How can I get back into WWE?

[Maluco]

I really miss watching WWE...

Seems like an easy solution, just switch it on and get back into it...But I have tried that, so I don't watch...But I still miss what it was like to watch it. Let me try and explain...

I used to love that feeling on Sunday knowing there was a PPV on and the whole routine that went with it. It was really my favourite thing on TV, constant surprises, big personalities, actual emotional storylines. It was the world's best soap opera and honestly, i was rarely disappointed with PPV and enjoyed RAW.

The problem is that nowadays I can't get through a Raw...Smackdown is better from the little I have read/seen, but I can't really get into that either. I would say I haven't completed a single show since last Wrestlemania. For me, it was one of the worst Mania's of all time and the TV that went with it was characterised by endless repetition, lack of excitement, missing starpower and the same "great" matches with no real hype or emotion or anything on the line, it killed it for me. I felt like I was watching the same show every week, with characters I didn't even like. I have been a fan all my life, so it was difficult to just stop watching, but I did...

...but I miss it! I know the Royal Rumble is coming up and it was always my favourite event. I read results and visit here to see what people are saying, but it doesn't sound great. It sounds like the same product I left 10 months ago.

I am going to be honest...I can only take so much workrate and 5 star matches. I want exciting TV, surprises, interesting stories and matches with weight behind them. Is there any chance we will be getting some of that this Mania season?

I guess what I really want is to be encouraged so I can try and get back into it and enjoy the Rumble etc...

The typical fan today will never be 100% happy, I know that, we love to complain, but to me, there was so much missing, so much wrong, that it pushed me away completely. I am sure many of you enjoy it every week and could well be wondering what I am talking about, but this thread is for you!! I want to be encouraged to get back into it again, so please, give me some positivity going into 2017...

[Destor]

You miss what it was, which it now isn't. Point blank: the product isnt for you at this time.

[Wishbone]

Like was already said, I don't think there's any way for you to enjoy it the way you used to. However, it's far more watchable if you find someone to watch with. I stopped watching after the Roman vs Brock 'Mania match a couple years ago, and I didn't watch again for about 4 months. Eventually a friend of mine convinced me to start watching with her again and I enjoy it if only because it's something we can do together. Having someone there to laugh about the stupid stuff with and freak out about the occasional good with really makes a difference.

[Ruien]

Why would you want to watch something you no longer enjoy? If you hate Raw then do not watch Raw. If you like the RR then watch it. Stop forcing yourself to do something.

[RP]

Bro i've been apped to WWE for 3 months now. I dont know how you got in, in the first place. Be happy.

[Bad News Gertner]

You miss what it was, which it now isn't. Point blank: the product isnt for you at this time.

I hear ya. I haven't watched any current wrestling in 2-3 aside from Wrestlemania.

I only watch WWF stuff from 1979-86. There's so much wrestling out there now, new and old. Find something you like

[Blonde Moment]

I really miss watching WWE...

Seems like an easy solution, just switch it on and get back into it...But I have tried that, so I don't watch...But I still miss what it was like to watch it. Let me try and explain...

I used to love that feeling on Sunday knowing there was a PPV on and the whole routine that went with it. It was really my favourite thing on TV, constant surprises, big personalities, actual emotional storylines. It was the world's best soap opera and honestly, i was rarely disappointed with PPV and enjoyed RAW.

The problem is that nowadays I can't get through a Raw...Smackdown is better from the little I have read/seen, but I can't really get into that either. I would say I haven't completed a single show since last Wrestlemania. For me, it was one of the worst Mania's of all time and the TV that went with it was characterised by endless repetition, lack of excitement, missing starpower and the same "great" matches with no real hype or emotion or anything on the line, it killed it for me. I felt like I was watching the same show every week, with characters I didn't even like. I have been a fan all my life, so it was difficult to just stop watching, but I did...

...but I miss it! I know the Royal Rumble is coming up and it was always my favourite event. I read results and visit here to see what people are saying, but it doesn't sound great. It sounds like the same product I left 10 months ago.

I am going to be honest...I can only take so much workrate and 5 star matches. I want exciting TV, surprises, interesting stories and matches with weight behind them. Is there any chance we will be getting some of that this Mania season?

I guess what I really want is to be encouraged so I can try and get back into it and enjoy the Rumble etc...

The typical fan today will never be 100% happy, I know that, we love to complain, but to me, there was so much missing, so much wrong, that it pushed me away completely. I am sure many of you enjoy it every week and could well be wondering what I am talking about, but this thread is for you!! I want to be encouraged to get back into it again, so please, give me some positivity going into 2017...

