Is WWE still entertaining?

[Slayer 0]

Sad to say, I got a big chuckle out of MikeofEvil's post about the UK WWE broadcasts

[JoeDirt 0]

Another big problem are their feuds. The best feuds come, like characters, from an extension of something real or at the very least something realistic. In 1997 Bret Hart really WAS somewhat upset that the fans had started to boo him, and really felt the American fans and started to turn on him. That's why that angle worked better than any other "Boo, America sucks!" heel group angle in history.

 

In 1998 it was realistic to assume that the "Mr. McMahon" character wouldn't want someone like Steve Austin representing the company. Of course it wasn't true in actuality, but with the way they built things up with Austin in 1997, and the way Vince was played off as the "heel" in the things with Bret, it was very logical to believe that he could "screw" Steve Austin out of the title.

 

HHH and Orton COULD have been a great feud if built up properly. It is realistic for HHH to get jealous of Orton winning the title from Benoit when he couldn't get the job done. But that turn happened way too quickly.

 

But what about the other feuds? The Big Show/Angle feud isn't realistic at all. Big Show tried to kill Angle, and now we're supposed to boo Angle for shaving Show's hair? I'm supposed to cheer Kane on now because he lost the baby from the woman he basically raped? I'm supposed to boo GENE SNITSKY?

 

Think about it if you look back: If you were asked what the WWF in 1997 was about, you'd probably talk about the formation of the Hart Foundation, the formation of DX, and the rise of Steve Austin. If asked about the WWF in 1998, you'd talk about the Austin/McMahon feud. But what was the WWF "about" in 2002? 2003? What about 2004? There's no overlying story, it's all feuds that last a month or two before people move on to the next one.

[The Niggardly King 0]

Will what they have been doing wrong for the past 4 years is that they will let a feud, or storyline that nobody cares about, ie Steiner/Test and let it last to long. But, when they have something that has potential, something the fans like...they blow their load quickly on the feud, instead of letting it run its course naturally. The one that sticks out in my mind right now is HHH/Orton. This could have lasted for months before Triple H kicks Orton out of Evolution. And after the London/Kidman match tonight, they'll proabilly just move the two on to something else, instead of building from there.

[Gary Floyd 0]

I'll just say this...even though the angleshe's stuck with areit on a shingle, Kane is perhaps the most entertaining guy right now. Hell, up until Matt Hardy showed up, the whole wedding thing was entertaining, especially Kane's response to Lita's vows.

 

Then there's Chris Jericho. Sure, he's stuck in the midcard, but damnit, he's still a blast.

 

Finally, there's Snitsky, providing us with unintentionally hilarious interviews and other so bad it's good, or as I say, SNITSTATIK moments.

[CheesalaIsGood 0]

For anyone who hates it now, I would like to point out 1995 for closer inspection and see how it compares.

[Guest Trivia247]

The wwe has its moments...

[razazteca 0]

For anyone who hates it now, I would like to point out 1995 for closer inspection and see how it compares.

I would like to reference the final year of WCW.

[Dark Age 0]

their constant, incredibly forced, shilling

When you live in the UK, THEN you can complain about constant, forced shilling. Every second match on Raw or Smackdown, you get this horrible, HORRIBLE recording of JR, sounding like he's reading off a card and translating from German as he goes it sounds so stilted and unnatural and emotionless, giving us the following:

 

"Fans in the UK. Get ready to see WWE Raw and WWE Smackdown in a way you have never seen them before. They are coming at you live from the Manchester Evening News Arena in Manchester, England (OF COURSE THE MANCHESTER EVENING NEWS ARENA IS IN MANCHESTER!) on Monday 10th and Tuesday 11th October. These shows are now sold out (SO WHY BOTHER TELLING US? ARE THE PEOPLE WITH TICKETS TO DUMB TO REMEMBER THE DATES?). And don't forget the Smackdown Down 'n' Dirty Tour that is also taking place in October from The Oddysey Arena in Belfast, Northern Ireland, the Nottingham Arena in Nottingham, England (OF COURSE THE NOTTINGHAM ARENA IS IN NOTTINGHAM, AND OF COURSE NOTTINGHAM IS IN ENGLAND YOU SENILE PIECE OF SHIT, IT'S OUR FUCKING COUNTRY AFTER ALL!) and [another place I can't remember]. We hope you will join us there, live."

 

This takes up half the Hurricane match. And half the Christian match. And half the Jericho match (assuming they're separate).

 

And this has been going on since JUNE.

 

And once they've gone, we'll have a two week break before he starts shilling, in the exact same voice that makes me want to reach through my TV and strangle him, Uprising in the Manchester Evening News Arena in Manchester, England... in March.

 

THAT is constant, incredibly forced shilling.

