Why Are WWE Not Trying To Cash In On The Young Adult Trend?

[Next Level was WRONG]

Divergent, City Of Bones, Twilight, The Host, Hunger Games, etc.

Does it surprise anyone else that WWE hasn't taken the time to hire some attractive, athletic models that are between 18-23, train them, have them work with more experienced talent to make them look good and put them in a lot of storylines that all revolve around romance and angst?

Considering the sheer amount of money these films have been making (from a surprisingly large group of demograpgics) and how at least two of the examples I listed above will still probably have sequels coming out in the next few years, I'm very surprised WWE haven't attempted to do something similar. They already have pretty much the dream set up for these types of stories with men and women working together in close proximity and constant action and danger. Also, with the success of Divergent and Hunger Games they wouldn't need anything supernatural and the acting doesn't even necessarily have to be that much better than usual either.

Basically, what if they seperated a part of the show to highlight younger talent that could pass as teenagers and give them romance-heavy storylines and tried to reach out to the YA audience? Could it work?

[AFN: Judge Shred]

Mar 31, 2014 18:50:37 GMT -5 Next Level was WRONG said:

Twilight, City Of Bones, Divergent, Hunger Games, etc.

Does it surprise anyone else that WWE hasn't taken the time to hire some attractive, athletic models that are between 18-23, train them, have them work with more experienced talent to make them look good and put them in a lot of storylines that all revolve around romance and angst?

Considering the sheer amount of money these films have been making (from a surprisingly large group of demograpgics) and how at least two of the examples I listed above will still probably have sequels coming out in the next few years, I'm very surprised WWE haven't attempted to do something similar. They already have pretty much the dream set up for these types of stories with men and women working together in close proximity and constant action and danger. Also, with the success of Divergent and Hunger Games they wouldn't need anything supernatural and the acting doesn't even necessarily have to be that much better than usual either.

Basically, what if they seperated a part of the show to highlight younger talent that could pass as teenagers and give them romance-heavy storylines and tried to reach out to the YA audience? Could it work?

So... The Brood?

[Crappler El 0 M]

They were actually ahead of the curb for once with Kevin Thorn and Ariel who were said to frequent 'Bite Clubs.'

[Sparkybob]

Well odds are those 20 year olds will probably be shitty wrestlers so any wrestling in those angles will suck. And if they can't wrestle, than no point of giving them any big screen time to get any demo to watch Raw.

[Next Level was WRONG]

No. No supernatural gimmicks. More than that. A separate show or separate part of the show involving younger, attractive wrestlers similar to the kind of actors in those young adult movies.

Basically take a chunk of roster space and devote it to males and females who would skew towards the teenage girl demographics and give them narratives that you would find in these types of book and films. ( Teenage angst, Love triangles, Soul mates, Tortured heroes, Destiny.)

[Next Level was WRONG]

Mar 31, 2014 19:41:57 GMT -5 Sparkybob said:

Well odds are those 20 year olds will probably be shitty wrestlers so any wrestling in those angles will suck. And if they can't wrestle, than no point of giving them any big screen time to get any demo to watch Raw.

Hence "have them work with more experienced talent to make them look good". Plus, if they are signed at 18 they would have a year to two years worth of experience when they appear. They would get by fine.

[Deleted]

Thank god they havent. That sounds f***ing awful.

[Ragnal]

Because as bad as most wrestling plots can get, it's not necessary.

Partly because WWE tried a few times in the past with romance plots, and they either failed, turned goofy, or ended up with Christian jobbing out after a few months rehabbing. Partly because, and I'd hate to admit this, wrestling is still of a "manly" psychology of big dudes beating the snot out of one another, and something most guys turn their noses at is romance plots.

Not that romance plots are bad, I just dislike them.

[Bub (BLM)]

I think a gimmick that was a parody pf all that could work.

[SeVeN: #TheBadGuy.]

Mar 31, 2014 19:46:18 GMT -5 @ambrosefan said:

Thank god they havent. That sounds f***ing awful.

Took the words right out of my mouth. Its bad enough that those movies exist, I don't want a bunch of glittery emo kids acting out a tragic romance on a wrestling show.

[gangstalicious]

I don't think that would resonate with the WWE's predominant male audience.

[Reflecto]

Most of the people playing the 18-23 year olds in YA movies are in their mid-late 20s to early-30s anyway, which is about the same age as rookies anyway...so where's the difference?

[Marvelously Mediocre]

Roman Reigns is enough hotness for any female, not to mention Dean and Seth. I'll be in my bunk.

[MrBRulzOK]

Because anytime the WWE tries to base a character off something that's current, one of two things happen.

A: It's completely wretched and awful because they don't understand what it is that makes that sort of stuff work outside of wrestling.

B: It actually does work somehow, but Vince eventually decides to scrap it because he doesn't understand the appeal and thus believes the fans won't either.

[Next Level was WRONG]

Mar 31, 2014 20:02:38 GMT -5 Ragnal said:

...and something most guys turn their noses at is romance plots.

Mar 31, 2014 20:22:38 GMT -5 gangstalicious said:

I don't think that would resonate with the WWE's predominant male audience.

That's the point, it wouldn't be for them. WWE could be engaging a part of their audience that they've never been able to keep before by simply emulating the biggest trend and it'd be ridiculously easy for them to do it. They could start with one of their show's, heavily market it to teenagers and use it as an experiment.

Mar 31, 2014 20:25:49 GMT -5 Reflecto said:

Most of the people playing the 18-23 year olds in YA movies are in their mid-late 20s to early-30s anyway, which is about the same age as rookies anyway...so where's the difference?

Because wrestlers have only ever played their real ages. Unless WWE can find a way to smudge it without people finding out they would have to find people who genuinely that young in order for the audience to live vicariously through them. There's a reason why the actors playing the main characters of these movies are usually the youngest.

[mrjl]

well, in the 80's the wrestling world did have some heartthrob style tag teams. It surprised me that they don't do anything like that now with someone like Justin Gabriel.

[Deleted]

They totally need to make a Young Adult series where Triple is torn between Stephanie McMahon, his love of professional wrestling, and his desire to get to the top on his own.

Side characters are his best friend Londrick, The Kliq, and a wise wolf that can talk.

[Old Jack Burton]

The Wyatts are pretty much there to appeal to the 15-23 audience.

Also,

[Wrestling Curmudgeon]

Keep that tween crap on soap operas and off of WWE.

[Next Level was WRONG]

Mar 31, 2014 22:34:48 GMT -5 Old Jack Burton said:

Also,
NXT

NXT is where my idea originated from, honestly.


Basically, Imagine NXT but with:

- Every storyline involving female-male interaction.
- Several romantic storylines at once.
- Males and females being given equal importance.
- Narrative that play out more like movie arcs than wrestling angles.
- A roster that is skewed about 6-7 years younger.
- The main eventers generally being between 21-25.
- Around 40-50% of the roster being model attractive.

That's essentially how I would try to capitalise on it.