HEATH SLATER & LEGENDS – ONE STEP UP
The "One Man Band" is probably enjoying life right now. And he should be. This is likely going to be the peak of his career. The highlight. This is Heath Slater's prime.
Slater was an intricate part of the recent months of build-up and segments dedicated to the 1,000th episode of Raw. Years from now, we'll remember his contributions to this monumental event. And rightfully so, he's been great.
I read where my colleague, Josh Isenberg, put down the most recent installment of Legend vs Slater in his "Title This" column for Smackdown. I respectfully disagree with just about everything he wrote.
1) I'm not getting sick of the segments and they shouldn't be subjected to Raw only. Cross-promotion is necessary in WWE and that's common business sense.
2) Road Warrior Animal is very relevant, if being one-half of arguably the greatest tag team in pro wrestling history qualifies you for that honor. I believe it does.
3) There is plenty of time in a two-hour program for a Ryback match and/or a Cody Rhodes match, if that's what WWE wants to do. The fact that Josh feels Slater's segment on Smackdown somehow cost the two of them a spot on the show seems a bit misplaced. I'm pretty sure a five-minute Ryback entrance/match can be fit in rather easily if WWE wanted it there.
The Slater segments are much bigger than Slater himself, and maybe that's the difference between my opinion vs. Isenberg's. While I agree that "Heath Slater" alone should never be taking time away from more-worthy talents, RAW1K and the promotion and hype leading up to it should.
Therefore, bring on more Heath Slater because tomorrow's edition of Raw is simply must-see television for wrestling fans. Slater has played a significant role in making it that way.
