WWE.com hints at the return of the ........

HARDCORE TITLE!

When Cody Rhodes “bagged” the Intercontinental Championship and replaced it with its classic predecessor – worn by WWE Hall of Famers that included “Macho Man” Savage, Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat and “Stone Cold” Steve Austin a feeling of absolute electricity surged through the WWE Universe.

If that legendary title could return, what other awesome treasure from WWE’s past might be re-instituted next? One earth-shattering possibility WWE.com has been salivating over for a long time is the return of the defunct Hardcore Championship.

While the Intercontinental Title symbolizes the emerging excellence of past icons, its out-casted, hardcore cousin stands for the excellence of all-out anarchy.If you think Superstars are worried about “unsafe working conditions” now, just imagine what would happen if they ever got a dose of the ultimate monument to pure mayhem.

Up-for-grabs 24/7, the Hardcore Title was once fair game anywhere and everywhere that a challenger could drag a referee into. Its unique stipulation thrust WWE out of the ring and into places never before thought possible, unleashing sneak attacks in locker rooms, parking lots, golf courses, kid's full houses and even in McDonald's – and you thought fast food was bad for your health.

The volatile nature surrounding the “Shattered Championship” was so great that, in its day, it was not uncommon for it to change several times in a single night. In just less than four years as an active WWE title, it changed hands more than 220 times. One can only image how quickly its reemergence would cause the squared circle to turn completely upside down.

Picture how such unpredictable disorder would shake things up. Just when Dolph Ziggler would be thinking of treating himself to that well-deserved massage after a hard-fought showdown in the ring, here comes his own manager Vickie Guerrero, dragging a referee in one hand and a steel chair in the other! And without a doubt, R-Truth's conspiracy theories will increase tenfold, the first time he gets attacked at the baggage claim on the way to the pay-per-view. Talk about airport “insecurity.”

If the Hardcore Title ever does make a comeback, alliances will crumble and insanity will rule in its place, with an iron fist stronger than any potential Raw General Manager could ever dream of wielding. Whoever will place it around their waist will instantly be painting a target on their back. Everybody will be their enemy. Big, small, Superstar, Diva: all will be potential challengers, ready to pounce to win their own piece of glory.

WWE.com says: Bring back Hardcore havoc!

Well that would a be step away from PG right there

Not sure about this. Like Fernando said, it would be a step away from PG.

And you don't have anyone that screams to mind in the current roster that you can consider as Hardcore. When the title was around, you had the Dudleys, Raven etc.

The WWE product has moved on too much for this to become a possibilty.

If you just started watching you wouldnt picture Cena or Orton have a hardcore past but they do. I reckon theres a fair few guys who could fit into the Hardcore image.

Would rather they merged the two world titles, drop the US title and reintroduce the Cruiserweight title. So as to have three main titles, a tag title and a womens title.

If they were to bring back the hardcore title, think it would be better if they dropped the 24/7 element to it. It made for some nice comedy moments but feel a more serious element would benefit the title more just to show how much people are willing to do to win it.

Is this maybe the reasoning behind the return of Foley?

I expect Foley to return and then for this to be forgotten about shortly afterwards. For me the way it will work out is

Wrestler a (probably Otunga): I am hardcore

Wrestler B (probably Zach Ryder): No I am hardcore.

A: I am more hardcore than you.

b: No I am more hardcore than you.

A: Well why dont you fight me for the hardcore belt and prove how hardcore you are....

C (John Morrison): Hardcore parkour!

Fight ensues with Otunga winning. He holds up the belt only to be taken out by a crate of moonpies.

Foley elbow drops Otunga and gets the pin.

Foley: Bang bang! I am the Hardcore legend. Bang bang!

If WWE creative want to contact me - please PM at the usual address.

Hardcore Parkour!

Otunga winning the Hardcore Title in his suit would be just wrong.

Still, it worked for the Mean Street Posse

Jomo should steal Mickie James theme tune...

Hardcore Pakour!

this is a bad idea. Hardcore was a trend - ECW made it into a niche, WWF made it mainstream for as long as it served their purposes. But since WWE has returned to PG their hardcore matches are 9/10 laughable. It is a gimmick that I think very few wrestlers on the current roster are truly capable of transitioning into and would only be another mid card title to give somebody who they don't know what to do with such as Kofi Kingston or R-Truth once he's done with the Awesome Truth. It would be a smoke screen for lazy booking if they brought back the 24/7 rule.

talkingpoint wrote:this is a bad idea. Hardcore was a trend - ECW made it into a niche, WWF made it mainstream for as long as it served their purposes. But since WWE has returned to PG their hardcore matches are 9/10 laughable. It is a gimmick that I think very few wrestlers on the current roster are truly capable of transitioning into and would only be another mid card title to give somebody who they don't know what to do with such as Kofi Kingston or R-Truth once he's done with the Awesome Truth. It would be a smoke screen for lazy booking if they brought back the 24/7 rule.

Excellent points completely agree with everything you've said.

I think if they did bring it back, it would have to be 24/7 to have that comedy feel to it.

The hardcore phenomenon has been and gone and should only be brought out when it's going to be done right, with barbed wire, blood and brutality. ECW made it cool, and ECW has died...twice. Time to move on.

As Hobo said, I think personally it's just hyping a Foley return and no more will be said about it once he's back. I just hope he can go 10 seconds without using the words "hardcore" or "legend" and bringing Terry Funk out of retirement for the trillionth time. Sure, he was middle aged and crazy, but now he's old and senile. Big difference.

Aaronb33 wrote:

The hardcore phenomenon has been and gone and should only be brought out when it's going to be done right, with barbed wire, blood and brutality. ECW made it cool, and ECW has died...twice. Time to move on.

exactly - how many current wrestlers in the WWE could you see truly being as brutal as that and coming across as genuine? Super Cena definitely couldn't, Orton possibly but he's too insecure and wants to be loved all the time as a face to truly play the amoral, no-conscience psycho. John Morrison that's laughable, R-Truth likewise, the Miz same boat, Christian not a chance, Cody Rhodes - not probably he's just too theatrical to be brutal and gritty. The only Wrestler capable of doing it ala HHH back in the attitude era is Sheamus and he's currently a face. HHH had some of the best hardcore matches in the WWF/E in his prime during the attitude era - Cactus Jack RR 00 street fight, Cactus Jack HIAC, Batista HIAC to name a few. There's no way Sheamus would be allowed to do that kind of stuff. A hardcore division even if it stretches PG to its limits would never do justice to the legends of hardcore like Mick Foley, Terry Funk, Sabu, Raven, Tommy Dreamer, The Dudleys, Sandman etc that made hardcore what it was back in the 90s.

I would love to see them bring back the 24/7 hardcore title that would increase viwers aswell