Let's dive into the world of professional wrestling and explore some creative insights that could spice up the WWE's weekly offerings.
Wrestling's Creative Conundrum
The WWE's creative team, led by the legendary Triple H, has faced some criticism lately. While there have been successes, such as the rise of stars like Oba Femi and Trick Williams, the overall perception is that WWE's weekly shows, Raw and SmackDown, need a boost. The issue seems to be a formulaic approach, with distractions and interference becoming common endings to matches.
One writer, G0mez, pointed out how five out of six matches on a recent SmackDown episode ended in a similar fashion, indicating a lack of variety. Another example is Matt Cardona, formerly known as Zack Ryder, whose name change hasn't translated to a significant change in character portrayal on WWE TV.
Learning from Other Promotions
Instead of reinventing the wheel, let's look at some successful strategies employed by other wrestling promotions, both inside and outside the WWE bubble.
NXT: Embracing Chaos
NXT, under the creative direction of Shawn Michaels, has a history of throwing ideas against the wall to see what sticks. While some storylines might be considered campy, NXT has consistently built stars, even with its recent focus on home-grown talent. The current NXT feels chaotic, with new faces and returning veterans, but this approach could be a breath of fresh air for the main roster shows.
AAA: Selling Hatred
The upcoming AAA match between the El Grande Americanos is a perfect example of building intense hatred between characters. The build-up to this match has been masterful, with the AAA creative team and Undertaker creating a highly anticipated, must-see event. Raw and SmackDown could benefit from such intense personal rivalries, which are currently lacking.
AEW: Unpredictability as an Asset
AEW's recent title reign of Darby Allin showcases the power of unpredictability. Allin's short but intense reign, with weekly title defenses, added an element of surprise that engaged fans. Raw and SmackDown could use more of this unpredictability to keep audiences invested.
TNA: Story Cohesion
TNA, often overlooked, has its moments of brilliance. One area where it excels is story cohesion. Unlike some WWE storylines that are left dangling, TNA provides resolutions to their cliffhangers. This level of story planning and closure is something the WWE could learn from.
Final Thoughts
While the WWE has its challenges, there are clear opportunities to improve. By embracing chaos, selling hatred, adding unpredictability, and focusing on story cohesion, the WWE's creative team could elevate Raw and SmackDown to must-watch TV. It's all about taking risks and learning from the best practices of other promotions.
