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Re: "Pro-wrestling is indeed real (marketing ?.0)".
Interesting thread. I like it. Wrestling is still real to me dammit!
Interesting thread. I like it. Wrestling is still real to me dammit!
"Pro-wrestling is indeed real (marketing and spin)".
Good morning gentlewomen and gentlemen,
Welcome in my new idea presentation called "Pro-wrestling is indeed real (marketing ?.0)". Even if I know that I am neither a prophet nor a clairvoyant being, I decided to think how to change the marketing of pro-wrestling (or PW) in order to regain popularity in this new world dominated by MMA and realism while keeping at the same time the old fans. Oh yes it got me a huge headache, but i found something. I don't know if it can work, but who knows.
Introduction : Why is pro-wrestling "has been" ?
As I said in this short introduction, the universe of sportive entertainement is now utterly dominated by a modern avatar of gladiatorial games, called MMA. Of course, you know about it, Brock Lesnar (his name may be forever blessed) took relaxing vacation in this sport.
I am speaking about MMA because pro-wrestling is naturally compared by fans and newcomers to UFC, Pride and the other brands. From this comparision comes the eternal judgment and overused reason to mock us :
Pro-wrestling is fake !
Pro-wrestling is in fact damn real :
They are right , pro-wrestling is partially fake, but not totally. We are indeed aware that even if pro-wrestling is fake, it simultaneously requires hard practice, athletic and physical skills and mental discipline. Which is what we will use to market it.
This tactic will use what public relations specialists call spin, especially one method : cherry picking or the art to select the facts and quotes we use in order to support one position or idea. But don’t worry we won’t lie to the public, we will simply put the emphasis on the real parts of the sport we love while admitting the fake parts of our beloved entertainement.
Subject 1 : Pro-wrestling history
The narration of the history has to focus on the sport legacy of Pro-wrestling and how sport began entertainement. It has to explain how much pro-wrestling is based on sports and how much a sport it’s.
Subject 2 : Physical Training :
Pro-wrestlers are most of the time able-bodied men and women. They are often well shaped and muscular (bodybuilding). Strength and agility are necessary for most of their moves. We can tell and consider that pro-wrestling is an all around training and can be used to keep fitness.
Subject 3 : The moves themselves :
Moves used in PW come from various martial arts and are based on real and effective moves. In fact they are often too effective and could result in deaths if they are badly performed and used. But it’s not the subject of this thread.
How we spin :
Now you know the subjects. We have choosen the facts we show to the public now we will consider how to sell them in order to gain more popularity.
1. All the above subjects have to be continously reminded to the fans through the commentaries during matches and promos. Commentators should tell how long a wrestler trains, where are the moves from. They should also use more sportive discourse (sports words and commentating methods). Pro-wrestling needs to get closer from sports and to distance itself from entertainement.
2. Documentaries about the different subjects : put during WWE TV time (short 3 minutes documentaries) or longer documentaries on free or paid TV channels.
3. Modifiyng the future dvd content in the decided direction and putting emphasis on the chosen subjects.
4. Admiting the tricks we use : reveal them in documentaries (hiding them doesn’t help the product).
5. Creating secretly a self-defense system (based on pro-wrestling moves) and a fitness training.
From now Pro-wrestling will be sold as a sport and a allrounded physical training. The moves will be sold as maritial arts based, effective and physically dangerous. The fake part won’t be hidden but always reduced by speaking about the chosen subjects.
Slowly the public mind will switch from PW is fake to PW is a not only fake.
Ultimate project :
The ultimate idea is here, we will simply copy what MMA did in order to gain quick fame and to construct its current army of fans. We will ultimately open WWE training and gym centers.
Those schools will focus on various course which are aimed at different buyers.
- courses focusing on pro-wrestling entertainement (the basis)
- courses focusing on self-defense (moves are real, you can use them).
- courses focusing on stuntman and parkour skills.
- courses focusing on acting in order to gain confidence.
- courses focusing on all-around athletic skills.
- courses focusing on musculation or bodybuilding.
- courses focusing on fitness.
Of course in terms of entertainement, they will also open new sponsorised but totally independent territories close of the population, sponsorize separated pro-wrestling schools and use better storylines and social archetypes (see one of my comment on raw forum for those two ideas).
Welcome in my new idea presentation called "Pro-wrestling is indeed real (marketing ?.0)". Even if I know that I am neither a prophet nor a clairvoyant being, I decided to think how to change the marketing of pro-wrestling (or PW) in order to regain popularity in this new world dominated by MMA and realism while keeping at the same time the old fans. Oh yes it got me a huge headache, but i found something. I don't know if it can work, but who knows.
Introduction : Why is pro-wrestling "has been" ?
As I said in this short introduction, the universe of sportive entertainement is now utterly dominated by a modern avatar of gladiatorial games, called MMA. Of course, you know about it, Brock Lesnar (his name may be forever blessed) took relaxing vacation in this sport.
