Why didn't Taker succeed as the top guy?

[DoubleJ13]

He beat Sid for the belt at WM13 and held it until Summerslam 97

That match was only a title match after HBK "retired" after winning it at the Rumble. Even then Taker got the title because Austin was still just starting his build, Sid was a random place holder, & Bret had just started his heel turn. Taker wasn't even main eventing all the shows after he won the title. He had a match with Austin that was used to build the Hart Foundation & a random match with Faarooq, then everything was going towards Bret & HBK at Survivor Series.

Taker was never booked as the top guy of the company. He's always been like the 3rd or 4th guy that could be put in a spot if needed.

 

[Vinny Lupton]

That match was only a title match after HBK "retired" after winning it at the Rumble. Even then Taker got the title because Austin was still just starting his build, Sid was a random place holder, & Bret had just started his heel turn. Taker wasn't even main eventing all the shows after he won the title. He had a match with Austin that was used to build the Hart Foundation & a random match with Faarooq, then everything was going towards Bret & HBK at Survivor Series.

Taker was never booked as the top guy of the company. He's always been like the 3rd or 4th guy that could be put in a spot if needed.

Who was the top face in 97, then? From Wm to Summerslam? I gotta go back and watch the 2nd tier PPV's in between to check

 

[GoddamnyamanProf]

would you consider him the top guy around 94ish?

No.

 

[GoddamnyamanProf]

I tried to write an answer to this but I couldnt make a good one.. He has certainly been over since day one but he never blew up business like Austin or Cena Maybe we should send this question in to Meltzer

When did Cena "blow up business?" WWE viewership has been on a downward slope ever since he was made the centerpiece a decade ago.

 

[TheGreatShowtime]

I always found his character to be bland. He was just always kind of there, but he wasn't the reason why I was watching as a kid.

On another note, I have a question. Why does Undertaker get a pass for burying DDP?

 

[DANJ!]

Taker was never promoted as "that guy"... we can say there was that run in '97, but even that wasn't pushed as the main thing going on WWF TV at the time- it was Austin/Michaels vs Hart Foundation that dominated that whole spring, summer, and fall. Even the WrestleMania build-up and win wasn't used as a major storyline, it was mostly done due to all the Michaels drama, and was kind of a 'thank you' to a loyal guy who was drama-free and had earned his chance to carry the belt.

But he was never 'THE top guy'... Taker is also someone who doesn't mind helping others get over, unlike most top guys. So I think he was just expected to be a main-eventer but not to the point of overexposure. It was never intended for him to just hold the title off and on for years, he didn't really need that cause he was always over one way or another.

 

[jadillac]

in the 90's most every world champ would go on talk shows or make media appearances, that's just not Takers character.

So at that time his character was limited.

 

[nomoreneveragain]

He carried smackdown for a good number of years post WM 20.

 

[DoubleJ13]

Who was the top face in 97, then? From Wm to Summerslam? I gotta go back and watch the 2nd tier PPV's in between to check

That's when Austin was starting his real build after the Mania match with Bret. Taker was pushed up into a top spot because they were turning Austin & Bret (they main evented the PPV after Mania to determine a number 1 contender), Sid was pretty much done after that Mania, & HBK was "retired" for a few months. By the time SummerSlam came around Austin was really the top face (but got hurt on the show) & then they were building to Survivor Series while Taker was starting his stuff with Kane. From SummerSlam on it was the Austin winning the title countdown even though he was hurt.

 

[Vinny Lupton]

When did Cena "blow up business?" WWE viewership has been on a downward slope ever since he was made the centerpiece a decade ago.

Breh, how do you think WWE would have performed the last 10 years without him?

 

[Vinny Lupton]

That's when Austin was starting his real build after the Mania match with Bret. Taker was pushed up into a top spot because they were turning Austin & Bret (they main evented the PPV after Mania to determine a number 1 contender), Sid was pretty much done after that Mania, & HBK was "retired" for a few months. By the time SummerSlam came around Austin was really the top face (but got hurt on the show) & then they were building to Survivor Series while Taker was starting his stuff with Kane. From SummerSlam on it was the Austin winning the title countdown even though he was hurt.

I checked Wikipedia, you're kinda right. UT was headlining most of the PPVs technically, but Austin was in the 2nd to last match which were often more important.. KOTR 97 had UT vs Farooq for the belt, no one gave a shyt I'm sure, but HBK and Austin was the match before. Plus Austin headlined the USA vs Canada match at Canadian Stampede

 

[GoddamnyamanProf]

Breh, how do you think WWE would have performed the last 10 years without him?

Couldnt do any worse. If they actually pushed guys that fans want to see, much better.

 

[Vinny Lupton]

Couldnt do any worse. If they actually pushed guys that fans want to see, much better.

If Cena wasn't making them a shyt load of money, why would they keep him on top for 10 years? They are not shy of cycling dudes out of the way when it's not working.

 

[GoddamnyamanProf]

If Cena wasn't making them a shyt load of money, why would they keep him on top for 10 years? They are not shy of cycling dudes out of the way when it's not working.

Because they're stupid and make money in spite of their old, outdated ways, not because of them.

 

[TheAlbionist]

Because if you're the parents of an 8 year old terminal Leukemia sufferer and you see 'Taker walk onto his ward you'd probably end up suing Make-A-Wish.