https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMKxYoFzAjg When you think of Shelton Benjamin, you probably think about his in-ring work, and how he was one of the most exciting and athletically gifted wrestlers in the company's history. You probably don't think about (or try not to think about) his abysmal pairing with his "momma." While Shelton was a fantastic wrestler, he was charismatically challenged. To help make up for this, WWE stuck him with a valet of sorts. Instead of finding him a manager with great verbal skills, they stuck him with his mom (who was actress Thea Vedale). Shelton had been on a bit of a losing streak as of late, and his mother was none too pleased by this. She decided to accompany him to ringside every week to try and change his ways. You would think that travelling around the country with your son to every show would be expensive. We can only assume (from a storyline setting) that Shelton paid for this out of his own pocket. Not surprisingly, Shelton did not get over more with his mommy by his side. Fans resented this grown man not being able to tell his mom to go away. The once potential main-eventer eventually sunk in popularity, and WWE was forced to turn him heel. Again, that didn't work and Momma had to go. She had a storyline heart attack and disappeared from TV for good. Fans didn't seem to mind. Unfortunately for Shelton, his career never recovered after being exposed as a momma's boy.
As Rust Cohle from True Detective said "Life's barely long enough to get good at one thing. So be careful what you're good at."
Sadly, I can't solve a murder like Rust...or change a tire, or even tie a tie. But I do know all the lyrics to Hulk Hogan's "Real American" theme song and can easily name every Natural Born Thriller from the dying days of WCW. I was once ranked 21st in the United States in Tetris...on the Playstation 3 version...for about a week.
Follow along @AndrewSoucek and check out my podcast at wrestlingwithfriends.com