Preaching to the choir with this broken record...

**Batsu** · 02-12-2006, 05:45 AM

...but really, isn't it apparent...

....that WWE has hit an all-time low? It's hard to get into a lot of their programming nowadays, even though there are flashes here and there that make the show special. After watching this week's offering, it's just getting worse. I think it's been on a steady decline since the InVasion turned into a Vince McMahon ego-booster, though when the brands split, SmackDown had some really entertaining TV, in spite of the limitations put on by Vince and Co.

The "dirt sheets" are all pointing the finger at Vince and Steph, and while it may not be easy to prove how valid they are, if they really have their hands in creative as much as the "dirt sheets" say they do, then it's really showing and needs to stop.

Does anyone have any interest in seeing HBK versus Vince McMahon, whatever crap they're planning to do with Orlando Jordan, or whatever "Shock TV" even they're trying to prop up? It seems like it's bring up X-Pac heat more than anything else, if it gets a reaction at all....especially in the case of the Vince vs HBK stuff.

I don't have much of a problem with the current champions save for the fact, that especially with Cena, they've taken their collective "edge" and discarded most of it for some generic, crowd-pleasing crap.

The Undertaker: You know, I really like the guy, but I think even the Undertaker himself is growing tired of the way he's being portrayed on TV. At first, I wasn't mad that the Undertaker had become somewhat of a median between Biker-Taker aka "Mark" (they should have never said his name on TV) and the Undertaker of old, but it seems Vince wants to turn back the clock and have all the ridiculous light shows and props to go along with it. It sucks, really.

In-ring action: I think it's high time the piledriver ban is lifted, not to mention the restrictions on cruiserweight matches. If injuries are the issue, look no further than Batista and Kid Kash as to how banning moves outright can't stop injuries from happening. If it happens, it happens -- but wrestlers should be able to have some input on what kind of matches they put on. I'm not saying that HHH should go Ganso Bombing people or anything. But obviously, no piledrivers to Benoit, or any other wrestler with neck problems. Bret Hart piledrove people for 20 years and hurt no one. You mean to say that they don't trust a guy like Kurt Angle to do the same? Vince must be allergic to "cool" wrestling moves. I've seen more innovation come out of the Women's division than anywhere else in the past year, Victoria usually being the one responsible. I've seen nothing but horrible powerslams and crap like that parading as finishers as of late -- some of that crap wouldn't even fly in 1975....

Booking: Why is it that Chris Benoit and Booker T, both former World Champions, must compete on the No. 2 belt for the SmackDown brand instead of gunning for Angle? Shouldn't Matt Hardy, or Orlando Jordan be feuding over it instead? Why has it taken this long for Randy Orton to hover near the main event (rightfully; I'm not going to count that "he only one so Vince could spite Brock" reign)? Why is Ric Flair the Intercontinental Champ still? Shelton and Carlito, clearly the guys at that belt's level, should be battling it out. Where are the tag teams?

I won't even talk about the Eddie exploitation; it's been discussed at length before, and I don't really need to retread it.

It just seems more than apparent that Vince is delusional, and as a result, the shows seem just that much.

For all the talk about Bret Hart being "big enough" to let him do the DVD set, Vince has to show that he can be the same. The endless stereotypes, horrendous gimmicks (though, I think I like the Boogeyman. He doesn't even have to wrestle, really), the reliance on shock TV, and the refusal to let wrestlers that were popular elsewhere, or on their own accord, get pushed and make him more money....are pretty ridiculous.

Even with TNA around, WWE is basically the only show in town, and they're just getting too complacent.

I think the biggest problem is that WWE doesn't even TRY to be believable anymore; they insult the intelligence of their viewers pretty badly now IMO; just because they know it's predetermined doesn't mean you have to be beyond silly.

This isn't really a "how would you book it?" post, this is just a rant. This time, it really seems like it's for real.

02-12-2006, 05:45 AM	#1
Batsu Capcom's Corporate Champ Posts: 2,571	Preaching to the choir with this broken record... ...but really, isn't it apparent... ....that WWE has hit an all-time low? It's hard to get into a lot of their programming nowadays, even though there are flashes here and there that make the show special. After watching this week's offering, it's just getting worse. I think it's been on a steady decline since the InVasion turned into a Vince McMahon ego-booster, though when the brands split, SmackDown had some really entertaining TV, in spite of the limitations put on by Vince and Co. The "dirt sheets" are all pointing the finger at Vince and Steph, and while it may not be easy to prove how valid they are, if they really have their hands in creative as much as the "dirt sheets" say they do, then it's really showing and needs to stop. Does anyone have any interest in seeing HBK versus Vince McMahon, whatever crap they're planning to do with Orlando Jordan, or whatever "Shock TV" even they're trying to prop up? It seems like it's bring up X-Pac heat more than anything else, if it gets a reaction at all....especially in the case of the Vince vs HBK stuff. I don't have much of a problem with the current champions save for the fact, that especially with Cena, they've taken their collective "edge" and discarded most of it for some generic, crowd-pleasing crap. The Undertaker: You know, I really like the guy, but I think even the Undertaker himself is growing tired of the way he's being portrayed on TV. At first, I wasn't mad that the Undertaker had become somewhat of a median between Biker-Taker aka "Mark" (they should have never said his name on TV) and the Undertaker of old, but it seems Vince wants to turn back the clock and have all the ridiculous light shows and props to go along with it. It sucks, really. In-ring action: I think it's high time the piledriver ban is lifted, not to mention the restrictions on cruiserweight matches. If injuries are the issue, look no further than Batista and Kid Kash as to how banning moves outright can't stop injuries from happening. If it happens, it happens -- but wrestlers should be able to have some input on what kind of matches they put on. I'm not saying that HHH should go Ganso Bombing people or anything. But obviously, no piledrivers to Benoit, or any other wrestler with neck problems. Bret Hart piledrove people for 20 years and hurt no one. You mean to say that they don't trust a guy like Kurt Angle to do the same? Vince must be allergic to "cool" wrestling moves. I've seen more innovation come out of the Women's division than anywhere else in the past year, Victoria usually being the one responsible. I've seen nothing but horrible powerslams and crap like that parading as finishers as of late -- some of that crap wouldn't even fly in 1975.... Booking: Why is it that Chris Benoit and Booker T, both former World Champions, must compete on the No. 2 belt for the SmackDown brand instead of gunning for Angle? Shouldn't Matt Hardy, or Orlando Jordan be feuding over it instead? Why has it taken this long for Randy Orton to hover near the main event (rightfully; I'm not going to count that "he only one so Vince could spite Brock" reign)? Why is Ric Flair the Intercontinental Champ still? Shelton and Carlito, clearly the guys at that belt's level, should be battling it out. Where are the tag teams? I won't even talk about the Eddie exploitation; it's been discussed at length before, and I don't really need to retread it. It just seems more than apparent that Vince is delusional, and as a result, the shows seem just that much. For all the talk about Bret Hart being "big enough" to let him do the DVD set, Vince has to show that he can be the same. The endless stereotypes, horrendous gimmicks (though, I think I like the Boogeyman. He doesn't even have to wrestle, really), the reliance on shock TV, and the refusal to let wrestlers that were popular elsewhere, or on their own accord, get pushed and make him more money....are pretty ridiculous. Even with TNA around, WWE is basically the only show in town, and they're just getting too complacent. I think the biggest problem is that WWE doesn't even TRY to be believable anymore; they insult the intelligence of their viewers pretty badly now IMO; just because they know it's predetermined doesn't mean you have to be beyond silly. This isn't really a "how would you book it?" post, this is just a rant. This time, it really seems like it's for real.