The WWE. World Wrestling Entertainment. Sports entertainment.
I long for the days when it was the WWF. The World Wrestling Federation. Professional Wrestling.
Ever since they dropped the F, it also seems like they dropped their balls as well. For the last decade plus it there have been massive peaks and valleys. Some great times, some really bad times and sometimes they just seemed to be coasting.
At this point in time, August 2014, heading into Summerslam, the WWE seems to be indifferent. Neither great, bad, nor even coasting. Just indifferent, maybe lost, as if no one really cares.
Think about it if you will, you have an in-absentia #1 contender for the World Title, with Paul Heyman carrying the weight. Angles that are dragging on with no end in sight. Stupid ‘story’ points and characters that make no sense, and just make those involved look stupid.
Want an example? How about Randy Orton losing his title shot because Reigns attacked him? Really? Hunter couldn’t have still named Orton as Cena’s challenger? Reigns attacking Orton prevented Hunter from making the match? Didn’t know Reigns had that kind of power. Just stupid.
Of course, we know that the angle was done to set up Lesnar’s return, but it could have been handled better.
How? How about Lesnar attacking Orton? See, already that makes more sense.
Want another stupid story: Bo Dallas. How can anyone take this guy seriously? Even if we aren’t supposed to take him seriously, having to pull off this stupid gimmick has really limited what he can do in the ring, especially when he goes for his ‘victory laps.’
It isn’t all bad though, there are some good points.
I love Stardust. For the first time in a long while Cody seems comfortable, and he is obviously having fun doing this and is doing a great job. Goldust has been the best I have ever seen him, and I’ve followed Dustin’s career since his debut.
Seth Rollins versus Dean Ambrose is the best feud in the WWE. They haven’t even had a proper televised match yet, and the feud is still hotter than anything else in the WWE. It’s been booked well, with rising action, dramatic teases that something will happen . . . then cliffhanger endings that promise something will happen soon, more booking like this please.
The biggest plus the WWE has, leads into its biggest minus: The Talent.
There is some great talent on the WWE Roster: Cesaro, Seth Rollins, Dean Ambrose, Roman Reigns, Kane, Dolph Ziggler, Alberto Del Rio, Heath Slater.
Yes, Heath Slater. Heath Slater is the perfect example of how the talent is the WWE’s biggest plus, and leads into its biggest minus.
Slater is a really good – and could be a great – talent. He is good in ring, on the mic, has the skills and charisma. Personally, I am a big fan of Slater; however, he has constantly been misused. 3MB anyone? While 3MB was a waste, am I the only one who noticed Slater gave it his all?
That is the WWE’s biggest minus – the misuse of talent. Slater isn’t the only one, how about Zack Ryder, Dolph Ziggler, Tensai, Mark Henry, the recently released Curt Hawkins and Brodus Clay.
‘Best for Business’ has been the motto lately. But do they know what is best for business?
Last night’s Monday Night Raw makes me question that. Three hours of $9.99? I know they want the WWE Network to succeed big time, but it was overkill last night. Promoting it is one thing. Shoving down our throats is another.
Here’s an idea of what is best for business: putting on the best show possible. Every time. Put on a quality wrestling show every Monday and Friday – focusing on in-ring action and suspense. Make people care about what they are watching. Give people something to attach to.
Do that and I promise more people will sign up for the WWE Network. It isn’t letting people know about the Network and that $9.99 is a great value, it’s about giving people a reason beyond the value to sign up.
The ultimate problem with the WWE comes from the creative side. It seems like those in charge fail on three major fronts: 1) a lack of understanding of basic storytelling skills; 2) a lack of understanding how to tell a story in the professional wrestling medium; 3) a lack of understanding on how to use talent.
I know the WWE can be better than what it is right now. It has been, and I am sure it will be again. But for now, the product just seems indifferent. Indifferent to the fans, and to itself.
If this piece seems hodge podge, unreadable, or even makes little sense, I present you this thought: I wrote it to showcase how the WWE is currently being handled; the style of this piece reflects that.
The WWE is currently not an A+ player.
Grade: C
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