Try watching NXT?

[Mr. Nerfect]

Think of this as a downward phase. This is like 1995, or one of those periods where you just wish things were different and you cannot understand how this is the product they are putting forward. There will be a time where it will change -- it will have to change out of necessity. While there isn't competition to force Vince McMahon's hand into letting talent be as good as they can be, and that is a scary thought, at some point something has to catch on unironically.

In the meantime, be happy that a lot of your favorites seem to be getting paid, even if it is to waste the best years of their careers. At some point we will marvel at this point in professional wrestling's history, and we'll have the benefit of looking back retroactively, and knowing where that saving grace came from.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I didn't realize that American Alpha were the Tag Team Champions last week and this week I didn't realize Ambrose won the IC Title. This would have been basically unthinkable for me a few years ago. I used to be all up to date with my stats and quite the completionist.

[Maluco]

Good feedback actually, I do feel like there is just no way back at the moment.

As for those who wonder about "forcing" yourself to do something...I don't, I don't watch and haven't for a long time now, but it is possible to miss something the way you remember it.

I do watch a lot of videos about older wrestling, comedy podcasts and reviews, and really enjoy those.

As for NXT, I could probably stick it on and enjoy it for what it is. I have watched a few takeovers when I was in the mood, but at the end of the day, its development. They are preparing to go to the programming I don't enjoy. Supposedly the big leagues...where nothing every happens.

Appreciate the actual constructive feedback though...Honestly, wrestling forum here is underrated, small amount of members posting, but always good for a discussion.

[Rammsteinmad]

Maluco, the problem is that you're not a child any more. Everything about wrestling was amazing when you were younger. Now we're all old and cynical and the business is more "open" than ever before, that you either simply enjoy it for what it is, or you don't.

[Heisenberg]

Get a good set of headphones and stream one of the old WWF PPVs on the network, relax on a couch and just lose yourself. The current product has all the puzzle pieces of people I've cheered on in TNA/ROH/NJPW, but I can't get over the obvious structure of RAW shows. It's "writing it home" bad at times, but Jericho is pretty damn funny whenever I do tune in.

[Evil Vito]

Raw just goes through the motions at this point. I rarely watch a full episode, and if I do have it on the entire time it's likely just serving as background noise all the time.

[Maluco]

You see these last three posts are the two mindsets I go between.

I watch RAW for a bit and I think to myself.....This just isn't good...But then I think to myself, is it me? Am I just older and have "grown out of wrestling"

I watched one of the rivalries show on the network recently, the Hardy/Edge one...It wasn't remembered as a classic rivalry at all...But I loved it. I loved the lines being blurred, the whole edge (excuse the pun) around the product and the intensity of the rivalries.

Edge is not a GOAT in my mind, but I look at someone like him, who I wasn't even a big fan of...And I think, he is streaks ahead of anyone I see on TV right now as an all round character and performer...In my head anyway.

Maybe it is nostalgia and I am old and cynical, but when I do watch, I just can't shake the feeling that what I am watching is a shadow of what wrestling was.

I guess that's the debate, is it me, or has WWE lost what made it great. Is it really the direction? Because when I watch, I don't see a direction...I just see Reigns/Jericho/Rollins/Owens fighting in pointless combinations every week.

Surely if it were just me, ratings would be higher? Are all the new fans watching on Hulu? I have my doubts...

[#1-norm-fan]

Lobotomy

[OverTaker]

If I were you...I would just watch porn instead. Wouldn't you enjoy that better? And it wouldn't take 3 hours. Win..win.

[Frank Drebin]

Watch the Rumble and probably the NxT special prior to it. If your interests haven't been piqued, then don't worry and maybe keep doing what you're doing now and check in once in a while through WM. Watch WM, because it's WM, and check out the Raw (and Smackdown?) after for any debuts/smark crowd reactions. If you STILL have no interest, find something else be it within the realm of wrestling via other promotions like 'berg said or anywhere else.

[Destor]

Have you considered not getting into the WWE and trying more niche products instead?

[Sixx]

Lobotomy

i have an ice pick.

[Phenomenal 1]

I watch the WWE Network mostly as well and i'm stuck in this rollercoaster of watching every WCW ppv from the last one when they closed back to the 80's when it was still JCP. I've been at it for about 3 weeks and i'm already all the way back to 1996. I still watch the current product but I DVR it and flip through it and pick/choose what peaks my interest and fast forward through the bullshit that doesn't. The current product does have its stale moments on a fairly consistent basis. Best of luck Sixx.

