WWE and the Delicate Dance of Using Jobbers

The brand split for the WWE has resulted in quite a few changes for the company, and the performers, since it occurred. One of the things that has stemmed from Smackdown and RAW now being separate entities is the reemergence of the jobber.

Enhancement/local talent has been popping up more often recently in order to let WWE talent pick up easy, impressive wins without anybody on the roster having to take a hit. The last couple of weeks, Carmella has picked up wins over jobbers, but, alas, it has also been death for Smackdown.

Jobbers need to be used carefully. They really only work in the modern era in squash matches. When Braun Strowman or Nia Jax beats up a jobber it works, because they dominate. The match is about how impressive and strong and brutal a Strowman or a Jax is.

It’s about the ease of victory, and fans can enjoy watching somebody get thrown around like a ragdoll, even if they don’t know, or care, who the jobber is. You also may be able to get away with a jobber if they were going up against a popular face, because fans will still be happy to see the face in question. If Enzo and Big Cass, for example, were to beat up some jobbers, people would still enjoy their schtick (unfortunately).

The probably with Carmella facing jobbers is that Carmella is a heel, and not a particularly established or popular one. Additionally, she’s not winning in squash matches. She’s just having matches with jobbers, then James Ellsworth intereferes, then she wins. The crowd is not into it, and Carmella isn’t a strong enough wrestler at this point to overcome a dead crowd. Granted, the WWE doesn’t have much of a choice. She’s not going to pick up a win over Becky Lynch or Nikki Bella, who are both busy in other feuds, and the only other female face on Smackdown is Naomi, who is currently injured. Still, even though the WWE has been pushed into a corner, it’s a reminder that jobbers only really work in very specific situations.

How do you feel about wrestlers facing jobbers? Let us know in the comments, and check out the Wrestling Rumors Facebook page.