For weeks upon weeks we keep hearing how the Raw ratings are sinking lower than the titanic. It seems as though every Tuesday is doomsday for the WWE. Vince McMahon comes out or gives a quote about the Network not gaining subscribers or the shows not pulling a big audience. I for one am getting sick of the comparisons to the ratings of the Attitude Era and a time that included one of the biggest trifectas ever compiled that consisted of the Rock, Stone Cold Steve Austin and Triple H. This has to be factored into the equation, along with many other theories that keep coming to the surface.
Did Vince ever stop and think about why he went to a PG show? Was it us who wanted it? Last time I checked it was his idea to sell more action figures and merchandise instead of selling out house shows. The WWE had everything going for them at that time, including a competition that made them hungry. WCW and ECW were at their peak, making a mark on the industry and leaving the WWE to hold special meetings on how to get better.
Not only did they get better, but he eventually bought out the competition. When the competition was now under their ownership, it had whispers of negative affects all throughout the locker room. The buyout could be compared to an NBA contract. Play hard, get paid your guaranteed money and shutdown. What incentive is there to play hard except for your pride? Sometimes good competition is needed in order to bring the best out in people. This could be said for the wrestling product as well.
Once the sale was finalized, there were many storylines to make their way around the ring. Were wrestlers from other brands held back in spite of their talents because of past situations? Was Vince setting certain wrestlers up to fail with his hideous gimmicks? I only bring the sale up because I feel this is where the ratings drop began to lay the groundwork for the inevitable lack of excitement and interest in a product that was reigning supreme for some time.
Now we fast forward some 15+ years later and Vince finds himself fighting a ratings war against the likes of Greys Anatomy and Monday Night Football. Sorry Vince, but this is a loss in every sense of the word. However, if you would get past your ego and wake up to hear the chants of the fans more often, maybe you could be gaining viewers instead of losing them.
For example, we have seen on many occasions the push of certain wrestlers that leaves us in a pool of uncertainty and the lack of momentum for others that occupy the many signs held high all around the arenas. Cesaro had some of the hottest momentum we have ever seen. He was a crowd favorite and savvy technician inside the ring. Instead of building on that spark, let’s change his look to that of a right guard commercial extra and bury him with the likes of Kofi Kingston. Hey who’s this new kid Kevin Owens? Only one of the hottest NXT wrestlers that took the Raw crowd by storm. One of the few guys to buy into the Cena Sucks promotion and hold his own in not 1, but 3 fantastic matches against the franchise of the WWE. This was a guy who kept fans into the show waiting for his arrival. What was he going to say next? Hell, why don’t we have him start wrestling Zach Ryder. Great move Vince. We are always clamoring for the Long Island sensation.
I could go on and on about how these blunders and directions that have pushed people away. Bray Wyatt, Roman Reigns and Dean Ambrose all went from inevitable champs to taking their turns against a washed up giant that should be selling life insurance. The talent is there and the roster is deeper today because of NXT. Use NXT. Market NXT. Listen to the chants of “We Want Sasha.” Read the signs that say we want to see Dolph as Champ and not as an overpaid male escort.
Samoa Joe, Kevin Owens, Bray Wyatt, Dean Ambrose, Seth Friggin Rollins, James Storm (?), Roman Reigns, Sasha Banks, Naomi, The New Day, and Finn Balor are just the eclipse of what the future of WWE looks like. However, these wrestlers have to be used and not buried in midcard hell. I honestly think there is tremendous hope for the product under the guidance of Triple H. Unfortunately, Vince still has his mark on Raw and will continue to do so until, if reports are right, Shane comes to rescue in 2016.
There is too much history and too much work behind the scenes for this product to remain stale. Egos need to die and directions need to change. If you’re listening Vince, that is all it takes. One ear to the people who watch and attend your shows. If you will listen, they will come back. If you will listen, they will stay. Lastly, in the same boundaries as the Lion tamer himself, Vince, “Will You Please Wake the Hell Up!”
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