Can the WWE win back the casual fan?

[Guest JustPassinBy]

First time poster. Moderate time reader.

I'm a smark in terms of knowing what goes on backstage with wrestling, but not in terms of the work rate stuff that most of you guys love.

 

I USED to enjoy WWE bc of the PROMOS, CHARACTER/STORYLINES, and SPOT FESTS.

To me, actual 'wresting' is boring.

i consider myself a casual fan which the WWE pulled in when it was doing 6-7 ratings. I still think they can pull those types of numbers, but after watching Raw last nite and on/off again the last several months, they have major problems.

 

#1. WWE was great in the past due to STRONG characters. Most of the time these guys didnt need gimmicks, they just needed to be themselves (Rock, Austin, Jericho, Mick Foley, HHH)...The WWE can have still get there because I see alot of talent that is being completely unutilized. It just makes me sick how close the WWE is to being really good again, but they cant seem to pull it together. I'm gonna analyze a few stars and give my suggestions how they can take the next step.

 

A. JOHN CENA--Lots of people here hate him but the guy has talent. Just let the dude be HIMSELF. Get rid of the wigga nonsense. Thats why people hate him. Its not his wrestling's skills, its his character. Look, Cena can be a MEGA-STAR if the WWE just lets him be whom he is...Whom is John Cena? John Cena is a Boston Southy. Right now, all things Boston are cool/hip/pop culture. Think the Red Sox, Matt Damon, Tom Brady, etc.... Let John Cena play the working class tough from the south of Boston (where's he's from in real life). Let him be the hard,tough cocky wise ass that is still a hard worker. Let him be himself. Injecting Boston into his routine is gold. Let John Cena be John Cena. Much like Austin is the beer drinking ass kicking redneck... Let Cena be the cool, hip, boston toughy.

 

B. SHELTON BENJAMIN- get rid of this guy's mama and make him a Terrell Owens character. Please. He has the look, the athletic skills, he does have an arrogance about him. TO is pop culture. This 'gimmick' is so obvious and would be perfect for Benjamin. How can the WWE miss this?

 

C. CARLITO--A ton of potential being underutilized. The guy has charisma and mic skills. How do you make him a big star? Simple. Stick the hottest piece of Latina ass you can find to be his valet/girlfriend. But she cant be an airhead. She needs to have some attitude too. You want to make the crowd jealous of Carlito. Make Carlito seem important. Sticking a hottie with him will help. Next, feed Carlito a bunch of jobbers, and part of his gimmick will be to verbally bury his opponents before each match, of even during the match. The "who's this guy" phrase he did tonite was PERFECT. Keep the energy going. Cocky prick with hot ass GF....Good we have a strong character, but there needs to be some respect there. Carlito then needs to have a few big spots. Go through a table, bleed, show that he's a bad ass in the ring as well. Now you got a strong character.

 

D. BIG SHOW and SPIRIT SQUAD--- Now comes some real fantasy booking by me. Not sure if you guys will like but here goes. First, when I look at Big Show, I see a pretty crappy wrestler. For a guy that big, he's not a monster, he has limited mic skills.. Wasted talent, right? WRONG. Big Show has a PRESENCE. When I see Big Show, I see a perfect guy to be a "godfather" or mob boss. Seriously, stick Big Show in a suit, give him a hat, and big puffy cigar. He can be intimidating. Spirit Squad--ok their current gimmick is weak. No one likes to root for or against a bunch of cheerleading wimps. They get X-Pac heat. They are just weak characters. Make the Spirit Squad guys members of Big Show's mob faction. Dress the SS in suits and tuxes. Show them meeting with Big Show in restaurants and back stage. Let them do matches where two of them tag team, and the other two run around with lead pipes and the like. Big Show's Mob Group will gain power in the WWE, and would be crazy over. They'd be a strong character group, for guys that need something to do. Big Show as Godfather would be perfect. Honestly I see Big Show and I think Marlon Brando or any of these big fat larger than life real life mob bosses.

 

 

RIC FLAIR & other Old wrestlers: WWE PLEASE stop these guys from wrestling. FLAIR should retire. He just doesnt have the look anymore. If he's going to continue to wrestle, then let him get absolutely squashed by Benjamin or another up and comer. Having the near 60yr old Flair compete with guys half his age is a joke. Give up on this joke WWE. No one is buying it or cares.

