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I think the entire WWE Universe can agree, Shorty G is not the ideal name for a Superstar in the company.
When reports surfaced weeks ago that WWE had trademarked the name, I was not a fan. Hearing it out loud when he dropped the new name on Friday did not help much.
Many in the WWE Universe have watched the likes of King Corbin, Elias, and Shelton Benjamin drop one short joke after another in hopes that the company would cut the bit itself short.
Friday night though it finally came to a head. After a quick win over Curtis Axel, the wrestler formally known as Chad got on the mic and proudly proclaimed himself Shorty G.
Now that the deed is done, it's time to look at how the WWE can make sure the name doesn't come up short with the crowd.
#1 He has to be booked strong
Even the best gimmicks and names in the world can be ruined by bad booking. A prime example of this is the old Bray Wyatt.
The Eater of Worlds was billed as this unstoppable monster. The demented leader of the Wyatt Family had the look, the mystique, and the muscle behind him to be a dominant force.
Except seemingly every time Wyatt would enter into a major feud, he would lose. Eventually, the audience stopped taking him seriously, and his career floundered.
Fortunately for Wyatt, he's a genius. He took a brief hiatus and turned himself into the hottest gimmick in wrestling.
If Shorty wants to avoid the same fate as the old Bray Wyatt, he needs to keep winning matches. If he does lose, he better look damn good in defeat.
Being booked on Team Hogan at Crown Jewel is a good start for his push. Speaking of which...
#2 He should get the win for Team Hogan at Crown Jewel
Say what you want about Crown Jewel. I know the event is not everyone's cup of tea, but this is a big opportunity for a guy like Shorty G.
Being a part of anything that involved Hulk Hogan and Ric Flair is a big deal.
Shorty G and Ali were added to the match during Friday Night SmackDown, as was new team captain Roman Reigns.
In a matchup that includes former World Champions, budding rivals, and heavy-hitting coaches, it'll be easy for Shorty G to fade into the background. That should not happen.
Gable has to look as though he belongs. I'll go a step further, he should get the decisive pinfall or submission.
If this match is going to take place it should accomplish something. It does very little to advance the careers of Roman Reigns or Randy Orton, but it could be a catalyst in the career of Shorty G.
Ali almost beat Randy Orton at Hell in a Cell. He looked great in defeat, but not as good as if he would have won the match.
He and Shorty have a chance to come back from Saudi Arabia looking strong. Imagine if Shorty was able to make the Viper tap to the ankle lock.
That would open a few eyes, wouldn't it?
#3 Keep speaking from the heart
As someone who has battled with body image issues and poor self esteem my entire life, Shorty's promo hit home.
I felt as if he was talking directly to me, and I'm sure I wasn't the only one to feel that connection. In this business, connecting with the audience is key.
Shorty didn't sound like he was reading from a script. He sounded like he was speaking from the heart and believed in his words.
In a world that is filled with self-doubt and negativity, I am all for a character who promotes positivity.
The challenge with that is making sure that message doesn't get stale. He can't come out each week and repeat the same promo.
It's up to Shorty now to find a way to keep it fresh. If it were me, I'd do what I do in real life. Roll out the self-deprecating humour cannon and turn it on full blast.
If Shorty can prove he has a quick wit and can turn an insult around on the opposing heel, that will go a long way with getting over with the crowd as well.
The Rock was the master at that. I'm not expecting Chad Gable to become Dwayne Johnson, but I think he's capable of finding that balance of comedy and physicality to be successful.
#4 Don't become a comedy act
So I can't be the only person who hears the name "Shorty G" and thinks is it going to be a rapper gimmick.
That was my biggest fear for Gable when I first heard about the possibility of the name change. I thought they were going to turn him into a rapper, and I mean a very bad one.
Remember when he was walking around backstage with a clipboard taking notes? I thought he was jotting down rap lyrics.
Thankfully the company seems to be avoiding the comedy act route, but they need to tread lightly.
With a name like Shorty G, it is going to be very easy for people not to take Chad seriously, which is a shame because he is one of the best technical wrestlers in the company.
So being funny when the moment calls for it is fine, but once that moment passes it should be strictly business for him.
Comedy acts can get over with the crowd, but the ringwork is the most important thing for career longevity.
Remember Brotus Clay? The Funkasaurus flamed out big time when it became all about his dancing and not his in-ring ability.
At least Naomi was able to break free of that Funkadactyl life and win a Women's Championship.
#5 Win the Intercontinental Championship
I'm circling back around to booking on this one, because it's that important.
Earlier in the article, I mentioned how important it is for Shorty to be booked strong if the crowd is going to get behind him.
That's true, but it has to lead somewhere.
So often anymore all someone has to do to get a title shot is to attack the champion. I'd like to see the Shorty G be booked like The Man when she first started her turn around.
When Becky Lynch was booked to challenge Carmella for SmackDown Women's Title at SummerSlam, she earned that opportunity. She worked her way through the entire division before getting that shot.
So when Charlotte was added to the match and went on to win the title, the crowd got behind the Irish Lasskicker. They felt she had been stolen of a big opportunity, and they erupted when she attacked The Queen afterwards. The rest, as they say, is history.
Over the next several weeks, I would have Chad run through the locker room. Earn one impressive win after another, but not get a title opportunity.
I want Shinsuke Nakamura to be scared to face Gable. Sami Zayn can get on the mic and talk down to him. Tell him he's not worthy even though deep down, they know how good he is.
Their program could culminate with a big match at the Royal Rumble. It's there that the ultimate underdog could defy the odds, and win his first singles title.
What are your thoughts on Shorty G? Can Chad overcome the name as long as he owns it?
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