What will spur wrestling's next big boom?

[JoeDirt 0]

Question is in the title...whaddya think? And what time period do you think we're talking about here...5-10 years? More? Less?

[Guest bigm350]

I honestly don't think we will see one again. Vince doesn't seem to have that burning fire anymore, probably due to lack of competition, HHH vetoes anyone that approaches his spot on the food chain, and Steph is as smart as a box of rocks.

 

I think Vince truly did create the first boom period because he saw Hogan as the guy who could play a superhero, and he was right. Hogan carried wrestling to an unmatched level of popularity. The second boom period was more luck than anything, Austin caught fire with the fans, Vince saw this, and it took the WWF out of the gutter, and its momentum carried over to Vince buying WCW.

 

What is on the horizon? I don't see anything. As long as HHH is part of management, he will not let anyone become bigger than him. It seriously looks like wrestling will have ALOT of dark days before there will be a glimmer of sunshine on the horizon. Wrestling's future (WWE in particular) looks very bleak.

[yankovic fan 0]

Whenever it happens I hope I'm not the old guy that's telling the people in earshot of how "I've been a fan since....blah blah blah."

 

 

That guy is annoying.

 

I'm happy you seen Gorgeous George in person 5 times. I WASN'T BORN YET!

 

fuckers...

 

 

 

I am sure the current batch of wrestlers born during the 80s boom will be the cause of the next boom when they hit their 30s.

[Guest Loss]

Well, if the past 20 years is any indication:

 

1984-1990 -- wrestling boom

1991-1995 -- slum

1996-2001 -- wrestling boom

2002-2005 -- slum

 

... then we're due one in 2007. Yes, those years are arguable. You could argue that 1992 was the year the WWF truly came crashing down hard. 1996 saw interest start to pick up with the rise of the NWO, which later carried over into the Attitude era, which came crashing down hard in 2001.

 

It's going to take a complete change in presentation, a new star and a new concept built around making the identity of the company match the strengths of the new star, and it's going to require the veterans completely exiting the picture for good, meaning the boom won't happen until HHH, Shawn Michaels and the Undertaker are completely out of the business. The '84 boom didn't happen until Backlund was cast aside. The '96 boom didn't happen until Hogan, Hall and Nash came in and shook things up, moving guys like Sting, Flair and Luger out of the picture. Yes, Hogan was identified with another era, but he completely changed his character to adopt to the times, and as a result, was new again. Perhaps if someone like HHH or Michaels or 'Taker did that, they could remain a key player in a new era as well, but if not, they're not going to. I don't think Michaels in particular is willing to change, considering that he still has that dated entrance music and has needed a new look drastically for a while.

 

They're going to have to completely flush out all the elements of the Attitude era (including getting rid of that scratch logo that they've kept far too long) before they move into anything new, and they're also going to have to find a way to neutralize guys like Hunter and Taker from burying anyone who gets over. The rules may end up being completely different this time around, since the business changed dramatically when WCW died for good, and now Vince has no competition to light a fire under his ass or steal ideas from.

 

We'll just have to wait and see, I guess.

[Guest Loss]

I think Vince truly did create the first boom period because he saw Hogan as the guy who could play a superhero, and he was right. Hogan carried wrestling to an unmatched level of popularity. The second boom period was more luck than anything, Austin caught fire with the fans, Vince saw this, and it took the WWF out of the gutter, and its momentum carried over to Vince buying WCW.

I would argue that while it was Austin who brought his company out of the doldrums, it was the NWO that made wrestling cool again in the first place.

[JoeDirt 0]

You could argue that without Eric Bischoff, Nitro, and WCW, the big wrestling boom starting in 1996 and the revival of the WWF would never have happened...

 

That's why I'm worried when WWE has no competition.

[Guest bigm350]

I think Vince truly did create the first boom period because he saw Hogan as the guy who could play a superhero, and he was right. Hogan carried wrestling to an unmatched level of popularity. The second boom period was more luck than anything, Austin caught fire with the fans, Vince saw this, and it took the WWF out of the gutter, and its momentum carried over to Vince buying WCW.

I would argue that while it was Austin who brought his company out of the doldrums, it was the NWO that made wrestling cool again in the first place.

You are correct sir. If anything, Vince is a genius at stealing ideas and making it look like he was the one who started the trend.

[Guest bigm350]

You could argue that without Eric Bischoff, Nitro, and WCW, the big wrestling boom starting in 1996 and the revival of the WWF would never have happened...

 

That's why I'm worried when WWE has no competition.

The NWO is what started the second wrestling boom. I stand corrected, I thought you meant what started the WWF's second boom period.

 

But there is no doubt the NWO started the boom period of the mid to late nineties.

 

And when Vince has no competition, he has no ideas to steal from other promotions, hence, the shitty WWE product we see today.