 

TAG TEAM DIVISION: You want it popular again? Bring back the TLC matches. Make it about spot fests. Thats what the casual fan wants to see. EC, Hardy Boyz, Dudley's were way way over bc of this style of match. Its the only way the division will get that over again. It doesnt matter if you have to pluck some no-name tag talents. As long as they can spot wrestle, they will get over.

 

Well, thats my perspective from the casual Attitude Era fan.

Thanks for reading.

[NYU 0]

They will not win the casual fan back until they start giving the people what they want. And even then, it's not a guarantee.

 

That's the simple answer to this thread.

[LJSexay 0]

welcome to the boards. I appreciate that you took the time to register and give us some of your opinions on this stuff. You're right - the WWE was at its greatest when it was about characters - not gimmicks.

 

Wish they remembered that sometimes.

[SuperJerk 0]

They will not win the casual fan back until they start giving the people what they want. And even then, it's not a guarantee.

 

That's the simple answer to this thread.

Begs the question...what do the people want?

 

Its easy to figure out what they DON'T want most of the time, but figuring out what they DO want is a lot harder.

[Enigma 0]

Rob Van Dam in 2001-2002 would have solved a lot problems.

[SuperJerk 0]

D. BIG SHOW and SPIRIT SQUAD--- Now comes some real fantasy booking by me. Not sure if you guys will like but here goes. First, when I look at Big Show, I see a pretty crappy wrestler. For a guy that big, he's not a monster, he has limited mic skills.. Wasted talent, right? WRONG. Big Show has a PRESENCE. When I see Big Show, I see a perfect guy to be a "godfather" or mob boss. Seriously, stick Big Show in a suit, give him a hat, and big puffy cigar. He can be intimidating. Spirit Squad--ok their current gimmick is weak. No one likes to root for or against a bunch of cheerleading wimps. They get X-Pac heat. They are just weak characters. Make the Spirit Squad guys members of Big Show's mob faction. Dress the SS in suits and tuxes. Show them meeting with Big Show in restaurants and back stage. Let them do matches where two of them tag team, and the other two run around with lead pipes and the like. Big Show's Mob Group will gain power in the WWE, and would be crazy over. They'd be a strong character group, for guys that need something to do. Big Show as Godfather would be perfect. Honestly I see Big Show and I think Marlon Brando or any of these big fat larger than life real life mob bosses.

I have to admit, I LOVE this idea.

 

Rob Van Dam in 2001-2002 would have solved a lot problems.

I can agree with this. It doesn't solve the problem of what to do 4 years later, though.

[SamoaRowe 0]

Wrestling fans are too fickle these days. There really aren't any collective "wants" because the fanbase is too diverse. They would be doing themselves a big favor if they turned up the diversity in the programs so that there would be something for everyone.

 

They already sort of do this to an extent in that Raw has bimbo divas for the perverted fans, Smackdown has lengthy Benoit matches on a weekly basis for smark fans, and they have guys like Cena and Eugene for the dumb marks.

 

If they were to take things to the next step and improve on continuity in storylines, treat their fans with respect, and maybe treat the cruiserweight division better, I say things would improve. At press time, WWE is enjoying a slight upswing, so they are doing something right. They have been enjoying better ratings and attendance (for Raw at least).

[Prophet of Mike Zagurski 0]

Hi, welcome to the board. I don't want to trash your ideas but I have a different viewpoint.

 

First time poster. Moderate time reader.

I'm a smark in terms of knowing what goes on backstage with wrestling, but not in terms of the work rate stuff that most of you guys love.

 

Most wrestling fans know what is really happening backstage. It is not as impressive, as let's just say, 15 years ago without the internet. As far as work rate is concerned, I don't view matches in stars but in entertainment value.

 

I USED to enjoy WWE bc of the PROMOS, CHARACTER/STORYLINES, and SPOT FESTS.

To me, actual 'wresting' is boring.

i consider myself a casual fan which the WWE pulled in when it was doing 6-7 ratings. I still think they can pull those types of numbers, but after watching Raw last nite and on/off again the last several months, they have major problems.

