[TinkerMan]

You have to get with the Zeitgeist of the times to be cool.

But the problem is that nothing is cool. Popular culture in itself was cool back when the attitude era was happening. You think about popular culture today and it's desperately uncool. People only watch what is on TV so they can tweet about it. People reference Tv and music ironically. Everything that is popular is aimed at the kids, to be cool you have to target people between the ages of 18 and 30 like WWE did in the late 90s. There is a young generation, my generation that are completely lost with nothing in the public eye that they can relate to. I know this because I am early 20s and there is literally nothing mainstream I can watch or listen to without being overwhelmed by cynicism. As long as TV continues to suck then so will WWE.

There is one option to be a success, but it's too edgy for TV. That is to have a race war, or different nationalities forming stables. That would drag in viewers but WWE would be taking a huge risk. I think WWE have to look towards politics now and mirror that in the storylines as it's the only thing that has any credibility. They could also do a fake death and get the media to buy into it but make sure that nobody thinks its kayfabe, completely make the world think he is dead then bring him back at a PPV.

Or just bring A Washington back and have him rip on celebrity scandals.

[jonoaries]

Originally Posted by Asenath

I don't actually think Hogan, Austin, or The Rock could have carried the WWE into a boom period if the culture hadn't been ready for it. The WWE was smart, co-opting the MTV wave of publicity into the Rock & Wrestling era and using closed-circuit and cable to hype big events in a new way.

In the 90s, people were ready for trashy, tacky, low-brow entertainment. And Steve Austin gave it to them in spades with his hillbilly shenanigans and boss-punching. There was a cultural connection to the happenings of the moment.

Right now, it's a lull. But all entertainment is cyclical. If I were booking, I'd go back to vintage wrestling stories and see if I couldn't get some nostalgia/hipster momentum behind it.

That's where they should be going. Instead of trying to catch lighting in a bottle again, go with what works until you can catch the next wave.

Ryback has nothing that will bring in new viewers, he will maintain but he's more like Warrior than Goldberg to be honest. He's gonna need some real talent to help him in ring and outside with angles. With that said he won't bring in any "boom periods".

He's gonna need a really good team around to make him look good. Unfortunately they are using one of their best guys to get him over right now...that begs the question what are they going to do later on.

[nachoman]

the problem is the WWE cant do extreme violence now because of benoit and the increased medical evidence proving that most of the crazy shit that occurred in the attitude era was irresponsible and downright dangerous.

they cant do things that could be construed as racist, bullying or homophobic because TMZ would be all over their asses in a flash.

And they cant really do sexy/nudity because janet jackson showed off her titty in 2004.

people need to accept that the WWE (in an attitude era sense) has been hamstrung by the social progress thats occurred over the last 12 years and is unlikely to return.

the best hope the wwe have is to do something like the nexus invasion or cm punks pipebomb speech every quarter. something that gets people talking.

but extreme violence, shock tactics or nudity wont bring about another boom period because people will just say "oh that is so 1998"

[Striker]

He already is starting one.

RAW is Cooking Network.

Main event of WM 32: Ryback vs Brodus Clay in an Italian Food battle.




Damn, that was bad

[Queen Akasha]

Nope. He's much better off as a number two or three guy. He's not top guy material and I highly doubt that he could even carry the company. His mic skills are nearly nonexistent and I don't really think that he has an appeal on the level of Hogan, Austin, and Rock.

[Goodell Mark]

He lacks everything that made Goldberg a star other than a muscular body.

Goldberg had larger than life charisma and despite a lack of workrate, was an explosive athlete that carried himself as a believable bad ass. He could be carried to good and on rare occassions great matches.

[wwffans123]

Funniest thread of the week.

[Sleeper]

Start a boom period? Not a chance. It takes more than just one guy to start a boom period too.

I do think Ryback is going well though, and cops a harsh wrap from people at times. Yes, the whole Goldberg rip-off is true. But it's been what, 8 years since Goldberg retired, 14 years since his whole monster undefeated push started. So that's a long time ago, and there will be a whole new generation of fans who for them, this is completely original, and they'll be loving this completely badass dude coming from no where and just killing everyone. There's a reason that not everyone gets that sort of a push, and I think Ryback is keeping up his side of the bargain. And for that he deserves credit, not criticism.

[CHAMPviaDQ]

Originally Posted by Asenath

I don't actually think Hogan, Austin, or The Rock could have carried the WWE into a boom period if the culture hadn't been ready for it. The WWE was smart, co-opting the MTV wave of publicity into the Rock & Wrestling era and using closed-circuit and cable to hype big events in a new way.

In the 90s, people were ready for trashy, tacky, low-brow entertainment. And Steve Austin gave it to them in spades with his hillbilly shenanigans and boss-punching. There was a cultural connection to the happenings of the moment.

Right now, it's a lull. But all entertainment is cyclical. If I were booking, I'd go back to vintage wrestling stories and see if I couldn't get some nostalgia/hipster momentum behind it.

[Wrestlinfan35]

You mean generic monster babyface #264 with absolutely no talent whatsoever? No.