[spman 0]

The next big thing in wrestling is usually something that comes completely out of left field. Rarely are guys like Cena and Orton who are built up and "groomed" for the main event successful, and history has shown that. Look at todays crop of main eventers now, and look at where they were 10 years ago, and you'll see my point. Wrestlers can't be groomed for success, the fans are the ones who make that decision, and it either happens or it doesn't.

[Nighthawk 0]

Rock was groomed and built for the main event. You're usually right, however.

[dpac 0]

Wrestling may not be in the boom stage right now, but it is in no means in the slum stage. They still have one of the top 3 highest rated cable shows week after week. PPV numbers are not as strong as before, but still hold thier own vs. other ppv numbers. We as smark fans are just bored and think things are alot worse than they really are. The slum stage is when they are doing thier house shows at local highschool gymnasiums.

 

As far as the next big boom, I agree HHH holding the majority of power will hinder it from happening. Unless TNA blows up, I think we are stuck with the WWE happy with what they have stage.

[Special K 0]

I don't think it'll ever boom again. Kayfabe's been destroyed, and the WWE simply REFUSES to learn from the lessons of the past and push guys who are over, instead of grooming homegrown stars. HHH will be refusing to put people over for years and years. He's been doing it pretty atrociously for 2-3 years now and Vince hasn't gotten sick of his shit yet.

[reign 0]

I'm just curious(not doubting you at all) but who in the WWF(E) prior to the recent guys from OVW have been groomed for a big run right from the get go? I agree that the next boom will be with an entirely new look and concept...I never really watched consistently or knew results of shows back when Austin got big because I always missed Raw and Nitro reairing late Monday was genious and locked me in to the NWO....I keep thinking that somebody will come along and just kick wrestling into the next level by going on HBO or Showtime with a super show that is produced like a PPV once a week with a huge stage and effects but with harsh language more violence AND a big emphasis on wrestling and stories meaning something...put some of HBO's writers with some new wrestling minds and give a replay once or twice...then branch to tv....above all it's going to take competition to spur this and I don't think there is any....

 

...............or trade Cena to Raw...maybe end the brand extension....Cena to Raw would at least cause excitement....trade him for Jericho or something...have him chase HHH for a year....include Orton...you gotta keep him involved at the top somehow without killing him...the idea is that Cena can wrestle again with the good talent and chase HHH...Cena is WWE's only possible mega-over guy and can later build to a feud with super heel Orton(who can do it) another year or so down the road...maybe not a boom but at least give them a chance with what they have.....I think that if they did a brand versus brand right now that it would be popular for a little while....

[Special K 0]

Orton was groomed for a top spot immediately, I think. Brock, of course. That one worked. I think they still think that if they just throw some big guy (snitsky, heidenrape, tomko, etc.) he's going to really catch on.

 

The worst thing they do are the teasing pushes where the fans react, then they pull the carpet out from under them. Jericho, RVD, Orton, Shelton, Edge. All were given small pushes, and then at various times just made to look like utter shite.

[BHK 0]

Keep in mind that "low" periods are different now. Raw pulling in the mid-upper 3s may be a slump compared to 2000, but compared to 1995 it's astonishing.

[razazteca 0]

Its going to take something that the general american wrestling fan has not seen.....lately like a successful infusion of MMA fighters who work matches in the same manner that Benoit vs Jericho did on the Japan Raw. Its going to take a wrestling style change from the boring punch-kick-headlock resthold before commercial breaks-suplex-signature finisher to something radical like competitors who actually know what a wristlock is and have 20 reversals for it and can chain wrestling instead of taking a breather during the 5 minute headlock.

 

You lazy americans make me sick, you call this wrestling!?!?! WWE has no pride or fighting spirit and only think about promoting a certain image to sell merchandise and forgot what the W in WWE stands for..........it sure as hell does not mean warrior or wrestler.

[Vern Gagne 0]

Rock was groomed and built for the main event. You're usually right, however.

Rocky Maivia what the WWE was banking on to make Rocky a star was a complete flop to the point of fans having Die Rocky Die signs.

[Guest JebusNassedar]

Austin Aries.

 

He can adapt to any style with stunning ease. A true jack of all trades, not to discredit guys like HBK or Jericho.

 

He can fly with the best of them (including his smooth 450), he can pop crowds with dazzling moves (Crucifix Bomb, or the completely nondangerous Power Elbow), brawl like he's fighting for his life, take shots like the other man is fighting for theirs, mat wrestle like a king, and lure people into a match. He also has a very "Devil's Advocate" look and is insanely marketable. Hell, all you need is a shirt with the tattoo on his shoulder.

 

If WWE gets Aries, and lets him do HALF of what he does now, he will get so terrifyingly over that there's no way they can hold him back.

