Opinion: The State of WWE And It's Future

[slik]

http://www.tpww.net/2017/03/opinion-the-state-of-wwe-and-its-future/


Taking a look at WWE's current roster of contracted superstars it is, without question, the most talented and diverse acquisition of talent WWE has ever had. While looking in the rearview mirror at roads previously traveled it can be easy to see why the booking today, in particular on RAW, is often not as exciting as roads already traversed. It's easy to see why fans often self-employ themselves in the role of a backseat driver, questioning the direction (and maybe even sobriety) of the WWE driving forward. It is my opinion the WWE is set for more success than ever before as we near the post-WrestleMania season. To understand why take a look at the main-event talent (and those on the cusp of being labeled as such) available to mix and match between SmackDownLive and RAW when the next draft looms:


* AJ Styles
* Baron Corbin
* Braun Strowman
* Bray Wyatt
* Dean Ambrose
* Finn Balor
* Kevin Owens
* Randy Orton
* Samoa Joe
* Roman Reigns
* Seth Rollins


That is the list of wrestlers who will consistently appear, year-round, on whichever show they are assigned to in 2017. When you add the list of part-time talent, even more upswing is apparent:


* Brock Lesnar
* John Cena
* HHH


I have left off Undertaker and Bill Goldberg from the above list, since both are rumored to finish up their runs with WWE at WrestleMania 33 in Orlando. However, should either decide to continue wrestling, their starpower will equal the three names above. The Undertaker and Bill Goldberg are not the only talent rumored to be wrapping things after WrestleMania, as the following wrestlers are expected to end their runs with WWE in the near future:


* The Big Show
* Chris Jericho
* Kane
* Mark Henry


Before the above wrestlers retire from in-ring competition (though in Jericho's case a return down the line is possible) all will be used to help elevate the 11 names near the top of the piece further. Next, take a look at wrestler's currently on the cusp of the upper-mid card/main-event scene, who could possibly flourish after a draft:


* Austin Aries
* Big E
* Cesaro
* The Miz
* Xavier Woods
* Sami Zayn


Wrestlers like Cesaro or Zayn could rise to the top if transferred from RAW to SmackDownLive, while both Big E and Xavier Woods could heavily benefit if The New Day breaks up in 2017. Both have the mic skills and charisma to shine as singles stars, in Big E's case as a face and in Xavier Wood's, as a heel. Austin Aries has only recently returned from injury but with his popularity, promo skills and technical prowess he likely won't be relegated to the cruiserweight division for long. Lastly, let's take a look at whose around the corner from showing up on RAW or SmackDownLive in some capacity:


* Hardy Boys
* Kurt Angle
* Shinsuke Nakamura


The Hardy Boys would be returning to WWE likely around mid-summer and in the middle of a career resurgence. At one time Jeff Hardy was among the top merchandise sellers in all of WWE so the popularity and name-value of The Hardy Boys should not be taken lightly. Kurt Angle is rumored to replace Mick Foley as the GM of RAW after WrestleMania, with the possibility of a final match in his future at a big event. Whether that final match would be at SummerSlam or WrestleMania, regardless of who it was against, Angle would take on the role Sting and Bill Goldberg have recently, of the veteran returning for a final run. Both Sting and Goldberg's runs have been considered wildly successful and there is no reason to doubt Angle's would not be a slam either. Shinsuke Nakamura is likely to be called up to the main roster soon from NXT as he has run his course there in the NXT World Title Picture. Shinsuke could have a major impact on the main roster, and would assuredly be given a top spot, not unlike Samoa Joe or Finn Balor.


There are a few talents I see as having their remaining time in WWE marked as less stellar than their future, those being Shane McMahon (who is speculated to be leaving after WrestleMania season as well), Sheamus, Dolph Ziggler and Big Cass. In the case of Sheamus and Ziggler it is a matter of too much inconsistent booking over too many years for fans to invest in them as top-tier talent again. In the case of Big Cass, it isn't that he did anything wrong, infact at one point earlier this year Big Cass was looked at as a potential breakout star -- It is more that the role he would occupy has seemingly been snatched by the more talented Braun Strowman and Baron Corbin. The other thing that hurts Big Cass is he suffers from the infamous case of "does not look fit, does not look flab" so WWE might struggle in how to market him via the color commentary during matches.


