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Opinions on what WWE needs to do to be on top again

2K views 24 replies 19 participants last post by  Mister Abigail 
#1 ·
I know there will always be something you always need to improve on as a business. I want to hear what us fans really got to say. I know we have said shorter time, more stars, thats all surface though. I want to hear the opinion of what it takes to fix the core. Like give me the problems, then how to fix the problem and why you feel that way. Like I would like to discuss it as if we were working for wwe, not just bitching and moaning on whats wrong. If alot of people dont wanna discuss it or really delve into this, then the admin can scrap the thread, just figured it deserved to really be talked about instead of just skimming the problems.
 
#23 · (Edited)
Better writing, drop the pg rating and be more edgy, the handcuffing is doing the shows no favors.
This is hardly the root of their problem...

Their biggest problem right now is appealing to indy smarks. There's a reason why most of those people were in the indies and couldn't draw flies to shit. There's no star power in any of these people. No charisma, nothing that draws you in. I couldn't care less how good of a wrestler someone is, how much they've travelled the world, how happy they are to be there, etc. There's nothing there that's entertaining or keeps you coming back for more. It's just dull, 20 minute, pointless matches.

It's getting ridiculous.
 
#3 ·
agreed. but given wwe do you think they will actually do anything to try and fix that. If they did try and fix all that you got any idea what they might do? i get the basics hire new staff and all that but I dont see them doing that i figured they prolly try a different route but im at a loss on what so if you dont have any ideas on what they would do to fix it, its cool jus figured i ask and see
 
#7 ·
my bad, i meant as in back to being valued by the fans on a high level, not being the top industry.to me wwe might be the main in the wrestling world but just because they have the most money doesnt mean there on top. I meant bringing back that prestige level we had back in the monday night wars days, like i said you can always point out problems with any business no matter how good you are, but in the present time like wwe seems to be bland and I dont think i have heard as many complaints as i do in this day and time. back then i never heard ppl being disgruntled when it came to stroylines,gimmicks,character development like i do now. so i was meaning getting back to that.
 
#6 ·
They need to put their focus back on developing characters and pushing guys with mic skills. Everybody on the roster except for Bray Wyatt, Enzo and Cass and New Day have the same character, "guy who wrestles". I guess Bayley has a character too, but beyond that, nobody has a character anymore. You can't point to anybody on the roster and give a description of them other than a guy who just goes out and wrestles. That's it, there's no defining characteristics, all it is is a bunch of guys who wrestle, some of them do it better than others and some of them get pushed and most of them don't. That has GOT to stop, everybody who is in the main event, or in the upper card, at the very least, should have a character. The guys who are never gonna be anything like Apollo Crews, that's one thing, but you can't have Seth Rollins, AJ Styles, Finn Balor, Roman Reigns, Dean Ambrose, Randy Orton, John Cena, etc just be the same guy with varying degrees of skill. People want reasons to care about you. When wrestling was successful, everybody was so distinctive and now it's just a bunch of guys doing moves.

They need to put the big focus on talkers too, like I said earlier. Bray Wyatt, Dean Ambrose, Kevin Owens, guys like that. I wouldn't say that Enzo is world title material, despite being good enough on the mic to be, just because of the nature of his act, but he could be like the new Road Dogg or something, or maybe a manager. Those three need to be carrying the load, though, in that order, and getting bigger pushes, even Ambrose because while he's the champion, he's only a transitional champion. Promos are the backbone of the industry, if you don't have someone that can make you want to see a feud, no matter how good the match is, it doesn't matter, it's just a match. And get rid of the scripts, wrestling is better when the wrestlers can say what they feel. Look at that Miz promo on Tuesday, that might've been his best promo ever because it was bullet points and not a ridiculous script using somebody elses words.
 
#8 ·
The same thing everyone has been saying since WWE went corporate. Less scripted promos and more intriguing storylines with badass characters doing badass things. Also, feuds have to be different. It cant always be "I want the title because I think I am the best, so lets feud". All the storylines in the company now are about being the best. I understand that there might be no other templates for feuds. But it has to be more than going to the ring and cutting a promo about proving yourself and being the best. Also let the guys curse a little bit, the worst they say is ass and some of the guys who are really close to vince get to say bitch. let them get intense sometimes and intensity can come from being mature about the words being said.

Pretty much all WWE can do and if it still doesnt work, than maybe wrestling as a whole isnt popular now a days. It might never be.
 
