2) JUST GO WITH IT!
Here’s the scenario I think most fans are anticipating. The crowds are chanting “we want Lana” and Lana is playing into their love, which draws the ire of the monstrous Rusev. It’s basically The Miz vs. Damien Sandow program, with much better legs.
This plays out exactly how you would expect, with Lana eventually reaching her limit of emotional and verbal abuse from her boyfriend, and turns on Rusev to a massive reaction from the WWE Universe. From this point forward, the “Ravishing Russian” becomes the Florida blonde bombshell.
For one, there’s no way to get a physical payoff with pairing her up right away. Pairing her up with another male wrestler is a waste; if she’s going to be a manager she may as well be a manager for Rusev.
I had a thought the other day, that Damien Sandow could confront her and acknowledge their similar situations, which could lead to an on-screen relationship and a pairing the fans would go nuts for. That also gives you your physical payoff, in the form of Sandow vs. Rusev.
Personally, I’ve never been one for hooking up the boys and girls when they’re already in real life relationships with other wrestlers. It just seems like a bad idea.
Maybe I’m in the minority here, but I don’t think turning Lana right now is a good decision. There’s been rumor that Vince McMahon wants to make her the female face of the WWE. She’s an incredibly accomplished and well-rounded performer who has found success in many outlets; I don’t know what “female face of the WWE” actually means, but there are worse choices.
This is a stupid point but a necessary one – I don’t see her success becoming a reality without appearances on Total Divas, which can’t happen because of her serious relationship with Rusev.
I also think the pairing has a ton of gas still left in the tank. The gimmick works because of their chemistry. Without Lana, Rusev is just a big dude from Bulgaria. He’ll become a chicken sh*t heel in less than three months, which is not only the worst thing you can do with a heavyweight monster character, but the last thing the roster needs right now.
I have no idea if Lana can wrestle. I’ve been told she’s an excellent natural athlete, with a background in dance, but we’ve got no clue if she can wrestle.
Whatever the case may be, turning Lana into a babyface is definitely an option. But it’s maybe not the best option…