Overall, the list of four talents whose best roads have "already been traveled" does not equal the numerous talents above whose best roads are in front of them, in particular the eleven names mentioned at the top of this article. The road ahead, though possibly filled with some questionable turns and routes, is ultimately about the destination. WWE's destination for the future is bright and bountiful, so stay tuned, the possibilities are plentiful and positive for fans in 2017.

[Ruien]

Baron Corbin is fucking aweful.

[Cool King]

Baron Corbin is fucking aweful.

[Big Vic]

Stop that, Baron Corbin is decent.

[Ruien]

Baron Corbin is fucking aweful.

[Big Vic]

More like "Awe filled" :)

[Big Vic]

Because he leaves the crowd awe-filled.

[slik]

He is the lone wolf, he walks alone

[Big Vic]

Baron Corbin also has the ONLY good titan-tron in the WWE today.

[Black Widow]

The state of WWE is Connecticut and I'm sure it will be around for a long time.

[Destor]

The state of WWE is Connecticut and I'm sure it will be around for a long time.
Black Widow is STD

[Destor]

yles
* Baron Corbin
* Braun Strowman
* Bray Wyatt
* Dean Ambrose
* Finn Balor
* Kevin Owens
* Randy Orton
* Samoa Joe
* Roman Reigns
* Seth Rollinsif this is the future ofthe company they're in big trouble

[Stickman]

if this is the future ofthe company they're in big trouble

Absolutely this!

[Maluco]

A massive list of great talent, but still no true stars. Whether that is by design is open to debate, but you can only get to a certain point without them.

[#1-norm-fan]

Yeah. As far as talent from a purely in-ring standpoint I guess you could definitely make the argument that the roster is the best it's ever been. That doesn't matter all that much when none of them are stars though. You could put a lot of the blame on the booking but I don't think that's gonna change any time soon. They're definitely not gonna carry the company to new heights.

[Anybody Thrilla]

I fux with Baron Corbin. All the rest of this is speculation.

[Theo Dious]

A lot of potential but unless they find a better creative philosophy overall they'll have trouble rising above the current plateau.

[Anybody Thrilla]

Smackdown and NXT exhibit great creative philosophies, so it's not like it's outside of the realm of possibility.

[Simple Fan]

Most definitely the best roster they've ever had from an in ring perspective. A lot of guys who have star potential but every time someone takes a step forward WWE finds a way to push them 2 steps back. Honestly Seth being hurt has been the best thing for his career I think. Same with Finn, guy will be huge when he returns as they had already made him a big deal coming in and he didn't have to deal with any silly booking or had to make Roman look strong, although that's probably coming.

[Swiss Ultimate]

How can guys in their early forties and late thirties be the future of the company? They need to be THE PRESENT. Unless you're referring to next year as "THE FUTURE" this is pretty dumb.

John Cena
39 years

Bill Goldberg
50 years

Undertaker
51 years

Brock Lesnar
39 years

Samoa Joe
37 years

AJ Styles
39 Years

Finn Balor
35 years

[Swiss Ultimate]

Pull the fucking trigger, basically. Time is running out.

[Cool King]

AJ Styles is 39?

Christ, he's looking good.

[#1-norm-fan]

AJ Styles wrestled in WCW.

Seems weird to think about.

[Emperor Smeat]

On paper, the roster they have has a tons of potential and arguably the best ever in terms of in-rings skills but Vince and Creative have been the biggest obstacles for turning that into a pool of big and mega stars.

Part of it is due to how horrible Creative has been since the end of the Attitude Era outside of brief periods and part is due to Vince only caring about recreating the Cena era in regards to all the real focus being put towards just 1 person.