The worst is when he babbles on about the Nottingham Arena show. "Only the date has changed. If you have purchased tickets for the 9th, you will be admitted for the 11th. Once again, only the date has changed, not the event. If have tickets for the 9th......

 

And he seriously says that over and over again for about a minute.

[deancoles 0]

For anyone who hates it now, I would like to point out 1995 for closer inspection and see how it compares.

95 had a couple of underrated feuds in Horowitz/Skip and The triangle feud with Dean Douglas,the 1-2-3 Kid and Razor Ramon.

 

It also had Diesel starting to turn,The Michaels/Owen incident and Sid's Powerbomb attack on Shawn Michaels.

 

Edit: Even with the good stuff it was my 2nd worst WWF/E year after 99.

Edited October 3, 2004 by deancoles411

[CanadianChick 0]

I'm finding myself disappointed in shows lately, for sure. But there are usually some enjoyable moments, even if it is just the little things.

 

I enjoy practically everything Jericho does because he has an uncanny ability of making me care. Benoit wrestling anyone but Flair is still entertaining, even if it is a short match with Rob Conway. I'm interested with the IC division with Jericho, now Micheals, Christian, Edge when he returns, and hopefully someone like Benjamin. Trish is an awesome women's heel. Come to think of it, the heel women are good on Raw, it's the faces that blow.

 

On Smackdown, I like the London/Kidman feud, only for the fact I get to see London more. If they keep Rob and Rey together as a tag team, I like that team alot. They are very fun together and I love how it's not always the same person who's hte face-in-peril. They switch it up because both can take (not necessarly sell though) a beating well.

 

So yeah, as a whole it's been fairly disappointing. And it's not good that I have no interest in the main event programs. I mean, Orton's alright, but he doesn't make me want to watch him. That's the problem, and it's been said already: lack of character. And emotional investment.

[Guest Reservoir_Kitty]

I don't know... it's entertaining to me still, but for the wrong reasons. I laugh at the sheer stupidity of the angles and some of the feuds that are going on. I honestly have more fun mocking the weak points of the show with my friends. I have wrestlers that I will always like, no matter what, like Chris Jericho, the Hurricane, Edge, Christian and the Rock.. and newer people that I like - Orton, Batista - also make me interested in watching.

 

I honestly haven't cared about any of the storylines - what little they have - for some time now. I'm just watching to see my favorite wrestlers and have a good time with my friends and fiance. The only PPVs we bother buying anymore are the big four, and even then we sometimes grumble about shilling out the $35 to see those.

 

I still watch faithfully though, so they must be doing some small thing right. I get all sad if I have to miss a show or if someone wants to do something on a wrestling night. It's pretty bad, but it's been worse. I think I just keep watching to see the turnaround, when it finally gets better and everything clicks again. I may be waiting a while. *sigh*

[Cuban Linx 0]

When you live in the UK, THEN you can complain about constant, forced shilling.  Every second match on Raw or Smackdown, you get this horrible, HORRIBLE recording of JR, sounding like he's reading off a card and translating from German as he goes it sounds so stilted and unnatural and emotionless, giving us the following:

 

"Fans in the UK. Get ready to see WWE Raw and WWE Smackdown in a way you have never seen them before. They are coming at you live from the Manchester Evening News Arena in Manchester, England (OF COURSE THE MANCHESTER EVENING NEWS ARENA IS IN MANCHESTER!) on Monday 10th and Tuesday 11th October. These shows are now sold out (SO WHY BOTHER TELLING US? ARE THE PEOPLE WITH TICKETS TO DUMB TO REMEMBER THE DATES?). And don't forget the Smackdown Down 'n' Dirty Tour that is also taking place in October from The Oddysey Arena in Belfast, Northern Ireland, the Nottingham Arena in Nottingham, England (OF COURSE THE NOTTINGHAM ARENA IS IN NOTTINGHAM, AND OF COURSE NOTTINGHAM IS IN ENGLAND YOU SENILE PIECE OF SHIT, IT'S OUR FUCKING COUNTRY AFTER ALL!) and [another place I can't remember]. We hope you will join us there, live."

 

This takes up half the Hurricane match. And half the Christian match. And half the Jericho match (assuming they're separate).

 

And this has been going on since JUNE.

 

And once they've gone, we'll have a two week break before he starts shilling, in the exact same voice that makes me want to reach through my TV and strangle him, Uprising in the Manchester Evening News Arena in Manchester, England... in March.

 

THAT is constant, incredibly forced shilling.

 

They do the same awful monotone recorded crap from either Cole or JR sounding bored out of their skulls on the Australian shows as well whenever a tour is coming up, so i can feel your pain.

[RavishingRickRudo 0]

When you live in the UK, THEN you can complain about constant, forced shilling.

