The WWE doesn't listen to Smarks

[Guest Dmann2000]

Author's note: I want to mention this is the third time I have attempted to write and publish this editorial. So I didn't just whip this up on a spur of the moment. I feel enough about this topic to write it three times.

 

Now then, I won't deny that this weeks RAW was underwhelming. To say that I wasn't disappointed with most of it would be a lie. Now as I usually do after watching RAW or Smackdown I'll pop by this board and gague this concensious reaction.

 

35 pages I read through them all. I couldn't believe how much hatred, venom and anger was in the posts. I could understand why you may not have liked the show overall. But it took me a while just to get through the "flame-like" atmosphere of the posts. I had an easier time watching the show then reading most of the comments on it.

 

Now before I go further I want to make it clear, I am not her to spew the old "Smart marks are cynical. They hate everything. They should shut up and quit being so negative" rhetorique. I think the WWE's position to sometimes say "shut up and like it" is both illogical and offensive. However I have a better chance of being heard by you guys, so I'm focussing on your side.

 

Imagine the WWE has some people surfing the web for reactions. One comes here and reads that RAW thread. If you're working for the company and trying to make things work and you read insult after insult are you really going to react by saying "by God, they're right. We do suck, how could we be so stupid." No, an average human's initial reaction to being attacked in anyway is not to accept and take the punishment, but to defend oneself and strike back. This is why I feel the WWE has become rather snippy towards the esteemed "internet wrestling community"

 

I know they're some of you who'd say to that "Tough shit, the truth hurts. The WWE doesn't deserve my compasion" And I can understand this reaction. And in regards to complaints about politics: I can't comment on what I don't witness. I don't care how many Meltzer's, Keller's, Ryder's, Alverez's complain about who has Vince's ear and who's holding who down. I'm not seeing it, and I can assume all I want about how the goings on backstage affect the on-screen product. I still don't know. So I stay away from speculating about politics.

 

The internet has allowed for immediate reaction to the current product. But there's a drawback. Such immediacy has eliminated the ability to think ones comments through. Guys are posting comments about stuff on camera as it happens, and if they don't like it the comment is immediate and usually violent. I can understand this gut reaction. But that's all I see, gut reactions and smart remarks. Can this be funny, sometimes. But guys come on, how many ways can you say "It's HHH's fault" (before someone gets to it I'll answer my own question: as many times as Jericho's on screen) Stuff like that has become a parody.

 

Then there's the complaints about how bad the storyline's and booking are, and how "I" can do a much better job (in some poster's cases, they believe their feces can get the job done). But I don't see many explanations beyond "retire Undertaker" or "get rid of HHH" or "Push Angle, Push Benoit" I know I'm generalizing, but this is a broad editorial so I'm sticking to generalizations.

 

Now, I feel the WWE is directionless in a lot of ways. I also can't really see how to fix the current problems. Give me a couple weeks I might come up with an outline. I really feel the WWE doesn't mind constructive criticism. Constructive criticism: if I may be a little smart myself for some of you guys this means posts that don't involve the words "sucks ass".

 

I can offer a few ideas off the top of my head though:

 

1)Hook Jericho up with Un-Americans. I believe they should undergo a modification as well. S Keith loved the Berlyn concept, I say give them short, cropped haircuts (save Lance who already has it) change that music to a more "Imperial March" style. Modify Jericho's promo style to that combining the Jackyl and Jake Roberts durring his 'trust me' phase. Keep comments away from why other countries hate America, and more why America is crumbling from within. Have them plant seeds of distrust among other superstars. The attacks don't have to be all physical, let them be psychological

 

2) *SPOILER REGARDING SMACKDOWN

 

5

 

4

 

3

 

2

 

1

 

Okay Undertaker is #1 contender, having beat Benoit and Angle. I say have Benoit and Angle go on a mission to take out Undertaker before Unforgiven. Have Paul even support the plan but Brock gets pissed, feeling it makes him look week. Each week Benoit and Angle perpatrate something on Undertaker and Brock gets pissed because he wants to take out a healthy Undertaker. Finally the Smackdown before Unforgiven Angle and Benoit again double team Undertaker. Throughout the night Paul has been telling Brock that letting Benoit and Angle take out Undertaker isn't making him weak but smart. Finally Brock comes ringside. raises Benoit and Angle's hands and forms a new alliance. they go to triple team Undertaker but Brock asks to be given the honor. Undertaker knocks Brock out of the ring and goes in on Angle and Benoit, he clears those two out and walks into an F 5. Then he does it again. Paul huddles with Benoit and Angle and goes with them to Brock but Brock walks back the entrance ramp alone, never taking his eye of 'Taker.