[Big Vic]

16 years ago

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/EqaLHQp81BQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Emeye]

Owens, Rollins, Wyatt, Styles, Rusev, Strauman, Balor, Miz, Ambrose, Nakamura, Reigns, Samoa Joe, Corbin, Harper, Aries, Roode, Cesaro, Sheamus, Ziggler, Zayn, Big Cass, Jinder, Enzo, etc. Of course Cena, Orton, Brock, HHH, Taker, Jericho, and Big Show coming and going, with the occasional Rock, Austin, Flair, Hogan, HBK drop-ins for a big feel atmosphere. Potential on-screen characters like Shane, Steph, Bryan, Foley, a returning Angle, Hardys, Shelton Benjamin (can't believe I didn't see names like Shelton, Rusev, or Harper on here. I know I'm forgetting people, and maybe just missed their names, but Rusev is top tier, Harper is entertaining, and Shelton Benjamin returning .. If Angle comes in and Benjamin debuts, they should bring back Haas, and have Angle manage a group of Benjamin, Haas, and American Alpha. Would feel a bit of a sting because there's no more Swagger to add though :-/ .. Anyways ...) Then the tag teams with Gallows/Anderson, New Day, American Alpha, Usos, Rhyno/Slater, and the other nonsense teams like Vaudevillians, Ascension, Hype Bros, etc. The Cruiserweights with Neville, Aries (who I mentioned, but I really like Aries. Guys like him, Roode, and Nakamura are guys I always wanted to see in the WWE), and all of 205, and of course the women with Charlotte, Sasha, Nia, Bayley, Mickie, Becky, Bliss, Nikki, Natty, Carmella, etc., along with Divas/Valets like Lana, Maryse, etc. The talent and characters are there in every division, a lot of fresh faces (even the announce teams and interviewers). It's the best ingredients the WWE has ever had, with plenty of PPVs to go with Raw, SD!Live, NXT, and 205 to spread everyone around, it's just the same shit since the decline - Can the writer's use these ingredients and make the right recipe.

[Destor]

Look at that block of text

[Big Vic]

I'll help ya out little buddyOwens, Rollins, Wyatt, Styles, Rusev, Strauman, Balor, Miz, Ambrose, Nakamura, Reigns, Samoa Joe, Corbin, Harper, Aries, Roode, Cesaro, Sheamus, Ziggler, Zayn, Big Cass, Jinder, Enzo, etc. Of course Cena, Orton, Brock, HHH, Taker, Jericho, and Big Show coming and going, with the occasional Rock, Austin, Flair, Hogan, HBK drop-ins for a big feel atmosphere. Potential on-screen characters like Shane, Steph, Bryan, Foley, a returning Angle, Hardys, Shelton Benjamin (can't believe I didn't see names like Shelton, Rusev, or Harper on here. I know I'm forgetting people, and maybe just missed their names, but Rusev is top tier, Harper is entertaining, and Shelton Benjamin returning ..

If Angle comes in and Benjamin debuts, they should bring back Haas, and have Angle manage a group of Benjamin, Haas, and American Alpha.

Would feel a bit of a sting because there's no more Swagger to add though :-/ ..

Anyways ...) Then the tag teams with Gallows/Anderson, New Day, American Alpha, Usos, Rhyno/Slater, and the other nonsense teams like Vaudevillians, Ascension, Hype Bros, etc.

The Cruiserweights with Neville, Aries (who I mentioned, but I really like Aries. Guys like him, Roode, and Nakamura are guys I always wanted to see in the WWE), and all of 205, and of course the women with Charlotte, Sasha, Nia, Bayley, Mickie, Becky, Bliss, Nikki, Natty, Carmella, etc., along with Divas/Valets like Lana, Maryse, etc.

The talent and characters are there in every division, a lot of fresh faces (even the announce teams and interviewers). It's the best ingredients the WWE has ever had, with plenty of PPVs to go with Raw, SD!Live, NXT, and 205 to spread everyone around, it's just the same shit since the decline - Can the writer's use these ingredients and make the right recipe.

