Some Thoughts On Finlay

[Luke Flywalker]

Should Dave "Fit" Finlay return to the ring?

For several years after the purchase of WCW by Vince McMahon, Finlay served as a trainer for the WWE, particularly the Divas, but also spent time developing some in-ring styles. I've always enjoyed Finlay, up until his face run... but he does have that teacher mentality that very few seem to possess.

If he came back as a heel, I wouldn't mind having Finlay back in the ring if the guy can still go, but I'd love to see him return as a manager... for Sheamus to be exact. The Irish tie-in would be a predictable fit, but the style of both men blends so incredibly. Everyone sees holes in Sheamus' character, and his in-ring work. Hell, the E told Randy to pick those weaknesses apart and point 'em out so they could cut back on it for Sheamus... but I think Finlay would be the teacher/trainer this guy needs, and they'd be awesome together in the ring.

Forget a lead pipe, put a shillelagh in Sheamus' hands, and watch as enjoyment ensues. It would develop Sheamus' in-ring work with incredible depth, give his character far more leeway and diversity, and at the same time, gives Finlay something to do for a year to build heat back up. Then say in a year's time Finlay feels he NEEDS to return to the ring (obviously stick him in some tag matches along the way), let Sheamus attack him, have him challenge Sheamus in a Belfast Brawl or something, and one would have incredible heat, the other would be incredibly over.

Or maybe Finlay doesn't mean THAT much to the wrestling world >_>......

 

[Mat Awesome]

Finlay was great in WCW. He was seriously the toughest guy in all wrestling. Look up his matches with Steven Regal, he was great, I just believe he didn't get that push he deserved back then.

 

[phantomgerald]

I think he's done. I generally don't like to see older guys hold on to the past and he hasn't been that great in recent years. The one notable awesome fued was with Lashley what 4 years ago?

 

[JurassicBonez]

Meh, don't really care for Finlay. His heel act got tired out with him using the stick all the time. Hornswaggle came in and refreshed up alittle. Turning face helped out too. But he got boring again quick. Even after separating from Hornswaggle, he still used his music. Use your own music man.

 

[Alex C]

Teaming up with Hornswoggle totally killed my interest for Finlay.He returned on last episode of Smackdown,first time in months,and its funny how I never noticed he was missing until they said its his "comeback".

 

[CMS]

I'd go with option Number 2. Finlay doesn't mean that much. BTW, I must have missed the part where WWE made Randy Orton Sheamus's teacher and had him analize what he did. Anyways, Sheamus is beyond a manager now. He got put over by The Game, so for him to even get involve with Finlay would be a step back

 

[Axis]

He needs to return and beat some good into green rookies like he did with Lashley and Swagger.

 

[CMS]

Uggh those ugly Swagger vs Finlay matches are something I don't want to ever, ever, relive

 

[Kendrick's Biceps]

One of the best wrestlers contracted by the 'E. He was simply amazing in 2006 when he returned to the ring and had great matches with Lashley, Regal and just about everyone else on SmackDown!. He's out of shape now, which is a shame, but he's criminally underrated. If he were to get back in good shape then I would love to see him on SmackDown! working with younger guys like The Dudebusters.

 

[Hometown Kid]

What's up with the Fit Finlay err...indifference? This guy's right up there with Kane and Matt Hardy as "most underrated". However you can also make an argument being tied with those guys as "worst booked". He just needs to get rid of all these crap gimmicks ('Swoggle, shillalegh) and just be a guy who fights if he comes backI actually worked out a scenario in my head where he was the NXT ringleader which I thought while random, would be kinda cool.

I figure Vince thinks he looks too old and doesn't like him on TV because of that. He'd be one of my top guys of who I want to leave the company and get a fresh start for one last run. But his spot as trainer and stuff seems pretty cushy and he's probably cool just sitting back and coasting to retirement. Good for Finlay, imo.

 

[Luke Flywalker]

I'd go with option Number 2. Finlay doesn't mean that much. BTW, I must have missed the part where WWE made Randy Orton Sheamus's teacher and had him analize what he did. Anyways, Sheamus is beyond a manager now. He got put over by The Game, so for him to even get involve with Finlay would be a step back

Randy Orton vs. Sheamus, Orton completely dismantled Sheamus in the ring. The only time Sheamus seemingly did ANYTHING vs. Orton was when Orton had his back turned because of Legacy turning on him. Other than that, Orton destroyed him, royally.

As far as Sheamus being beyond a manager - are you serious? Triple H had Stephanie and Ric Flair way after he was already established for defeating guys like The Rock and Stone Cold. Mankind took out Taker and then got Paul Bearer. Hell, Taker had Paul Bearer well into his devastation of the WWE... hell, he beat Hogan with him. Sheamus may have taken out Triple H... but that isn't necessarily enough to say the guy can't use a manager. A good manager with good-great booking is never holding a guy down, especially if it can turn that guy into a champion somewhere along the lines. This is a problem with the E, and wrestling in general nowadays, there aren't enough manager storylines, and don't give me the chop-burns with Khali example, because he's not a manager. Managers made the best wrestlers, even if they were already somewhat established kayfabe or not.

 

[CMS]

Then again, Stephanie McMahon and Ric Flair and even Paul Bearer are all kinds of leagues over Finlay. Finlay has never even been close to the level of overness those three managers had. Besides, Finlay can't cut a promo.

And I'm not saying Sheamus couldn't use a manager. Im saying he doesn't need Finlay as his manager. In HHH/Flair case, it made sense, because of all what Ric Flair represented, and how HHH wanted to become the new Ric Flair and tie his championship record. Tying Sheamus with Finlay just for the sake that they are irish is idiotic, because general fan still watches Finlay as a midcard act, and there's no reason Sheamus would want to imitate what Finlay has done when in his short career has has already done more than him.

Lol at that because Randy Orton dominating his matches against Sheamus was because he was teaching Sheamus something. Of course he was teaching Sheamus something don't get me wrong, but not in the sense you're implying, as if WWE was unhappy with Sheamus in ring work. under the logic that Randy Orton schooled Sheamus by royally dominating him, everytime Kozlov and Khali go into a match they are schooling their opponents.

I get your point about managers and how they have been forgotten, but we're talking about the Heenans, the Heymans, guys that could actually provide mic work for those who needed it, not a guy like Finlay who can't work the mic and would only traspass his midcard status to a guy already above him like is Sheamus

 

[MizMasta3000]

I think what Finlay is doing now is suiting, He's backstage helping and training young talent. He's doing a good justice to these guys now. He was great in his time and it's a shame he never really got to superstar legend status in WCW but now he's giving back. What more can you ask for?

 

[Lady Redfield]

Teaming up with Hornswoggle totally killed my interest for Finlay.He returned on last episode of Smackdown,first time in months,and its funny how I never noticed he was missing until they said its his "comeback".

Agreed, Hornwoggle ruined everything for me. I wasn't a big fan of Finlay but I didn't mind him, either, up until Hornswoggle came along.

 

[Onyx]

From what I read, Finlay is competing much because Vince thinks he is a tad old for in-ring action, but I disagree! Finlay needs another push in my opinion!