Dear WWE,
what are you doing?
It is a very well known fact that you let talent go to waste, you did it with many before, and you will do it with many after. But still, stepping up for one of the most underrated, most misused, and yet most talented wrestlers that you got a hold of should be a mandatory thing for me! I am not doing this because he - obviously - is my favourite, but because this is the strongest and most prominent case in recent WWE history.
Aver since his depute during the short "People Power Era", the wrestler you renamed into Antonio Cesaro has delivered nothing but solid and not only good, but great matches! On Smackdown as well as on as NXT, he has been participating in matches that should be at least candidates for the match of the year, both against his former indie colleagues that are now known as Daniel Bryan and Sami Zayn. Those matches were far more entertaining, better, and technically prominent than many matches we were presented in the PPVs! Now imagine what he could be capable of if he was allowed to main event Raw or even participate in a PPV for once! Just imagine!
Scandal seems to be an alien concept for this Swiss superpower. Close to nothing is known about his private business, Cesaro managing to keep everything out of the media and rumor section. Drugs? Drunken driving? Problems with authorities? Not Cesaro. He is what the Swiss stereotypes convey: an overall clean guy! His backstage reputation is exceptional, his support by other stars like CM Punk, Dean Ambrose, Seth Rollins, Dolph Ziggler, and Big E Langston clearly shown as they chose to show themselves to the public wearing his t-shirt. Despite his heel gimmick he is always friendly and courteous with the fans, plus he brings so much connections to his European fans with him, giving interviews in his native language, cutting promos in French and German, and visiting the 'mother continent' every once in a while. He is our European anchor in the WWE since Santino does not count as a "real" Italian and Sheamus as well as Wade Barrett, Layla, and William Regal don't do these kind of home visits as he does.
But not only us European fans tend to cling to him. Since Claudio Castagnoli has been big in the indies, he should be allowed to follow his (in)famous colleagues Bryan, Punk, Rollins, and Ambrose that had been given more or less great chances by this company. Didn't you learn from The Summer of Punk? Are the "Yes Yes! Yes!" chants not indication enough that we want to see technically refined wrestlers instead of dull powerhouses with only five moves? In my eyes, The Shield were downgraded from the Hounds of Justice to Triple H's personal lap dogs as well, but at least they get screen time and somewhat significant matches and roles. Above all, they hold the US Title and the Tag Team Titles. Where is the chance that should be given to Cesaro? Instead of chaining him to not only Swagger but to a role that does not fit him at all by linking him to Zeb Colter. As a tag team, as much as I consider Swagger boring, they have some undeniable chemistry, working good together, able to reach out for the tag titles. But not as long as they are pressed into those roles they inherit right now!
Admittedly, Cesaro's promos had been lacking relevance as well as the distinctive something, but everyone who is able to use google and youtube to find old ROH or even Chikara promos knows that he can talk! His strong accent and his ability to talk in 4 different languages has to be used! When was the last time he said something in German/Swiss? Italian? French? That is not talent that is going to waste, that's an intellectual opportunity that is being blatantly ignored by the company! He can talk, you only have to let him.
Last of all, I want to point out how much of a sacrifice Cesaro is willing to bring for the WWE. Do you remember that horrible weeks where they forced him to yodel? The really undignified loss of the US Title to Kofi Kingston after holding it the longest time in the youngest history of the title? With defending it regularly, quite unlike Ambrose? Not a word from the Swiss athlete about all of this! He could've ranted on twitter, on facebook, but nothing is known that he resented the company's decisions. Even now that he is stuck in an American gimmick. Quite the contrary! In a recent interview with Sky Germany he presented himself hopeful and positive, despite the fact that he and Swagger hit a dead end. Not a word of grudge or resentment, even though it should be more than difficult for the company to retrace his words when uttered in German.
There are only very few wrestlers in the WWE that can be considered a "Full package", combining great wrestling skills with charisma, mic skills, and flexibility. Daniel Bryan as one who has it all finally receives the push he reserves, while CM Punk as another candidate is forced to lose his PPV matches and fight for the Intercontinental Title along with his dignity against a still rather green Curtis Axel. Is the WWE giving away opportunities? For sure!
With the right marketing concept, stars like Dolph Ziggler, Daniel Bryan, CM Punk, AJ Lee, as well as some 'underdogs' like Antonio Cesaro, Wade Barrett, or Cody Rhodes and Damien Sandow could bring in just as much money as the 'flawless superman' John Cena or the resentful viper Randy Orton! And that would not only fill the registers of the WWE on the long run, but also make the company a more serious business with regards to actual athletic challenges.
With regards,
