Is Alberto Del Rio Leading Wrestlemania to Quickly?

When it comes to the world of professional wrestling, stars are often made in the blink of an eye. In the case of Alberto Del Rio, he showed up on Smackdown around six months ago and feuded right off the bat with superstar Rey Mysterio. This feud for Del Rio was pre-planned, of course, but it was bigger than the WWE creative team could have hoped for. Del Rio went on to win the Royal Rumble Sunday night, and is now in position to challenge either world champion for the main event at Wrestlemania 27.

Wrestlemania 27 is the latest installment of what can only be compared to the Super Bowl as far as importance to it's sport. Professional wrestling is a year long build up to Wrestlemania, so it is the premiere event. Headlining at Wrestlemania means that you have reached the pinnacle of the world of professional wrestling. Alberto Del Rio is doing this after only six months in the WWE. Many are concerned that this is far too soon, and that the WWE will kill the character much too quickly.

Can pushing a wrestler that is hot too fast cause them to lose their appeal? Can you take away the "heat" from a villain by exposing him to success too quickly? If you look at the history books, the answers are not particularly clear. What is certainly obvious is that it can happen. One needs only to look at some recent WWE superstars for examples.

Take former WWE champion Sheamus for example. He was shoved into the World Title Scene almost immediately upon his arrival, and for a bit he was right at home as a character. People began to reject him, however, because he was perceived as not paying his dues. His limited wrestling ability was put on display as proof that he was not ready, and many people began to ignore him and not care. The worst thing that can happen to a wrestler is not to be hated. That is a good thing. Instant death for a wrestling character is indifference. Sheamus has been treated indifferently on occasion by WWE audiences after his quick push through the ranks of the WWE.

Alberto Del Rio is drawing serious heat from the WWE crowds, and seems like a logical choice to go to Wrestlemania 27 to battle for the title. Still, one has to think of what happens down the road. If the main event of Wrestlemania 27 is a dud, then Del Rio will be forgotten forever. If he makes the magic happen, then he will enter the select group of wrestlers that hit paydirt right out of the gate.

Only time will answer those questions.