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WWE's WrestleMania plans were shaken up on the go-home episode of SmackDown before the Elimination Chamber PPV. Mustafa Ali's replacement, Kofi Kingston, delivered a star-making performance, lasting over an hour in a gauntlet match.
Kofi carried his momentum into the Elimination Chamber match and almost won the WWE Championship. This led to Shane McMahon granting Kofi a well-deserved title shot at the Fastlane PPV, against the planet's champion, Daniel Bryan.
The fans have been pretty vocal when it comes to showing their support for the Jamaican superstar. And why wouldn't they be?
Kofi has spent a decade waiting for another chance at the main event picture after his push was derailed following an in-ring incident with The Viper, Randy Orton. The WWE Universe feels that it's finally time for the WWE to reward Kofi with the top prize after what he has been through.
But should Kofi win the WWE title at the final PPV before the show of shows? Here are 3 reasons why that would be a terrible idea.
#3 Not enough buildup
WWE Fastlane is almost upon us. After what Kofi has gone through, it would be a great disservice to the high flyer to throw him into a title match which has almost no build-up.
Sure, Kofi's storyline kicked off the moment he entered the gauntlet match and tore the house down, but his actual chase for the WWE title just started on this past week's SmackDown.
There's tons of material to cover. The WWE should go all the way with Kofi's underdog storyline, referencing his history in the company and how he came so close to becoming a main event player back in 2009.
Most Importantly, they need to highlight the fact that New Day's antics and lifestyle is something Bryan hates with all his heart. We need a proper program to cover every little detail of this storyline.
Inserting Kofi in the title picture as part of a throwaway match not only exposes WWE's lazy booking, but it robs Kofi of a chance to finally cement his place among the greatest legends this business has ever witnessed.
#2 Kofi going to WrestleMania as champion doesn't scream excitement
Kofi Kingston's decade long journey should have a fairytale ending.
How would you feel if back in 2014, WWE made Bryan the world champion at the Elimination Chamber PPV, and he went into the show of shows as the WWE Champion? Doesn't feel okay, right?
Making that mistake would've meant that we wouldn't have witnessed a tear-jerking moment of Bryan winning the WWE title in the main event of WrestleMania 30. History often repeats itself!
Kofi needs to have his moment at the big stage, and certainly doesn't deserve to win the title on a B-level show.
This would rob this storyline of all the intrigue that had been built up surrounding Kofi Kingston. Kofi wouldn't get the desired reaction at the grandest stage of them all if he comes into the ring already wearing the championship belt around his waist.
#1 Kofi deserves his WrestleMania moment
This is how the WWE should move forward with the Kofi Kingston underdog storyline:
Let Kofi lose the title due to interference by Rowan or a returning Luke Harper, and spend the next several weeks hyping up the rematch at WrestleMania 35.
Let Kofi deliver multiple heart-wrenching promos about how it took him 10 long years to get this shot, and if he messes this up, he's done. Let his brothers provide him the much-needed support at every corner.
On the other side, let Bryan become the new Authority and treat Kofi like Bryan was treated 4 years ago by Triple H and Stephanie.
At WrestleMania, Kofi wins the title after a 20-minute classic. 80,000 fans cheer in unison as Big E and Woods carry him on their shoulders with Kofi holding the WWE title high above his head.
Its been 11 years. Don't mess this up, WWE.