 

There, just a couple of thoughts. The WWE can go whatever way they like. If it gets to the point where nothing works. I won't scream, I won't point fingers, I'll just reach out my hand with my remote and go...

 

*click*

[Guest Anglesault]

Make Benoit and Angle lackies for Lesnar! Yeah, that's the ticket! Who gets to be Stevie and who gets to be Meanie?

[Guest BionicRedneck]

The basic reason the WWE doesn't listen to Smarks is because we are the minority so Vince could give a shit less about us.

[Guest Dmann2000]

Okay Anglesault, I understand your reaction. I understand you have no intrest in Brock. And so I ask you to provide me for an outline for getting the title off of Brock and onto Angle that can. That's what I'm looking for is for you guys to come up with some ideas. If nothing else then to counteract the bordem you all seem to get from the actual programs. I don't mean fantasy booking either. Fantasy booking allows that the crowds will react the way you want them to react. You have to account for the unfortunate possibility that fans might not like what you push. It doesn't have to be a quick response, give it some time. I'm sure you already have some thoughts. Go from there, see where it takes you.

[Guest Dmann2000]

See, that's another problems, the internet thinks that nothing they say could matter so they don't bother to offer ideas. So when the WWE reacts negativly to the punching they get from some fans, it's a self-fufilled prophecy. If the WWE didn't care why would there be a feedback center. Why the extensive web page layouts. Why the online Hotjobs offers. You have to catch the man's ear before he can listen.

[Guest RickyChosyu]

I'd say the reason that most smarks are so bitter is becuse they recieve much indifference from the WWE as a whole. The most reaction they can expect to get of them (most of the time) is some ill-founded, biased and dishonest article from Scott Mates that basically tells us we're not important.

 

I know guys who have written very lengthy charts and idea lists to the WWE and never gotten anything back. Now, none of them were any good, but the fact that they were ignored turned a lot of my friends off to wrestling as a whole.

 

When the fans were practically screaming for Stephanie MacMahon to be taken off of TV, and she was finally written out of storylines as a result (for the second time, no less) it seemed only a matter of time before she returned, and thus all the jaded smarks were proven correct when she returned to the WWE storylines after booking the promotion further into the ground. Her return is the exact kind of slap in the face to fans that turns them away. They pipe in cheers for her, show her doing almost nothing but verbally talking down the talent (work or not, it's still self-serving and unneccesary) and generally insult everyone's intelligence by parading her around despite the internet (and most fans, it seems) dissaproval.

 

If they want to do things for the fans, they can start right there. It's not that hard. However, this seems to be only another example of how out of touch they are. The internet is a place for people to complain, and complain they do, but the WWE has stopped showing any signs that they value the opinion of internet fans a long time ago.

[Guest RavishingRickRudo]

Wow, if I can make a comment. It seemed like you went on that pseudo-rant just for some fantasy booking

 

The Wwf has become so anti-internet because the internet are comprised of 'a bunch of sweaty-nerds who've never been in the ring let alone run a multi-billion dollar company', and with that they write off all the 'constructive criticism' and embrace their own ignorance. It's amazing how once you get on a computer you become a 'minority' and become 'infected' with 'smarkism' that turns you from a fan with legitimate opinions and purchasing power into a bitter, holier-than-thou, never-wants-to-be-happy prick with a computer. Meanwhile, in reality, you are still a fan with purchasing power and an opinion that just happens to be negative not because you have a computer but because the Wwf's current product and out-look on wrestling as a whole quite frankly sucks.

 

Of course that's just my opinion, I could be wrong.

[Guest creativename]

Great analysis on the whole WWE/smark dynamic. I agree with most of what you said.

 

I must say though that I don't think the WWE ignores the internet fans completely. There's just too many insider references by the commentators and during promos for this to be the case. Quick example from last week: RVD's comments on how he shouldn't be "too stiff" for his match. Only smarks would get this as a reference to complaints about him being stiff.

 

References like that go on all the time. And Y2J said that he often frequented web sites, before his infamous rant. Storm is also very active at his website. I highly doubt that these are the only 2 wrestlers that poke into wrestling websites from time to time. And if you go on the 'net, it's hard to not let the views of the majority of fans there affect you, even if you disagree with everything they say.

