Unearthing the long lost treasure of WWE

On Sunday 29th January this year I did something that I hadn’t previously done for a decade.

Not since Summerslam of 2002 had I purchased and watched a live WWE PPV, something of an extravagance that I was convinced I would never commit to again. I was of the opinion that a WWE PPV could never possibly offer value for money at the princely sum of £15. But in recent times that opinion has changed, and in the aftermath of the Royal Rumble event, it has got me thinking about the reasons why?

My teenage years conveniently coincided with the much lauded “Attitude Era”, so I was naturally a huge WWE fan at that time – as it seems every testosterone spewing male in my school was. Even my RE teacher, a 50 year old, dry, former town mayor revealed himself to be a super fan, much to the excited delight of his class who adorned him with instant, unconditional respect where once they held nothing but contempt. At this time WWE seemed all-encompassing, and the only worthwhile line of conversation amongst my peers.

But just as the Attitude Era correlated with my youth, so too did the succeeding decline in the WWE product go hand in hand with the acceleration of my ageing into adulthood. The interest not only waned, but completely disappeared – and that Summerslam of 2002 would turnout to be the watershed moment in my giving up on WWE for good.

Or so I thought.

2011 has turned out to be the year that reeled me back into Vince McMahon’s money spinning clutches, and 2012 has seen me willingly put my hand in my pocket and once more make my personal contributions to his ever burgeoning bank account. So what has changed?

THAT promo

Let’s deal with the obvious immediately. CM Punk’s promo has been covered in more articles and forum discussions than anyone could possibly have time to read, so I’m reticent to add too much additional clutter to wade through. But the CM Punk promo (you know – the one where they cut his mic off? Anyone remember it?), truly was a WWE changing event. I received texts on “that” promo from friends I haven’t spoken to for years. Some had been married and had children in the meantime and not text me the good news, yet this one solitary CM Punk promo was deemed newsworthy enough. Something had clearly changed that night.

It would be unfair to allow CM Punk all the credit for winning my viewership back, because I had started to watch the odd show, or youtube the occasional clip already. I’d always been a member of the 606v2 forum, and BBC’s 606 beforehand, and was a keen contributor to the Wrestling sections of each – even though my discussion was almost exclusively reserved for the long since archived wrestling moments. However, as a result I wasn’t completely ignorant to the goings on of WWE, and was aware of when a big event needed to be watched, though these often turned out to be anti-climactic. But the CM Punk promo was anything but, and was above and beyond a big event. That moment, nestled unexpectedly and uncomfortably at the end of a regular Monday Night Raw proved that wrestling still had a voice (and proved that several of my old schoolmates at least were still listening to it). And from that moment the tone of this voice has changed, I would say, dramatically –the addictiveness and interest in each weekly episode having returned for me as a result.

Ever since that moment where Raw was “taken off air”, the WWE product has exhibited a marked improvement and has indeed changed, even if the change agent himself hasn’t.

Genuinely Likeable Superstars

Which neatly nudges me onto another reason I believe the WWE is increasingly more watchable than during the mid “noughties” doldrums; the Superstars themselves!

When I’m watching WWE today, I find I have a genuine affection for almost all of those on show, far beyond the imposed heel or face character being portrayed. Not only do I want the Superstars on show today to put on a great show, I want to see them do well, prosper, and achieve what each deserves, and perhaps enjoy the show they are putting on for themselves. I don’t think this was a feeling I had beyond that watershed moment of Summerslam 2002.

The main event scene after this time was dominated by the likes of Triple H, Batista, Randy Orton and Shawn Michaels, and whilst some of those individuals’ wrestling talents cannot be disputed, I feel each have an “unlikeability” which even though is well documented in undoubtedly embellished backstage stories, I think shines through in their on-screen performances. Just like I wouldn’t pay to see a band that I had no empathy with – I think I got to the stage where I didn’t feel like I wanted to watch these particular superstars anymore, nor invest any emotion in them week in week out. Around each of those men exists an aura of arrogance and a belief of deservedness which is grossly unappealing. Whilst I don’t feel the current crop of main event stars exude this arrogance at all.

CM Punk, The Miz, Sheamus, Dolph Ziggler, Wade Barrett, Daniel Bryan, Kofi Kingston – to name but a few, strike me as wrestling fans themselves and even fans of wrestling fans. I enjoy watching each of these guys because they put on a great show without the ego-massaging, self-servicing that was always apparent in the former list. And of this new era of unassuming individuals I am also keen to include John Cena. The “Superman” has indeed been the beneficiary of some extremely generous booking throughout his career, and he has been the headline WWE megastar for a long time now, yet I still get the impression of a likeable person, who wants to put on the best show possible – particularly for his own fans, even if these are in the minority these days. I respect Cena and the current crop of talent, whereas I’m not sure I did the previous incumbents of WWE’s main event scene.

