WWE Get Out Of Your Own Way

During these times of covid-19 quarantine, many people have taken the opportunity with all this extra time to learn new hobbies, complete projects they’ve been putting off, read more, or learn new things about themselves. At the same while major sports leagues around the world has shut down, professional wrestling has continued to truck along without fans. It’s safe to say WWE has not taken this opportunity to improve their presentation.

WWE was the first company to announce they would continue to produce shows during this pandemic. Due to the circumstances and working with a mostly skeleton crew on a honestly already thin roster, they have not completely failed. Wrestlemania 36 turned out to be quite enjoyable, particularly the cinematic match between AJ Styles and Undertaker. In that, WWE has discovered people like those types of matches even though Lucha Underground and Impact Wrestling has done those type of matches before with great fanfare. Managers seem to be making a comeback with Zelina Vega building a stable, and hints MVP is looking for talent to manage. Some superstars such as Otis have been given opportunities to shine, winning the money in the bank match.

One thing WWE is failing on, and they failed with before the pandemic hit..creating new stars. WWE has had issues creating stars on the level of Hogan, Austin, Rock, and Cena for quite some time. One of the biggest reasons attributed to that by fans is they don’t feel a connection to the talents, and most promos leave a lot to be desired. Which leads to my brief rant.

For the life of me I cannot figure out why WWE is not taking this time to get more guys on the mic. Even talents who are not active due to injuries or have chosen not to wrestle due to safety concerns should be given opportunities. That could be done by having them record mission statements “off the cuff” from home and included in the programs. WWE previously did this with their “Tout” videos and a couple years ago with selfie promos that included graphics. Those promos failed because they were over produced.

If the promos are shot with that grittiness aspect and not so produced, it may be more well received. This give performers more opportunities to improve their promo skills and allows them to come off more “real”. It also leaves them at the forefront of fans minds for when they do return. Prospects that have been recently used on Raw, Smackdown, and NXT should be given insert promos before their matches. Especially the talent they have plans for, this allows that talent to create an identity and promo skills.

If they can’t fit it into the shows, WWE has YouTube and the WWE network where they could play the promos instead. Or maybe have watch parties of matches with wrestlers who can show their personalities by commentating on the matches.

It’s easy to pick on WWE cause they are the biggest pro wrestling organization in the world. Now they are a multi billion dollar corporation and I’m just a fan who has been watching for twenty something years. I have been watching wrestling a long time and can tell many of the issues are from lack of talent connection. AEW and Impact Wrestling have had their downs during this time, but their ups have been better because of their more forward thinking. Using vignettes, skits, and remote promos from talent to help get them over. It’s working because it appeals to the current generation, and proves most of WWE problems are...they can’t get out of their own way.

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Streaming Media The Future

  Streaming media especially streaming tv is a platform that has really taken off within the last few years and is only growing. With people wanting to watch what they want when they want more and more streaming services have cropped up over the years. We all know about the platforms that changed the game Netflix and Hulu, and a couple years later Amazon Prime stepped creating the big three of streaming services.
  Netflix has found their stride with original series and seemed to have found the right balance between critically acclaimed and niche appeal series. Their original movies are very much hit or miss but one thing at a time. Netflix also invented binge watching.
   Hulu has found their stride in producing quality dramas, and succeeded in their deals with major networks that make most of their programs available a day or two after original airing. Hulu also has hit the nostalgia market bringing back well loved classic series and lesser known series of yesteryear. They also made headlines when they struck a deal to bring back the classic “TGIF” block of shows such as Full House, Family Matters, Hangin with Mr. Cooper, Perfect Strangers, and Step By Step. Bring the cheesiness of the 90’s back.
   Amazon original series haven't seemed to gain much traction their most acclaimed series is The Man in the High Castle. It’s a crowded market but it’s Amazon they’ll find their way in.
    Speaking of crowded markets everyday there is some news about a new streaming service. Disney recently announced their going to severe their deal with Netflix and start their own streaming service featuring all Disney movies. It’s a risky move but with the worldwide appeal of Disney the chances of success are high.
    There's Crackle which is free and owned by Sony Studios so you can catch a lot of good movies on there. Crackle is also known for Comedians in cars.
   Kevin Hart recently jumped into the game creating Laugh Out Loud with Lionsgate designed to give up and coming talent a platform to create content. It was just released this month so we’ll see how it grows. One major draw it has starting out is every season of the classic Def Comedy Jam is available on Laugh Out Loud.
   For the crowd that can't get enough of Shaft, Superfly, Foxy Brown and other blaxploitation films there is Brown Sugar. Released late last year at $3.99 a month Brown Sugar is a pretty good deal if you love the over the top 70s film and either want to reminisce about bell bottoms and afros, or wish you were alive during that time rocking fish in your shoes.
  Horror fans have what seems to be a unlimited supply of streaming apps to choose from. There’s shudder, Screambox, Frightpix, Full Moon Streaming, and the Crypt. All these services play high brow and the good low brow b movie sometimes laughable Horror movies.
  The mushy feel good cheesy TV movie loving viewers need attention to. Hallmark has them covered with Feeln. Giving you all the same warmth movies on the Hallmark channel give you.
  WWE changed the game in my opinion with the WWE network, for a huge wrestling fan like myself to be able to watch all the old Raws, Smackdown, PPVs, and current ppvs for $9.99. You can't beat that!
   Anime breathen has CrunchyRoll to statisfy any and all anime. Gamers have Twitch which shows real life gaming tournaments.  Even video game console manufacturers have joined the bandwagon with PlayStation Vue and Xbox.
   YouTube which helped bring streaming more mainstream has started YouTube Red. A subscription service displaying original films and series. It has yet to gain a lot of traction but has me intrigued with news that their reviving the Karate Kid universe with “Cobra Kai”.
    It’s not all roses for all streaming services Yahoo tried and failed with Yahoo Screen. NBC owned Seeso which featured all comedy shows and specials failed to catch on with audiences and will be shutting down later this year. I’m sure there are other services out there that failed to catch on.
   This new platform has opened so many doors and new avenues for content. It’s only a matter of time before streaming services send cable companies and the traditional Hollywood distribution system scrambling to stay relevant. One thing is for certain streaming platforms are the present and future.
   

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