The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry. From time to time, ProRasslin.com will take a look at an event and ask what if it didn’t happen or what if it happened differently. We’ll look at the plan, what happened and then the what if. In this case, the WWE Universe changed forever or more appropriately, not at all: Mr. Kennedy gets suspended.
The Plan
By mid-2007, Kennedy had developed himself as one of the WWE’s top characters on the mic. His in-ring resume was growing as well. He had won a United States title and Wrestlemania 23’s Money in the Bank match. Unfortunately, Kennedy had re-injured his tricep and was forced to drop his MitB contract to Edge before taking a few weeks off. Upon his return, Kennedy was drafted to the Raw brand and immediately began feuding for the IC title with Carlito and Umaga. There was something much larger brewing behind the scenes.
Through late-summer 2007, the ongoing storyline was ‘Who is Vince McMahon’s Illegimate Son?’ Considering Vince’s real-life son-in-law is Triple H, one could only imagine the type of push his newly revealed ‘illegimate son’ would get. The announcement was going to be made on the September 10th 2007 edition of Raw in Green Bay, WI. Considering how over Kennedy was, the fact that he shared a name with Vincent Kennedy McMahon and the fact that it was happening in his hometown, Kennedy seemed like the most likely candidate.
What Happened
Shortly before the ‘Illegimate Son’ reveal, Kennedy violated WWE’s Wellness Policy and was suspended. From there the storyline took a silly turn to reveal Hornswoggle as Vinnie Mac’s son. The angle put Hornswoggle over with the young fans but fizzled out shortly there after. Kennedy returned from suspension to begin a program with Jeff Hardy and later Shawn Michaels. As a sign that the McMahon’s still believed he had top guy potential, Kennedy starred in Behind Enemy Lines: Columbia. After filming was complete, he had a short feud with William Regal but nothing spectacular. The oft-injured Kennedy was released from his WWE contract in May of 2009.
What If
Live from Green Bay, WI on September 10th 2007, it is revealed Mr. Kennedy is indeed Vince McMahon’s illegimate son. Whether Kennedy forgives Vince for years of neglect or begins a feud with his deadbeat dad, Kennedy would have been involved in the top storyline in the company. Weeks later, Cena was injured and forced to vacate the WWE title. If Kennedy was revealed to be Vince’s son, who do you think would have claimed that belt? The story writes itself.
Kennedy could have been awarded the title if he was on Vince’s side or fought for it in spite of his father. We could have seen an Austin-McMahon style feud for months. Face or heel, Kennedy’s main opponent for the title would most likely would have been the perennial number one contender Triple H. When you’re involved with people like HHH and VKM, you’re one of the WWE’s top guys for a long time.
Instead, Kennedy is now Mr. Anderson in TNA. Hornswoggle still has a job. The WWE title has been passed around between Orton, HHH, Edge, Hardy, Batista, Sheamus, Cena and the Miz. The final two men on that list are the most interesting. Cena is obviously the top guy in the company. Behind the scenes the belief is Vince trusts him. He knows Cena is solid in the ring, comfortable on the mic and he won’t embarrass him with Wellness Policy violations. Had Kennedy proven to be equally trustworthy, you can only imagine what would have been.
And The Miz? Well the WWE obviously felt like it needed a solid wrestler with spectacular mic skills to feud with it’s top talent. Sounds a lot like Kennedy, doesn’t it? So while Kennedy’s suspension closed a door for him, it may have opened the door for the Miz. So I ask you: what if?
Well also remember when he dropped the MITB it was because that injury was diagnosed as a tear… He was going to need surgery and be out for 6-8 months. The Thursday or Friday after he dropped it to Edge on Raw he went and saw Dr. Andrews for a second opinion who diagnosed it as a deep bruise and put him out for a few weeks. What would have happened if he was diagnosed properly first?
It’s really crazy to think of how different the entire landscape of professional wrestling could have ended up today. Would he have made good on his word and cashed in the MITB at the following WrestleMania? If not for his injury, would he have beaten the injured Undertaker for the World Title instead of Edge? How would TNA look today without their top tweener? Kennedy’s misdiagnosis and later wellness policy violation have had a such a butterfly effect in wrestling, it’s crazy.
[…] Ryan’s “What if?” post earlier today has me waxing sentimental over how awesome Mr. Kennedy was. In the midst of his push, I can’t tell you how many times I shouted his name (self-produced echo and all) at some pub patron in the wee hours of the morning. It was just so fun to say; Mr. Anderson doesn’t roll off the tongue quite as effortlessly. In addition to reminiscing about good times with Mr. Kennedy’s catchphrase, I’ve been thinking about how much I truly despise Hornswoggle, the little fellow who ended up filling the role of VKM’s illegitimate son that was originally intended for the man from Green Bay. I thought of how many times during the past few years I’ve rolled my eyes at his antics. I thought about his name soiling the Cruiserweight Title lineage, and I thought about all of the airtime he’s stolen from deserving talent. And then I thought about how much I enjoy watching him get beat up. […]
all i know is andersons about one thing. the title. the title the title the title.
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