A change of scenery can do a wrestler a world of good. A guy struggling in the WWE can become revitalized if he moved to the indies or TNA. This installment of the six packs is going to list six guys whom I think could use a change of scenery and what the actual scenery I'd like to see them in is. It's not going to be anything too too major or petty - no Triple H to the Siberian Wrestling Collective or anything like that. However, I think these guys would be more entertaining in other roles than where they are now:NOTE: All of these may very well be unrealistic, but still...
1. Matt Hardy, from Smackdown to DGUSA
I'm not going to speculate on Matt Hardy's happiness level with the WWE, but he's looked like he's been going through the motions lately, ever since before his brother left the company. There are a few things factoring into that. Crowds seemed to have rejected him as anything but a Hardy Boy. He's gotten out of shape. He seems to be lost in the shuffle with no real mobility - he'll always be in one spot because of his last name, but he's not doing himself any favors to get moved past that spot.
SO I had this thought. What if Matt Hardy got in shape, got motivated and went to DGUSA? Yeah, I know, if he got motivated and in shape, he'd be better off where he is, and he has legions of fans, but from where I sit, the Hardy Boy schtick is kinda tired. I can only see Hardy work the same spots I've seen him work for the last 15 years so many times. Going to DGUSA would give Hardy a platform to work a style similar to the one he worked in OMEGA before coming to the WWF. Yeah, he's older, but if he got in shape, I'd be very interested to see how he'd work in a more freestyle environment against both the Toryumon/DG vets and the indie guys they've brought in, in front of an audience that would appreciate the deviance from the Team Xtreme formula.
2. Jamie Noble, from RAW to ROH
Jamie Noble is "officially retired" after taking a BRUTAL powerbomb from Sheamus O'Shaunessy, and will probably become a road agent for the company. However, I'm not done enjoying him in the ring. I always thought he was a decent cruiser-type worker who really didn't have the stage to shine in the WWE. He was always a misfit for the company, and didn't ever replicate what he did in ROH as James Gibson.
So why not go back there? ROH has become somewhat of a haven for older wrestlers looking for a place to go when the WWE and TNA don't really want much to do with them. It's been a nice stop for guys like Jerry Lynn, D'Lo Brown and now Steve Corino. Noble could be a nice opponent for a great number of guys in the fed, and he wouldn't have to resort to getting nearly killed to make a statement for the fans in attendance.
3. Ken Doane, from the indies to TNA
A lot of people pegged him for superstardom, but his attitude apparently got in the way. So why should he go from indie bookings to TNA, a place with a notoriously unstructured locker room? Well, I'd take the gamble if I got to see him on TV getting a shot. Doane is a talented heat magnet.
Of course, TNA would have to resist the urge to brand him in a way that builds off his WWE work. They've succeeded with D'Angelo Dinero... others not so much.
4. Masato Tanaka, from Japan to ECW
It's not like I've seen much of Tanaka in Japan to think he needs a change of scenery there, but I've always enjoyed him in the ring and would love to see him back in America. He's one of the last links to the original ECW that hasn't been tried yet. Unlike most other ECW alums, Tanaka doesn't seem to be used up. I'd love to see him in the new ECW as a mentor for Yoshi Tatsu and in matches against guys like William Regal, Tommy Dreamer and Paul Burchill.
5. Jay Lethal, from TNA to Smackdown
If there's a youth movement going on in TNA, someone forgot to tell Jay Lethal. He's gone from being a hot X-Division titlist and rising star to jobbing to Jim Niedhart. Even though he's shown the most with a gimmick that's an "homage" to put it lightly, Lethal's in-ring ability and charisma have shown through in spades. A fresh start in the WWE would do wonders for him, like it has fellow TNA castoff Ron "R-Truth" Killings.
6. Shelton Benjamin, from ECW to EVOLVE
This is the biggest pipe dream of all. Benjamin ain't going anywhere, especially to an indie start-up whose biggest name to date is either Davey Richards or Mike Quackenbush. However, what has his biggest bugaboo been? Being entertaining outside of the ring. What have people praised him on? His ring work, athleticism and raw talent. What upcoming fed is looking to promote the sport aspect of things rather than the angle aspect? EVOLVE. Even though it'll never happen, it would be a fantastic change of scenery since Benjamin would be allowed to let his matches do the talking rather than his awkward baritone.