 

If TNA gets Aries, they have feuds they can build entire companies on. Aries can make anyone look good, even Jeff Hardy.

 

If RoH keeps Aries, he will be their big gun. Joe is great, and Punk can talk the shirt off your back, but Aries can appeal to every fan out there.

 

Unless there's some perverse fan out there who thinks that all that matters are promos. His speaking style is clear and concise, but wont exactly draw the masses like a Rock or Austin. But the wreestling will do that. He will become some freakish hybrid if WWE gets him and lets him do his thing.

 

And if you dont believe me? Listen to this.

 

My mother is not what you'd call a wrestling fan. She watches it, sure, but that's because she needs a study break from school things, and nothing takes one's mind off what they're doing like drugged JBL.

 

I had conned her into taking me to a wrestling show up in Santa Ana. I had to go to some horseracing thing with her a while back, so it was to pay it off.

 

She was amused at times, bored at others, but there was one specific match that stuck out. It was Austin Aries Vs. Scott Lost.

 

After that match, my mom turned to me...my good Christian, moderately sheltered, non-smart (as far as wrestling goes) mother...

 

...and said "Holy Shit." In fact, that ride home, she couldnt stop talking about how good Aries was.

 

If THAT is not proof that his wrestling alone can draw the masses, I dont know what is.

[Guest FromBeyondTheGrave]

WrestleMania 25.

[spman 0]

Orton was groomed for a top spot immediately, I think. Brock, of course. That one worked. I think they still think that if they just throw some big guy (snitsky, heidenrape, tomko, etc.) he's going to really catch on.

This is another big problem, WWE trying to push all these big guys hoping they'll catch on and be the next Brock Lesnar. The thing with Lesnar though is that not only was he huge, but he had the skills in the ring to back it up as well. Sure, he couldn't talk worth a damn, but that's why they gave him a mouthpiece manager. The only thing guys like Heidenreich have going for them is that they can shout angrily and look somewhat menacing. I still think Snitsky could catch on though as a modern day Sid Vicious type, if only they weren't so intent on jobbing him non-stop to Kane and killing any credibility he might have. Not that he's any good or anything, but they could probobly pull a few decent drawing PPV main events out of him.

[Nighthawk 0]

Rock was groomed and built for the main event. You're usually right, however.

Rocky Maivia what the WWE was banking on to make Rocky a star was a complete flop to the point of fans having Die Rocky Die signs.

They were banking on Dwayne Johnson, when you cut down to it. He came through.

[spman 0]

Rock was groomed and built for the main event. You're usually right, however.

Rocky Maivia what the WWE was banking on to make Rocky a star was a complete flop to the point of fans having Die Rocky Die signs.

They were banking on Dwayne Johnson, when you cut down to it. He came through.

That's the only instance when guys who are crammed down the fans throats manage to be successful, when they have the Charisma to work the crowd, this is why The Rock was so successful. While it's true, there will likely never be another Rock in our lifetime, charisma and mic skills are enough to overcome even the worst booking. Orton has none of this at all, and will likely be a faded memory in the mid-card by the summer. Cena almost has what it takes, but he's still not quite there yet. A hard fought loss in the main event at WM and a jump to RAW would probobly do it for him though. They definitly have something with Batista, as long as they don't muck it up, which they probobly will.

[Eclipse 0]

Wow, the future of wrestling is up in the air for me.

 

As of right now, a boom in wrestling is nowhere in site. The formula some are using to calculate the next boom is WAY OFF. Let us remember 2 of the most influential minds around Vinnie Mac: HHH and Stephanie. So far, on RAW, HHH has basically IMPLANTED that title on himself and has buried most of the stars on RAW. Orton has been reduced to mid carder after his title run. Benoit is in a midcard feud as well. Jericho hasn't been in the title picture since WMX8. Below HHH, the only other person that seems to be in LINE for a title run is Batista. Batista has been on a roll lately, and the fans want and YEARN for him to be champ. BUT, remember the HHH Disease, in which Batista SHOULD be dropping that title shortly after he wins it from HHH. If that is indeed what happens, Batista will be challenging again for the title, and after that, WHO would be in line for a title shot? Seriously, if there is no roster shakeup like last year's, RAW is gonna be bland, boring mess this year. And, come to think of it, the roster shakeup may not EVEN HELP! He may even bury main event Smackdown guys. If Cena comes to RAW, to challenge HHH, yeah, they have their program, HHH wins, YAY. Cena would be pushed into the Intercontinental picture. That's all there is to it.

 

 

Sadly, the ONLY way WWE will rebound is if Steph or HHH somehow lost that influence, OR, if another company came into the scene as A MAJOR threat to the WWE. Also, the WWE needs to stop holding down the better wrestlers by making them wrestle the WWE style, which has even made RVD a repetitive mess in the ring. That is why if people like AJ Styles got a deal with the WWE, I would SERIOUSLY puke, because he will be toned down.....BIG TIME.