I am speaking about MMA because pro-wrestling is naturally compared by fans and newcomers to UFC, Pride and the other brands. From this comparision comes the eternal judgment and overused reason to mock us :
Pro-wrestling is fake !
Pro-wrestling is in fact damn real :
They are right , pro-wrestling is partially fake, but not totally. We are indeed aware that even if pro-wrestling is fake, it simultaneously requires hard practice, athletic and physical skills and mental discipline. Which is what we will use to market it.
This tactic will use what public relations specialists call spin, especially one method : cherry picking or the art to select the facts and quotes we use in order to support one position or idea. But don’t worry we won’t lie to the public, we will simply put the emphasis on the real parts of the sport we love while admitting the fake parts of our beloved entertainement.
Subject 1 : Pro-wrestling history
The narration of the history has to focus on the sport legacy of Pro-wrestling and how sport began entertainement. It has to explain how much pro-wrestling is based on sports and how much a sport it’s.
Subject 2 : Physical Training :
Pro-wrestlers are most of the time able-bodied men and women. They are often well shaped and muscular (bodybuilding). Strength and agility are necessary for most of their moves. We can tell and consider that pro-wrestling is an all around training and can be used to keep fitness.
Subject 3 : The moves themselves :
Moves used in PW come from various martial arts and are based on real and effective moves. In fact they are often too effective and could result in deaths if they are badly performed and used. But it’s not the subject of this thread.
How we spin :
Now you know the subjects. We have choosen the facts we show to the public now we will consider how to sell them in order to gain more popularity.
1. All the above subjects have to be continously reminded to the fans through the commentaries during matches and promos. Commentators should tell how long a wrestler trains, where are the moves from. They should also use more sportive discourse (sports words and commentating methods). Pro-wrestling needs to get closer from sports and to distance itself from entertainement.
2. Documentaries about the different subjects : put during WWE TV time (short 3 minutes documentaries) or longer documentaries on free or paid TV channels.
3. Modifiyng the future dvd content in the decided direction and putting emphasis on the chosen subjects.
4. Admiting the tricks we use : reveal them in documentaries (hiding them doesn’t help the product).
5. Creating secretly a self-defense system (based on pro-wrestling moves) and a fitness training.
From now Pro-wrestling will be sold as a sport and a allrounded physical training. The moves will be sold as maritial arts based, effective and physically dangerous. The fake part won’t be hidden but always reduced by speaking about the chosen subjects.
Slowly the public mind will switch from PW is fake to PW is a not only fake.
Ultimate project :
The ultimate idea is here, we will simply copy what MMA did in order to gain quick fame and to construct its current army of fans. We will ultimately open WWE training and gym centers.
Those schools will focus on various course which are aimed at different buyers.
- courses focusing on pro-wrestling entertainement (the basis)
- courses focusing on self-defense (moves are real, you can use them).
- courses focusing on stuntman and parkour skills.
- courses focusing on acting in order to gain confidence.
- courses focusing on all-around athletic skills.
- courses focusing on musculation or bodybuilding.
- courses focusing on fitness.
Of course in terms of entertainement, they will also open new sponsorised but totally independent territories close of the population, sponsorize separated pro-wrestling schools and use better storylines and social archetypes (see one of my comment on raw forum for those two ideas).
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Unfortunately what admitting the fact that it is scripted and "fake" does is expose the fact that the athletes know the outcome is predetermined and would take away the interest in any storylines which may develop, not to mention it would take away from the product as a whole in order for us to not be mocked by MMA fans.
There is a reason why we are all Pro Wrestling fans, and that is because we all did believe the allure initially, and stayed absorbed with the product - all that you have proposed is a watered down MMA. I understand your intentions completely and it would be great if it were not mocked, and the athletes got the respect they deserved - but the fact of the matter is that it will never be seen as a Mainstream Sport, and our diehard respect and loyalty as fans should be enough for Vince, not to mention all of our money which goes to him.
I am certain Vince can live through the mockery.
There is a reason why we are all Pro Wrestling fans, and that is because we all did believe the allure initially, and stayed absorbed with the product - all that you have proposed is a watered down MMA. I understand your intentions completely and it would be great if it were not mocked, and the athletes got the respect they deserved - but the fact of the matter is that it will never be seen as a Mainstream Sport, and our diehard respect and loyalty as fans should be enough for Vince, not to mention all of our money which goes to him.
I am certain Vince can live through the mockery.
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OP, you just come off sounding sad, like you were bullied for liking wrestling or something?
Turning it "real" wouldn't work. Whenever wrestling is mentioned, the first thing that comes to mind is the word "Fake". That won't change. Not only that, but wrestling wouldn't have all the story lines that I love. Wrestling just wouldn't be wrestling if they did all those things.
