Is the WWE heading toward disaster?

[Swiss Ultimate]

Originally Posted by Xero Also remember that even when the Attitude Era was starting to get red hot (late 97/early 98), RAW ratings were treading around the same spot and Nitro was still constantly beating them. It takes a while for people to take notice.

Most of what you say makes a lot of sense. I just want to point out that the dynamics are a lot different now. During that period of time WCW had a shit-ton of loyal viewers and their product was constantly in the News. In addition to the loyal WCW viewers who never watched WWE, there were the casual fans that would switch channels throughout the broadcasts.

Most people who watch TNA also watch WWE. I think the audience for wrestling has shrunk dramatically since 1997 and I don't believe that it was UFC that took 'em all. I think wrestling for a lot of people was just a fad or a phase.

I even think the WWE realizes that they're going to need to create some main-stream buzz to recreate the boom. I guess we'll see if this new strategy of theirs will have an impact by Mania and this time next year.

[Iop]

Originally Posted by DeathtotheSwiss Most of what you say makes a lot of sense. I just want to point out that the dynamics are a lot different now. During that period of time WCW had a shit-ton of loyal viewers and their product was constantly in the News. In addition to the loyal WCW viewers who never watched WWE, there were the casual fans that would switch channels throughout the broadcasts. Most people who watch TNA also watch WWE. I think the audience for wrestling has shrunk dramatically since 1997 and I don't believe that it was UFC that took 'em all. I think wrestling for a lot of people was just a fad or a phase. I even think the WWE realizes that they're going to need to create some main-stream buzz to recreate the boom. I guess we'll see if this new strategy of theirs will have an impact by Mania and this time next year.

This is defiunetely true I know some ppl who used to watch wrestling in the late 90's in junior high and high school but "quit" watching it later because they decided its not cool or "stupid".

[Damndirty]

Originally Posted by DeathtotheSwiss Most of what you say makes a lot of sense. I just want to point out that the dynamics are a lot different now. During that period of time WCW had a shit-ton of loyal viewers and their product was constantly in the News. In addition to the loyal WCW viewers who never watched WWE, there were the casual fans that would switch channels throughout the broadcasts. Most people who watch TNA also watch WWE. I think the audience for wrestling has shrunk dramatically since 1997 and I don't believe that it was UFC that took 'em all. I think wrestling for a lot of people was just a fad or a phase. I even think the WWE realizes that they're going to need to create some main-stream buzz to recreate the boom. I guess we'll see if this new strategy of theirs will have an impact by Mania and this time next year.

You are correct! I was in middle school by the time Stone Cold became champion in 98' and I was noticing people who were not wrestling fans became fans because of him (not limited to, though), including me (though Undertaker was and always will be my favorite). I know the NWO angle had definitely gotten people to turn people's head towards this direction for a glance, but Austin's antics was the thing keeping them there.
It was absolutely a major fad during that time, and like every fad, there is a time when people shrug their shoulders and move on to the next big thing, which is what was beginning to happen a few years after when I noticed people quit talking about it. It actually made me feel alone when I was one of the only ones still watching it, and even I had a hiatus period from watching (which I really regret now after hearing all that happened).
Wrestling can be a trend again, maybe even bigger than their best days, but here's the problem, they can't do it on their own, they need the alternative wrestling promotion/s to compete with. Both WWE and TNA, and maybe ROH, can bring people back into it by working together (but not letting people know it). These companies not only need to quit the cliches and burying of good talent, but they may just have to renovate the way these performances and stories are portrayed, like making them almost like a movie and doing more optical illusions and light effects to bring a new dimension to it.
I was beginning to see this being done with the whole conspiracy theory storyline that ended very badly with the majority of the talent walking out. It would have worked had they had the Anonymous Raw General manager be the same person behind the shit to set up HHH, but he/she just disappeared. When they did the walk out, I thought it was done way WAY too prematurely, it should have been done much later on and not just have the reasons told by only the heels (plus Jerry Lawler). And then talking about the reemergence of Brodus Clay, and then acting like everybody forgot it. Then the Jonah Hill advertisement for an appearance that never happened. Somebody is fucking up the storylines and promotions, so obviously, somebody backstage needs to get the boot or get their shit straight.