Why Doesnt WWE Want More?

[-Lithium-]

So I was thinking about WWE and how its pretty much never as good as it could be, and I just cant help but think, why? Whats wrong with hiring the best writers/wrestlers/production team they can get with all that money Its not like they lose any of the fanbase, possibly only a little money in the short term by hiring better writers. They have nothing to lose really, so why dont they do it?

[Mr. Mediocre]

One reason that immediately springs to mind is that they're happy with their current ratings and know they have a solid ratings base that will never go away with the current product...changing it up means that if they fail, their ratings could sink lower and risk cancellation...or that expectations could be raised unrealistically.

[-Lithium-]

Yeah I really think there just scared of any failure. Even if its short term, they'll panic...

[BHB]

Vince fears change. WWE likes to keep the status quo.

[Bubble Lead]

The audience isn't demanding it.

[Bo Rida]

They spoiled us all during the attidude era to the point many people would barely react to Jeff Hardy being thrown off a ladder that was on the top of HITC through a table covered in thumbtacks taht was also on fire, only to make a comeback beating Cena for the unified world title at wrestlemania thanks to a Bret Hart run-in.

WWE don't want to make the same mistake with the newer fans so give them a constant stream of averageness so the crowd are happy when something slightly interesting happens.

[kwydjebo]

In theory, this sounds likea decent idea, but in practicality, I'd question it.

First where would one find these "Better Writers"? One of my favorite writers (He's writen screenplays, books, comics, TV. etc mostly scifi, fantasty etc.) is Peter David. I don't know if he'd be much of a wrestling writer (Although if Helms were the Hurricane again).
Maybe Stephen King or John Grisham need some extra cash..... ;D

Okay that was rude, but the point is, how do you tell if a guy is a good writer for a wrestling show, until you try him out, and there ain't a lot of places to do that. My understanding is they got professional writers now (One presumes they'd hire decent writers, not hacks), yet clearly there is a lot to be desired on the Creative front.

Secondly, and more importantly, I question how the writing and booking interact currently. Once upon a time (As I understand it) you booked a feud, and then wrote to fill in the storyline as to match the booking (Cena will return at rumble, win and face Randy at Mania. Okay writers, come up with an angle for why Randy is scared and why Cena hates Randy). Some days (So I've heard) it goes the other way. Who is doing the writing, and who is doing the booking and who decides who's going over? Does booking drive the writing or vice versa ("We want Cena to win, but story wise, Orton winning is better for the Dichotomy and ironic sense of humor")

Third, who is running the show? Once upon a time it was Vinny Mac. His company, his call, all major decisions went through him.
Problem of course, Vinny ain't always got a feel for the will of the people (Recall the story of how Vinny didn't like the "Blair Witch" parody because he had never heard of the movie, and therefore no one else would get it, despite the insane popularity of it at the time.). Is he still top dog? Is Stef the head man now? If things still work this way then someone has final say and someone will decide certain segments aren't good enough (When fans may disagree). Best writing in the world won't help if you've got awful booking, or a boss who decides to ignore it, or performers who can't pull it off. (Can Jericho pull off the badass who wants JBLs blood?)

I think Mr. Mediocre got it right "They're still making money so why worry" . SUre they could be making a lot more, but rocking the boat, they could make a lot less. The "Attitude" era wasn't born because Vince was following the will of the fans, it was because Vince Recognized that if he didn't shake things up and bring fans back, he was history.

[willywonka666]

They're resting on their laurels. That's the biggest reason they need competition. They need the shit scared out of them.

[Tapout]

ravenm said:

So I was thinking about WWE and how its pretty much never as good as it could be, and I just cant help but think, why? Whats wrong with hiring the best writers/wrestlers/production team they can get with all that money Its not like they lose any of the fanbase, possibly only a little money in the short term by hiring better writers. They have nothing to lose really, so why dont they do it?

The best writers and production teams money can buy are in Hollywood, and probably out of Vinny Mac's budget.

In order to have a successful company, you have to create something called "profits." You make a certain amount of income, called "revenue," then shovel out some of that income after paying your expenses, or "costs." What you have left of your revenue after paying your costs is your profit. To have the most profit possible, you need to take in a lot of revenue, but also reduce your costs. Paying a higher cost for better production probably won't bring in enough new revenue to offset the cost...so things stay as they are. They probably should.