 

Are you talking about old school wrestling? It's ok, I find it boring to. Are you a smark or casual fan? Casual fans don't really know much about wrestling.

 

#1. WWE was great in the past due to STRONG characters. Most of the time these guys didnt need gimmicks, they just needed to be themselves (Rock, Austin, Jericho, Mick Foley, HHH)...The WWE can have still get there because I see alot of talent that is being completely unutilized. It just makes me sick how close the WWE is to being really good again, but they cant seem to pull it together. I'm gonna analyze a few stars and give my suggestions how they can take the next step.

 

I thought about this for awhile. Guys like the Rock and Foley have a few things that the guys of today don't have: A gimmick and charisma. What I mean is, The Rock couldn't have come out during his first promo as the 'Great One' and if Foley went for the cheap pop during his first promo, we would not be talking about them today. Even though they changed characters, it was character growth. Rocky Maivia wasn't a great gimmick but he was able to change his character by taking his fustration out on the fans. Mankind changed from a tortured man to a loveable um author within 3 years. They were able to connect to the audience. Every great wrestler has been able to connect to the audience in some way.

 

A. JOHN CENA--Lots of people here hate him but the guy has talent. Just let the dude be HIMSELF. Get rid of the wigga nonsense. Thats why people hate him. Its not his wrestling's skills, its his character. Look, Cena can be a MEGA-STAR if the WWE just lets him be whom he is...Whom is John Cena? John Cena is a Boston Southy. Right now, all things Boston are cool/hip/pop culture. Think the Red Sox, Matt Damon, Tom Brady, etc.... Let John Cena play the working class tough from the south of Boston (where's he's from in real life). Let him be the hard,tough cocky wise ass that is still a hard worker. Let him be himself. Injecting Boston into his routine is gold. Let John Cena be John Cena. Much like Austin is the beer drinking ass kicking redneck... Let Cena be the cool, hip, boston toughy.

 

I don't know anything about Boston. As for working class, see:Samartino, Bruno, Hogan, Hulk, and Austin, Steve. He can't do a working class hero gimmick. John Cena should go back to doing edgy raps. He connects with kids because they buy into the hip hop culture.

 

B. SHELTON BENJAMIN- get rid of this guy's mama and make him a Terrell Owens character. Please. He has the look, the athletic skills, he does have an arrogance about him. TO is pop culture. This 'gimmick' is so obvious and would be perfect for Benjamin. How can the WWE miss this?

 

This idea has been written on the board. TO is over. It's about Bode Miller now. I'm kinda buying into Momma now. He got an IC title out of it so far. The TO gimmick won't get him anywhere unless they can get Vince Russo to be his agent...or maybe the Coach.

 

C. CARLITO--A ton of potential being underutilized. The guy has charisma and mic skills. How do you make him a big star? Simple. Stick the hottest piece of Latina ass you can find to be his valet/girlfriend. But she cant be an airhead. She needs to have some attitude too. You want to make the crowd jealous of Carlito. Make Carlito seem important. Sticking a hottie with him will help. Next, feed Carlito a bunch of jobbers, and part of his gimmick will be to verbally bury his opponents before each match, of even during the match. The "who's this guy" phrase he did tonite was PERFECT. Keep the energy going. Cocky prick with hot ass GF....Good we have a strong character, but there needs to be some respect there. Carlito then needs to have a few big spots. Go through a table, bleed, show that he's a bad ass in the ring as well. Now you got a strong character.

 

Ah yeah. If he gets a valet, I'll care about him... No, what he needs is a finisher and he needs to do it a lot. This guy is like Christian. The only way you know he's hit his finisher is because you'll played the video games. Heels other than HHH need to hit their finishers and win cleanly sometime. As for Carlito being a tough guy, it is not going to happen. A guy named Carlito Carribean Cool who spits apples at people doesn't sound scary. He was in the last EC match and it didn't make his seem stronger.

