Is WWE still entertaining?

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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.

They blew it after WrestleMania. Saving Orton/Foley for Backlash was smart (I know I wouldn't have bought Backlash if that match hadn't been on the card.) because the blowoff to the Orton/Foley feud at WrestleMania wouldn't have affected the buyrate at all. And I think it did at Backlash.

 

And besides that, WrestleMania was a very good show. Benoit and Guerrero were made to be the top stars of their brands. Too bad horrible booking ruined both of their reigns and pushes afterward.

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In terms of Orton/Foley affecting buy-rates and such I still think the wwe missed the boat to have Orton go over Foley at Mania. I understand saving it for the buy-rate for a lesser ppv, but I think sometimes it's the setting and timing of events that can make and break a star. I still believe the wwe could have made Orton be seen as the superstar they want fans to see him as if they did just a little bit of tinkering earlier this year.

 

Saving Benoit's win for Edmonton could have affected buy-rates as well, but they did the title switch at Mania because that is where the true stars make their name. The big names such as Austin, Hogan, Trips, Michaels, etc got the job done at Mania and not at lesser ppv shows. Maybe I think too long term and the wwe does not, but Randy Orton going over Foley at WrestleMania XX instead has much bigger proportions for uplifting Orton than it did at Backlash.

 

Look at it like this. Foley is famous for being the fan ringside the night Superfly Snuka jumped of the steel cage at MSG. Foley was returning to WrestleMania for the first time since Triple H put him into retirement at WM 16. HHH's first claim to fame that solidified him as a legit champion came at MSG against Mick Foley at the 2000 Royal Rumble. Orton being a 3rd generation superstar against the hardcore legend in the place where it all began is a great backdrop. Now, the wwe could have also used The Rock as a cornerman for Foley(I would have used him elsewhere, but that's another story). Orton going over Foley at this event has shades to set up Orton as being superior to Triple H especially if Rock was in the corner. Rock and Foley should have put over Orton at the event in this scenario because if they wanted to do what they did by having Orton main event SummerSlam this would have planted the seeds as Orton being the new blood who was on Triple H's heels to become the "evolution" of the business. It helps give a backdrop for what they eventually have done in the last couple of months. HHH's top rivals of the past have been both Rock and Foley(who helped made his legend) and if Orton disposed of both men(Rock's match would still be saved, but the impression would be there for from a little interaction from Mania)he would look like he is on Trips' level. Add the title victory over the man Triple H lost his title to and Orton has the image of being a real threat to Triple H. Instead things seem rushed to some fans.

 

You see I think this helps the company much more than a slight increase in a lesser ppv buy-rate that was less than the year prior I think. Remember the plan is to have Orton main event WrestleMania 21. Earlier this year I read rumours that Trips wanted the match with Orton to headline this year, but they felt it was too early, so they planned it for next year. The tag match was basically piontless at Mania XX. They could have displayed Foley and Orton and have Batista/Flair/Rock as a backdrop and then do the tag match at Backlash where Rock could be used as a selling point. Anyways, I always like to view how the wwe could have taken alternate roots especially with where they are now and what they want to accomplish.