[Guest creativename]

Wow, if I can make a comment. It seemed like you went on that pseudo-rant just for some fantasy booking

 

The Wwf has become so anti-internet because the internet are comprised of 'a bunch of sweaty-nerds who've never been in the ring let alone run a multi-billion dollar company', and with that they write off all the 'constructive criticism' and embrace their own ignorance. It's amazing how once you get on a computer you become a 'minority' and become 'infected' with 'smarkism' that turns you from a fan with legitimate opinions and purchasing power into a bitter, holier-than-thou, never-wants-to-be-happy prick with a computer. Meanwhile, in reality, you are still a fan with purchasing power and an opinion that just happens to be negative not because you have a computer but because the Wwf's current product and out-look on wrestling as a whole quite frankly sucks.

 

Of course that's just my opinion, I could be wrong.

Heh, I agree with what you said too

[Guest RavishingRickRudo]

Honestly, if the Wwf had a representative on this board the general feeling on this board would be more positive than negative. Jerry Jarrett posts on another board and pretty much well everything said there is positive about TNA, and if its not it is put in a very polite manner.

[Guest Anglesault]

Okay Anglesault, I understand your reaction. I understand you have no intrest in Brock. And so I ask you to provide me for an outline for getting the title off of Brock and onto Angle that can. That's what I'm looking for is for you guys to come up with some ideas. If nothing else then to counteract the bordem you all seem to get from the actual programs. I don't mean fantasy booking either. Fantasy booking allows that the crowds will react the way you want them to react. You have to account for the unfortunate possibility that fans might not like what you push. It doesn't have to be a quick response, give it some time. I'm sure you already have some thoughts. Go from there, see where it takes you.

Okay. Next week on Smackdown, have Angle challenge Brock for the title. Have him win. Beat taker clean at Unforgiven, and somehow start a program with RVD. Have that go to Angle in a shady manner. over the course of the next several months, have them interact alot. Also, have them both go on impressive winning streaks and make them look good (As opposed to the losing streaks and making them look like fools they normally get) Have RVD win the Royal Rumble. Have RVD bveat Angle clean at WM. Everyone is happy.

[Guest BionicRedneck]

Okay. Next week on Smackdown, have Angle challenge Brock for the title. Have him win. Beat taker clean at Unforgiven, and somehow start a program with RVD. Have that go to Angle in a shady manner. over the course of the next several months, have them interact alot. Also, have them both go on impressive winning streaks and make them look good (As opposed to the losing streaks and making them look like fools they normally get) Have RVD win the Royal Rumble. Have RVD bveat Angle clean at WM. Everyone is happy.

Having Angle win like that would be the stupidest thing the WWE has done since...well...pushing Brock.

 

what sort of "interaction" between Kurt/RVD? Verbal? coz RVD ain't ready for that. He would basically say "you are a tool".

[Guest Anglesault]

Having Angle win like that would be the stupidest thing the WWE has done since...well...pushing Brock.

 

Why?

 

what sort of "interaction" between Kurt/RVD? Verbal? coz RVD ain't ready for that. He would basically say "you are a tool".

 

Interfere in each others matches, have confrontations, stuff like that.

[Guest RavishingRickRudo]

Bah, focusing just on two wrestlers is soooo Rock and HHH'ish. And we all know what happened AFTER that (the Wwf crumbled because they never created any new stars under that system)

 

Why not have Angle beat a well-built Lesnar at wrestlemania, fight against Benoit and then RVD in two long feuds? I'm for it.

[Guest BionicRedneck]

Having Angle win like that would be the stupidest thing the WWE has done since...well...pushing Brock.

 

Why?

 

OK, we have got the "Next Big Thing" who has been pushed for months, just beat the Rock clean on PPV, he is the undefeated world champion, and you think its a good idea to throw the previous months of push out of the window, make the world title more meaningless by having a 2 week reign, by having Kurt go over with no promotion(which wouldn't do him as much good as it could)?

[Guest Mikey2Dope]

Okay. Next week on Smackdown, have Angle challenge Brock for the title. Have him win. Beat taker clean at Unforgiven, and somehow start a program with RVD. Have that go to Angle in a shady manner. over the course of the next several months, have them interact alot. Also, have them both go on impressive winning streaks and make them look good (As opposed to the losing streaks and making them look like fools they normally get) Have RVD win the Royal Rumble. Have RVD bveat Angle clean at WM. Everyone is happy.

That's it exactly. They need to keep the belt on a heel for awhile(Angle is so much better than Lesnar) and have a face going after him from now until Wrestlemania. Have RVD be that man. RVD should keep going after Angle and both have a series of great matches with RVD getting so close but never being able to seal the deal. Have him win the Rumble and like you said go clean over Angle which would get a HUGE pop. That's the problems with the WWE right now. There is no face to get behind on a regular basis. One night RVD is main eventing,the next night he is mid-carding. The WWE title isn't even that important. Since Wrestlemania(counting Jericho going in as champeen) 6 people have held the belt! Fucking 6!!! The fans need a face and heel champ to battle it out for a long time and to see that feud last for a long time.

