Without making this another 4 article construction piece (which i could've if i was up for it) what has been your overall impression of the product and it's direction within the 12 months?
I'm one for finding fault in anything i possibly can, especially with regards to WWE as i strongly invest in it's potential as a concept, but there has been an extremely distinct difference in the WWE product this year than at any point within the last 7/8. Some characters still annoy the hell out of me (ShameUs anyone?), some decisions i still can't comprehend what on earth they're thinking, but there's a strong feeling of mutual appreciation coming from the WWE now, they're giving us evidence of an intent to improve themselves and reach out to more than just one of their target markets. They're FAR from being a company out of creative transition, but their actions over the last 12 months acknowledge the transition AT LAST, this tunnel has a light at the end of it now (WM27 had to of been the turning point, it couldn't have gotten lower than that).
I do micro-analysis alot with WWE, and it's the little things that have made the difference.....
- The Shield are so much more credible as a renegade group than Nexus just from clever branding.
- Holding back Ziggler cashing in the MITB and look how much more credible he is for it, he's almost ready to vaildate the title as apposed to the other way round.
- Extremely tactiful usage of John Cena. Keeping him in the spotlight without the need to trample over the roster or playing out this repetitive poking at his moral compass garabge, i'll never like the fictional character but despite the "in-ring" setbacks his most credible year imo.
- Despite Ryback's questionable capacity as a performer, the creation of the intense monster was something WWE were missing for years. And the fact his development has almost overshadowed Lesnar's return is a mark of great accomplishment for the character (may need to go heel next year i reckon).
- Very insightful face/heel turns. With the exception of Punk, almost all the turns have been progressive and necessary for the characters which is unlike WWE over the past decade.
- The storylines though not quite up to standard yet have been MUCH better than those of the last generation by a chasm size.
- The Tag Division has been made as credible as it's ever been in the last 10 years just by forming teams who dedicate themselves to it, though the mid-card still requires lot of work.
- Quietly ending the Brand Split confirmed by their lack of a draft this year (next step, retire the WHC)
Very simple improvements making a very noticeable difference. It's not got me prioritising wrestling over everything like it used to back in the old days, but i'm more than willing to give WWE my time and money atm
Anyone else care to weigh in?
WWE in 2012
posted on 19/12/12
Less PPV's: Make them special again, not having 2/3 every month. Make them all edgier, too. Extreme Rules and TLC were far edgier than the rest and were better as a result. Make them something to look forward to.
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With you about less PPVs, not with you about retaining the PPVs which objectify one gimmick match. Bring back the Backlash's, Judgement Day's, No Mercy's, etc... and rather than rely on a gimmick match you have to write in to sell the PPV, focus on improving the writing to a point where you can hold any gimmick match you wish (if you decide on one at all) and it enhances the viewing experience within the context of the story you're telling. That's the difference between a match resonating and being enjoyable spot fodder.
posted on 19/12/12
I didn't mean retaining PPV's with a gimmick, I was using those two as an example of edgier PPV's with higher ratings as evidence that people wanted PPV's to be edgier. If you're paying £15 for it, you want it to be a cut above a normal match. That means more spots, better, longer matches and more weapons.
posted on 19/12/12
Although that does tie in to your point about writing. By the time a PPV swings around, at least one feud going should have been built up to the point where the performers want to rip each other to pieces, making any matches they have at that point more interesting and making a gimmick match as a stipulation more feasible than doing it just because that's what's supposed to happen on that particular PPV.
posted on 19/12/12
Precisely my point. I hate this recent trend of WWE objectifying their PPVs because it discredits the gimmick match it's dedicated too, and in extreme cases like HIAC actually damages the gimmick matches legacy which was built on a confrontation going there to end, not begin like Punk/Ryback.
Gimmick matches can play a pivetal role in storyline and build, that power gets stripped from them when you go naming all yr PPVs after them.
posted on 20/12/12
I miss the ATTITUDE ERA
I can't stop watching all the historic match ups and microphone battles between the Rock/Austin/Mcmahon/DX on Youtube. Pure epicness!
posted on 20/12/12
2013 will be a interesting year, if they are getting rid of Smackdown the brand, it has that Europa league feel to it. They brought it in to allow more talent to be showcased and to help with alleviating the stress of performers schedules,oh and for more money. What they need to do is strip back on sheer numbers of superstars they hire and have a proper talent scout. Historically the wwe has been built on 3 character archetypes:
THE TW%T
THE ALL AMERICAN
THE WEIRDO
Not since the attitude era have we had all 3 character types filled by individuals who truly sold the ideology.
In order of above:
The Rock, Austin and Mankind 4 example, or Triple H, Shawn Michaels, Undertaker! Even Ric Flair, Hogan and Jake the snake.
These guys have never be replaced, or should i say these roles have never seen performers on this level. Cm Punk had the potential to be a fantastic weirdo type, back when he was peddling his "straight edge" persona, there was a alleyway there, 4 the wwe to gamble and use this straight edge mentality to develop into a more menacing form, ( the nexus cult thing was done all wrong btw imo right direction, but awful execution).
posted on 20/12/12
hope for 2013 would be that the tag team will build on 2012 make more team's that stay tag team.the diva's get scraped.more story least ppv
posted on 20/12/12
The diva division has never thrived since they made it a standalone entity, it was massive when they blurred the lines, women and "violence" will always have sexual overtones, so when its put as a standalone product, it degenerates to mudless mud wrestling.
posted on 20/12/12
Gibsy21, i got an ex of mine to tolerate abit of WWE a few years ago, it was an Extreme Rules PPV and the women's "extreme" match was literaily pudding wrestling. Afterwards J.R as only J.R could said, "right, ladies and gentlemen, bout time we get back to some serious business here" ........
Already laughing with me at the product, she said without hesitation in response, "time for the men to wrestle in the pudding"
posted on 23/12/12
Honestly I think there are only 1 or 2 wrestlers on the roster who are worth watching. WWE DRASTICALLY need to trim the fat.
They need to figure out a way of giving heels a push which doesn't involve them giving Cena a going over. It's just not plausible any more. The way its been done with Big E just leads me to believe he is not a credible character on his own so they have to 'merge' him with AJ - Yet another pointless irrelevant character.