[Destor]

Thats readable!

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

if this is the future ofthe company they're in big trouble

Nah because it is more about the brand than the performers. If the performers are serviceable to express the brand's message they'll be fine.

[Destor]

Nah because it is more about the brand than the performers. If the performers are serviceable to express the brand's message they'll be fine.
Absolutely diagree. Mania isnt headlined the guys of now for a reason. They want have throwback guys in 10 years to keep the numbers up. The business needs stars, the brand isnt enough. Long term its a horrble model.

[#1-norm-fan]

Exactly. The brand isn't just valuable because it's "got a message" and some serviceable performers are expressing it. You need substance and star power for it to have value. You take out all the stars and over time, the brand is worthless. Right now it's still thriving on the ability it had to make stars in the past.

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

Absolutely diagree. Mania isnt headlined the guys of now for a reason. They want have throwback guys in 10 years to keep the numbers up. The business needs stars, the brand isnt enough. Long term its a horrble model.

Sometimes absence makes the heart grow fonder, so if say a guy like Orton or Cena come back as a nostalgia act after disappearing for years it could be effective.

I don't think it's ideal, but one of the benefits of being the only show in town.

[#1-norm-fan]

Why did you use Cena and Orton as examples there? Because they're stars.

[Destor]

Why did you use Cena and Orton as examples there? Because they're stars.
And I'd hardly call eith guys from the "now era"


both are in their twilight years

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

but they'd be the next nostalgia acts that show up to headline manias. And I'd never say they were stars of anywhere near the magnitude of The Rock but they'd still fill the gap.

Someone else will fill that void, of "Star" that isn't quite on the Rock's level.

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

I'd be happy if you guys were right though. It'd maybe push them a bit harder to actually make a relevant, cohesive product I could consistently watch.

[Destor]

My point is though that the "now" guys cant weild that torch. Kevin Steen, Tyler Black, AJ Styles, etc


These guys are not going to show up in 20 years and mean anything. It would be like Psycho Sid Showing up in 2012 to face Cena at wrestle mania. it wouldnt mean anything.


These guys arent stars. they're good acts...for now...for the mid card.

[#1-norm-fan]

but they'd be the next nostalgia acts that show up to headline manias. And I'd never say they were stars of anywhere near the magnitude of The Rock but they'd still fill the gap.

Someone else will fill that void, of "Star" that isn't quite on the Rock's level.

They'll fill the gap to a lesser extent than The Rock though. And Orton would fill the gap to a lesser extent than Cena. Basically how well they would fill that gap is based on their star power. Not just because they were gone for a while and now they're a nostalgia act. They have to be a nostalgia act who is over. Which is the point we're making. If they don't make stars, there's no one to fill the gap.

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

These things kind of have a way of working themselves out. It may not be an Owens or a Rollins, but some kind of barnstormer you least expect as what happened with Rock and Austin. They caught their strides seemingly out of nowhere and never looked back.

So yeah you may be right with the list of guys it may not work out, but this is a company with infinite resources and although sometimes they are fucking retarded, have a keen eye for talent.

[#1-norm-fan]

If they really had a keen eye for talent, Johnny Curtis would be in the midst of breaking Bruno's title reign record right now, Goddammit.

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

they fill the gap "less" but it becomes less important they are stars of THAT magnitude as it becomes more and more about the brand.

I'm trying to think of a good metaphor for this but the words escape me as it remains on the tip of my tongue. The best I can say is it's like they're grandfathering in the branding with diminishing star power of nostalgia acts.

But then also, what the fuck do I know? They'll probably march Taker out there when he's 85-years-old to wrestle Seth Rollins when he's 45 due to lack of star power.

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

It's like right now The brand WWE scores a 20 in draw power, the nostalgia act is a 60.

Then with Cena maybe it's nostalgia act 50 vs brand appeal 30 then with Orton 40-30

Okay this is awful but it's the best I can do :'(

[Ruien]

Rollins is the next mega star.

