Backstage News On Ricardo Rodriguez - RAW SPOILERS!

[Crippler]

- Some people within WWE believe that because Alberto Del Rio is a babyface, he no longer needs Ricardo Rodriguez at his side. Ricardo is expected to be off TV for a week or so following the attack from Jack Swagger on RAW last night.

Partial source: F4Wonline.com

Backstage News on Ricardo Rodriguez, Booker T's Hall of Fame Video, Rey Mysterio Update

Jack Swagger breaks Ricardo Rodriguez's ankle

Following an attack at the hands of Jack Swagger, WWE.com can report that Ricardo Rodriguez has suffered a broken ankle. Rodriguez had been at ringside for a match between his friend, World Heavyweight Champion Alberto Del Rio, and Cody Rhodes, when Swagger struck. The self-proclaimed "Real American" trapped Rodriguez in his Patriot Lock maneuver and refused to release him. Rodriguez was taken to the locker room area, where doctors diagnosed the beloved manager with a broken ankle. Michael Cole later confirmed the news to the WWE Universe. Stay with WWE.com for updates on Rodriguez's condition.

WWE.com: Jack Swagger breaks Ricardo Rodriguez's ankle

Terrible.

 

[Dale]

Doesn't make any sense really, because he's a face he can't have a partner / manager whatever.

Del Rio isn't even a convincing babyface, he needs Ricardo at his sidekick so that the heels can attack him and Del Rio can use that as the easy face option.

 

[Kiffy Lube]

Ricardo especially as of late has been adding a lot of levity to not only this feud with Swagger but Del Rio's entire face turn. It's one of the main components on why it's actually not been a total bust. I don't mind Swagger attacking him because it does make sense but Ricardo should still be involved for the remainder of this Wrestlemania angle and beyond it.

 

[Rated R Superstar]

I'm with Dale on this one really. The crowd loves it when Del Rio defends his best buddy. Why take that away when you're trying to convince everybody that Del Rio is a babyface?

 

[PHX]

Del Rio's face turn wouldn't have even happened had it not been for Ricardo since him sticking up for him turned him. Ricardo has also helped make it work. Whenever they want to turn Del Rio back heel they have the perfect ticket for it with him turning on Ricardo so thinking Del Rio doesn't need Ricardo would be the biggest mistake they could make with him.

 

[Blujay]

Hopefully it's just another rumor with no backing to it. I'd say the majority of the reason Del Rio is and stays over is Ricardo's doing.

 

[Chris]

Ricardo is the best thing about Del Rio.

 

[SAIYANS]

I'm with Dale on this one really. The crowd loves it when Del Rio defends his best buddy. Why take that away when you're trying to convince everybody that Del Rio is a babyface?

Why not take him off TV then have him return at mania to screw swagger?

 

[Franco]

Ricardo is the best part of Del Rio's babyface character. Splitting them up will only hurt Berto.

 

[We Are Legion]

Heel or face, ADR's entire persona is dependent on the involvement of Ricardo. I seriously doubt the guy would have ever stayed over for more than a couple months in the first place if it wasn't for him.

 

[Defiant]

Why not take him off TV then have him return at mania to screw swagger?

Fair idea since Ricardo will likely help Del Rio in some way when he returns. But that's all speculation. The report is suggesting that (WWE thinks) Del Rio doesn't need Ricardo's influence anymore. Either because he's over enough to carry himself as a draw or simply "because he's a babyface". That's the assertion being made.

Sounds to me like a report exploiting an ordinary injury angle, but I also doubt Alberto can maintain the same crowd pops and fan involvement on his own ability. Ricardo is easily the most fun element about Del Rio, always was.

Not only do I not think Alberto is ready to fly without the manager safety net, but Ricardo is also his biggest leg up. It's unwise to fidget with his gimmick like this leading into Wrestlemania. Assuming the angle was anything more than your typical face sympathy tactic.

 

[SAIYANS]

I think taking him off to mania could be good for everyone involved. Gives ADR a mini run by himself to guage if he can handle it. If he can't Ricardo can comeback and save the day at mania when zeb and swag try to cheat. If he can, you can put Ricardo under a mask and full body suit and let him wrestle

 

[Deezy]

So they would get rid of the reason why ADR is still face.

Del Rios is anchored by Ricardo, he would be nothing with him.

 

[AF.]

Ricardo and Del Rio together have chemistry and a lot of the fans prefer Ricardo anyway. Would be silly to dis-abandon the team. A babyface champion with a manager isn't something we see often and it seems to be working so why change it?

 

[We Are Legion]

Yeah Wrestlemania really isn't the time to try new things. You stick to your guns with what has been proven to work well and air it out on the biggest stage. You wait until the day after Wrestlemania to start doing new things. They could have had Ricardo get drafted to Raw while Alberto stayed on Smackdown. Just seeing Ricardo's silly face on the Titan tron and all the confused people staring at it would have made it worth it. And it would have been hard to top that as the most odd ball/hilarious draft pick of all time.