The Power Of The Slow Build In Professional Wrestling

Fortunately, this past SmackDown was one of the best and most promising of the year, as all the WWE World Heavyweight Championship ladder match participants competed in a 3 on 4 handicap match that main evented the show. The chosen participants for this match comprises of a unique blend of former champions and the hottest rising midcard talent, which could be an indication that WWE is going to officially pass the torch soon.

In the Attitude Era, the four top names that were being developed were Steve Austin, Rock, Triple H, and Mick Foley. Each of them had a midcard championship before they were world champion, and the build of them becoming top stars was slower and methodic instead of rushed and regretful. Daniel Bryan, Roman Reigns, Cesaro and Bray Wyatt are the new batch of talent that should be the staples of the company. Bryan is akin to Steve Austin with his anti-authority character; Reigns and Rock have obvious comparisons in look and potential (Rock was very green and awkward when he started, so be patient); Wyatt with the eccentric, cultish character similar to Foley, and Cesaro with the pompous, egocentric character exhibited by Triple H.

This episode of SmackDown showed great promise in the future of the WWE. I know that there is much to criticize, but wrestling fans need to appreciate the lost art of the slow build. I started a hashtag on Twitter and a saying on my radio show called #microwavemarks. Meaning, many people in the WWE Universe are quick to throw someone away when the person becomes injured, gets booked in a uninteresting feud, or reaches the zenith of obtaining the title after the chase. Daniel Bryan has become the latest victim of that, while Dolph Ziggler was last year's Flavor of the Month.

The main event match being built around Reigns getting the hot tag was good writing, and the live crowd showed that hot tags are still a unique feature in professional wrestling. Not only does this create heavy anticipation for the one who is being tagged, it usually results in the audience erupting, becoming unglued, and pulling for the babyface to clear the ring of the villian(s). Hopefully, WWE will revive the slow build, and allow Reigns to get a midcard championship before he becomes champion. With the staredown between he and Rusev at the conclusion of the battle royal on Raw garnering a feverish reaction, that could be a great midcard feud for the title.

Since Lana comes out every week criticizing the inferiority of Americans compared to Russia, it would make sense for Rusev to obtain the US Title during a feud with Sheamus. Similar to Lance Storm obtaining the US Title in WCW and renaming it the Canadian Heavyweight Championship, Rusev could take that same concept and create a ton of heat. Then, here comes Reigns to save the day. He wins the title, helping his ascension even more. Moreover, this could even lead to a Sheamus heel turn, wanting the US title back that is now held by Reigns.

Regardless, slow builds are a tried-and-true method of creating a true legend. With the exception of Hulk Hogan and the Undertaker, look at all the legendary names who were a midcard champion before they became a world champion. Sting, Ric Flair, Dusty Rhodes, Ricky Steamboat, Steve Austin, Rock, Harley Race (winning regional titles), Rick Rude, Lex Luger, Chris Jericho, Eddie Guerrero, Booker T, Bret Hart, Shawn Michaels, Randy Savage, Ultimate Warrior, the list goes on.

Daniel Bryan is modern day example of it still working. Good wrestling is about building the company around the biggest draw that is either the most loved or hated amongst the fans. Roman Reigns has that potential. Hopefully, WWE will capitalize and start another revolution. Arguably, the best feud of the Attitude era was Austin vs. Rock (wrestling-related). These two were the best of their time, and gelled well together. Bryan and Reigns have all the tools to become the modern-day Steve Austin and Rock.

All that is needed is patience, and embracing the slow build.