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

clearly you've never seen him cut a promo :p

[Destor]

Rollins is the next mega star.
Rollins is a flash in the pan. His body isnt going to hold up.

[#1-norm-fan]

Reigns is probably the next "mega star". They're just gonna push the issue in the same manner they did with Cena when they crowd turned on him. Unfortunately Reigns has a fraction of the talent, charisma and mainstream appeal as Cena so... not good.

[Big Vic]

Rollins is the Daniel Bryan of wrestling. :shifty:

[Big Vic]

Reigns is probably the next "mega star". They're just gonna push the issue in the same manner they did with Cena when they crowd turned on him. Unfortunately Reigns has a fraction of the talent, charisma and mainstream appeal as Cena so... not good.
Which is why I don't watch Raw.

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

I don't get not turning Reigns heel. I mean heel in the classic sense not how he already is heel.

So I guess turn him face lol

[Destor]

I don't get not turning Reigns heel. I mean heel in the classic sense not how he already is heel.

So I guess turn him face lolThat would just flip whihc % boos and which cheers. Nothing would change.

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

It'd be considerably better tv. He'd fit the role more.

[Destor]

Debatable. Smarks dont buy near as much merch as marks.

[Destor]

(if you did the product would completely geared to you)

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

that doesn't mean better t.v.

[Destor]

It just means more money

[Destor]

Which is the point of the whole thing

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

You could argue, Roman getting over with the smarks a la new day or D Bry or Punk could boost his merch sales past just selling to markass bitches.

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

Since smarks will by your merch if you're a gangster ass mofo

[Destor]

Since smarks will by your merch if you're a gangster ass mofoThat doesnt hold up though. Makrs spend more on merch. The guys who have gotten over with both can sell to both sides of the isle but as stated you are turned Reigns "heel" so you're going to lose the marks as a revenue stream for Reigns merch. Turning him would be leaving money on the table.

[Destor]

Now in the long run it might work a la turning Rocky Miavia; but Rocky was panned by everyone smarks and marks alike.

[Destor]

(And just like with Cena and Reigns we see now just how wrong they were then)

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

a heel turn I think would long term bring Roman to the next level which is kind of what I'm getting at.

With Cena it would never have worked because he was well past that developmental phase. Reigns is still finding himself as a performer.

[Bad News Gertner]

I've spoken to a couple local indie wrestlers in my city and they all said Roman Reigns is ridiculously popular with kids. Nate Mattson (The Amazing N8) was doing a signing and asked all the kids in line who was their favourite wrestler and they pretty much all said Roman Reigns and it's like that everywhere he goes.

[Destor]

I've spoken to a couple local indie wrestlers in my city and they all said Roman Reigns is ridiculously popular with kids. Nate Mattson (The Amazing N8) was doing a signing and asked all the kids in line who was their favourite wrestler and they pretty much all said Roman Reigns and it's like that everywhere he goes.
100% fact

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

I never doubted that for a second. Kids like WHO YOU TELL THEM TO LIKE. I really dug Duke the Dumpster Drose when I was 8. I liked Virgil when I was 6.

The BIG STAR is the one that everyone likes.

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

I'm not you usual smark dick who thinks Dean Ambrose or Seth Rollins would be a better draw than Reigns. There's TONS of potential in Reigns, but IMO they are not maximizing that potential. He's a very good worker IMO just boring and vanilla

[Destor]

I never doubted that for a second. Kids like WHO YOU TELL THEM TO LIKE. I really dug Duke the Dumpster Drose when I was 8. I liked Virgil when I was 6.

The BIG STAR is the one that everyone likes.But agian the kids have more $ than anyone else

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

Which is okay short term business wise. But not the best as far as quality and long term drawing potential specifically for Roman.

[Destor]

Which is okay short term business wise. But not the best as far as quality and long term drawing potential specifically for Roman.

Long term kids have always been the best investment. We have decades of data showing that.

A short time as a "heel" might win over his detractors allowing for a unified front long term. I cant refute that. It might not and it might just be lost money. Who's to say.

