Pro wrestling needs to evolve.

[Kunty McPhuck]

WCW in the early 90's use to have rankings, but not sure when they pulled it.

Rankings can work for storylines purposes IMO, so you don't have the same guys fighting each other week in week out. You can have the #2 ranked wrestling and cutting promo on #10 guy, saying how he isn't on his level its backwards stept to be fighting this guy etc etc... Also it keep the fans in the loop to who is actually the #1,2,3, etc contenders.

 

[Rack4K]

WWE doesn't know how to sell PPVs anymore that's why the network came about. Its basically admitting that their old business model was unsustainable.
Also yeah champions should not be wrestling so much but then the live show fans get the stiff and ticket sales will be down. Lose/Lose scenario

Put them in dark matches then. The point is, in kayfabe the champion has no reason to wrestle because they already the champion. They have reason to cut promos, do beatdowns, interfere in matches etc though.

 

[FaygoMI]

And less formulaic matches. More flash finishes. No more fans sitting around watching pretty moves until they feel the finish coming.

This is the biggest problem and what ECW did best. Finishers should finish and big moves should end tv matches sometimes. If Seth does the superplex into falcon arrow it should end a match sometimes.

 

[SpacelySprockets]

I agree, there needs to be different concepts around wrestling.. its the same tired shyt from 20 years ago

also, the whole "authority figure" GM/Commissioner thing should go too.. have "promoters" set up fights or some shyt

 

[MenacingMonk]

Nah, shyt wouldn't work. It'll become repetitive and boring. You can't do this kind of stuff with wrestling because it's not like UFC or boxing. It works for those sports because they're not doing 3-5 shows a week and not predetermined.

shyt would lose money in the long run.

Also, compare musical artists to wrestlers brehs.

 

[Notorious 1 E.Y.E.]

This is not true. Floyd Mayweather made himself a star by being dominant and being a marketing genius.

Muhammad Ali had big wins, but it was his courage and ability with the microphone that made him a star.

Yes, wins are important, but you don't need to go over John Cena to become a PPV draw. This is why press conferences would be needed and wrestlers would be allowed to say whatever they want. If they want to market themselves to be the #1 guy, they can. Nothing forced.

you would have a point if wrestling wasnt.... you know scripted

 

[Notorious 1 E.Y.E.]

Nah, shyt wouldn't work. It'll become repetitive and boring. You can't do this kind of stuff with wrestling because it's not like UFC or boxing. It works for those sports because they're not doing 3-5 shows a week and not predetermined.

shyt would lose money in the long run.

right, that shyt works in mma and boxing because that shyt is real

 

[Notorious 1 E.Y.E.]

I agree, there needs to be different concepts around wrestling.. its the same tired shyt from 20 years ago

also, the whole "authority figure" GM/Commissioner thing should go too.. have "promoters" set up fights or some shyt

aint that the same tho?

 

[Prince Akeem]

Wrestling needs a creative revolution.

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

 

[SpacelySprockets]

aint that the same tho?

idk maybe but when I look at boxing promoters I dont look at them like I do a vince or stephanie mcmahon

if it was up to me their job would strictly be to create matches and accept the ones proposed to them, not get involved with storylines all up in the videos feuding with actual wrestlers

 

[Apex]

right, that shyt works in mma and boxing because that shyt is real

To me, that's an advantage wrestling has. Boxing and MMA is risky. Fights that look good on paper end up being boring or underwhelming. I see Woodley-Stephen Thompson as a recent example of this. The casual fan went into Mayweather-Pacquiao thinking it was going to be revolutionary, but it wasn't a great fight.

 

[Apex]

imo it needs to a blend of new presentation along with writing it like a tv show. subplots tying into the main storyline, continuity and long-term planning, character building segments and interactions outside of the arena and the building they are in, etc.

a show like game of thrones, or wire, or sopranos, etc wouldn't have worked if every character is in their own little world doing things that are irrelevant to the next's character's plot, much like how within wrestling talents in different spots of the card don't interact much (tho they are improving it that lowkey)

I've always preferred wrestling being presented as a sport, but there's potential for a TV show too. Lucha dived into that.

 

[Notorious 1 E.Y.E.]

idk maybe but when I look at boxing promoters I dont look at them like I do a vince or stephanie mcmahon

if it was up to me their job would strictly be to create matches and accept the ones proposed to them, not get involved with storylines all up in the videos feuding with actual wrestlers

they gotta be neutral and only really get on screen when there's some type of big brawl to set up a match

 

[SpacelySprockets]

they gotta be neutral and only really get on screen when there's some type of big brawl to set up a match

pretty much

 

[JerseyBoy23]

I've always preferred wrestling being presented as a sport, but there's potential for a TV show too. Lucha dived into that.

Exactly, we can have both though. It gives people more choices if there's a promotion going full sports while another goes full TV show like Lucha.

WCW/JCP before Hogan is the type of promotion you're looking for tbh.

If MMA never got popular there would be a space for a full sports promotion but now we'll just get UFC and ROH.