrestling with Chris Hero, who is currently working as Kassius Ohno. One potential idea would be for Cesaro to replace the US Title with the European Championship. The American audience would despise his anti-US actions and it creates the environment for a face to earn the support of the crowd.
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4 Comments
Cesearo would be great, especially with your suggestion re the Euro Belt (amazingly simple way to get heat!!) I could also see a Sandow do well
I don’t agree with Barrett, mainly as I would like him go down a street fighter, jean wearing, APA like character who defends people by TKO.
Rhodes would be ok but I feel it would only work if he was a World Champ, as I feel that being the mid card guy would hurt him more and hold him back.
You mentioned in your Cesearo section you mentioned a tag team being part but offered no suggestion – maybe Prime Time Players (big MAYBE!) or create a new heel team (plenty of guys doing nothing like Mason Ryan, A-Ry, Drew McIntrye etc
really good article. i loved how you mention evolution. i believe that every stable should be that way. the paul heyman faction idea would be a blast, but the people you picked, (with the exception of claudio), are not really good choices, with all due respect. don’t know if you care for an opinion, but here it is anyways, lol… with punk as the leader, have a guy like claudio, (antonio), dominate the intercontinental title picture, (plus, every stable needs a big man or “enforcer”). bring in tyler black, (seth rollins), to bring prestige back into the u.s championship, get a really good diva to join the stable, i heard sara jay just signed a contract, perfect choice as a diva’s champion and she has past history with antonio, (not a bad choice from a managerial standpoint either). last but not least, pair hawkins up with someone good, preferably trent barret, or ryder again, but without the “long island” gimmick, (punk or heyman can call him out on being so over with the fans, yet so under utilised, and he is also from new york, like heyman. i can see that being an influence in a comical way), and there goes your tag team. the whole purpose is to make young talent into future “john cena’s”, (like orton and batista) .what do you think?
Sara Jay the New Zealand kiwi chick? wow
well actually, i take that back. have rollins go after the intercontinental title. your idea with antonio returning the european championship in favor of the united states title is WAY better.