Report: WWE Considering A “Varsity Club” Stable For SmackDown Live

World Wrestling Entertainment is reportedly considering to have a “Varsity Club/shooters type” stable on Smackdown Live. This is according to the latest edition of Dave Meltzer’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

The report goes on to mention that Shelton Benjamin, Dolph Ziggler and Jack Swagger were pitched to be the members of this potential group. Obviously, if this were to happen, it would be months down the road as Benjamin is recovering from shoulder surgery that will keep him away for approximately another 6 months.

There were plans to have Smackdown Superstar Chad Gable lead a “shooters” group when he was in NXT. However, Meltzer notes that the idea was ultimately cancelled because Vince McMahon is reportedly known to dislike those kinds of gimmicks and it would hurt everyone involved.

Mark’s reaction: I don’t understand the idea that Vince dislikes those kinds of “shooter” gimmicks. The shooter gimmick was pretty much Kurt Angle’s character when he was in WWE. He’d brag about being an Olympic gold medalist, which means he’s legit. This has also sort of been Brock Lesnar’s gimmick since he’s returned to WWE. He’s hyped up as a former UFC Champion who can legitimately defeat anyone he faces. I also already see American Alpha as this type of team as Gable’s Olympic wrestling past is frequently mentioned, and even Jordan’s Division I NCAA wrestling background has been brought up before.

Using those three examples, I always thought that Vince did like those kinds of gimmicks. However, maybe he just feels like they are best in moderation. If you have too many “shooter” type gimmicks then it can possibly hurt others who aren’t booked as “legit.”

Either way, I’d definitely like to see a stable come together between Benjamin, Ziggler and Swagger. Before Benjamin was the “Gold Standard” and had his “mother” accompanying him to the ring, he was billed as a legit NCAA wrestler and was part of Angle’s “shooter type” stable in Team Angle. Swagger being an All-American collegiate wrestler has always been a big part of his character. Ziggler’s amateur wrestling history has not been mentioned as often as the other two, but it has been mentioned. Ziggler even stated on this week’s Smackdown that he’s a Kent State Hall of Famer.

My point in mentioning all this is that it would not be too much of a stretch from these three men’s normal characters to put them in a “Varsity Club” style stable. It can very easily be done and can hopefully help rejuvenate the careers of all three men involved.