 

D. BIG SHOW and SPIRIT SQUAD--- Now comes some real fantasy booking by me. Not sure if you guys will like but here goes. First, when I look at Big Show, I see a pretty crappy wrestler. For a guy that big, he's not a monster, he has limited mic skills.. Wasted talent, right? WRONG. Big Show has a PRESENCE. When I see Big Show, I see a perfect guy to be a "godfather" or mob boss. Seriously, stick Big Show in a suit, give him a hat, and big puffy cigar. He can be intimidating. Spirit Squad--ok their current gimmick is weak. No one likes to root for or against a bunch of cheerleading wimps. They get X-Pac heat. They are just weak characters. Make the Spirit Squad guys members of Big Show's mob faction. Dress the SS in suits and tuxes. Show them meeting with Big Show in restaurants and back stage. Let them do matches where two of them tag team, and the other two run around with lead pipes and the like. Big Show's Mob Group will gain power in the WWE, and would be crazy over. They'd be a strong character group, for guys that need something to do. Big Show as Godfather would be perfect. Honestly I see Big Show and I think Marlon Brando or any of these big fat larger than life real life mob bosses.

 

Vince Russo...is that you? From day one, this company should have pushed Big Show, like the next Andre the Giant. He should have had an incredible undefeated streak and main evented WM. Instead they've messed him up so many times. I think he and Kane have defended the Tag Titles twice. The Spirit Squad need new gimmicks now. I was cheering for HBK to win last night. Most likely, 3 out of 5 of the SS will be released by the end of the year.

[RavishingRickRudo 0]

People want someone to cheer for. Someone who they either admire and look up to (Hogan) or relate to and live vicariously though (Austin). All it takes is one person who enough people attach themselves to and a supporting group of guys who fill the time well. People will come and pay to see that one guy if that one guy has that connection with the audience.

 

However, for any of this to happen the WWE has to build trust with its audience. Who is going to invest time in a company that fluctuates and goes from doing one stupid thing to another? There needs to be stability and consistency so someone can feel safe telling their friends "hey, you gotta check this out" and when that person checks it out, both guys feel like it was time well spent, like the effort was well made. There needs to be that foundation to build from.

 

Wrestling is not cyclical and certainly a wrestling company isn't. However, there is a window of opportunity that opens up every few years where the publics taste and desires are along the lines of something that wrestling can provide. I think that time is coming soon (not this year, but within the next 2-3 years) given the current state of television. Whether or not the WWE will be game enough to fill that void is the question. I don't think so. Not with Stephanie at the helm of creative. Personally, I see UFC being more likely to fill it.

[Jericho2000Mark 0]

Rob Van Dam in 2001-2002 would have solved a lot problems.

 

Or Jericho. His heat in 2000-2001 rivaled that of Rock in '98, and Austin in 97, when they were on the cusp of becoming uber-draws. He had the charisma and heat to achieve similar success, but was never given the ball. His Title reign in 2001-2002 was so poorly booked, it actually hurt his credibility more than it helped. I would of been more satisfied if they just gave him the one WCW title reign and continued to book him as a strong upper-midcard face instead of a jobber heel holding a world title. Eddie could of been something too, if they didn't book him into a fued with fucking Bradshaw, and gave him better challengers. There isn't anybody in the current crop of young wrestlers who has the potential either of those three had, and with the current WWE system, there may never be again.

[EricMM 0]

What current state of television are you talking about?

 

What indication that in two years wrestling can connect with the fans?

 

Wrestling is like any other TV. There is quality right now.

 

Here is where I think that the problem lies:

 

There is more than one thing that can "work." Wrestling CAN get over. The moviemaking that McMahon is so proud of can also get over. But it's not easy to integrate the two. And one, the movie making, is not something that, I think, WWE is in any type of competition with the rest of television.

[RavishingRickRudo 0]

What current state of television are you talking about?

 

Look at the top rated television shows - all hour long dramas, ensembles, most of them are smartly written. Very intense stuff, melodramatic, which people are digging right now. This was in response to the reality-tv craze that happened a few years ago. The trend is "people like something a lot, people get sick of something and look for something different".

 

What indication that in two years wrestling can connect with the fans?

 

Because eventually people will get tired of watching these shows because the television execs will keep watering down the market with knock-offs and the popular shows will jump the shark. I say two years because we're already a year or two into the fall of reality-tv and the rise of the hour long drama. A television trend tends to last 3 or 4 years, 5 at best. Then there will be a fall-out and the audience will get tired of the melodrama and want something fluffy, something that won't have they using their heads all the time trying to figure out all the plot points, something which wrestling can provide. That's my POV. I'm sure there will be a rejection of HLD's in the next few years, but it may not go exactly that way. The publics taste could go in another direction, depending on what sprouts up in the next few years. It could go back to the sitcoms era.

