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I'm not saying anything groundbreaking by saying WWE has failed to make stars. However, I think they intentionally refuse to make stars so the company itself can be the draw. WWE fears they will create megastars who will leave WWE for greener pastures. Essentially, WWE begrudged the Rock for expanding into Hollywood and let his conrract expire instead of renewing back in 2004.
There's also a reason the Authority has yet to be disbanded. With Triple H and Stephanie as permanent fixtures as Authority figures, they can have a revolving door of babyfaces challenge their authority: Daniel Bryan, John Cena, Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins. The Authority role is the static element and the babyfaces are replaceable.
Another example is the Crusierweight division. They have purple ropes, a different commentary tram, and its own show. Yet none of the crusierweights are treated as superstars in their own right. WWE is trying to make the entire division the draw.
I think this approach hurts the company. Fans latch onto characters that are relatable or larger-than-life. What about Finn Bàlor reels in an audience? Surely not his body paint. The company doesn't realize that as stars of the Attitude Era and John Cena get older, there's no one to replace them in terms of starpower.
The only attempt of creating a star is Roman Reigns, but he is a disastrous flop that exemplifies the "don't put all your eggs in one basket" aphorism.
Should WWE change its approach and create new stars or should it keep doing the WWE brand is the brand approach?
There's also a reason the Authority has yet to be disbanded. With Triple H and Stephanie as permanent fixtures as Authority figures, they can have a revolving door of babyfaces challenge their authority: Daniel Bryan, John Cena, Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins. The Authority role is the static element and the babyfaces are replaceable.
Another example is the Crusierweight division. They have purple ropes, a different commentary tram, and its own show. Yet none of the crusierweights are treated as superstars in their own right. WWE is trying to make the entire division the draw.
I think this approach hurts the company. Fans latch onto characters that are relatable or larger-than-life. What about Finn Bàlor reels in an audience? Surely not his body paint. The company doesn't realize that as stars of the Attitude Era and John Cena get older, there's no one to replace them in terms of starpower.
The only attempt of creating a star is Roman Reigns, but he is a disastrous flop that exemplifies the "don't put all your eggs in one basket" aphorism.
Should WWE change its approach and create new stars or should it keep doing the WWE brand is the brand approach?