[Guest Anglesault]

Quick example from last week: RVD's comments on how he shouldn't be "too stiff" for his match. Only smarks would get this as a reference to complaints about him being stiff.

I actually think he meant he wanted to be "loose" for the Benoit match, meaning his muscles weren't to stiff.

[Guest Anglesault]

Having Angle win like that would be the stupidest thing the WWE has done since...well...pushing Brock.

 

Why?

 

OK, we have got the "Next Big Thing" who has been pushed for months, just beat the Rock clean on PPV, he is the undefeated world champion, and you think its a good idea to throw the previous months of push out of the window, make the world title more meaningless by having a 2 week reign, by having Kurt go over with no promotion(which wouldn't do him as much good as it could)?

I think ebeing the first guy to beat Brock would help Kurt, plus, it would have the benefit of getting the belt off Brock as sson as possible so he can go back to OVW or whatever.

[Guest Dmann2000]

Someone's got to stop the hating I think. If WWE doesn't want to do, I hope some of us can learn to channel our negativity into positives. You mention Lance, there's a start. Write to Lance about how dissapointed you are in the current product. Be honest, but not nasty. There are other wrestler's I think with sites. Maybe even write a few well typed letters to Titan Tower. If they want to reject it, it's their fault I agree. But I won't give up. As long as something on that show works for me I won't give up, but I won't let anger control my criticisms.

 

This is not a generalization. By the way, where's Barron or Becker, haven't seen them in awhile. Those two always seem to have some interesting thoughts to add to discussions.

[Guest Dmann2000]

A side note, I like RVD. But I really can't see him making a deep emotional connection with the fans. I may be wrong, but he could be 'too laid back cool' for his own good

[Guest Anglesault]

. Maybe even write a few well typed letters to Titan Tower.

That will go over well. As soon as they got to the part where I said I think they should push Angle/RVD over Lesnar/Edge, it would be toilet paper.

[Guest BionicRedneck]

I think ebeing the first guy to beat Brock would help Kurt, plus, it would have the benefit of getting the belt off Brock as sson as possible so he can go back to OVW or whatever.

 

Having Angle (a man who is already super-over) be the first man to beat Lesnar would be a total waste (especially as the are both heels). As would sending Brock back to OVW.

[Guest Dmann2000]

You can't fault yourself for trying, only them for not listening. If you think only bad things will happen, they will

 

Hate to sound like Stuart Smally, but I'm an optomist

[Guest Anglesault]

I think ebeing the first guy to beat Brock would help Kurt, plus, it would have the benefit of getting the belt off Brock as sson as possible so he can go back to OVW or whatever.

 

Having Angle (a man who is already super-over) be the first man to beat Lesnar would be a total waste (especially as the are both heels). As would sending Brock back to OVW.

You can never get too over. And you can't get Brock off my TV fast enough. I think if they let Angle beat him, it will cement him as a main eventer. I can't think of anyone better to beat Brock.

[Guest Anglesault]

If you think only bad things will happen, they will

 

Hate to sound like Stuart Smally, but I'm an optomist

Not always true. I went into this year thinking Angle would be treated well. Look what happened.

[Guest Dmann2000]

Wow, if I can make a comment. It seemed like you went on that pseudo-rant just for some fantasy booking

You're lucky I didn't go into my idea to impliment elements of The Lord of the Rings into a wrestling angle. Of course I needed Rock, so call me for it in six months

[Guest BionicRedneck]

RVD? Booker T? Surely they would benifit more from beating Brock as it would allow them to be elevated to main event.

 

And you can't get Brock off my TV fast enough

 

Ah, I get it. Its not very good to have personal grudges against workers if you were a booker of the WWE.

[Guest Dmann2000]

Not always true. I went into this year thinking Angle would be treated well. Look what happened.

Aha but did you ask the Magic 8 ball as well?

[Guest Dmann2000]

Ah, I get it. Its not very good to have personal grudges against workers if you were a booker of the WWE.

That's one reason I can respect Keith for saying he has no intrest in writing for WWE because of not wanting to deal with the politics.

 

But then again, he really can only speculate about said politics, so maybe he's just afraid his stuff isn't good enough

[Guest Anglesault]

RVD? Booker T? Surely they would benifit more from beating Brock as it would allow them to be elevated to main event.

 

Brock already beat them both.

 

Ah, I get it. Its not very good to have personal grudges against workers if you were a booker of the WWE.

 

It's not personal, it's business. Not over + not having good matches = Not employed.