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#11 ·
Stop PG bullshit. More wrestlers with mic skills and less flippy technical guys. Back in AE, majority guys were heavyweight types like Rock, Austin, HHH, Undertaker, Big Show, Kane; even midcarders like Val Venis were muscular and tall. Short skinny guys aka cruiserweights were rare maybe Taka and that's it. Nowadays, it's 90% vanilla midgets and heavyweights are a rarity. WWE is so fucking boring and corny now.
 
#14 ·
As much as I love the "flippy technical guy" style of wrestling I agree that there's to much of it now. But I think a bigger somewhat related problem is nearly every match has the same breakdown regardless of the wrestlers involved. heel dominates, face makes come back, face and heel go shot for shot, finisher spaming, finish.

I forget what it's from but Foley once said, and I'm paraphrasing, that part of what made the Attitude Era so great was that it was like a three ring circus in that it had something for everyone, so if you didn't like the trapeze artists you'd like the sixteen clowns pilling out of a pinto.
 
#12 ·
Uggh... how much time ya got??? :p

I think it all stems from creative.

If no one cares, or in some cases even understand, why people are fighting, they won't care about the matches, so they wont care about the promos, so they wont care about the wrestlers, so they wont care about the product.

Only so many matches can be built on just "I'm better!" "No! I'M better!"
 
#16 ·
Faster paced shows with through lines connecting everything into a larger picture, where characters have defined motivations and interact with one another based on character-driven reasons rather than convenient plotting. An emphasis on character development, where matches matter and outcomes define you.

You know, kind of like SmackDown this week.
 
#17 ·
im just glad to see theres actually people that care enough to discuss it, shows we still have people that care about this business and so far you all have brought up excellent points. seems like the overall opinion so far is they dont seem to know how to balance it since the attitude era
 
#18 ·
I saw some comments in a brazilian site about Super heroes, the article was talking about Finn Bálor's venom face paint.
The comments of people without knowledge about wrestling (here in Brazil, wrestling isn't popular) were saying things like:"Shit, ridiculous, gay..." i don't know how to awsner that question, honestly.
 
#22 ·
I was watching a Conor McGregor video in which he talks about WWE and the comments were basically "WWE sucks, full of gay losers. Cena sucks, etc." But they were praising AE and saying Rock/Austin were the coolest and WWF was awesome. I mean if someone turns on the TV today and sees WWE for the first time I don't think they will have the greatest impression. Face paint, colorful t shirts, unicorn hats, booty O's, leprechauns. It's like a cheap circus.
 
#19 ·
They basically need to do all of these things:

http://www.thesportster.com/wrestling/top-13-reasons-lucha-underground-is-better-than-wwe/

Top 13 Reasons Lucha Underground Is Better Than WWE

When talking about major North American wrestling promotions, the conversation always begins with WWE, TNA and ROH, but in the last year, a new promotion from Boyle Heights, CA, has been making waves on the El Rey Network: Lucha Underground. The promotion has featured some of the hottest independent stars in wrestling, such as Prince Puma (Ricochet), Johnny Mundo, Jack Evans & PJ Black to name a few, but it is their flair for innovative storytelling and show formula that has got the entire wrestling world talking.

While the storytelling has often be criticized for being “too unrealistic,” this comes in stark contrast to WWE, who almost always lack imagination and innovation, which helps the young Lucha Underground stand out even further. Despite positive reviews within the industry, the show was in doubt for a returning second season after season 1, but have thrived since announcing their return, even announcing the third season already, which is definitely a positive sign going forward. The show has thrived on building its own stars (Prince Puma, Mil Muertes, Fenix & Pentagon Jr.) and luring lucha legends like Rey Mysterio Jr. & Alberto El Patron to perform, making it a legitimate promotion that has a brighter future than many in Japan, Europe, North America or anywhere in the world.

While WWE itself is trending in a positive new direction with help from NXT and many new stars, the following 13 reasons outline why week in week out Lucha Underground is a better, more entertaining and consistent wrestling product than WWE Raw & SmackDown.

13. THEY ALLOW PERFORMERS TO GROW ORGANICALLY

While not a problem specific to today’s product, WWE has had a habit of pushing stars way too early and derailing their careers, such as Kevin Nash or today’s Roman Reigns, but early on in the lifespan of the young Lucha Underground this has not been a problem. Prince Puma (or Ricochet on the independent scene) was pushed as a descendant of the warriors who paved the way for today’s stars and was more than ready for the position, as he is arguably the best pure wrestler in the world. Other main event caliber stars like Mil Muertes, Pentagon or Fenix all grinded their way to the top, and their position in the company felt organic, rather than forced, which may be a small complaint for some, but makes a difference to the fans.