[Ben Wyatt]

willywonka666 said:

They're resting on their laurels. That's the biggest reason they need competition. They need the crap scared out of them.

Winner.

Deep in Vince's heart, he knows he misses someone breathing down his neck

[ilggant]

sidesalad said:

They spoiled us all during the attidude era to the point many people would barely react to Jeff Hardy being thrown off a ladder that was on the top of HITC through a table covered in thumbtacks taht was also on fire, only to make a comeback beating Cena for the unified world title at wrestlemania thanks to a Bret Hart run-in.

lol, Jesus H Christ, dude ;D

[Erik Majorwitz]

theslickness said:

willywonka666 said:

They're resting on their laurels. That's the biggest reason they need competition. They need the crap scared out of them.

Winner.

Deep in Vince's heart, he knows he misses someone breathing down his neck

Whoa, time out. Vince has a heart?

[bitteroldman]

Let's also not forget that the McMahon family is making money hand over fist with the current situation. VKM owns 65% of the stock and anytime a stock dividend is issued it's literally a license for him to print money. BTW, the class B stock in question I'm referring to is the only publicly owned and traded stock and has no voting or ownership rights. So there's no possibility of a stockholder revolt to replace the management team.

[BoilerRoomBrawler]

Give TNA time and they may usher in a new era, but right now they are smurfing themselves almost WCW style as far as booking and storylines.

[Loki]

Why would a "better" writer want to work for a wrestling show anyway???

Let's see... is it better writing an episode of a successful sitcom, a script for a movie featuring a 7-figures-Stars, or is it better writing an angle about two big men in spandex who [pretend to] beat the crap out of eachother for a fake Title?

Really a hard choice to make

Let's face it: even the best characters in wrestling NEED to be monodimensional, or at best in 2D.
In the end it's always about "I'll beat you up because:

a) I want your title
b) I want your woman
c) I don't like you for other reasons
d) I want revenge for something you did to me

Not the most appealing show to write for if you ask me.

[casualobserver]

Vince: Get me Steven Spielberg.

Shane: I'm afraid he's not available.

Vince: Then get me his non-union Mexican counterpart!

[waffleofpower]

loki said:

Why would a "better" writer want to work for a wrestling show anyway???

Let's see... is it better writing an episode of a successful sitcom, a script for a movie featuring a 7-figures-Stars, or is it better writing an angle about two big men in spandex who [pretend to] beat the crap out of eachother for a fake Title?

Really a hard choice to make

Let's face it: even the best characters in wrestling NEED to be monodimensional, or at best in 2D.
In the end it's always about "I'll beat you up because:

a) I want your title
b) I want your woman
c) I don't like you for other reasons
d) I want revenge for something you did to me

Not the most appealing show to write for if you ask me.

Raven VS Dreamer was a very three dimensional feud. I'll take that over "I'm going to jump this guy for no reason".

[-Lithium-]

loki said:

Why would a "better" writer want to work for a wrestling show anyway???

Let's see... is it better writing an episode of a successful sitcom, a script for a movie featuring a 7-figures-Stars, or is it better writing an angle about two big men in spandex who [pretend to] beat the crap out of eachother for a fake Title?

Really a hard choice to make

Let's face it: even the best characters in wrestling NEED to be monodimensional, or at best in 2D.
In the end it's always about "I'll beat you up because:

a) I want your title
b) I want your woman
c) I don't like you for other reasons
d) I want revenge for something you did to me

Not the most appealing show to write for if you ask me.

There are great writers out there who would love to be able to write as a professionals. Just gotta take the time and effort to find them. I guess the questions answered already, but still up for discussion...

[Bram wants to 'urt you]

y2ejm said:

theslickness said:

Winner.

Deep in Vince's heart, he knows he misses someone breathing down his neck

Whoa, time out. Vince has a heart?

Yes, yes he does. He keeps it in a glass jar on his desk and uses it as a paperweight.

[Mac]

Storylines have always been repetitive. But with two big shows a week the repetition stand out even more. I think during the WCW v WWF days a big draw was the fact that its possible for one superstar to go to another show. X-Pac coming back to WWF was a big deal and he's dead weight. That helped peak interest in shows and keep the talent somewhat fresh.