Would changing the way wrestling TV is formatted work?

[T'Challa Trillmonger]

RAW's been formatted the same since forever. Those who watch regularly could kind of go with the motions as the show progress cuz its usually so formulaic. This is kind of inspired by a clip I saw of Lucha Underground, where they run segments like telenova/tv series to progress the story. Not sure if trying to apply the same thing to WWE tv would be dope or corny tho. TNA react had the hand held camera segments which kind of mimics the same effect too.

 

[The American]

The answer is in the ratings. Underground's ratings are steadily rising, and all of #TSC supports them. So the change in format is working, slowly.

The WWF doesn't need to experiment like that, so they probably won't. They still make millions, so they ain't worried. The formula works, even if we smarks aren't feelin it. We're the minority of their audience.

 

[TheAlbionist]

LU is doing exactly the right thing that competition should do - differentiating their product, gearing it towards the TV experience and excelling at all the bits they choose to do whilst ignoring the rest and not bothering to pander to kids at all. This is enough to keep their ratings steadily rising, to sell out a relatively small arena and to keep Internet smarks

WWE is staying "traditional" and doing a much less effective job of it, but still sold out Wrestlemania at the AT&T without breaking a sweat and has one of the most watched weekly shows on global television.

They probably could improve themselves, but I seriously doubt any of the WWE brass are hurting in the pockets enough to think change is in anyway urgent.

 

[puppetmaster]

Lucha is doing the right thing. It's how Nitro swooped in and caught the WWE sleeping. Being the exact opposite in presentation is a great start


Until the bottom line $$$ starts dipping substantially WWE won't change much I don't think, they'll just keep with their "the fans don't know what they want/are talking about" mindset.

 

[Silkk]

If they could just have other people besides the same few open the show with the same promos that would go a long way.

 

[jadillac]

Small tweaks, yes. Large sweeping changes, no.

A few new camera angles.

I don't know why they ditched the turnbuckle camera so fast

 

[Golayitdown]

Lipstick on a pig. I think that would look like WWE is acknowledging the "little guy" and chasing something that works. I think a refresh if the product from top to bottom is the best start. Anything else is just bandaids on a gaping wound.

 

[puppetmaster]

If they could just have other people besides the same few open the show with the same promos that would go a long way.

Agreed. When is the last time we saw a promo of someone entering the arena talking shyt about what they're gonna do tonight. Austin used to do it all the time, serious Roman Reigns is a perfect candidate to follow into the arena to open the show.

 

[Buggsy Mogues]

I havent watched Lucha yet but I hear it's different which is good. OP did mention how TNA used to shoot their backstage segments which I liked a lot, where it was like a hidden handicam filming what was going on. You feel like you are watching something real instead of WWE's bullshyt of having a camera on two guys talking backstage, who pretend like the camera isn't there and nobody can hear what they are saying.

 

[Tide Run This]

Watching Raw is like watching SNL at this point same ole shyt.

I agree with previous post how come we don't get any preshow beatdowns or intros to the arena. The way the matches/commercials set up is the WOAT thing about Raw can't even get invested into match because they been doing the same spots to go to break for damn near 8/9 years. Raw is just a horrible TV show can't wait until Dunn and the other cronies are gone.

 

[puppetmaster]

I havent watched Lucha yet but I hear it's different which is good. OP did mention how TNA used to shoot their backstage segments which I liked a lot, where it was like a hidden handicam filming what was going on. You feel like you are watching something real instead of WWE's bullshyt of having a camera on two guys talking backstage, who pretend like the camera isn't there and nobody can hear what they are saying.

TNA Reaction was a GREAT concept. The way it was shot and everything. I downloaded every ep

 

[Silkk]

Agreed. When is the last time we saw a promo of someone entering the arena talking shyt about what they're gonna do tonight. Austin used to do it all the time, serious Roman Reigns is a perfect candidate to follow into the arena to open the show.

Yeah, thats cool but i wanna see people we never see do it like The Wyatts, League of Nations, AJ/Jericho, Kevin Owens.

Also for the love of god, stephanie needs to stop fukking emasculating the wrestlers

 

[The American]

They don't even have a limo driving into the arena garage to open the show anymore like the nWo in the glory days. On the episode of the SCSA beer truck, Raw opened with SC walking into the arena, then he ran into the beer guy, foreshadowing what was to come.

No more segments like when Taker was about to stab Stone Cold before Kane barged in to save him. Earlier that ep, Taker was at the cemetery. Or the eps where SCSA would be at the pool hall. Or when Mark Henry took Chyna on a date live during Raw. Or when Shane took Kane out to dinner to discuss what Kane did to Linda. Or Vince in church. Or SCSA at WWF HQ Steph's bachelorette party when Mae Young got drunk and crashed onto the cake. No more fukkery like that anymore.

fukk em, we'll just watch Underground instead. I don't live and die by WWE, the recaps and youtube clips are enough to keep up. My main attention goes to better promotions

 

[Ill Lou Malnati]

I wouldn't want to see WWE taking the LU route because I'm not a fan of that format. I respect them for trying something different, but all of that is bullshyt and takes me out of the show. Would like to see a show where the emphasis is more on pro wrestling being a sport rather than a TV show. Even WWE leans too heavy on things that are supposedly entertainment and "comedy" and bullshyt promos.

 

[Mikael Blowpiff]

at least put those youtube promos on the actual show so that i have a reason to care about these people smfh