 

How DARE you try and out-criticize me. At least you get JR! We have Mark Lloyd and his shitty Jim Rome impression. FUCK YOU!

 

And WCW's last year was so much fucking better than the WWE today. I fucking PRAY for WCW 2001.

 

Wrestling in N.A. sucked in 1995, but at least 1996 brought with it Austin/Hart for the WWE and the NWO in WCW. What the fuck do we have to look forward to? This is a war of attrition ladies and gents, and it's between the Never Changing WWE Programming and your own personal Interest in the show.

[CanadianChick 0]

How DARE you try and out-criticize me. At least you get JR! We have Mark Lloyd and his shitty Jim Rome impression. FUCK YOU!

I like how he refers to Canada like it's a city or something.

 

"Hey Canada, listen up! There's a show in (insert small town here) in (insert random province here)! Don't miss it!"

 

Geez, I'd hate missing a Maritime house show. Now he's just making me feel bad!

[Karc 0]

WWE has not been entertaining to me since early 2003, but it wasn't until May where I finally was disinterested enough in the stuff to stop watching it altogether.

[Placebo Effect 0]

I haven't watched Raw in several weeks and Smackdown in months.

[Kardo 0]

When you live in the UK, THEN you can complain about constant, forced shilling.

 

How DARE you try and out-criticize me. At least you get JR! We have Mark Lloyd and his shitty Jim Rome impression. FUCK YOU!

 

And WCW's last year was so much fucking better than the WWE today. I fucking PRAY for WCW 2001.

 

Wrestling in N.A. sucked in 1995, but at least 1996 brought with it Austin/Hart for the WWE and the NWO in WCW. What the fuck do we have to look forward to? This is a war of attrition ladies and gents, and it's between the Never Changing WWE Programming and your own personal Interest in the show.

WCW 2001 rocked and felt like it had direction. Everyone were building characters and I was looking forward to Scott Steiner matches in the main. Something WWE couldn't get even remotely right.

[JoeDirt 0]

WCW 2001 rocked and felt like it had direction. Everyone were building characters and I was looking forward to Scott Steiner matches in the main. Something WWE couldn't get even remotely right.

I agree...I really liked their shows near the end. They were finally just saying "fuck it" and pushing young guys, and having some pretty good shows.

[The Amazing Rando 0]

Oh yes, bow to the WWE and it's MAIN EVENT POSEDOWN! ...sure, that made EVERY fan just drool for a Scott Steiner Main Event Push, and then they gave it to us TWO MONTHS IN A ROW

[JoeDirt 0]

Oh yes, bow to the WWE and it's MAIN EVENT POSEDOWN! ...sure, that made EVERY fan just drool for a Scott Steiner Main Event Push, and then they gave it to us TWO MONTHS IN A ROW

Gayest main event feud ever.

 

"I CAN DO MORE PUSHUPS THAN YOU! ARRRRRRGH!!!"

[The Amazing Rando 0]

Oh yes, bow to the WWE and it's MAIN EVENT POSEDOWN! ...sure, that made EVERY fan just drool for a Scott Steiner Main Event Push, and then they gave it to us TWO MONTHS IN A ROW

Gayest main event feud ever.

 

"I CAN DO MORE PUSHUPS THAN YOU! ARRRRRRGH!!!"

Meh...I *might* place "You fucked a dead girl" just above "i can do more pushups than you"

[JoeDirt 0]

Oh yes, bow to the WWE and it's MAIN EVENT POSEDOWN! ...sure, that made EVERY fan just drool for a Scott Steiner Main Event Push, and then they gave it to us TWO MONTHS IN A ROW

Gayest main event feud ever.

 

"I CAN DO MORE PUSHUPS THAN YOU! ARRRRRRGH!!!"

Meh...I *might* place "You fucked a dead girl" just above "i can do more pushups than you"

The Katie Vick angle was STUPID, sure...

 

But Trips and Steiner doing a posedown was far GAYER.

[The Amazing Rando 0]

Vince: You know what we need? We need to really capture the gay audience. I mean, we already have men running around in small shorts, all we need to do is add oil and posing, and we could have a winner!

 

Patterson: YES VINCE!

 

Everyone else: *cough*WBF*cough*

 

Vince: WHAT?!

 

Everyone else: A little sick...that's all...

 

Vince: Oh? Are you gonna PUUUUUKE?!

[Guest wildpegasus]

My biggest pet peeve is their shitty wrestling style. They aren't wrestling, they're -at best- pretending to pretend. That's why I like Benoit, at least when he's wrestling I know something in there is real.

A pet peeve of mine too and something I've been keeping an eye on for awhile. There are certain wrestlers that just look like they are wrestling and it's part of their being while with others it looks forced and not smooth. They're putting on an exhibition of an actual exhibition and it's visibly apparant. The WWE has way too much of that on their roster.