[Destor]

You're watching them in reverse?

[Destor]

...that's kinda neat

[Phenomenal 1]

You're watching them in reverse?

well the stuff i remember the most was the Monday Night Wars years and the end of the company AKA New Blood Era, i'm reliving that then going into the bits and pieces of the early Ted Turner Era and eventually into the JCP/NWA days. I wanna see it from its prime hayday to its birth and getting off the ground. Birth to its prime idea kinda bores me.

[slik]

Just watch the royal rumble when it airs, then maybe play around on the network and see if there is anything else you might enjoy (I would recommend NXT).

[slik]

I really miss watching WWE...

I want exciting TV, surprises, interesting stories and matches with weight behind them. Is there any chance we will be getting some of that this Mania season?



From RR to WM I imagine we will. There are at least two WM feuds currently planned that have some history/weight to them


Kevin Owens vs Chris Jericho

HHH vs Seth Rollins



This could also very likely be Undertaker's final WM as well.

[Stickman]

Pvr so you can fast forward the never ending commercials

[Sixx]

From RR to WM I imagine we will. There are at least two WM feuds currently planned that have some history/weight to them


Kevin Owens vs Chris Jericho

HHH vs Seth Rollins



This could also very likely be Undertaker's final WM as well.

been hearing that for years. he really should just stop.

[The CyNick]

Avoid the dirt sheets and people who parrot their work and you will enjoy the product.

For the most part, it's really good.

[Destor]

Avoid the dirt sheets and people who parrot their work and you will enjoy the product.

For the most part, it's really good.
Havent read a dirt sheet in over decade. Product is not enjoyable for me.

[A.J.K]

What i would do is start with just watching random WWE content, if you have the network , try doing what P1 did with WCW. Switch it up and watch back to the moment you stopped and then go to the early wrestling classics and see if you can find a common ground with some newer shows and go from there.

[XL]

I'm on board with the "try a little" method. The thought of NXT Takeover/Rumble/Raw/SmackDown/205/NXT Back to back in a few weeks has just made me anxious and I watch all of those shows regularly. I can only imagine how much of a mountain that seems to someone who can't find enjoyment in the product.

Try Lucha Underground? 1hr a week?

[Maluco]

I live abroad, in South America most of the year, so it is hard to get the niche products that are available.

I think I will set out to watch a few shows up to the Rubble and see what I think.

To be honest, the sheets don't effect me, never did. I just wasn't enjoying it, but I want to lol, if that makes senses to anyone anymore.

Is NXT weekly?

[slik]

Is NXT weekly?

Yes.

It has it's own PPVs on the WWE Network 4 times a year (the night before the Rumble, WM, SSlam and SSeries). The ppvs are only two hours instead of three or four.

[slik]

Here are two cool entrances from NXT you might like:


<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/URNRTrpnT7g" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>


<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/uMRzJK80KSA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Emperor Smeat]

From the way it sounds, you'd be a lot better off just watching WWE during Rumble and Mania season since that is usually when the WWE is at its best for the year. Afterwards its pretty much the same stuff that drove you away from the product.

Like others suggested, NXT might be a good way to get back into watching WWE since it has a different feel than RAW and Smackdown. Maybe even 205 Live since they also are slowly building their own identity compared to the main shows.

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

Already said but NXT.

Maybe Shinsuke Nakamura vs. SamI Zayn or Bayley vs. Sasha Banks. All of the Revival Tag Team Matches too.

[XL]

I live abroad, in South America most of the year, so it is hard to get the niche products that are available.

I think I will set out to watch a few shows up to the Rubble and see what I think.

To be honest, the sheets don't effect me, never did. I just wasn't enjoying it, but I want to lol, if that makes senses to anyone anymore.

Is NXT weekly?

I live in the U.K. We don't get Lucha Underground/NJPW (or WWE without substantial outlay) but where there's a will...there's a website ready to flout copyright law.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Maluco, the problem is that you're not a child any more. Everything about wrestling was amazing when you were younger. Now we're all old and cynical and the business is more "open" than ever before, that you either simply enjoy it for what it is, or you don't.

While I agree with you that this is the state of things now, I don't agree that it necessarily has to be that way, or that it should be that way. As an adult, I can watch good wrestling and still enjoy it. I just don't enjoy the WWE.

[Evil Vito]

One thing I'll say about WWE (well, specifically Raw) is that if you're not that into it or find yourself bored for 3 hours - absolutely take a break. I'd always recommend breaks for people suffering from Raw burnout.

