Shannon: Who Should Replace Joey Styles?
Our resident philosopher, Jay Shannon, looks at the void caused by the promotion of Joey Styles. Mike Adamle was announced as Joey’s replacement, but Jay looks at who might take the spot on a more permanent basis.
It was announced, this week, that Joey Styles was leaving the broadcast team on ECW. He was promoted to being in charge of the WWE’s official web site. While Mike Adamle was announced as Joey’s replacement, that might only be a temporary situation. In this edition of HeadLocker, I want to look at the possible choices that could try and fill the ginormous void caused by Joey’s elevation.
1. Todd Grisham
Todd has been compared to Joey on many levels. He has that semi-naive feel of the wide-eyed young kid that loves wrestling and knows his facts. Todd has worked on Raw for quite some time as an interviewer. He’s also done a lot of work on Heat.
The negatives with Todd are that he is seen as a sub-level member of the announce staff. He might also be too similar to Styles in look and sound for many fans. Todd does seem to know a lot about the business, but his enthusiasm has yet to be tested.
Odds of taking Styles’ spot: 50 to 1
2. Ric Flair
Ric is in limbo, right now. His active career is over, most likely. His dancing gig on CBS got short-circuited when the network pulled the plug on Secret Talents. Ric could be a great announcer. The problem is that ECW is just too small a pond for Ric’s fish to swim.
Ric could take over Jerry Lawler’s spot on Raw and let Lawler go to ECW. I’ll talk about Lawler, in a minute. If Ric decided to head to ECW, he’d be better suited as the GM. Ric is a little too Old School for the radicalism that ECW produces. ECW would actually suffer if Ric took the announce spot.
Odds of taking Styles’ spot: 2,500 to 1
3. Justin Roberts
He’s been a ring announcer on both Smackdown and ECW. He’s also a huge fan of wrestling. Justin has been with WWE for almost six years now, so he’s due for his big break. ECW could be that break. He can obviously work the stick. He should provide a good “straight man” to Tazz’s comedy routines.
The only issue with Justin taking the spot would be a missing ring announcer. Of course, that could easily be filled by numerous back stage guys who are looking for a break.
Odds of taking Styles’ spot: 10 to 1
4. Jonathan Coachman
Coach has done pretty well as JBL’s replacement on Smackdown. A good announce team needs a retired wrestler and a non-wrestler to point/counter-point each other. If Ric Flair would decided to take an announce position on Smackdown, Coachman would likely find himself out of a job. Michael Cole is so recognized as the voice of Smackdown.
Coachman and Tazz might well balance each other out. Coachman could take a bit more of the comedy aspect and let Tazz share his knowledge of the sport. He’d be an excellent choice.
Odds of taking Styles’ spot: 5 to 1
5. Jerry Lawler
Lawler has had a very volatile relationship with ECW. The banter between Tazz and Lawler could be amazing. The two would be at each other’s throats, each and every week. Ratings would likely climb, as viewers tuned in to see if this was the week that Lawler attacked Tazz to get revenge for his embarrassing defeat at One Night Stand, a few years back.
The main problem is that WWE would likely not disrupt the Raw team. They have meshed well for many years. As a matter of fact, fans were less than happy when Styles was brought on-board as a third team member. Lawler might also find the move to ECW as a demotion. He might object to the concept.
Odds of taking Styles’ spot: 1,000 to 1
6. Matt Striker
Striker is at loose ends, since Big Daddy V’s illness. Matt has entered the ring, a few times. He is really not a top-tier star. He could be a top-level announcer. His background as a teacher has prepared him to talk before groups. His knowledge of facts and figures would make his a good play by play man.
Striker may be kept on hold until the situation with Big Daddy V is resolved. Striker makes a good manager. The fans might not accept two wrestlers at the booth. Striker’s wrestling career could be the stumbling block that keeps the headphones off his head.
Odds of taking Styles’ spot: 100 to 1
7. Tony Schiavone
Tony was one of the top announcers of the 1980s and 90s. He a fountain of knowledge who received training by legendary announcers, Bob Caudle and Gordon Solie. Tony would elevate ECW, announce wise, to equal levels to Raw and TNA.
The only problem is that Tony isn’t under contract to WWE. It is unclear if Tony would accept a job with WWE, again. Tony worked for Vince for a very short time, back in the mid-90s.
Another issue is that Tony’s been away from the announce booth for so long that the younger fans might not recognize him. Of course, that arguement is off-set with the “Who’s Mike Adamle?” that echoed across the US when the former American Gladiators announcer showed up on WWE TV.
Odds of taking Styles’ spot: 500 to 1
8. Raven
Scott Levy has incredible mic skills. He’s a former ECW champion. He could talk circles around most of the others on this list. There’s one small issue: Raven is still under contract to TNA.
Raven would likely bring a bizarre rambling style to the announce table. Raven would also be on the edge of attacking other stars. It is unclear what Raven’s feelings might be towards the new ECW. Raven might also be too close, in style, to Tazz. An announce team needs diversity to be successful.
Odds of taking Styles’ spot: 1,000 to 1
9. Joel Gertner
He was the Costello to Styles’ Abbott. They were a great team. Gertner’s comedy might clash horribly with Tazz’s. Gertner has only been used on rare occasions by the WWE. He might work as an interviewer, but he’d crash and burn if given a full-time announcing job.
Odds of taking Styles’ spot: 5,000 to 1
10. Paul Heyman
This would be the biggest shocker of all time. Paul has numerous irons in the fire, so it’s hard to believe that he would return to WWE TV. ECW was, of course, Paul’s baby. He might be convinced to take over the spot to help re-vitalize the struggling brand.
The issues between Heyman and Vince would likely keep Heyman off the show. Heyman’s ego might also get in the way of him going from the heights of being the owner and face of ECW to being a simple announcer. Heyman would clash, almost instantly, with Armando Estrada. The clashes might be more shoot than work. Heyman would be too much of a loose cannon for Vince’s taste.
Odds of taking Styles’ spot: 1,000,000 to 1
In Conclusion:
There are so many others that I could have included in this list. Ex-ECW wrestlers are working the indies and would love to get a top spot, even if it’s on the mic. The announce teams in OVW and FCW have great talent. Smaller regional promotions have fantastic announcers that would amaze the public. Rob Van Dam has been in limbo for months. All of them could step in and try to fill Styles’ shoes. Given the chance, I’d love to sit next to Tazz, each and every week.
Most likely, ECW will stick with Mike Adamle as the play-by-play man. His sports background should be an asset, but he’s just not ECW material. There are rumors running rampant that ECW is dying. If Sci-Fi were to choose not to renew the contract, then ECW wouldn’t need a new announce team. I don’t care for Adamle as an announer, but he’s the current choice. I’m willing to give him a fair try, but WWE could do so much better.
–Jay Shannon
JayofPWD@SBCGlobal.net
(4/17/08)
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