[Art Sandusky 0]

As long as the sitcoms are what they were during the 90s, it's all good. They're painful as fuck now.

[EricMM 0]

I see where you're coming from that, actually.

 

But it won't happen because of luck. I don't think WWE as it is presented today will ever catch on.

[NoCalMike 0]

If another North American Pro-Wrestling Empire emerged, to be a real threat, and Superstars from each company went back and forth, then I bet the casual fan(s) would come back in flocks.

 

Wrestling is just not what it used to be, there is no creative force contolling things right now. Heyman is the closest we have to that, but he is virtually powerless and cut off at the legs because Stephanie hates him and his booking style.

 

Competition is, was and always will be the key.

[RavishingRickRudo 0]

I think Arrested Development was a few years ahead of its time, somewhat, though it may have been too smart for its own good to reach a mass audience. I think the next sitcom revolution will be pushed by the internet. Theres much funnier shit on line than there is on TV. When you look at the popularity of the Lazy Sunday or the Chuck Norris jokes or the Brokeback Mountain spoofs, I think all this stuff will extend to television in the relative near future. Like Comedy Clubs in the 80s were to finding and developing talent, the internet will be in 00's and beyond.

[Boon 0]

A. JOHN CENA--Lots of people here hate him but the guy has talent. Just let the dude be HIMSELF. Get rid of the wigga nonsense. Thats why people hate him. Its not his wrestling's skills, its his character. Look, Cena can be a MEGA-STAR if the WWE just lets him be whom he is...Whom is John Cena? John Cena is a Boston Southy. Right now, all things Boston are cool/hip/pop culture. Think the Red Sox, Matt Damon, Tom Brady, etc.... Let John Cena play the working class tough from the south of Boston (where's he's from in real life). Let him be the hard,tough cocky wise ass that is still a hard worker. Let him be himself. Injecting Boston into his routine is gold. Let John Cena be John Cena. Much like Austin is the beer drinking ass kicking redneck... Let Cena be the cool, hip, boston toughy.

Cena is actually from West Newbury, MA, about twenty minutes from my hometown in New Hampshire. He's not from Southie, he's actually from a city about 45 minutes outside of Boston- still close, I get your point, but just a quick fact check.

 

And take a look into the Sports folder here- you'll see all kinds of Boston hate. That ship has sort of sailed.

 

I like what you're saying in general, though. Decent first post, welcome to the boards.

[Hawk 34 0]

Cena can't be the working class guy because those guys aren't rappers on the side and have fancy houses.

 

Austin, fit that mold. Cena, doesn't. Most of WWE's fanbase aren't going to connect/identify with Cena or view him a superhero type figure.

[RavishingRickRudo 0]

What are the odds this guy has posted this at half a dozen other message boards?

[Guest Floridian Cool]

Push the wrestlers that the fans cheer as babyfaces, push the wrestlers that the fans boo as heels, put the titles on wrestlers that deserve it because they are talented both in the ring and on the stick, take creative away from the writers and give it back to the wrestlers and agents...it's pretty simple. Common sense, really.

[Wrestlefreak 0]

Push the wrestlers that the fans cheer as babyfaces, push the wrestlers that the fans boo as heels, put the titles on wrestlers that deserve it because they are talented both in the ring and on the stick, take creative away from the writers and give it back to the wrestlers and agents...it's pretty simple. Common sense, really.

 

Agreed. But common sense is not common in WWE!

 

The problem with casual fans(no offense to the poster of this topic, and welcome to TSM) is that they are less interested in watching matches and more in promos, backstage skits, angles and the characters etc. The thing is, those aspects of wrestling are meant to lead to, or in some way affect, the end goal which is... the matches! It is wrestling after all.

 

As a smark myself, I do still enjoy the non wrestling aspects of the industry. But in my opinion, more time should be given to wrestlers to allow them to work better matches.

[Jericho2000Mark 0]

Push the wrestlers that the fans cheer as babyfaces, push the wrestlers that the fans boo as heels, put the titles on wrestlers that deserve it because they are talented both in the ring and on the stick, take creative away from the writers and give it back to the wrestlers and agents...it's pretty simple. Common sense, really.

