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True - False - TBD
TRUE - FALSE - TBD 3/21: You Are Not WWE's Target Audience, WWE Is Set For April 9, Miz Will Be Part Of WM28 Main Event

Mar 22, 2012 - 7:41:23 PM
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By Jon Cudo, PWTorch specialist

TRUE - YOU AREN’T WWE’S TARGET MARKET

If you are reading this, you might be a loyal, paying, and dedicated WWE fan. However, you are also probably not the audience for whom they write.

Last week, I attended a WWE taping and saw the fans who consume what WWE (and The Rock) are cooking on a weekly basis. Based on their reactions and a few interactions, it’s easy to conclude that a huge plurality of fans aren’t more likely to order WrestleMania if they think John Cena and The Rock really hate each other behind the scenes.

Why? Because Cena and Rock hate each other on-camera. That’s more than enough.

The truth is the audience of people who watch for the nuances of kayfabe, enjoy the real backstage politics, and care if Rock purposely wrote on his arm for Cena is small. I might argue really small, like 10 percent. While we like to dissect and re-hash every word and review countless alternative twists, most WWE fans have a light connection to the product and enjoy the ride they are being taken on.

This doesn’t excuse WWE from sloppy storytelling or not maximizing their audience. However, it simply explains the realm they write in.

FALSE - WWE HAS THEIR EYE ON APRIL 9

While talking down to The Rock, John Cena has often mentioned where he will be on April 9 (the second Monday night after WrestleMania)....in a WWE ring. He points out Rock will be off filming another movie while Cena and the rest of the WWE locker room moves on. Cena is only partially right.

Rock will be gone, but it's also likely that Undertaker, Triple H, and Shawn Michaels will be gone, too. Sheamus and Punk will likely be elevated into the vacuum atop the card while the Creative teams prays that the Teddy vs. Johnny match stipulations are compelling enough to fill a huge void on TV after Mania.

April 9 on paper looks a little bleak. While I wouldn’t bet anything on it, it would be easy to see Rock, Undertaker, Punk, and Sheamus going over. This would mean the Extreme Rules PPV could feature two title re-matches, neither of which are currently the centerpiece of TV (actually Sheamus-Bryan doesn’t appear to be the centerpiece of anything currently).

Of course, WWE probably has something in mind for one or many of these storylines, but it’s likely to leave fans feeling a little empty after WrestleMania. John Cena has his eye on April 9, but I am not convinced WWE Creative does, which could create its own WrestleMania backlash.
Miz_130GG_21.jpg

TO BE DETERMINED - MIZ WILL SHARE THE RING WITH ROCK AND CENA AGAIN AT WRESTLEMANIA

Sometimes, fans can write a better story than WWE does. That axiom was my first thought when I heard the chatter ten days ago about Miz interjecting himself into the main event at WrestleMania this year.

It makes a great deal of sense. He has been talking about his deserved position on the card, despite not being in a match. He has the history of being in the main event last year with Cena and Rock, who was over-seeing the match as Guest Host. It explains who Cena would fight on April 9, assuming Rock is gone. And, it gives WWE a valid option for an end to the main event, where neither babyface has to do a clean job.

Of course, there are reasons why it makes no sense - The historical preference not to have convoluted endings at WrestleMania. The speculated idea that Miz is in the doghouse, and not in-line for a major push. Miz’s recent string of quick, decisive losses have not positioned him to be a serious player.

Which is exactly why this becomes such a compelling “to be determined” fodder. You can’t imagine it not happening, right as you can’t imagine it happening.

***

Jon Cudo is the newest PWTorch specialist, presenting the "True-False-TBD" format. Jon has worked in the sports entertainment industry for over 20 years, including major league sports teams and Nike. He has been a life-long pro wrestling fan and has attended WWE, WCW, and ROH events in person, including backstage access at multiple events. He grew up in Minnesota and now lives in Cleveland. He runs his own business, www.GameOps.com, a website designed to connect sports teams and event producers with ideas and tools that will enhance the entertainment value for fans attending their events.

[Torch art credit Grant Gould (c) PWTorch.com]


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