Turning it "real" wouldn't work. Whenever wrestling is mentioned, the first thing that comes to mind is the word "Fake". That won't change. Not only that, but wrestling wouldn't have all the story lines that I love. Wrestling just wouldn't be wrestling if they did all those things.
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I don't agree with that. Most fans like us know that the product is fake and still watch it. We don't have to think that the kids are total idiots, most of them actually recognize the "fakeness" of pro-wrestling. They are told by other kids, friends or even parents that it's fake. Like us they continue to watch.
I didn't proposed a watered down MMA. I proposed to spin on specific parts of the products. Simply talking about the difficulties of the moves, the athletic skills or the athletes. I know it won't be a Mainstream Sport.
The aim is only to change from "pro-wrestling is fake" to "pro-wrestling is partially fake" into the public mind.
I have never been bullied for that, for other reasons in fact (damn closet). It's spin, not a miracle. I won't turn it real (pro-wrestling is a sport and entertainement at the same time). If it was real, pro-wrestlers would die.Hiplop™;9335760 said:
I will just turn it from "fake" to "less fake". The idea is to make it, more watchable and to give wrestlers the respect they deserve. And later we will build schools for the lulz and money.
I believe you have to read that carefully :
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WWE is sports entertainment
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I never said i hated the fact it's fake. I just wanted to spin the other side of the coin.
I said it, at least three times in the first post :no: .
that was a reply to the people complainin about wwe been fake n shit...I never said i hated the fact it's fake. I just wanted to spin the other side of the coin.
I said it, at least three times in the first post :no: .
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Reads like something Wade Keller would write.
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Who is he ?
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There are already these types of training schools locally and internationally. I don't think Vince gives a shit it would just be the same but with the WWE product so unless theres money to be made it would be pointless.
MMA and UFC are good, like serious wrestling where the outcome isn't scripted and good to watch. Then the scripts, gimmick, storylines and promos are what make WWE entertaining.
It's sport entertainment. You think if people could make a certain outcome of the Superbowl or of a boxing match they would?
MMA and UFC are good, like serious wrestling where the outcome isn't scripted and good to watch. Then the scripts, gimmick, storylines and promos are what make WWE entertaining.
It's sport entertainment. You think if people could make a certain outcome of the Superbowl or of a boxing match they would?
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You're wrong here. UFC became big by aping the entertainment aspects of pro wrestling.
Two big cases in point:
1) The entertainment heavy, episodic, soap-opera-esque 'Ultimate Fighter' show.
2) The way that UFC.com primarily tells stories, on it's main flash banner thingy, (rather than talking about the technicalities of holds or whatever). If you look at that website now you'll see them using verbiage like "quest" and "legend". Those words were chosen carefully as part of a deliberate marketing strategy.
You'll also see stuff like this btw, which is just pro wrestling 101, - www.ufc.com/media/ufc-126-weigh-in-staredown-cutdown .
I don't disagree with a lot of what you said OP. I think that pro wrestling, in general, should focus on the realities as much as possible. I'm talking about the time on the road, the training regimens and the real life, behind-the-scenes, human interest stories that we, the IWC, all love pro wrestling for.
The problem is, as I said in another one of your threads, when you're aiming something at a mainstream audience you always need to pitch it at a very low tone.
This, sadly, is why the WWE is the way it is. Kids might not necessarily give a fuck if Daniel Bryan was almost blinded on the indies or if Yoshi Tatsu was deprived of sleep in the dojos of Japan. All they want is some big Action Man, with a goofy smile, smack talking the bad guy, hitting his finisher and then some crazy pyro going off and shit.
Only a smaller company can truly get away with this stuff. One of the things that drew me to ROH was the more sports-like presentation. Around about the Samoa Joe title run era, this was at it's most palpable. You had the long boxing-style corner pads rather than wrestling turnbuckles (for one of many tiny presentation devices) and a lot of guys on the roster with a really credible style, from Joe to Low Ki to Rocky Romero and so on.
Although popularity has forced ROH to water that kind of stuff down a touch over the years, the recent 'Death Before Dishonor VIII' show was a big success in sports-like presentation. There were candid backstage interviews with wrestlers on who they thought would win the main event that night and other cool little details. This year's 'Final Battle' had a very believable ref stoppage finish to the world title match too.
Basically, my point is that it's horses for courses. You can't afford to risk losing your core audience by completely doing a 180 degree turn in direction. At the end of the day, you've got to give your fans what they want. To the best of my knowledge, the average viewer just wants cool OTT fighting and big characters, that they can invest it, and nothing any more complex than that really. If the WWE is losing ground to the UFC its because, right now, the UFC is doing Sports Entertainment better than the WWE are.
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Nah, let's keep a little bit of the mystery. Wrestling isn't going to gain any fans by giving away all of it's secrets.
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