WWE is doing things right.

Now five years ago…three years ago…a year ago…saying something like that online would be the same as kickin’ myself in the balls.   I mean, with all of the pompous holier-than-thou smarks out there thinking they know better than anybody, it’d be career suicide for some “wrestling writers” to make such a statement.

Thankfully, I’m not a “wrestling writer” anymore and…quite frankly…I don’t give a f*ck what most of those people think.

I’m a lifelong wrestling fan who watches less than two hours a week now.   I’m the “casual smart mark” and I’ve got a few things to say about the current product:

1.        I’m loving the “invasion” angle.   Sure, I remember invasion angles of the past.   I remember vividly the nWo invasion where people legitimately thought Nash and Hall were entering WCW without permission or contract.   I remember vividly the unbelievable FAIL that was the ECW invasion angle of the WWF.   I mean, when Paul Heyman stood tall with the ECW wrestlers in that WWF ring…I got chills.   The NXT invasion a few weeks ago and subsequent destruction of everybody in their path in the weeks that followed (including Bryan Danielson’s career, apparently) didn’t quite give me the same type of chills, but it really has been quite entertaining.   It intrigued me and gave me something I hadn’t seen in quite some time.   And let’s face it…it’s extremely difficult to come up with something new in the wrestling business.   EVERYTHING is cyclical…including storylines.   The key is to have enough time in between identical angles so that a new crowd can enjoy them for the first time.

2.        I’m not cynical enough to think that WWE is automatically going to screw this up.   Sure…their track record isn’t so great when it comes to “money angles”.   But I’m absolutely willing to give WWE the benefit of the doubt here.   And don’t start whining about how WWE is going to bury the NXT guys, thus killing the angle.   Kids, this is a company that (briefly) got the SPIRIT SQUAD over…surely to goodness they can get over seven rookies, five of which have tremendous upsides and potential.   As a casual fan, if I see them on television every week and they end up beating down superstars from time to time, then guess what?   They’re “over”.   Are they “over” to the internet fanbase?   No, but I hate to break it to ya…you’re a dyin’ breed and you’re NOT the target audience anymore.

3.        I liked NXT. Since we’re on the subject, let me proclaim my “like” for the show…both Season One and Season Two (so far, anyway).   Sure, the competitions have sometimes been REALLY silly and they were made to look like buffoons on occasion, but the point has been to entertain the casual fans while also introducing new characters in a way never done before (Tough Enough wasn’t quite the same crowd nor was it the same concept).   I read that people were considering the 1.0 ratings that Season One were getting to be disappointing.   Kids, Smackdown is barely doing any better.   Not only that, but this “C show” was tying TNA’s ratings.   Oh, and last time I checked, even a 1.0 was better than the network average (Season Two is hovering just at the network average, which is still better than…say…BELOW the network average).   The bottom line is, much like the previous point I made, you’re not really the target audience anymore.   Sure…they’ll throw you a Danielson or Low-Ki bone (it’s Kaval now, isn’t it?), but they’re trying to entertain kids and families.   To that extent, NXT was quite successful.

4.        I enjoy the new family direction (more 80’s-esque).  There was a VERY long time where I wouldn’t dream about letting my kids watch wrestling even though I was addicted to it.   Now?   Now I’m considering it (although it’s still way too much for my three year old).   Someone recently complained on the WWI message boards about WWE stopping matches because of blood.   To me that makes perfect sense in the age of PG-13 family-oriented product.   What family wants to take their children to a WWE knowing that blood will be thrown all over the place?   Stopping a match to halt the flow of blood or throwing the match out all together at least gives WWE the semblance of trying to be family-friendly.   And younger/casual fans get the sense that if they're stopping the match because of blood, then it must be real blood...thus making it appear more realistic.   Now to us older fans, this may just seem silly.   We grew up on blood in the product.   An MMA match isn’t considered any good unless somebody bleeds.   But this is a new day and WWE is starting all over again with a new target demographic.   And as much as the IWC may want to disagree with it, it's working for them.   The other reason why this whole "blood stoppage thing" works is because, similar to the WWE style of performing, it makes things more important.   In other words, if they end up having a "first blood match" then the audience is looking forward to it because blood is something they never get to see.   Similarly, if you see a great Mysterio/Punk match with a ton of great wrestling action and high-risk moves, it's because the new audience has been sold on the current safer style of wrestling...so when something high-risk is done, it actually means something.   For as much as I loved ECW and ROH, that form of wrestling has been a major contributing factor in nearly killing the business.   WWE is starting from scratch...going back to the 80's for inspiration...and it's not only a good move, but it's working for them.

5.        John Cena is finally a massive star because of this direction (and the “boo birds” are fewer).   Oh yeah…I remember the “boo birds” that used to be en masse at practically every single WWE event. Guys simply hated Cena once he stopped being the hip, cool, Eminem wannabe and became more watered-down than the Titanic. But listen to his reactions now.   You normally have to strain to hear the boos.   Cena even still recognizes them every once in awhile, but they are few and far between.   I see men in the arenas standing up and cheering for the guy now…which just seems crazy to me. There is just something about Cena that is resonating to the general public that they haven’t had since…dare I say it…Hulk Hogan. Will he become the next Hogan?   No…but he’s the most recognizable champion they’ve had since the heyday of the Rock and Stone Cold, and because of the new creative direction the fans are reacting in a very positive way. Families love Cena and aren’t afraid to say so. Cena represents the whole “loyalty, hustle, respect” thing that takes me back to Hogan telling everybody to train and take their “vitamins” (yeah yeah…we all know what he meant now).

These are just some of the items I’m thinking about.   Being just a casual viewer now, TNA doesn’t even pop up on my radar anymore. And anybody who backs TNA or believes in TNA needs to understand that there is only ONE wrestling company that casual fans know about. Thinking otherwise simply isn’t realistic.

Agree?   Disagree?   Think I have no clue what I’m talking about?   Email me at ZAH.at.the.Insanity@gmail.com and give me your thoughts.

Until next time…