Let's dive into the world of professional wrestling and explore some creative insights that could spice up the WWE's weekly shows.
Wrestling's Creative Conundrum
The WWE's creative team, led by the legendary Triple H, has faced some criticism lately. Despite producing some successful storylines, there's a sense of formulaic predictability creeping into their weekly shows, Raw and SmackDown. It's like watching a familiar movie, but with a few key scenes missing, leaving viewers wanting more.
Learning from NXT's Chaos
NXT, the WWE's developmental brand, has always been a hotbed of creativity. Recently, it's embraced chaos, with new faces, old returns, and a fast-paced, unpredictable vibe. This approach has its pros and cons, but it keeps viewers on the edge of their seats, wondering what will happen next. Shawn Michaels and his team understand the value of experimentation, even if it means embracing a bit of campiness.
The Power of Hatred in AAA
In the world of AAA, a Mexican wrestling promotion, the upcoming match between the El Grande Americanos is a testament to the power of hatred. These two characters have built an intense rivalry, with crowds embracing one and reviling the other. The build-up to this match has been masterful, creating a fever pitch of anticipation. WWE could learn from this, especially when it comes to personal rivalries. While they have some, like the escalating tension between Roman Reigns and Jacob Fatu, they often lack the raw emotion and vitriol seen in AAA.
AEW's Unpredictability
AEW, another major wrestling promotion, excels at unpredictability. Darby Allin's recent title reign is a perfect example. Despite being a pillar of AEW, his win over MJF was a surprise, and his short but intense title run added an element of unpredictability that kept fans engaged. WWE's shows could benefit from more of this. While they have shock moments, they often lack the consistent unpredictability that keeps viewers invested week after week.
TNA's Story Cohesion
TNA, another wrestling promotion, has its fair share of LOL moments, but it also does some things right. One area where it excels is story cohesion. They plan their storylines with clear beginnings, middles, and ends, resolving plot threads and providing closure. This is a rare strength in the wrestling world, and WWE could learn from this approach. Leaving story threads dangling for months, as WWE has done with Jacob Fatu's attacker and the Usos' pre-WrestleMania attack, leaves viewers confused and frustrated.
Final Thoughts
The WWE has the potential to create must-watch television, but it needs to embrace more chaos, build more intense rivalries, add unpredictability, and improve story cohesion. These elements, when executed well, can elevate wrestling from mere entertainment to an art form that captivates audiences week after week. It's time for the WWE to take some creative risks and remind us all why we fell in love with wrestling in the first place.