12. THE COMMENTARY IS BETTER

Another major complaint in modern day WWE is how horrible week in week out the trio of Michael Cole, JBL and Byron Saxton are, especially when Mauro Ranallo and Corey Graves find themselves on lesser shows, and this has definitely been a major strong point in the early goings of Lucha Underground with the pairing of Matt Striker and Vampiro. The talented duo combine together early to call the moves, give the matches a genuine fight feel and give the fans an insight into the minds of the performers, while giving the promotion the legitimacy and atmosphere that it deserves, as Striker himself is one of the most underrated color commentators in the wrestling world.


11. FANS’ OPINIONS ARE RESPECTED AND BUILT UPON

One of the major complaints in WWE in recent memory is how Vince McMahon forces his handpicked performers on the fans, and Kevin Dunn has infamously edited crowd noise and signs to go along with this. While the fans cannot always dictate the product (the writers and performers have to tell the stories), this blatant disrespect of the fans and their opinions is a huge problem. The Believers in the Temple feel like they are a big part of the show, and while the writers and the performers dictate the wacky story lines, the fans feel like an important presence that these parties definitely take notice of and respect.


10. MATCHES ARE OFTEN UNPREDICTABLE

The best hour of pure wrestling that Lucha Underground have produced in Season 2 was the second installment of Aztec Warfare, and what a match it was. While the Royal Rumble often feels like a dragged out hour of slow moving action to get to the eventual only 2 contenders in the match, Aztec Warfare was filled with unpredictability and intriguing storyline advancements throughout. There was the usual high flying brilliance from King Cuerno, Fenix, Prince Puma and the likes, storyline advancements involving Johnny Mundo & Brian Cage and Pentagon Jr & Mil Muertes, and best of all the surprise involvement of the aforementioned Pentagon, and the LU debuts of Rey Mysterio Jr & the Monster Matanza, which combined to make it an hour of pure edge of your seat excitement and unpredictability.


9. SATISFYING STORYLINE PAYOFFS

Throughout the history of WWE, fans have often been left pondering what happened to storylines their favorite stars had been involved in just weeks earlier which had been dropped for no reason, or anxiously, pessimistically awaited the storyline payoffs for their favorite performers, as faith in the writers to deliver satisfying conclusions has been dwindling even more in recent years. These worries never cross the minds of the Believers or fans watching at home, as even though the storylines are wacky and unpredictable, they can be assured that these stories have been well thought out and will deliver satisfying conclusions, such as the shocking and exciting reveal of Pentagon’s master being Vampiro, which is in stark contrast to one of the most infamously horrible WWE reveals of all time, as Vince McMahon being the ‘higher power.’


8. ALL PERFORMERS & STORYLINES FEEL IMPORTANT

A common ‘smark’ criticism of the WWE product today is that if you’re not Roman Reigns or John Cena, Mr. McMahon and the creative team don’t care for you beyond their annoying 50/50 booking style, which couldn’t be more opposed by Lucha Underground, who pay attention to every fighter, making every promo, storyline segment or match on any given card important must see TV. Whether it’s Johnny Mundo, Prince Puma, Sexy Star or Mil Muertes, each performer is given an entertaining storyline that ultimately culminates in a big match or pay off, which makes it all the more easier for the crowd in attendance or the fans watching at home to engulf themselves in the action and become connected to the unique stars who make Lucha Underground what it is.


7. “BIG FIGHT FEEL” MATCHES

Whether it be due to the immensely talented commentary duo and their ability or the atmosphere generated by the Believers or the emotional connections the stars make you feel, Lucha Underground brings with it many ‘big fight feel matches’ on a week to week basis, which make it all the more exciting for fans. Mil Muertes vs. Matanza Cueto, Johnny Mundo vs. Prince Puma and Aztec Warfare are three fantastic examples of when all these key elements come together to make magic inside the ring, which is what fans crave from their wrestling product. Due to their unique TV format with no PPV’s, Lucha Underground thrives on making each week and each big match feel as important as possible to the fans.


