2014 in WWE has been one of highs and lows. The company is currently in a transitional state and they are trying their hardest to get the Network off the ground. I’m not one to bash the company when they are trying to do the right things but I can’t help but feel completely jaded with the product at the moment.
This isn’t to knock the current roster that is trying to become that next generation of main event superstars. People like Dolph Ziggler, Cesaro, Daniel Bryan, Bray Wyatt, Dean Ambrose, Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns have all stepped up and been put in a better limelight for it. However, the booking at times has prevented the product from catching fire and the low subscription rate on the Network has to be proof of this.
In years gone by, if able, I would have stayed up till 4am on a Tuesday morning to watch RAW but even if my schedule allowed me to do so at the moment, I wouldn’t. 3 hours on Monday night has completely made me numb with WWE. Add to that a 2 hour SmackDown which is basically a RAW highlights show and you are testing the very limits of your audience’s attention span. I find it strange that in an era where everything has to be available so much quicker and done so much faster that WWE feel it is a good idea creatively to continue with the 3 hour format but also understand that it wouldn’t be the easiest thing for them to change.
I also understand that WWE make far more money on marketing and commercials with the additional hour attached to RAW but your actual product is suffering an incredible amount because of it. WWE for the most part are still filling arenas, but you have to wonder how long they can walk the tightrope before it swings the wrong way.
WWE’s answer to these problems seems to be putting more content in front of me, with additional programming on the Network (Which I still cannot view yet Vince!), to advertising podcasts and putting on pre and post shows to everything you do. The problem isn’t the quantity of what we’re getting, it’s the quality!
Of course this is a double edged sword. I love to see longer matches where the talent get to express themselves more and ultimately make that connection with the crowd but if there isn’t a point to you having a 30 minute match on RAW (which will likely have 2 commercial breaks in the process) then guess what, I don’t care! I often spend most of my time stopping myself from pressing fast forward on my remote and preventing myself from finding the nearest heavy object I can throw at my TV when a ‘Bunny’ appears.
Commentary is a massive factor also. I can watch an old match from 1997 which goes 15 minutes with a hardly any story attached but because of JR calling the match like it’s an actual contest, I can get involved. These days I spend 3 hours of Monday night’s listening to JBL, Cole and Lawler arguing about anything but what is happening in the ring and sound like they are stuck in a time machine.
The year has had its moment though. Daniel Bryan took over WrestleMania in a well built and executed story (with a special nod going to Punk‘s actions who pretty much pushed them in that direction) and Lesnar has had his moments with the streak ending and his destruction of Cena at SummerSlam.
NXT is a perfect example of something that feels fresh, isn’t going to eat your entire evening and keeps things simple and entertaining.
I’m a fan in need of enthusiasm and luckily for WWE, they have a reprieve with the Royal Rumble being round the corner and due to my nostalgic love affair of this concept I will be happy again for a few weeks at least.
As I said, WWE are trying to do so many things right but they are also doing too much. Whilst you have to aim high and keep your product moving you also have to step back, listen to the Millennials occasionally and keep your product sharp, short, efficient, exciting and entertaining. Then, and only then will those buyrates for the Network rise and your TV ratings start to jump up.
Until then I will continue to grumble and mumble as I see another Road Warrior Ascension promo fall flat on its face, watch the bunny dance away to another CM Punk chant and watch John Cena give me a poke in the eye while he keeps telling me he’s running the place.
You can contact me on Twitter @BeansOnToastUK where I will try to be mostly positive but without making any promises and you can see what other crazy stuff I get up to or you can email me at beansontoastuk@msn.com and let me know if you think I’m right or wrong.
Until then I hope you all have a Merry Christmas and that you have a healthy and happy New Year in 2015!
