Ringside Rewind: “Luke Harper’s Got Next”
After debuting as part of the Wyatt Family in 2013 the late, great Luke Harper separated from the group after a great feud. Heading into the world of solo competition on Smackdown, things were looking great for him and he was starting to really get over. This is an article that I wrote in the weeks leading up to the feud’s finale, and I even correctly predicted that he was bound for an Intercontinental title run!
Luke Harper's Got Next: A Look at Potential Feuds
With the feud between Luke Harper and his former family coming to a head soon, it is easy to speculate as to what is in store next for the promising performer. Here’s a look at some of the best potential opponents that could be placed in his path:
James Ellsworth: Any man with two hands has a fighting chance... Just kidding.
Kane: While currently out with an injury, his last match was in November against Harper. While the match wasn’t particularly spectacular, it also was not bad in any way. If Kane can manage to return and remain healthy there is plenty of opportunity for a fairly great feud between the two. Harper plays the character that’s got a screw loose tremendously, and it would be a great time seeing him combat the demon inside of Kane. It would make for some epic promos followed by very hard-hitting matches. This could be a feud used to establish Harper as a real threat as a solo competitor if his current feud with the Wyatt’s fails to do so.
Rhyno: Ok, it would be a true shame to separate the Beauty and the Man-Beast combination that Rhyno’s got going on with Slater. Should they be split up, though, a feud between Rhyno and Harper could be great. If they could be booked in a series of no-DQ style matches it would be extremely entertaining and could potentially give the WWE fans an old “ECW” feeling of nostalgia while providing a good body of work for both solo competitors.
Dolph Ziggler: If Ziggler succeeds against Crews in his current feud, it would be awesome to see a “I am the big man on campus style” rant from Ziggler be interrupted by an annoyed Harper coming off a failed conquest of the Wyatt Family. Harper would absolutely have to win this feud, as it would project him into the upper tier of solo competitors (due to Ziggler recently winning the IC title) and it would provide a bigger fuel to Ziggler raging fire inside. Ziggler is tremendous in the ring, and hopefully this would help Harper develop as well as earn more respect from the WWE fans. Plus, let’s be honest, the Discus Clothesline vs. the Super Kick sounds pretty awesome.
Baron Corbin: Baron Corbin has been on an absolute tear since winning the Andre the Giant Battle Royal at least year’s Wrestlemania. Currently in the WWE Champion conversation, a lot could ride on a battle of the bigs between he and Harper. Que some creepy, Wyatt-esque promos with Harper targeting the nerve of Corbin, and Corbin staring it in the face without blinking. This feud could provide both superstars with an opportunity to show the world that they can cut promos, and their fierceness in the ring would make for some great matches. This may be a step backward for Corbin, but it would be a little too soon to hand him the most prestigious belt in the industry and he has to go somewhere.
Dean Ambrose: Presuming Dean is still holding the Intercontinental Title during the feud, giving Harper a title shot would be exceptionally interesting. Dean is already an extremely proven superstar with the ability to cut great promos and give phenomenal in-ring performances. Ambrose is a glutton for punishment and Harper does a great job dishing it out. The big, crazy country-man pitted against the wiry, maniacal lunatic would make for some legendary matches. Throw in a table match when the feud hits it’s most tense moment, and it could seriously be one for the ages.