 

Exactly. The last time they actually paid attention to the fans and pushed wrestlers based on heat(and I don't mean "nostalgia heat" like HBK and Hogan), like Rock, Foley and Austin, they made more money than ever. Wrestling is a buisiness and it's about giving the customers the product they want so they keep on coming back. WWE has become a buisiness where Vince gives Vince the product he wants and only the hardcores keep coming back.

 

Looking at the segment numbers of wrestlers would also help in deciding who the fans would pay to see.

[nl5xsk1 0]

Cena is actually from West Newbury, MA, about twenty minutes from my hometown in New Hampshire. He's not from Southie, he's actually from a city about 45 minutes outside of Boston- still close, I get your point, but just a quick fact check.

 

And take a look into the Sports folder here- you'll see all kinds of Boston hate. That ship has sort of sailed.

 

I like what you're saying in general, though. Decent first post, welcome to the boards.

While I agree that the ship has sailed, all the more reason to do it ... and push him as a heel. He is, in my opinion, much better suited to be a heel than a face. Yes, I recognize that they want to use him to move merchandise. But Christian still sold gear as a heel, Rock sold gear as a heel, even HHH sells well as a heel.

 

I don't know anything about Boston. As for working class, see:Samartino, Bruno, Hogan, Hulk , and Austin, Steve. He can't do a working class hero gimmick. John Cena should go back to doing edgy raps. He connects with kids because they buy into the hip hop culture.

Hogan was working class?

[Scroby 0]

At this point I think the casual wrestling fan is sick and tired of wrestler with chessy gimmicks or where the gimmick itself over shadows the wrestler. Fans are getting more into wrestlers who just have a name, who have a small gimmick but not one where the gimmick is chessy or over shadows who the wrestler really is or can do in the ring. I also think WWE fan's are getting tired of the WWE form of in-ring wrestling. WWE needs to learn to understand what their fans want and I think thats ditching the cheesy over shadowing gimmicks and let wrestlers have a small gimmick but mainly let the wrestler mold the gimmick the way they want to. I think that would work best.

[Hawk 34 0]

While I agree that the ship has sailed, all the more reason to do it ... and push him as a heel. He is, in my opinion, much better suited to be a heel than a face. Yes, I recognize that they want to use him to move merchandise. But Christian still sold gear as a heel, Rock sold gear as a heel, even HHH sells well as a heel.

 

I don't know anything about Boston. As for working class, see:Samartino, Bruno, Hogan, Hulk , and Austin, Steve. He can't do a working class hero gimmick. John Cena should go back to doing edgy raps. He connects with kids because they buy into the hip hop culture.

Hogan was working class?

 

Bruno and Austin were good comparisons for the working class every-day man. You can argue that Benoit fits that quality too. Hogan? He was always protrayed as a larger then life icon. That's not working class.

[PLAGIARISM! 0]

I did raise an eyebrow at the 'working class Hogan' idea. But if you wave a flag around and blather about coming down the mountain and kicking ass you'll get over. Or you would have done in the 80s.

[Masked Man of Mystery 0]

While I agree that the ship has sailed, all the more reason to do it ... and push him as a heel. He is, in my opinion, much better suited to be a heel than a face. Yes, I recognize that they want to use him to move merchandise. But Christian still sold gear as a heel, Rock sold gear as a heel, even HHH sells well as a heel.

 

I don't know anything about Boston. As for working class, see:Samartino, Bruno, Hogan, Hulk , and Austin, Steve. He can't do a working class hero gimmick. John Cena should go back to doing edgy raps. He connects with kids because they buy into the hip hop culture.

Hogan was working class?

 

Bruno and Austin were good comparisons for the working class every-day man. You can argue that Benoit fits that quality too. Hogan? He was always protrayed as a larger then life icon. That's not working class.

Benoit, through his look, the stubble and the missing tooth, the snap suplex, the diving headbutt, the no nonsense entrance, he is the ultimate working class wrestler. He is the blue collar wrestler.

[Dandy 0]

Pretty good post for a first-timer...welcome to the boards.

 

I didn't like the Big Show/Spirit Squad idea, but to each his own.

