• Look Back In History
• Pmessages
• Quiz
• Stump The Staff
• Top Fifty
• Close

Is Jack Swagger Worth Pushing After Recent Arrest and Character Controversy?

Posted: Feb 24th 2013 By: mikeiles

It didn't take long for Jack Swagger to stir up controversy with his new gimmick after returning a few weeks ago, but now it appears as if he is seeing a different kind of attention.

Swagger was arrested for a DUI and marijuana possession recently, which does not bode well for the man who just earned his chance at a World title shot at WrestleMania.

Unless WWE sees this as a reason to remove him from the match, the question turns into whether or not Swagger is worth pushing after the recent controversy.

Character Controversy

WWE was recently criticized by those who claim the character Zeb Colter is an intentional shot at the Tea Party by WWE.

WWE responded by saying the character was fictional as well as a heel and was meant to portray a negative viewpoint, which would eventually be overcome by the hero in the storyline.

Believe it or not, this is the kind of attention WWE should want from the character. When someone like Glenn Beck sees fit to mention it, then you know it's working.

As Eric Bischoff said, controversy creates cash.

This will get people to wonder what is so bad about the character that would make a political party upset. Eventually some of those people who tune in might become regular viewers.

Viewers who have stopped watching may also be drawn to watch the product again after this kind of media attention.

If anything, this gave WWE an even greater reason to push Swagger. The heel character accomplished what it was supposed to, and nobody could be happier about that than WWE management.

Arrest

Swagger's arrest is a tricky situation for two reasons: He was caught driving under the influence, and he was caught with an illegal substance.

The WWE wellness policy does not suspend superstars if they test positive for marijuana, but there is a fine imposed and the possibility of being de-pushed.

Since Swagger was arrested with it, the situation drew media attention that WWE would probably not want this close to its biggest night of the year.

Driving under the influence, whether marijuana or alcohol, also bodes the possibility of leading to a stall in Swagger's push.

He has only been back a few weeks, and he is already under the microscope due to this situation.

WWE wants its superstars, heel or babyface, to portray a positive image outside the ring, and these two infractions certainly do not do that for Swagger.

Basically, it comes down to whether WWE can trust Swagger not to get into trouble again.

Some major superstars have been featured prominently following similar situations, while others have been put on the back burner.

Swagger is not someone with the same reputation as a Rey Mysterio or Randy Orton. The company could easily cut its losses and move on.

Since Swagger is still with WWE, and it has continued to release new videos online to push the character, it appears he is safe for now.

Jack Swagger has unlimited potential, and hopefully this hiccup does not get in the way of him realizing that potential.

What do you think? Should WWE keep pushing the character?