[Vern Gagne 0]

Rock was groomed and built for the main event. You're usually right, however.

Rocky Maivia what the WWE was banking on to make Rocky a star was a complete flop to the point of fans having Die Rocky Die signs.

They were banking on Dwayne Johnson, when you cut down to it. He came through.

True. My point was the WWE's idea how to push him failed, Johnson figured out he had to turn on the fans and the rest is history.

[Guest Deadbolt]

Wrestling may not be in the boom stage right now, but it is in no means in the slum stage. They still have one of the top 3 highest rated cable shows week after week. PPV numbers are not as strong as before, but still hold thier own vs. other ppv numbers. We as smark fans are just bored and think things are alot worse than they really are. The slum stage is when they are doing thier house shows at local highschool gymnasiums.

 

As far as the next big boom, I agree HHH holding the majority of power will hinder it from happening. Unless TNA blows up, I think we are stuck with the WWE happy with what they have stage.

While I agree with you, I also disagree. The WWE isn't doing too great. I think the reason for this is the lack of legitimate characters. If you look to the past, the guys with the stupid gimmicks, were, well, jobbers. But now, they are trying to push the guys with the stupid gimmicks. Too many guys are wearing just plain black trunks, have cut black boots, black knee and elbow pads. It's repetitive, and it gets boring. We need some more Hogan or Savage characters. Colourful, but not in a homo-erotic way (a la Rico). It makes things more interesting to watch.

 

It's not in a slump, and it's by no means finished (for the near future, at least), but there is serious room for improvement IMO.

[dpac 0]

Austin Aries.

 

He can adapt to any style with stunning ease. A true jack of all trades, not to discredit guys like HBK or Jericho.

 

He can fly with the best of them (including his smooth 450), he can pop crowds with dazzling moves (Crucifix Bomb, or the completely nondangerous Power Elbow), brawl like he's fighting for his life, take shots like the other man is fighting for theirs, mat wrestle like a king, and lure people into a match. He also has a very "Devil's Advocate" look and is insanely marketable. Hell, all you need is a shirt with the tattoo on his shoulder.

 

If WWE gets Aries, and lets him do HALF of what he does now, he will get so terrifyingly over that there's no way they can hold him back.

 

If TNA gets Aries, they have feuds they can build entire companies on. Aries can make anyone look good, even Jeff Hardy.

 

If RoH keeps Aries, he will be their big gun. Joe is great, and Punk can talk the shirt off your back, but Aries can appeal to every fan out there.

 

Unless there's some perverse fan out there who thinks that all that matters are promos. His speaking style is clear and concise, but wont exactly draw the masses like a Rock or Austin. But the wreestling will do that. He will become some freakish hybrid if WWE gets him and lets him do his thing.

 

And if you dont believe me? Listen to this.

 

My mother is not what you'd call a wrestling fan. She watches it, sure, but that's because she needs a study break from school things, and nothing takes one's mind off what they're doing like drugged JBL.

 

I had conned her into taking me to a wrestling show up in Santa Ana. I had to go to some horseracing thing with her a while back, so it was to pay it off.

 

She was amused at times, bored at others, but there was one specific match that stuck out. It was Austin Aries Vs. Scott Lost.

 

After that match, my mom turned to me...my good Christian, moderately sheltered, non-smart (as far as wrestling goes) mother...

 

...and said "Holy Shit." In fact, that ride home, she couldnt stop talking about how good Aries was.

 

If THAT is not proof that his wrestling alone can draw the masses, I dont know what is.

First of all he is a cruiserweight, and is only 5'9, he looks good playing with indi boys, but throw in the WWE ring and London dwarfs him. He would pop the crowd, but by no means could he put the WWE back in the mainstream.

[what 0]

I think wrestling will have to be completely destroyed and then rebuilt before there's another boom from the ground up. As long as the WWE is around, there will not be another boom.

[JoeDirt 0]

Is there any chance Turner gets involved when his no compete is up in March of 2006?

[Guest LooneyTune]

First of all he is a cruiserweight, and is only 5'9, he looks good playing with indi boys, but throw in the WWE ring and London dwarfs him. He would pop the crowd, but by no means could he put the WWE back in the mainstream.

Gotta agree here. The smallest main eventer to get a serious push in WWE has been Shawn Michaels, with Chris Benoit right around the same size (maybe shorter), and neither really set the world on fire in terms of drawing for WWE, be it poor booking or just not being an interesting person to get behind as a main eventer.

[Guest Loss]

Ric Flair and Steve Austin weren't really huge either. I think it's possible for a mid-sized to smaller-sized wrestler to get over on top if he has enough charisma.