 

Okay, for my take on what it will take to get the casual fan back is for TNA to go head to head with Raw (which they are not ready for); someone to come out of nowhere and become a pop culture icon; a change in style of matches; and dropping some of the stuff that turns off your casual fans.

 

 

1. TNA head to head with Raw

 

TNA is not ready for this, but the competition would gain interest from those that missed the "anything can happen" and "what are they gonna top that with" aspect of the Monday Night Wars. If TNA catches some wind and closes the gap on WWE, I firmly believe that Spike will give them a head to head slot against WWE. This is a year or so away at the LEAST.

 

 

2. The pop culture icon

 

The nWo, Crow Sting, Stone Cold, The Rock.....all these were insanely popular and everyone had at least heard of them. It was cool to know quotes, mannerisms, and what they did last week. If someone emerges like the names mentioned, then we are well on our way to getting that casual fan to tune in. My dark horse is Ken Kennedy. Not with the MIIIIIIIISSSTEEEEEEEEEEEERRRRRRRR....(you get the idea). Ken Kennedy has a lot of charisma and seems to have an "IT" about him in backstage skits or when he is on the mic. The Rock didn't become pop culture until he had about a year under his belt, and it wasn't until much later that he was at a peak of popularity. The one thing they cannot do when they get that new sensation, though, is what they always do. Look at Batista. He was gaining poularity by the masses by doing all the little things in skits and appearing several times throughout the show. He turns face, and all of a sudden, they hype his appearance all show, and then he comes out for the last 2-3 minutes. You have to stay with what brought their popularity on.

 

 

3. The style of matches

 

Don't take the athletics out of it. Tell me people wouldn't kill to see Burchill C4 someone every now and then. Tell me people wouldn't want to see a WCW Cruiserweight style opener. Tell me people wouldn't love to see dragon suplexes and some more vicious moves. They don't want anyone to get hurt, yet they have the most injuries in a wrestling company than I have ever seen. Allow your wrestlers that can perform the moves safely to do them. If someone is sloppy or can't perform one good.....tell them to limit their moveset and work on getting better or flat out release them.

 

 

4. Dropping the offensive stuff

 

I'm not talking about the Eddie Guererro angle running recently. I am talking about the dumb gimmicks, the dumb angles, and the stuff that is difficult to explain to someone who is not a wrestling fan. How will people take a show serious when they have Jillian Hall have an obviously fake mole on her face? It's not like it is amusing anyway. Here's an idea. evolve all the stupid gimmicks slowly into a character that has some depth to it. Blur the heel/face line a little bit to make it realisitic. You still have people that are bad guys, and there are people that are inherently good. But have more tweeners. A guy like Taker should fight everyone coming his way and not be a goody two shoes just because the fans cheer him. Triple H should have everyone wanting to kill him, not just the faces. And basically, everyone should be aware of everyone and interact with everyone. When storylines crossover and intersect with other storylines, then it becomes more interesting and addictive.

 

 

 

Just more of my two cents.

[razazteca 0]

RVD the WHOLE F'N SHOW as champion would work, dude. And let Joey Styles be himself instead of waiting for his turn to talk while Coach and King talk their gibberish about how great the Spirit Squad is.

[Black Lushus 0]

I'm not a fan of the Big Show mob boss idea but hey, it's better than 5 guys jumping around hootin and hollerin while clad in green jumpsuits.

 

The WWE's problem is getting something started and then cutting it off at the knees to go back to the same ol, same ol.

 

-Cena gets hot, so they nueter him.

 

-They want to make Randy the star, so they have him lose a feud to the one guy that could have made him a star.

 

-They want Lashley to seem like this big monster, so they make him look weak every which way. (Survivor Series, world title battle royal, Rumble, NWO)

 

-Edge FINALLY becomes the star they want, so they give him the lamest title reign in recent memory.

 

-Rey is the most over guy in the company, so they make him look like the biggest idiot loser around.

 

-Shelton becomes crazy over, so they start jobbing him out and give him a mamma.

 

-RVD has been over forever, so they job him constantly. How many times has the lord god king of kings himself beaten this guy, anyway? (Include Rumble eliminations, did he eliminate him this past year and in 2002?)

 

-Angle is always nuts over, so they piddle fuck around with heel/face turns.

 

the shit just doesn't make any sense.