Art imitating Life?

[Guest RavishingRickRudo]

Ok, a few weeks ago Vince McMahon comes on RAW and tells Eric Bischoff he has 30 days to improve the show or else he is fired. Rather than changing the format, or changing at all, Eric Bischoff announced that he is just bringing back Steve Austin as if that will suddenly make the rest of the show any more palatable. This has been the WWE’s approach for the past 2 years and there isn’t a clear sign that they will stop trying for the ‘quick fix’. So is it merely coincidence that Raw reflects the WWE? Or is it some subconscious manifestation of Vince McMahon? Or is it a purposeful attempt at satire? Will Bischoff get axed and Shane O Mac comes in ? Will it be a sign that the WWE will change their ways? Will Bischoff be successful and McMahon leave him be?

 

In either case, I find it funny how McMahon likes to portray Bischoff. In the confidential piece Bischoff ‘went against tradition’ by announcing RAWs outcomes, and signed McMahons starts and raided the WWF - much like Vince did in the 80’s. Right now Eric is a desperate man trying to do desperate things - much like McMahon today. So, art imitating life?

[Guest IB2BLACK]

Isn't all part of the storyline?

[Guest razazteca]

Or is it a purposeful attempt at satire?

I think this is the case, as what if Vince purposely made the last month of Raw so bad that when Shane and Austin return it will spike the shock value even more, as if Vince is working the net.

 

Or this could be a case of Vince "We Make Movies" strategy, where as he sees reality tv being so popular he had to try a brand of his own Real World Tough Enough on the major WWE show.

[Guest Super Pissed Smark]

I can't picture it as being purposeful satire, because I'm not sure anyone working at WWE could define satire, let alone implement it.

 

It's just beyond me why Vince would run a "Hey, our show really sucks and someone better improve it fast or they're fired" angle. I could see if this were an unconventional sitcom or talk show or something along those lines, but it seems totally counterproductive to admit to RAW's audience that the show sucks.

 

Come to think of it, the Bischoff hiring angle was basically the same "we really blow, let's try to fix it" deal in the first place. I don't understand how it's a good idea to have that the main angle of the show.

[Guest FeArHaVoC]

I don't expect much from this angle. Probably just set up Bischoff Vs Shane at NWO, winner gets Control of Raw. Something really lackluster.

[Guest My Eyebrow is on fire]

Isn't all part of the storyline?

by accident of course

[Guest RavishingRickRudo]

Does it bother anyone that even when Vince tries to improve things on-air - like the aforementioned Bischoff hiring and subsequent '30 day trial' - that NOTHING changes. So even when they say "Things are going to change" (which they shouldn't say in the first place on TV because fans start to clue in that there is something wrong) nothing happens?

[Guest subliminal_animal]

All he's done so far is say Steve Austin is coming back and put Teddy Long where he belongs ... behind the mike with cool sunglasses.

 

Bischoff said he was going to blow our minids, and foolishly, I believed him. To be fair though, the Teddy Long thing came close.

[Guest EternallyLazy]

All he's done so far is say Steve Austin is coming back and put Teddy Long where he belongs ... behind the mike with cool sunglasses.

 

Bischoff said he was going to blow our minids, and foolishly, I believed him. To be fair though, the Teddy Long thing came close.

Ummm... you do know that Bischoff isn't REALLY in control of things don't you?

[Guest El Satanico]

As I said after the show where Vince gave him 30 days. This is just another way for Vince to spit on the corpse of WCW.

 

Raw(being WCW) is promising stuff that ends up blowing up in their face. While Smackdown(being WWE) is delivering on their promises.

 

fucking Vince

[Guest THE MIGHTY THOR]

Last night's show was all about making Bischoff look like a fool, so you are right is about Vince pissing on WCW one more time, boy, that will increase them ratings.

[Guest evilhomer]

You know, I've just been sitting back going fuck this is boring. It didn't occur to me just how accurate your analogy is. Bischoff was given the task of totally redesigning Raw, taking it by the throat and choking some life into it. What do we get? Same set, same announcers, same matches, same card make up, and the promise of a returning star. Another quick fix when an overhaul is needed.

 

I suppose they've just got to work with the hand they're dealt. Vince believes that stars are the solution to his problems, so he won't allow a dramatic shift in the make up that would push the show in a new, possibly interesting direction.

[Guest RavishingRickRudo]

Actual Change vs. Perception of Change.

 

It's one of the biggest issues the WWF has had to deal with (or should I say *the fans* of the WWF has had to deal with) since 2000 where they were at a point in their 'life' where they had to make a transition from Attitude to something else - but couldn't find that something else.

 

The WWFs motto is "the more things change the more they stay the same"