And you still have the new wrinkle to the model that allows having a guy like Roman, the guy backed by the office, that allows undercard guys to get over with the smarks as well.

How much of the undercard are getting over because smarks a rebelling against the compant line? It's Reigns who facilitates that. The crowd being the baby and the office being the heel is a win win in my mind.

You get the merch out of Reigns with the kids and you get the merch out of the smarks and the some of the marks with the IWC darlings.

It's a good model...in theory at least. It's keeping them afloat until someone good comes along.

[Bad News Gertner]

I'm part of a local Wrestling Group on facebook. We go on wrestling road trips (indie and WWE events), attend all the local shows etc... now I know this is a small sample size (there's like 75 of us in the group of 500 who participate in these events) and the smarks are spending their money on indie wrestlers merch, not the WWE. And then there's myself who own a Ravishing Rick Rude shirt a Gorilla Monsoon shirt and an NWO shirt lol

[rez]

I'm part of a local Wrestling Group on facebook. We go on wrestling road trips (indie and WWE events), attend all the local shows etc... now I know this is a small sample size (there's like 75 of us in the group of 500 who participate in these events) and the smarks are spending their money on indie wrestlers merch, not the WWE. And then there's myself who own a Ravishing Rick Rude shirt a Gorilla Monsoon shirt and an NWO shirt lol

nerd

[Bad News Gertner]

Lol oh big time

[Cool King]

nerd

lukegallows.jpg

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

Long term kids have always been the best investment. We have decades of data showing that.

A short time as a "heel" might win over his detractors allowing for a unified front long term. I cant refute that. It might not and it might just be lost money. Who's to say.

And you still have the new wrinkle to the model that allows having a guy like Roman, the guy backed by the office, that allows undercard guys to get over with the smarks as well.

How much of the undercard are getting over because smarks a rebelling against the compant line? It's Reigns who facilitates that. The crowd being the baby and the office being the heel is a win win in my mind.

You get the merch out of Reigns with the kids and you get the merch out of the smarks and the some of the marks with the IWC darlings.

It's a good model...in theory at least. It's keeping them afloat until someone good comes along.

Owens is over and so is Jericho, not because of Roman.

The problem with Cena for instance is he was such a goody goody and had such a hard time that the kids who liked him didn't carry over into being teenagers/young adults.

[Stickman]

I am definitely in the minority here when I say I don't know if the in ring talent is as deep as it has ever been. A lot of the guys on the roster can only seem to follow a scripted match. Here and there you get glimpses of briliance but it is pretty rare. Gone are the days when two guys can get in the ring and just go. HBK is the best ever because he could wrestle anyone, any style and put on a good compelling match; regardless of how much time he has. Y2J is the closest we have now to this, AJ is up there also. What thise guys have in common is they perfected their craft over years in different companies and aren't "wwe trained."
I do like how they have brought in guys who are not wwe styled. I think KO is actually pretty damn good, he has a different style and knows how to sell. A big problem is a lot of the guys who can go aren't very big nor intimidating. When you as a fan feel like you can take someone they have a problem, and right now a lot of their guys look like skinny fat neck beards. A guy like Seth Rollins and Ambrose don't intimidate anybody and even 45 year old HBK looks bigger and more believable. Lesnar and Goldberg are over because you as a fan would not want to fight either of them.

I honestly think the wwe is in rough shape talentwise because they aren't deep with guys who can just go tear the house down. Unless you are Randy Savage and Ricky Steamboat you can't go out and script a masterpiece match and I feel like thats what they are trying to do nowaydays.

[Emperor Smeat]

I am definitely in the minority here when I say I don't know if the in ring talent is as deep as it has ever been. A lot of the guys on the roster can only seem to follow a scripted match. Here and there you get glimpses of briliance but it is pretty rare. Gone are the days when two guys can get in the ring and just go.

Main reason is because that is exactly what the WWE now wants when it comes to their roster and the idea almost no one can be bigger than the "brand." Lot easier for them to control the direction of stars and narrative if everything is heavily scripted.

