First, let me destroy my credibility by saying I generally prefer TNA over WWE. I've been invested in the TNA product since it's inception and have been loyal to it, but usually followed the WWE product until recently.
It seems that fans and particularly the IWC, always talk about WWE in the future tense. "They're really improving, when they hit their stride, when they build new stars, etc." But WWE never really changes. Part-timers are brought back to increase ratings and guys are pushed/halted on a regular basis (I'm looking at you, Cesaro, the best wrestler on the roster and a guy who's move was over, but told to stop it!), Cena overcomes everybody, and then Vince gets a guy who should be the next big thing, pushes him to the moon, he never gets over, and falls back (see: Sheamus). There are no characters in WWE anymore and everyone wears the same singlet or trunks, knee pads, and says the same things. It's dull. Is the WWE locked in a vicious cycle of mediocrity with no real plan to get out?
To me, and it's a common gripe, but WWE tries too hard to be entertainment instead of what it really is and what really attracts people to the product: a wrestling company. WWE deflecting the focus off wrestling is like McDonalds having a drive-thru, but serving freshly cooked filet mignon. It completely distorts their original aim and frankly, alienates consumers. Why do you want to alienate your fanbase? WWE has the best wrestlers in the world and they fail to utilize them. The matches and in turn the titles mean nothing in WWE. They're a prop, as Jim Ross said once. There is very little difference in faces/heels. Rusev might be the most over heel on the roster because no one cheers for him. Top heels like Bray Wyatt, Brock Lesnar, Randy Orton, Seth Rollins, and others usually get split reactions just like current top faces outside of maybe Daniel Bryan. What drives wrestling and it's storylines is historically "good vs evil." WWE has mangled that to where it doesn't exist anymore.
To that point, John Cena has been doing the same stale character for 10 years to the point that it's said WWE will never turn him heel for the fear of losing out on merchandising revenue. You know what happened when Hulk Hogan turned heel and the WWE was created? He became cool. The NWO was cool and in turn, a ridiculous amount of merchandise was sold. And guess what? With Cena a heel, you have the opportunity to build up a Roman Reigns slowly and create a "Goldberg vs Hogan in Atlanta" moment where the new face defeats the legend for the World championship and the crowd goes nuts. But no, let's keep John Cena in his neon colors doing the same thing every night to the point where the crowd turns on him and no one cares just so he can "Rise above hate" and continue to peddle merchandise to the kids. It's silly.
Back to my original question: Is WWE stuck in a vicious cycle of mediocrity? Will there ever be a change until Vince McMahon hands over the reigns to Triple H who, while questionable, has put some stuck in rejuvenating the wrestling side of WWE? How long are fans going to wait in hope before they revolt on the product? As I said, I've already done that. Will more fans follow? What are your thoughts?
It seems that fans and particularly the IWC, always talk about WWE in the future tense. "They're really improving, when they hit their stride, when they build new stars, etc." But WWE never really changes. Part-timers are brought back to increase ratings and guys are pushed/halted on a regular basis (I'm looking at you, Cesaro, the best wrestler on the roster and a guy who's move was over, but told to stop it!), Cena overcomes everybody, and then Vince gets a guy who should be the next big thing, pushes him to the moon, he never gets over, and falls back (see: Sheamus). There are no characters in WWE anymore and everyone wears the same singlet or trunks, knee pads, and says the same things. It's dull. Is the WWE locked in a vicious cycle of mediocrity with no real plan to get out?
To me, and it's a common gripe, but WWE tries too hard to be entertainment instead of what it really is and what really attracts people to the product: a wrestling company. WWE deflecting the focus off wrestling is like McDonalds having a drive-thru, but serving freshly cooked filet mignon. It completely distorts their original aim and frankly, alienates consumers. Why do you want to alienate your fanbase? WWE has the best wrestlers in the world and they fail to utilize them. The matches and in turn the titles mean nothing in WWE. They're a prop, as Jim Ross said once. There is very little difference in faces/heels. Rusev might be the most over heel on the roster because no one cheers for him. Top heels like Bray Wyatt, Brock Lesnar, Randy Orton, Seth Rollins, and others usually get split reactions just like current top faces outside of maybe Daniel Bryan. What drives wrestling and it's storylines is historically "good vs evil." WWE has mangled that to where it doesn't exist anymore.
To that point, John Cena has been doing the same stale character for 10 years to the point that it's said WWE will never turn him heel for the fear of losing out on merchandising revenue. You know what happened when Hulk Hogan turned heel and the WWE was created? He became cool. The NWO was cool and in turn, a ridiculous amount of merchandise was sold. And guess what? With Cena a heel, you have the opportunity to build up a Roman Reigns slowly and create a "Goldberg vs Hogan in Atlanta" moment where the new face defeats the legend for the World championship and the crowd goes nuts. But no, let's keep John Cena in his neon colors doing the same thing every night to the point where the crowd turns on him and no one cares just so he can "Rise above hate" and continue to peddle merchandise to the kids. It's silly.
Back to my original question: Is WWE stuck in a vicious cycle of mediocrity? Will there ever be a change until Vince McMahon hands over the reigns to Triple H who, while questionable, has put some stuck in rejuvenating the wrestling side of WWE? How long are fans going to wait in hope before they revolt on the product? As I said, I've already done that. Will more fans follow? What are your thoughts?
Aucun commentaire:
Enregistrer un commentaire