Pro wrestling needs to evolve.

[JerseyBoy23]

Wrestling needs a creative revolution.

WWE has the best wrestlers on the planet and the product is still feels so lifeless and stale.

That's because without a WCW or even an ECW, they are on cruise control for 364 days and they keep making profits so there's no reason to change the formula.

 

[Nero Christ]

what is needed first and foremost is true competition.

On the WWE's end, they need a younger diverse writing staff, one that understands the modern world and wrestling and how to properly mix both. And like others said, they need that one storyline that can capture interest like the NWO forming or Austin/McMahon. I always felt if they did away with the "authority figure" and had the whole roster form factions and battle with each other like The Warriors, that could be huge.

 

[Berniewood Hogan]

you just described Lucha Underground.

THESE MARKS REFUSE TO WATCH ANYTHING BESIDES WWE, BROTHER! THEY GET HOT ABOUT BURIALS AND PUSHES AND ANGLES, THEN THEY TUNE IN MONDAY NIGHT FOR THREE HOURS WHILE EATING DELICIOUS BAGEL BITES, DUDE! THEY DON'T KNOW IT A SHOOT WHEN IT A WORK AND YOU WORK JABRONI MARKS INTO A SHOOT, MEAN GENE!

 

[Drones]

having wrestlers week 4 times a week makes them less of a draw. drake and the weeknd sell mad records, but if they were to release an album weekly, the fire would die out quick.

You also allow your wrestlers to work better matches by putting them out there less often. One of the reasons everyone is on New Japan's bumper right now is because the matches look more realistic than what they're used to. That's a result of the wrestlers being extremely talented, but it's also because they can work stiffer since they have about half the dates of WWE and do a lot less travel.

The proliferation of MMA in the last decade or so has changed the public perception of what a fight looks like. IMO Eliminating some of the house show dates from WWE's tour would help them immensely in putting out a more realistic product. And if the wrestlers can go harder by wrestling less often the fans will anticipate the matches more.

 

[Apex]

You also allow your wrestlers to work better matches by putting them out there less often. One of the reasons everyone is on New Japan's bumper right now is because the matches look more realistic than what they're used to. That's a result of the wrestlers being extremely talented, but it's also because they can work stiffer since they have about half the dates of WWE and do a lot less travel.

The proliferation of MMA in the last decade or so has changed the public perception of what a fight looks like. IMO Eliminating some of the house show dates from WWE's tour would help them immensely in putting out a more realistic product. And if the wrestlers can go harder by wrestling less often the fans will anticipate the matches more.

Imagine an all-access/UFC embedded type thing that the company could do too. It would really legitimize pro wrestling.

 

[threattonature]

There definitely needs to be a change. For one they definitely need to bring back jobbers. Having jobbers allows wrestlers to establish their finishers and signature moves. It also gives a wrestler a chance to look strong and build their characters. The 50/50 booking has to go away.

Also I think they should have a rotating schedule. Put each wrestler on 9 months out of the year. Write them out of storylines for three months a year to give fans a chance to miss them and to also open up more TV time for other wrestlers. They need to keep the top matchups seperated. Make it a big deal when two wrestlers actually meet for the first time.

Now that they have the network they should eventually cut back down to 4-6 PPVs a year. Give storylines time to build so that they mean something. Having someone have an issue for a couple weeks to set up a PPV match leads to none of the matches really meaning anything.

They need more realistic violence too. I know all the workrate people love the flashy moves but sometimes a good heated brawl is needed.

 

[Apex]

There definitely needs to be a change. For one they definitely need to bring back jobbers. Having jobbers allows wrestlers to establish their finishers and signature moves. It also gives a wrestler a chance to look strong and build their characters. The 50/50 booking has to go away.

Also I think they should have a rotating schedule. Put each wrestler on 9 months out of the year. Write them out of storylines for three months a year to give fans a chance to miss them and to also open up more TV time for other wrestlers. They need to keep the top matchups seperated. Make it a big deal when two wrestlers actually meet for the first time.

Now that they have the network they should eventually cut back down to 4-6 PPVs a year. Give storylines time to build so that they mean something. Having someone have an issue for a couple weeks to set up a PPV match leads to none of the matches really meaning anything.

They need more realistic violence too. I know all the workrate people love the flashy moves but sometimes a good heated brawl is needed.

Your method of improving the business has to do with the writing, and I agree with what you said. However, I want to change the presentation of it.

 

[Silkk]

I feel like the more "serious" it tried to be, the more "scripted" it would come off.

What you are describing (to me) is like a scripted version of UFC. I don't think that would work in professional wrestling because the nature of professional wrestling is unbelievable feats and suspending disbelief and over the top moves etc.

I mean it would look really cheesy for a guy to give a great "after the match" promo in the guise of a boxer (looking at replays etc.) when he blatantly catches a man who does a diving crossbody at him from the top rope.

.

You just described New Japan, and they do it extremely well

 

[LurkNowitzki]

what is needed first and foremost is true competition.

On the WWE's end, they need a younger diverse writing staff, one that understands the modern world and wrestling and how to properly mix both. And like others said, they need that one storyline that can capture interest like the NWO forming or Austin/McMahon. I always felt if they did away with the "authority figure" and had the whole roster form factions and battle with each other like The Warriors, that could be huge.

Totally agree with this..people will still complain no matter what because the show isn't going the way they wanted to.

 

[dbp]

The proliferation of MMA in the last decade or so has changed the public perception of what a fight looks like. IMO Eliminating some of the house show dates from WWE's tour would help them immensely in putting out a more realistic product. And if the wrestlers can go harder by wrestling less often the fans will anticipate the matches more.

Thing is, even MMA has proven that characters > than technical ability when it comes to fan interest and drawing power.

See Chael Sonnen, Ronda, Brock, Conner, etc..

 

[Apex]

Thing is, even MMA has proven that characters > than technical ability when it comes to fan interest and drawing power.

See Chael Sonnen, Ronda, Brock, Conner, etc..

Big draws have always had both ability and marketability.

Ali, Tyson, Rock, Austin, Conor, Floyd, Kobe...

 

[Apex]

Thing is, even MMA has proven that characters > than technical ability when it comes to fan interest and drawing power.

See Chael Sonnen, Ronda, Brock, Conner, etc..