For a while, I likened it to supporting a bad sports team. I'd barely missed an episode since I was ten, and I felt I needed to sit through it all even in the bad times because eventually it'd pick back up. The big difference though is that unlike a bad sports team, there is no offseason. The most diehard of Cleveland Browns fans who will sit down and suffer through 16 three-hour Browns games every year would have a hard time watching that 52 weeks a year.

It was nice to realize I could just stop at any time and use that three hours a week to watch cool stuff on the Network, other promotions, etc. I made my own breaks and knew that Raw would always be there whenever I wanted to give it another go. I was actually super pumped up about the brand split specifically because it gave me a chance to get back into the product with a clean slate.

[Mr. Nerfect]

You see these last three posts are the two mindsets I go between.

I watch RAW for a bit and I think to myself.....This just isn't good...But then I think to myself, is it me? Am I just older and have "grown out of wrestling"

I watched one of the rivalries show on the network recently, the Hardy/Edge one...It wasn't remembered as a classic rivalry at all...But I loved it. I loved the lines being blurred, the whole edge (excuse the pun) around the product and the intensity of the rivalries.

Edge is not a GOAT in my mind, but I look at someone like him, who I wasn't even a big fan of...And I think, he is streaks ahead of anyone I see on TV right now as an all round character and performer...In my head anyway.

Maybe it is nostalgia and I am old and cynical, but when I do watch, I just can't shake the feeling that what I am watching is a shadow of what wrestling was.

I guess that's the debate, is it me, or has WWE lost what made it great. Is it really the direction? Because when I watch, I don't see a direction...I just see Reigns/Jericho/Rollins/Owens fighting in pointless combinations every week.

Surely if it were just me, ratings would be higher? Are all the new fans watching on Hulu? I have my doubts...

I can completely relate to this. Look at the energy Goldberg brought with him when he returned. It was obviously he was going to be a success, even in this era where "workrate" is valued so highly, simply because he is a genuine star with real charisma. He knows how to project himself like a real man. Besides Brock Lesnar and Samoa Joe, no one else under WWE contract really knows how to do that. Or if they do, they agree not to for the purposes of their job, which actually psychically buries them.

The back-and-forth talking segments are weak as piss, and I actually blame the writers for that. Sure, Vince gets the final say, but you can feel that the lines are coming from someone that has never insulting someone to their face in their lives, and there's a smug geek in a backroom feel to the lines. They say that the product is for families, but they make the mistake of thinking that child-appropriate means condescending. I guarantee you most kids won't like this shit, because it's borderline pantomime at this point, only without the boos.

You also see the writers' machinations behind a lot of the angles. Randy Orton returning and re-joining The Authority instead of just trying to kick Seth Rollins' ass for example. Sure, maybe Vince wanted to bring Orton back as a heel and then changed his mind or whatever, but it reeked of trying to be "too cute" and be a piece of theater.

But still, you go back to the Attitude era for WWF and they really only had a few legit guys on top. Austin and Rock were basically the stars while Foley, Undertaker, Kane and HBK, for a while, played supporting roles. Everyone else was kind of there to be not as good and make the guys who looked great look greater. So there is hope that someone could come along and really light a fire that puts everybody else on notice and turns things around. You don't need the whole product to be good, just one thing to stand out and the rest to logically follow. But when the only guy with the balls to be an organic personality is Goldberg, that's when you're running into problems, because as refreshing as he is, he's not exactly fresh.

I'm really looking forward to the call-ups of Nakamura, Joe and The Revival for that very reason. Do I think it's going to instantly change the fate of the WWE? No. But I do think that those men have got the talent and, potentially, the willingness to kick ass and do things like stars. When they are presented as "just other guys" that go 50/50, maybe the wind will be out of my sails again, but maybe by then there will be someone else I sort of have hopes for.

Wrestling has become the chase of hope for me.

[Damian Rey 2.0]

I've given up since Mania. Other then segments here and there, where it just feels like the same old shit, I've caught pretty close to zero tv.

Haven't watched a ppv since Mania, nor have I watched a takeover since then. I'm burned out on wwe and honestly I don't miss it because I wasn't enjoying what was on when I follow it.

I randomly stumbled onto NJPW and have found that It's far and away a more enjoyable product for me. To the point where I've subscribed to New Japan world to catch more of their content.

I will try to watch the rumble assuming I'll have time and maybe catch mania, but those are no longer set in stone.