Book or Cook? The Booking of Sin Cara

Craig Wilson, Brian Damage & Jamie Lithgow

The WWE roster is filled with “superstars” at every level. There are the main roster guys who regularly appear on Raw and SmackDown, those who are used as glorified jobbers and those who are barely used at all. In this series of pieces, we will take an individual wrestler barely or poorly used and decide if they are worth keeping or should they be let go. Today we Book or Cook Sin Cara.

Craig: While the other have of the Lucha Dragons, Kalisto, has gone on to bigger and better things as a solo act, Sin Cara has been somewhat lost in the shuffle.

His injury obviously stalled momentum but in his absence his tag team partner won the US title and has gone on to be a semi-decent champion. Now back from injury, Sin Cara is struggling to really cut through.

The WWE obviously value the Sin Cara character hence why we’re now on the second wrestler under that guise. There’s little doubt that his masks are a big hit on the merch tables.

But what of the character? Is he destined to go no further than where he is now and have his accomplishments eclipsed by his partner Kalisto?

Brian: I had high hopes for this tag team, but in my personal opinion….Sin Cara is holding back the Kalisto character. While Hunico has served decently as Sin Cara #2….he seems just as injury prone as the original wrestler who played Sin Cara. Not only that, but he seems less athletic and slower than the original Sin Cara.

I realize that the luchador portraying the character now is older….but I think it is time to just break up the Lucha Dragons and have Kalisto fly solo completely. There are enough solid tag teams in the division currently where the Lucha Dragons wouldn’t be sorely missed.

Craig: That’s it entirely, Brian. I don’t disagree with any of your analysis. I remember you were quite hopeful for the Lucha Dragons and despite my reservations over them, they had built up some momentum and steam so I didn’t discount them getting, at least, a short run with the tag gold.

I think Hunico is injury prone and, unfortunately for him, the injuries have come at a bad time for him and it’s hampered both him as a solo performer and the Lucha Dragons as a team. It’s a credit to Kalisto that he’s made a good showing of himself as a solo performer. He’s definitely moved on from Sin Cara mk. 2, hasn’t he?

Is there a role, in anyone’s eyes, for Sin Cara?

Jamie: Nope. His tag partner has outgrown him, so that’s out. As mentioned, his saving grace is likely his merchandise sales – i.e. replica masks – but if I’m a ten year old kid and I have a choice between a Sin Cara or Kalisto mask then I know which one I’d pick. Lastly, the whole reason the character was given to Hunico was to maintain a latino presence on WWE TV, but these days the likes of Kalisto and Alberto Del Rio are a far more prominent presence than Sin Cara. Other than because I quite liked evil Sin Cara – remember that angle?! – I cannot think of a single reason to keep the character around. He is the definition of redundant.

Brian: That’s the only reason I would keep Sin Cara around…to play a heel opposite Kalisto. A Kalisto vs Sin Cara match up might be something worth watching. I mean, it makes sense doesn’t it? A jealous Sin Cara turns on Kalisto and perhaps either challenges Kalisto for the United States title or even costs him the belt.

If not a heel, I see no other reason to book Sin Cara. So with all that said, I say cook him. Let Kalisto continue to grow and flourish without the albatross that is Sin Cara.

Craig: Could this change now that Kalisto has dropped the US title? Is it back together for the Lucha Dragons or is Kalisto best served continue to continue in singles action?

Brian: Kalisto has no ceiling right now…despite losing the U.S. title. Where as Sin Cara is what he is and that simply won’t change.

A fairly conclusive ‘Cook’ then for Sin Cara. Do you disagree or have thoughts on the subject? You know where to leave ’em.

You can read all previous ‘Book or Cook?’ pieces here.