The anticipation was palpable in the arena on Monday Night Raw, dated June 17th, as Uncle Howdy made his dramatic return to WWE. This event followed several tantalizing teasers that began surfacing a week after WrestleMania XL. The crowd’s excitement was electric, reflecting the fervor of fans who had been eagerly awaiting the re-emergence of the Wyatt 6. Despite the overall rave reviews, a significant flaw was highlighted by former WWE star Bully Ray during a recent podcast episode.
The Big Reveal: Uncle Howdy Takes the Stage
In the climactic segment of Raw, five members of the Wyatt 6 were revealed sequentially, culminating in the appearance of Uncle Howdy. The scene was meticulously choreographed: Uncle Howdy emerged slowly from backstage, gathering his enigmatic allies before him. The moment seemed perfect as he picked up a lantern and declared, “We’re here.” Yet, the magic was shattered for some when Bo Dallas, under the Uncle Howdy persona, delivered this line in his unaltered, all-too-human voice.
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Bully Ray’s Critique: A Voice That Broke the Spell
On the Busted Open Podcast, Bully Ray expressed his disappointment. “I’m watching all of these characters and then I hear the voice of what sounded like a normal person. So that kind of threw me off just a little bit,” he remarked. The former wrestler didn’t necessarily wish for Uncle Howdy to remain silent but believed that altering the voice would have maintained the supernatural mystique. For him, the unmodified human voice broke the immersion, especially given the context of the characters’ dark and malevolent actions.
The Debate: Should Uncle Howdy Have Stayed Silent?
This critique opens a broader discussion: should Uncle Howdy’s voice have been altered to preserve the character’s eerie essence? Bully Ray’s perspective is that a supernatural entity like Uncle Howdy should not sound like an ordinary person. After all, this is a character that led his followers to commit heinous acts, including an on-screen massacre. The expectation was for a voice that could encapsulate the sinister aura of the Wyatt 6, and the unaltered voice fell short of that mark.
Future Directions: The Potential First Victim of the Wyatt 6
Despite this initial hiccup, the WWE universe is abuzz with speculation about the future moves of the Wyatt 6. The burning question now is: who will be Uncle Howdy’s first rival? Given the extensive gap since his last WWE run, revisiting old feuds would be less impactful. Instead, WWE is likely to introduce fresh conflicts to keep fans on their toes.
Jey Uso: A Target in the Crosshairs?
Industry insider Dave Meltzer has stirred the pot with his insights. During a segment on Wrestling Observer Radio following Raw, Meltzer suggested that Jey Uso’s presence in the arena was no coincidence. The choice of the main event and Jey’s victory in Corpus Christi might have been strategic, potentially setting the stage for a feud between Jey Uso and Uncle Howdy. Such a storyline would not only captivate the audience but also give a new direction to the Wyatt 6 narrative.
The Road Ahead for Uncle Howdy
Uncle Howdy’s return to WWE has been a significant moment, marked by both triumph and critique. As WWE fans and insiders dissect this debut, one thing is clear: the character has reignited excitement and speculation within the wrestling community. Whether the voice issue is addressed or becomes part of the character’s evolution, the return of Uncle Howdy and the Wyatt 6 promises to be a compelling storyline to follow.
The WWE has always excelled at turning critiques into opportunities for narrative development. As the saga of Uncle Howdy unfolds, fans can look forward to more thrilling episodes, unexpected twists, and, hopefully, the eerie perfection that the character demands.
