Why WWE & Wrestling Isn’t What It Used To Be

Every Monday and Friday I have a column in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Today’s looks at the root of one of the most common talking points and complaints in WWE and professional wrestling not being what it used to be in the past. The following is an excerpt:

If you ask some, professional wrestling isn’t what it used to be. Why do they do so much talking and hokey stuff? When will it go back to how it was? These are common talking points, and credit goes to a Twitter follower and former WWE creative writer Vince Russo for inspiring the following.

@Rybeboat: @JustinLaBar id like to hear your opinion on what Vince Russo said about pro wrestling being dead. Do you agree or not?

The question refers to a blog Russo recently wrote about the death of Roddy Piper. He called it the death of professional wrestling, a business we used to love.

I don’t think the death of a legendary performer signals the death of the genre. Instead, maybe the genre simply evolved, much like everything else.

The professional wrestling Russo is talking about doesn’t do big business on the big stage with the big influences anymore. The rules have changed.

WWE is no longer a professional wrestling company with a professional wrestling ring. It is an entertainment brand using a wrestling ring as a stage. But so much more than wrestling happens there. Comedy skits, monologues, arguments, even dance contests can occur at any moment.

Like everything else, it had to evolve to survive.

There are wrestling companies that operate more like the old WWE/WWF than the current WWE does. But those companies aren’t making as much money as the current WWE. I enjoy Ring Of Honor when I see it. Global Force Wrestling sounds interesting. Many regional independent wrestling companies are trying their best. They provide the “old school” fix some fans enjoy.

But ROH and the others never will be as financially successful as WWE. If an independent regional professional wrestling show makes $5,000 a pop and only has $2,500 in expenses, that’s good business, relatively speaking. Trouble is, that might be the best profit margin it can achieve because that’s the extent of its reachable audience.

Which single moment led to the big change for WWE & more in the rest of the column. CLICK HERE to read.

TRENDING


X