Biggest example in recent times is the Cruisers. Had a lot more freedom to do things with the CWC which made it very entertaining while the division itself has struggled because of how heavy handed Vince and Creative have been with it.

[Stickman]

Main reason is because that is exactly what the WWE now wants when it comes to their roster and the idea almost no one can be bigger than the "brand." Lot easier for them to control the direction of stars and narrative if everything is heavily scripted.

Biggest example in recent times is the Cruisers. Had a lot more freedom to do things with the CWC which made it very entertaining while the division itself has struggled because of how heavy handed Vince and Creative have been with it.

I never watched the CWC and kind of kick myself for all they hype they brought. The CW division is awful, almost unwatchable.

[Maluco]

In ring work is at a peak for athleticism, but probably at an all time low in terms of psychology and story telling.

Matches that live long in the memory are the ones that told great stories and were unique for their situation.

Everything feels the same nowadays, not because the guys are not fantastic athletes, but because they wrestle the same match and their idea of switching it up is to add another high spot.

Reigns is a bit cardboard, but he is obviously a great athlete. What is not helping Reigns is that he has wrestled Rusev, then Owens/Jericho combos constantly over the last 6 months with little to no change in the story.

He is hardly being given gold to work with.

[Lock Jaw]

They should have never let THE RYBACK go

[RP]

Taking a look at WWE's current roster of contracted superstars it is, without question, the most talented and diverse acquisition of talent WWE has ever had.

Not even close.

[Stickman]

Back in the day everybody had a gimmick. Yes some gimmicks were complete jokes but at least they were different. Everybody is the same now. A guy like Cesaro who naturally got over, has talent, can sell, and can WRESTLE is left floundering because they can't figure anything out for him. Putting him with Shamus I think has helped Shamus more than anybody. So unfortunately now Cesaro is just another guy. I don't know, maybe he's a bad example for my point.

Gimmicks don't even need to be crazy. Look at the British Bulldog. His gimmick was he was a big strong Brit and he was so over. Owen Hart, younger brother of Bret, was awesome. You need in ring believable talent with some sort of story. Seth Rollins' story of getting injured and coming back is nothing. Roman Reigns' story is what? There's just no creativity and yes, a lot of that falls on the writers, but I think the talent has to bring something to the table too which most guys obviously aren't doing.

[RP]

I think Cena has become really good at the ring psych side of things. I think Aries is amazing at it. I think AJ can go with just about anyone like HBK. I'm not sold that Y2J can. His in ring work has become predictable and slow.

[#1-norm-fan]

Back in the day everybody had a gimmick. Yes some gimmicks were complete jokes but at least they were different. Everybody is the same now. A guy like Cesaro who naturally got over, has talent, can sell, and can WRESTLE is left floundering because they can't figure anything out for him. Putting him with Shamus I think has helped Shamus more than anybody. So unfortunately now Cesaro is just another guy. I don't know, maybe he's a bad example for my point.

Gimmicks don't even need to be crazy. Look at the British Bulldog. His gimmick was he was a big strong Brit and he was so over. Owen Hart, younger brother of Bret, was awesome. You need in ring believable talent with some sort of story. Seth Rollins' story of getting injured and coming back is nothing. Roman Reigns' story is what? There's just no creativity and yes, a lot of that falls on the writers, but I think the talent has to bring something to the table too which most guys obviously aren't doing.

It was much easier before for guys to have discernible personalities when they could go out and put their own personality into their promos. When there's writers writing the same paint-by-number promos for guys simply based on whether they're a heel or a face it's hard to stand out.

[Stickman]

I think Cena has become really good at the ring psych side of things. I think Aries is amazing at it. I think AJ can go with just about anyone like HBK. I'm not sold that Y2J can. His in ring work has become predictable and slow.

