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Guest Editorial: Ten points of rebuttal to fans complaining about state of WWE and pro wrestling in general
Oct 22, 2007 - 3:54:52 PM |
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GUEST EDITORIAL
By Brian J. Adkins, PWTorch.com reader
I had to write in response not only to the Oct.15th Guest Editorial: "Is anyone really surprised WWE is posting the lowest ratings since forever?", but comments from others in general who seem to keep parroting some of the same remarks, some of which either are not true or at the very least, I believe, have simply not been given more thought.
Let's start off with these points:
(1) The supposed ''burial'' of talent. Comments such as burying the tag divison makes me laugh because in the same breath these same fans claim that, even though there are two sets of tag champions, there isn't much of a divison at all and would like to see more teams. How can you bury something that, in these fans minds, doesn't exist in the first place?
Other comments are of past eras having better teams such as the late-'80s. They may have had more, but how many actually became huge money-makers? Just like now, you can name them on one hand. The same goes for contenders to secondary belts like the IC and U.S. belts. When was there ever more than a handful of true contenders for those belts in any company?
(2) Creating new stars/main eventers. What makes you think they have not created new stars or aren't trying? Go back five years to 2002. Who was a main eventer then and who is in the main events now? Did anyone even know of Randy Orton, John Cena, Batista, Umaga, Mr. Kennedy, or Bobby Lashley? Then you have others such as Edge, who was just starting more of a singles push and is now a main eventer. Jeff and Matt Hardy are both top-of-the mid-card acts on seperate shows and are so popular, and of course talented, that they are still considered a great tag team as well. There were others in-between there who have since left, such as Kurt Angle, Brock Lesnar and even Christian. Then there are also those who are just now getting more exposure such as C.M. Punk, John Morrison and M.V.P. among others.
I think some folks simply have a lack of patience.They see someone new and think, "Hey, push that guy right now!", which if done could easily lead to burn-out on said character. Creating new stars is not as simple as throwing him (or even her) on t.v. and then waiting for huge wads of cash. It takes talent, charisma, timing and sometimes a good gimmick or even luck.
(3) Feature all the wrestlers as stars like UFC. Sorry, but pro wrestling/sports-entertainment isn't structured that way. It never has been and never will be. A lot of it is about perception and presentation. Why would anyone perceive Cody Rhodes on the same level as say, Matt Hardy or Randy Orton? At the moment, they wouldn't, no matter how he was presented. Maybe he will be later but, again, it takes time. Two other examples would be Erik Watts and Jeff Jarrett. Watts was pushed into main events in WCW in the early-'90s over more deserving wrestlers and not only did everyone see nepotism, due to his dad being in charge, but even those who did not know this saw through the illusion due to lack of talent. No matter how hard Jeff Jarrett has pushed himself, a wide majority of fans still don't see him in the same class as, what they feel, are true main eventers. The simple truth is not everyone is going to be a main eventer for different reasons. Just because you want someone at the top doesn't mean everyone else does and vice-versa. Is it fair? No, but... say it with me..life isn't fair. (This also coincides with the comments about 'burying' talent, they're at their specific position in the company at the moment for a reason.)
(4) Push the crusierweights. I feel like this 'battle cry' has become so repetitive it's become a cliche. For those few who bemoan the smaller guys treatment, the simple truth is a vast majority will still tune in every week with or without them.
(5) Take the women's wrestling more seriously. Almost the same thing here as the above statement. Anyone here read the PWTorch "Torch Talk" interview with Terri Runnels from a few years ago? Some harsh but true facts in there about the role of women in wrestling.
(6) WWE needs to make a change;have them bring back former stars, make a stable or give someone a bodyguard/manager. Since when are any of these new or different ideas that will invoke change in the overall product? They're just rehashed ideas that have always been around wrestling.
I'm not saying WWE shouldn't listen to different ideas or try something new, but a lot of these comments really seem to come down to just one thing and that's certain fans wanting their favorites to be at the top instead of someone else's. Majority rules, and you are not the majority. Yes, I know by myself I'm not either, but the thousands who go to the arenas and the millions who still tune in every week and buy PPVs, are the majority.
(7) WWE is headed for a huge downfall. How long have we been hearing that? Look at the low ratings right now and you would think so, right? In 2002, they also had low ratings, and in 1997. They're still here.
(8) They should stick to more wrestling, less entertainment. Really? So you don't want theme music, flashy outfits, catchphrases, storylines, etc. but more chinlocks and sleeperholds? I kind of doubt it.
9) There are too many pay-per-views. I think there are as well, but who said you had to order all of them? Because there are so many some fans feel as though they're all the same anyway, so it's not like you're missing anything special, right? Or is it the simple fact that you are more upset that there will be something special and you'll miss it?
(10) I'm not watching ever again, this is so bad! (My personal favorite.) I read this a lot, yet just like in the editorial that same fan will say they'll keep watching, hoping it will change. About that, here's a hint for you: The presentation might change but not the overall structure-in other words , to paraphrase from a BON JOVI song: "It's all the same, only the names will have changed."
Finally, if you truly don't enjoy it, why are you watching it? You're just making yourself miserable.
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