"Big Johnny" John Laurinaitis

Garseys · 13-01-2012 12:10pm #1

So who has grown to like the Executive Vice President of Talent Relations and Interim general manager of Raw?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5d-42g1vR4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxtgSngr_WQ

I'll be honest, I was very apprehensive when he started appearing on air but he really has won me over.

Lord TSC · 13-01-2012 12:15pm

I'm starting to appreciate him in the role he plays. They seem to be fully aware of how static and monotone he is, and are playing that up.

He might be the first person to ever successfully pull off the "boring" gimmick...

A Primal Nut · 13-01-2012 12:22pm

Teamshadowclan wrote: »

I'm starting to appreciate him in the role he plays. They seem to be fully aware of how static and monotone he is, and are playing that up.

Exactly, they must have told him to be as boring as possible. For the boring middle manager gimmick he is perfect. The way he comes out and says "My name is John Laurinitis. I am the excutive bla bla bla" it always gets the perfect reaction from the crowd. And of course he is always trying hard to prove how creative he is, but fails miserably.

I laughed when he said that about John Morrison. Knowing that he had been let go in the way he had it was like the ultimate insult as you could tell his character didn't mean it at all.

He's definitely one of my favourite characters on the show right now.

Diabhal Beag · 13-01-2012 12:30pm

But guys CM Punk said he was a loser

JP Liz V1 · 13-01-2012 12:35pm

A Primal Nut wrote: »

Exactly, they must have told him to be as boring as possible. For the boring middle manager gimmick he is perfect. The way he comes out and says "My name is John Laurinitis. I am the excutive bla bla bla" it always gets the perfect reaction from the crowd. And of course he is always trying hard to prove how creative he is, but fails miserably.

I laughed when he said that about John Morrison. Knowing that he had been let go in the way he had it was like the ultimate insult as you could tell his character didn't mean it at all.

He's definitely one of my favourite characters on the show right now.

Is he getting a reaction from the crowd? To me it is more like just go away heat tbh I dont know whether he is suppose to be heel or face and as for his "feud" with Punk very uninteresting so far maybe if he goes fully heel and less bland it might improve.

DM_7 · 13-01-2012 12:35pm

He is exactly what Raw needed in the GM role. HHH was taking up way too much of the shows time as GM while Johnny only takes up small segments of the show that further storylines quickly.

Its great that they gave him a sidekick in Otunga.

As the weeks go by he gets better material to work with.

Best of all he has no real on screen history in WWE. Punk intoduced him to us before MITB as Vince's yes man. The introduction and the fact he is not a well known WWE wrestler makes it easier for him to be a heel and a good foe for CM Punk.

DEFTLEFTHAND · 13-01-2012 12:39pm

What I want to know is are we going see Johnny lace up the boots again and get in the ring with Punk. Granted it could be a bit of a car crash but interesting all the same.

A Primal Nut · 13-01-2012 12:41pm

JP Liz V1 wrote: »

Is he getting a reaction from the crowd? To me it is more like just go away heat tbh I dont know whether he is suppose to be heel or face and as for his "feud" with Punk very uninteresting so far maybe if he goes fully heel and less bland it might improve.

He's a heel trying too hard to be liked. Reminds me of Kurt Angle. It means lots of funny moments.

It's like he's playing the role of a typical manager in a big corporation who seems like he is trying to be popular with his employees but they hate him because he keeps screwing them ever no matter how hard he tries otherwise. Reminds me of my manager.

rovert · 13-01-2012 12:45pm

Ive always liked him.

Ive always got the George Bush Jr vibe off him.

big syke · 13-01-2012 1:22pm

Who is the President of Talent Relations though.....

Lord TSC · 13-01-2012 1:42pm

Wouldn't that be Vince?

I think it's that Vince is President of WWE, and JL is Vice President (in charge) of Talent Relations, while Steph is Vice President of Creative or something else....

Or am I completly off base?

JP Liz V1 · 13-01-2012 1:44pm

big syke wrote: »

Who is the President of Talent Relations though.....

I thought Melina was

http://corporate.wwe.com/company/executive.jsp

A Primal Nut · 13-01-2012 2:03pm

big syke wrote: »

Who is the President of Talent Relations though.....

This used to confuse me too. But the way companies work is they have a president and then vice-presidents of different areas. So Vince is president and according to that page posted me before me the following are vice-presidents.

HHH
Stephanie
Kevin Dunn
John Laurinites
Jim Connelly
Michael Luisi

So these are the six vice-presidents and each has a different area. Laurinitis' job title should really be Vice-president of WWE, in charge of talent relations. But for whatever reason it is shorteneted Vice-President of talent relations. I guess the idea is that the chairman is president of everything so everyone else is Vice-President. of each area This is common in many companies not just the WWE.

I wonder what he is like in his real job? For some reason I imagine he is the exact same as his character.

connemara man · 13-01-2012 2:50pm

Who cares what his job his just keep up the entertaining segments

and I know some one in another thread said he should sort out his delivery but if he comes across to well the whole thing wouldn't work, but the whole him and CM Punk angle isn't really doing much for me

starviewadams · 13-01-2012 3:12pm

Yeah I like him,he's not too overpowering as a GM like Vince/Bischoff/HHH were and nearly all of his segments are entertaining.