I agree with Y2J slowing down. But I am starting to wonder; are some guys now really just not very good? Like, maybe some guys are so shitty that nobody can make them look good? Not saying Ambrose is shitty per se, but I haven't really seen a decent match out of him, he's pretty generic with a few good high spots. His cage match with Jericho was pretty blah, but maybe just maybe he's not good enough? Just throwing thoughts out there....

[Ultra Mantis]

Ambrose's draw was always his promo work, which even he admits has been neutered by the terrible scripts he's given since he was called up. He seems unmotivated in his work, his ring attire looks like he makes no effort. Maybe having that creativity taken away from him has made him lazy. Maybe he's just an average worker once you strip away his indy persona.

His feud with Regal in FCW was pretty good, probably the best thing he's done as a singles guy under the WWE banner.

[RP]

I agree with Y2J slowing down. But I am starting to wonder; are some guys now really just not very good? Like, maybe some guys are so shitty that nobody can make them look good? Not saying Ambrose is shitty per se, but I haven't really seen a decent match out of him, he's pretty generic with a few good high spots. His cage match with Jericho was pretty blah, but maybe just maybe he's not good enough? Just throwing thoughts out there....

I think a lot of the wrestlers today are either scared to go full throttle or they are instructed not to go full throttle. Even watching AJ live.. it's rather slow developing some of his moves. Not as slow as the ppv shows for sure. His match with Ambrose at TLC was full throttle and i loved it.

A lot of these guys go so slow. But then that match between Neville and Gallagher at Fastlane was one of the best of the year. I dont know if they are instructed when to go and when not to or what. But it's very obvious when they dont go.

[Swiss Ultimate]

If Vince and the writing team all died in a plane crash...

[Stickman]

I think a lot of the wrestlers today are either scared to go full throttle or they are instructed not to go full throttle. Even watching AJ live.. it's rather slow developing some of his moves. Not as slow as the ppv shows for sure. His match with Ambrose at TLC was full throttle and i loved it.

A lot of these guys go so slow. But then that match between Neville and Gallagher at Fastlane was one of the best of the year. I dont know if they are instructed when to go and when not to or what. But it's very obvious when they dont go.

I think you nailed the Roman Reigns problem right there, he goes so slow before doing anything compelling in a match, which in turn makes him painful to watch. I honestly don't know how good Reigns is because he doesn't go. Is he instructed to not, or is he just not capable of rassling?

[Droford]

I wouldn't worry about the talent roster since it seems they are willing to sign just about everyone from everywhere these days.

[Ruien]

Why is this the best roster ever? Do you mean the middle of the pack? We use to have Angle, Benoit, and prime Brock all in the main event at the same time. Not to mention Rey, Benoit, he'll even Melenko, HHH, and a shit load of others at the same time.

This does not mean the people today do not have amazing skills but I don't understand why everyone thinks the current roster blows everyone away.

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

Why is this the best roster ever? Do you mean the middle of the pack? We use to have Angle, Benoit, and prime Brock all in the main event at the same time. Not to mention Rey, Benoit, he'll even Melenko, HHH, and a shit load of others at the same time.

This does not mean the people today do not have amazing skills but I don't understand why everyone thinks the current roster blows everyone away.

Good point

[Destor]

Ruin leaving Eddie off his list breaks my heart.

Angle, benoit, eddie, hbk, lesnar, jericho, mysterio, edge, rhino, rvd, the hardys, the dudleys, wgtt, hell the undertaker, orton, cena

Thats 2003-05ish

[Ruien]

Could have sworn I put Eddie on since I was thinking of the Smackdown 6 when I thought of the post. But ya, you got the point :)

[Stickman]

Ruin leaving Eddie off his list breaks my heart.

Angle, benoit, eddie, hbk, lesnar, jericho, mysterio, edge, rhino, rvd, the hardys, the dudleys, wgtt, hell the undertaker, orton, cena

Thats 2003-05ish

I will take that talent roster all day every day over who we have now. Frig off with those people saying its better now.

[Stickman]

If the talent now was so good why can't anyone get a 1-2-3 after a finishing move? #itsstillrealtome.