When a star leaves, fans gather to reflect on his past accomplishments, unforgettable hits, greatest moments and lasting impact. An even bigger deal is his return, which is celebrated with immense enthusiasm, with everyone excited to see him back in action, showcasing his best in-ring skills and showing off the unique moves that made him famous.
A look at Bo Dallas’ winning streak
A prime example of this is Bo Dallas who recently returned to WWE after his departure from the promotion in 2021 under the name Uncle Howdy. The enthusiasm and cheers from fans should come as no surprise given Dallas’ reputation as a prominent star in WWE’s developmental promotion NXT. His remarkable fighting styles, charismatic personality and impressive performances increased his popularity and fame.
While fans are bursting with excitement for his return, former WWE head writer Vincent Russo expressed his disappointment with the way he was portrayed in his last in-ring match. Let’s take a closer look.
Russo criticizes the bumps and weak moves given to Howdy in the ring
Uncle Howdy vs. Chad Gable – Full Match – WWE Raw 08/26/2024
While fans are bursting with excitement for his return, former WWE head writer Vincent Russo expressed his disappointment with the way he was portrayed in his last in-ring match. Let’s take a closer look.
After his return under the name Uncle Howdy, Dallas and The Wyatt Sicks Stable made headlines with their targeted attacks on Chad Gable. On the last episode of RAW, Dallas faced Gable in a singles match, giving him a chance to get even after their previous encounter. The match ended with Dallas defeating Gable again.
Although this seemingly impressive victory was accompanied by excitement, enthusiasm and thrills, not everyone was happy with how it went down. He spoke at length to Sprotskeeda’s Legion of RAW podcast, where he explained that Dallas was portrayed as very powerless in the match and seemed too vulnerable. Influential wrestlers like Dallas (or Howdy) should be portrayed as stronger and more impactful in their matches and storylines. To put it bluntly, he said:
“Why did they let Howdy sell like that? Oh my God! I look at that and I’m like, ‘What are you doing?’ He’s selling, he’s down. Come on! Way too much, man. Taking up a spot on the table, that’s way too much.”
According to Russo, characters like Howdy are meant to inspire intimidation, fear, and respect. The match failed to live up to that portrayal, as the extensive selling and slugfests Howdy went through undermined the character’s strength, credibility, and fearsome personality. While this match has generated significant debate, fans will have to wait for the next showdown to see how Uncle Howdy fares and if he can regain his formidable presence.