6. STORYLINE CONSISTENCY & CONTINUITY

How many times have you been watching WWE Raw or Smackdown and two superstars who had recently had issues, all of a sudden appeared on TV together like nothing had ever happened with no explanation whatsoever? Continuity within storylines and characters is not something WWE is particularly fond of, as the show is written week to week, with no long term planning, making interactions like these the norm when watching WWE, but due to the excellent writing staff at Lucha Underground, these mishaps are often avoided. It can sometimes be a small mistake which many don’t notice, but the continuing mistakes from WWE make them more obvious, and when beautiful continuity like that of LU is seen, it makes you as the fan appreciate a well thought out and written TV product even more.


5. HEELS ARE PROTECTED

While Seth Rollins is one of the best performers in recent WWE memory, and no doubt the future of the company, he was booked terribly as a cowardly heel in his WWE Championship run before injury, being booked to lose on TV, which does nothing to protect the credibility of the man or the championship, which WWE obviously pay no attention too. Compare this to the recently debuted and new LU Champion Matanza Cueto who is being protected at all costs, and it has a major effect, painting him as a monstrous beast who can not be defeated, something which rarely happens on WWE TV, as all heels, no matter big or small fall victim to the dreaded 50/50 booking, leaving everyone on the same level in the company.


4. IN-RING CONSISTENCY

Perhaps WWE’s best quality right now is the wrestling due to the pushing of several independent stand outs like Cesaro, AJ Styles, Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn, yet there are still too many inconsistencies with the booking and subsequent in ring action to believe WWE have changed their philosophies and are ready to go all in on the ‘new era.’ With outstanding performers like Fenix, Prince Puma, Johnny Mundo, Jack Evans & Angelico on their roster, it is no surprise that in ring consistency has been one of the main draws for Lucha Underground, with each TV episode giving fans at least one or two jaw dropping highlights which leave fans anxiously waiting for more action week after week.


3. STARS AREN’T TALKED DOWN TO BY AUTHORITY FIGURES

While this is a very specific issue that I and many others have with WWE, Stephanie McMahon often talks down to stars, and with no comeuppance possible due to her on screen role in the company, as Batista tweeted, it does nothing for the performer. In Lucha Underground, Dario Cueto pushes his love for wrestling and violence, and over all does a fantastic job as on screen boss, knowing when not to over stay his welcome, and his interactions with the wrestlers are often positive for both parties. Even when Mil Muertes and Catrina were in charge of the product on screen, her interactions felt intense and meaningful, and a more hands on involvement meant that no one felt she was dampening the product or anyone’s position/credibility within said product.


2. LIMITED TV TIME DOESN’T MAKE THE PRODUCT STALE

5 hours of main roster TV is produced each and every week, for now with one combined roster, not including ‘C’ shows like Main Event or Superstars, which means a repeat of the same matches over and over again, making the product feel repetitive and stale, even with the arrival of sensations from Japan or NXT call ups. Similar to NXT, Lucha Underground runs one hour of TV each week, meaning only the most important angles get time, putting the pressure on the writers to make the product as good as possible, which keeps it fresh from week to week, as matches never feel like they have been repeated, and with new stars coming in as often as possible, this fresh, exciting feeling fans get while watching the product should continue for as many seasons as the show runs, as the possibilities for new angles and matches are endless.


1. OVERALL UNPREDICTABILITY & CREATIVE STORYTELLING

The biggest problem with today’s WWE product is the lack of creativity or imagination with the storytelling, which can be no problem if simple and effective stories are told like on NXT, but neither of these usually occur on RAW and Smackdown. From week to week, the fans don’t know what to expect on Lucha Underground but are obliged to indulge in the storytelling, as it is always entertaining and unpredictable, which makes for an enjoyable wrestling show. Whether it be the changing atmosphere when Mil Muertes became champion, Marty “The Moth” Martinez against Sexy Star, the constant arrivals of lucha legends or independent standouts or the meteoric rise of fan favorite Pentagon, Lucha Underground has the ability to entertain every demographic of wrestling fan, and this chaotic feeling is one which wrestling fans have yearned for in a weekly product for over a decade.
And it's time for them to re-evaluate how they present women. Now, I know not everyone is behind inter gender wrestling, but at the very least they could let their women kick things up a notch in terms of the feuds and matches they have with each other. A little more violence, more match types, and some real HATE between the ladies that you can FEEL. Like so:


 
#21 ·
What they need to really do is remove the heavily scripted stuff for those that are talented enough on the microphone. Let people shine where they can shine, let fans decide who they like and hate, and mold them accordingly.

The list goes on but really, it's not a difficult task.
 
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