[Kardo 0]

WCW 2001 rocked and felt like it had direction. Everyone were building characters and I was looking forward to Scott Steiner matches in the main. Something WWE couldn't get even remotely right.

I agree...I really liked their shows near the end. They were finally just saying "fuck it" and pushing young guys, and having some pretty good shows.

I loved when Sid challenged Scott in the carpark and unlike most heels, Scott runs to the back and beats the hell out of him. Now that rocked.

[Promoter 0]

I have to say that if I wasn't a smark I would probably stopped watching cloesly since RR '03. Seriously, that is the last time I can honestly say all my friends gathered and did not whine about the quality of the show(we laughed at how bad the Trips title match was) because the Rumble was solid with surprises like HBK getting thrown out so quickly and the Angle/Benoit match. I still watch, but I watched in 1995 as well, so that should say something. For the most part I will say that I have a combination of the posts here with what I dislike and like.

 

Someone stated that in '97 and '98 the wwe had an overwhelming storyline, while the last couple of years the wwe hasn't really had one. I think they COULD have some big storylines, but they blew it.

 

2004 I think the hook, line, and sinker that they royally SCREWED up was the anticipation for WM XX. The wwe had it. They had people expecting them to deliver and return to glory in Madison Square Garden, but they did not. I'm not saying stuff like Benoit winning the title wasn't priceless, but messing up the chance of following through with the marketing that disappeared that had "the past, present, and future collide in the place that started it all". I don't know if anyone here saw those commercials in December/January, but they pulled it off the air.

 

I know of all the problems or supposed problems, but I think the wwe really had people's expectations so high with the year long hype and rumours that the event was the wwe's last chance at pulling in the monster audiences they once had. The shows were solid up until Benoit/HBK title match on television. Eddie was on fire being the champion. Fans were heated against Brock Lesnar and Goldberg for leaving the company. Fans were into the hall of fame aspects. Fans were expecting the legends to face off against the current breed. I honestly believe that WM XX they blew it. That was the main story of the year and for all intents and purposes they blew it. They should have done Foley/Orton at MSG for backstory reasons. The tag match was useless. Orton could have been made at the big event. I think it makes a big difference. I also think they should have done Benoit/Trips one on one too. Anyways, Mania XX was the big storyline to launch the new era and they blew it imo. I won't get into how they could have elevated certain guys and then have Evolution break up by SummerSlam as it happened with Orton being much more over.

 

2003 the big story should have been the retirement of Hulk Hogan. They mis-used Hogan. Of course, there is politics here, but the fact still remains Hogan should have retired at WM XX in the hall of fame. Too bad Brock's heart wasn't in it. Brock ending Hulkamania in the main event could have been something people would remember years down the line. Angle/Brock won't be remembered. Hell, they could have done Brock/Austin at the event.

 

2002's big story should have been the rise of the Next Big Thing Brock Lesnar, but they rushed it. They had the nWo for crying out loud. They had the splitting of the company. As someone said in a post the problem is things being rushed and the realism being taken away from things. It's just been a long list of bad booking and stories. Bringing in guys like Steiner as a face? Just asking for a flop. I know this is all hindsight, but the wwe is suppose to be the professionals who are suppose to know how to promote and create stars. The undeniable winners of the wrestling wars who always find ways to mock the dead organizations for mis-using stars such as Austin and HHH. Well......

[Guest SteveyP93]

The writing sucks. And it will continue to suck as long as Vince employs people like his daughter and Brian Gewirtz.

 

The craptastic writing and booking = no connection between the fans and the "superstars".

 

When I watch a tape of a WWF show from 1998-1999, the pops amaze me. The mid-carders were getting bigger pops than the main eventers get nowadays. The fans just don't care. Nobody is really over...well, maybe by today's standards for a pop, which is mild applause. The Rock is the only guy who gets a REAL pop, and he shows up a few times a year.

[Guest Loss]

WWE works too hard to protect morale through 50/50 booking that never gets anyone over. Nothing is allowed to build over time, because if a guy lays someone out on RAW, the other guy is getting his revenge the next week.

 

The cliches are ridiculous too. If someone looks strong the week before a PPV, you know he's jobbing. It's time for them to re-evaluate every aspect of the product.

[Guest Andrew J.]

I'm still entertained, but then again I have low standards, so it probably doesn't mean anything.

[Promoter 0]

SteveyP93 and Loss hit the nail on the head imo and I can't believe the wwe itself doesn't know this deep down(they blame the talent usually instead). However, they do try to change things up a bit like Eddie winning the tag match the smackdown before No Way Out and still winning the gold belt. Again, the build up to Mania XX was pretty solid. It's the event and aftermath's failure to capitalize like WM 14 did for the attitude era.