Plus he's Marty Funkhouser!

Horsebox9000 · 13-01-2012 3:33pm

Good ole Johnny boy is definitely doing a great job in his role. Especially the way he introduces him self, love that "I am the blah blah blah blah......"
Also, him being the reason as to Ziggler getting title shots is damn fine with me. The more Ziggler then the better!

I was reluctant in the beginning to see his feud with Punk really amounting to anything emotional (See Vince VS Austin) but if they play this out well it could be brilliant.

However, what ever happened to the annonymous GM, talk about a failed story there.

Lord TSC · 13-01-2012 4:36pm

I'd don't remember any anonymous GM storyline...

<_<''

Charisteas · 13-01-2012 5:50pm

John Laurinaitis? Well he's better than Mike Adamle I suppose..........

spiritcrusher · 13-01-2012 6:37pm

Another one here in the "I used to hate him but he's completely won me over" camp. It's the ridiculous smile and totally satisfied look to the distance after he makes a decision, which he's convinced is genius but in reality is terrible, that makes it for me. And when it's preceded or followed by something like "See... I'm a really fun and spontaneous guy" it just cracks me up.
Also, putting Otunga with him as the bow-tie wearing, coffee sipping, smug Harvard lawyer was inspired.
It's just a pity that WWE can create these entertaining characters but can't get the storylines right.

Big Johnny for prez.

Garseys · 13-01-2012 6:51pm

Charisteas wrote: »

John Laurinaitis? Well he's better than Mike Adamle I suppose..........

Adamle was atrocious.

Yeah same sentiments with what most people said about the pairing of himself and otunga. reminds me a bit of Bischoff and Coach (Coach being the yes man to Eric)

sky88 · 13-01-2012 6:58pm

if only he still had his awesome mullet it would be better

WoundedRhino · 14-01-2012 7:23pm

He's a total goof but so funny. I've actually come to really like him too. One of my favourite characters in WWE at the moment.

Washout · 16-01-2012 9:48am

He is definetly 1000 times better than HHH and the stupid anonymous RAW GM.

are we ever going to find out who that was supposed to be?

bradlente · 17-01-2012 6:50am

The seeds for a big heel turn were planted there tonight I think.He kind of reminds me of how Vince was on screen before they turned his heat up to 11 with the Austin fued.I don't know if they could push the character that far but hes been very entertaining on screen lately.I thought he was crap the 1st few weeks as well but they've done a really good job withem imo.Props to the E for once.

I suppose its life imitating art really:pac:

Washout · 17-01-2012 12:33pm

now that he **Raw Spoiler**

admitted that he was gonna screw CM Punk I cant see CM Punk losing the Title at the RR.

how many times has Mick Foley been involved as a ref.
surely what will happen is Johnny will get knocked out..Foley counts the pinfall;...CM Punk Wins...Dolph enters the Royal Rumble and goes onto to win it.

.

Diabhal Beag · 17-01-2012 2:22pm

Seriously a star was made last night. All the lack of charisma, the voice that Shergar the horse would have had if he could talk and his genuine look of horror when he's insulted. All that last night was just perfect and he has the potential to be as over as a heel as possible in an organisation where crowds are as interested as me at mass on a Sunday.

I AM JOHN LAURINAITIS, AND I AM THE EXECUTIVE VICE-PRESIDENT OF TALENT RELATIONS.

Pentecost · 17-01-2012 3:16pm

"My name is John Laurinaitis and I am..." BOOOO...it's the new "EXCUSE ME!"

Garseys · 17-01-2012 4:52pm

His promo was pretty awesome last night.

Loved the way he said soon to be permanent GM of Raw aswell.

and as someone said, it's no McMahon/Austin it's pretty damn good.

spiritcrusher · 17-01-2012 7:00pm

Give the man a permanent, pensionable job WWE. He's gold!

Even though it was obvious what was coming, I was still dying for Johnny to hit Foley a smack at the end. Fat old men have no place in the Rumble!

ceegee · 17-01-2012 7:28pm

Out of interest, was last night the first mention of him being animals brother? Dont remember it being mentioned before.

With the rumble being held in St Louis, any chance of a certain Rams linebacker saving his uncle?

LimerickLad92 · 22-01-2012 4:56am

I also love Johnny Ace

he is a breath of fresh air to a stale position

MitchKoobski · 23-02-2012 12:43pm

WANT

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9JEXWE5NgAo

montyrebel · 23-02-2012 2:01pm

that is fricking awesome

JP Liz V1 · 23-02-2012 2:34pm

MitchKoobski wrote: »

WANT
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9JEXWE5NgAo

Awesome

connemara man · 23-02-2012 2:42pm

Epic Video

JL = hannibal
Del Rio = The Fce
Christian = Murdock
Mark Henry = BA

Who is Otunga??? and has Johnny Ace been texting to get the gang together all these months

paddyismaddy · 23-02-2012 4:57pm

connemara man wrote: »

Who cares what his job his just keep up the entertaining segments and I know some one in another thread said he should sort out his delivery but if he comes across to well the whole thing wouldn't work, but the whole him and CM Punk angle isn't really doing much for me

i dont get why punk was so against him either?

anyways he has really grown on me more so now

"Big Johnny" John Laurinaitis

Comments