On this week’s episode of Talking Smack, Baron Corbin made an appearance and he talked to Daniel Bryan and Renee Young about his big match with John Cena next week. He basically said that John Cena can’t hang anymore, and he doesn’t have what it takes to beat him because he’s a part timer. His comments then started an interesting conversation between Daniel Bryan and Renee.
Renee asked Daniel Bryan how he feels about part time stars coming in for big matches, and he noted that he has mixed feelings on the issue, because the big stars usually come in and take the good WrestleMania spots from guys who work over 200 days a year.
“I had this issue when I was a full time wrestler, and I still kind of have this issue today. When you’re somebody, for example, like Dean Ambrose. So Dean Ambrose since the draft has been main eventing 99% of live events. But every year around WrestleMania time all of these people who are part timers come in, and they take the best spots at WrestleMania.”
However, Daniel Bryan also noted that he doesn’t have a problem with John Cena working as a part timer, because Cena proved himself through years of hard work. He also noted that he sees things differently now that he’s a General Manager, but he’s still all about giving opportunities to up and coming talent.
“With John Cena, I get it. He’s been in this game for a long time, and he’s worked harder than anybody else. But when you hear people have this anger against part timers, that’s where it’s coming from. As a manager I’m starting to look at it from a different view. We want these big events, and sometimes you need special attractions. But I also I mix that, and we need to put it on our full time guys.”
"He's here part-time … You can't BEAT ME showing up part-time! … @JohnCena's time is UP!" – @BaronCorbinWWE #TalkingSmack pic.twitter.com/n6GJTsHQYx
— WWE (@WWE) January 4, 2017
Part time wrestlers taking WrestleMania spots from the full time guys has been a hot topic for a few years now ever since The Rock returned. With Triple H vs. Seth Rollins, Brock Lesnar vs. Goldberg and Big Show vs. Shaq all reportedly “locked in” for WrestleMania 33, and a highly likely Undertaker match being added to the card, it looks like this year’s event will be part timer heavy as well.
Related: WWE Rumor: John Cena No Longer Facing Undertaker At WrestleMania?
It’s hard to argue that huge stars like Goldberg and The Undertaker help sell the WrestleMania card, but as Daniel Bryan mentioned a lot of people want to see part timers work more with the full timers. Triple H vs. Seth Rollins seems to be a good example of how an established star could potentially elevate someone who is still on the way up.
How do you feel about part time stars coming in to work big shows like WrestleMania? Do you think WWE could do a better job of integrating legends from the past with the current stars of the WWE? Sound off in the comments below.
The only problem with Cena returning is he was right back on top. Not even Batista, Goldberg, The Rock, or The Undertaker got that. They storylined their way up.