In the dynamic world of wrestling entertainment, WWE remains a juggernaut, but not without its fair share of criticism. Vince Russo, a seasoned voice in wrestling narrative crafting, has recently voiced significant concerns over the direction of WWE’s show booking. His insights offer a stark look at what might be ailing one of the most prominent entities in sports entertainment today.
A Misguided Focus?
During an episode of Writing with Russo, the former WWE writer expressed his dissatisfaction with how the creative team is currently handling the show’s narratives. According to Russo, there seems to be an overwhelming influence from a vocal minority on social media, which may not necessarily represent the broader audience’s views.
“Zero. I wouldn’t even look at it. I didn’t look at it when I was working. You know, when I was working at the tail end, Prodigy was starting, and AOL was starting, all that stuff was just starting. Chris, I wouldn’t even look at it. You got those people. Those people are not going anywhere. You have got to get the people that are not watching,” Russo remarked.
This statement sheds light on a potential oversight by WWE—prioritizing feedback from a segment of fans who are already engaged, rather than expanding their reach to attract new viewers. The challenge lies in balancing the expectations of long-time fans while innovating to draw in fresh eyes.
The Creative Conundrum
While WWE has had its moments of brilliance, such as the unexpected outcomes at big events like WrestleMania, there’s a sentiment that these are few and far between. The predictability of some storylines has occasionally led to viewer fatigue. Russo highlighted instances like Cody Rhodes’ defeat to Roman Reigns, which, although shocking, might not be enough to sustain a diverse audience’s interest.
Furthermore, Russo pointed out the risks of stagnation in another discussion on Writing with Russo, using the signings of wrestlers like Penta and Rey Fenix as examples. “The bastardizing of the product has been going on for a very long time. And I am telling you, bro, I don’t care what anybody says, a bad television product is going to catch up with them. I am just telling you. I don’t know when; it could be 3 years from now. I don’t know when it’s going to be. But I am sorry, there is no way you are gonna continue to put on a bad product and do this kind of business.”
What’s Next for WWE?
The future of WWE’s show booking remains a hot topic. Will the Stamford-based promotion take heed of critiques like those from Russo and pivot towards more inclusive and engaging content creation, or will they continue down a path that might lead to a dwindling viewer base?
As the debate rages on, the wrestling community watches closely. Will WWE find the right balance between appeasing hardcore fans and attracting new ones, or will they continue to wrestle with their current strategies? Only time will tell if they can pin down a winning formula or if they need a drastic rethink to stay at the top of the wrestling world.
I am a writer with a passion for technology and gaming. I write about a variety of subjects, including Esports, Games, Shows, and Sports. I create engaging and informative content for Hiptoro.