Obviously one can’t mention John Cena at present, without also alluding to The Rock. And for me, the return of The Rock is providing me with evidence that CM Punk’s promo, and its resultant change effect on the WWE product which has hooked me in once again, has nothing to do with a perceived movement towards a more Attitude like delivery. Because since his “comeback”, The Rock has, in my opinion, exhibited the same arrogance, and the same undesirability as those mid-noughties superstars, and as such, I find myself completely uninterested in his performance. The return of The Rock has in fact made the attitude of the Attitude era seem redundant and irrelevant and proven a return to that style is not required.

The Return of “Mr. McMahon

Though as one relic of the Attitude Era goes about tarnishing his legacy, one has made an illustrious return – “Mr. McMahon” - though in a completely different shape and form, in the guise of Mr. John Laurinaitis (The Executive Vice-President of Talent Relations, and the Interim General Manager of Monday Night Raw – no less). That’s not to say that I find John Laurinaitis a rip-off of Vince McMahon’s celebrated heel-boss character, because he offers something refreshing and new to the role. But the idea remains the same. And it’s an idea that will always be relevant.

The power figure is such an entertaining concept in WWE, because it has this relevancy that will never go away. Everyone knows what it is like to have a boss who is annoying, who is power-hungry and who thinks they are funny when they are anything but. Everyone can identify with it, and therefore appreciate it as a story. WWE were bemoaned for dropping the Anonymous Raw General Manager story, unexplained, like a ton of bricks – but it was clearly something that had to be done. Seeing Edge trash a laptop is nowhere near as satisfying as seeing Stone Cold Steve Austin stunner Mr. McMahon, or CM Punk hit Laurinaitis with the GTS.

The old, clichéd adage is that Wrestling is a soap opera. And as such the characters within a soap opera have to be ones you can empathise with. Sure they are exaggerated caricatures of real life, but they have identifiable characteristics we can all relate to (i.e. who hasn’t felt like pulling Zack Ryder down a hole and trying to set fire to him? Likewise who hasn’t fancied kidnapping Eve? Admit it - we’re all friends here). And the arrival of John Laurinaitis has heralded the return of this most relatable of dynamics (most relatable besides love, but we all know the divas can’t act so there is no point attempting that one), and made the show much more enjoyable as a result.

I’ve heard it said that CM Punk made WWE relevant again.
I think the man he introduced the world to in that promo, has made WWE just as relevant again.

WWE – The Social Network

But WWE’s relevance in the modern world extends beyond its on screen characters. It extends even beyond any product they offer. And it’s the main reason I am back in WWE’s pocket - the social aspect of watching WWE.

Watching WWE is a completely different experience to what it was last time around for me, during the Attitude era. It’s now an experience to be shared, on forums, on Twitter and on Facebook. You can now watch Raw, or watch a PPV and discuss what is happening in real time, or you can discuss it for days afterwards – however you choose, however is convenient. Likewise in the era of Sky+ and TiVo, the actual consumption of the show is also an experience you can undertake however you choose, however is convenient. And this is what has ultimately tempted me back to the WWE Universe. And it’s an environment that WWE are taking full advantage of with both hands through their peddling of Twitter (even though it’s a little excessive), and the launch of their WWE Network.

Why do I find myself watching the WWE again? Because I want to talk about WWE. Because I want to analyse WWE amongst my peers. Just like I wanted to do on that school playground over a decade ago. Just like I wanted to in the college common room. Just like me and my old friends wanted to when those texts about the CM Punk promo started flying around. These are understandably not things you can just approach as subject matter at a dinner party, or at work, or any other of these adult occasions, because as we all know, admitting you like wrestling in the wrong company can be social suicide.

But social media, and the new world we live in allows you to find those circles where it is appropriate as a discussion point. And as such it, along with the other aspects discussed here, has helped revitalise my interest in something I thought I had lost forever. And I am eternally grateful for that because I am having a hell of a lot of fun rediscovering my passion for it.

I am in no doubt, that for the first time since The Rock faced off against Hulk Hogan in that epic Wrestlemania 18 bout, I will be purchasing Wrestlemania.

But the common denominator of my interest will not be The Rock. It will be the people!

I've got to say, a great article. I took my time and enjoyed your read.

Well done

Really fantastic read ED, would be great for more articles like this could come out.
If anyone feels that they could pen together something of this ilk then please do and it can be added to the journal we are currently building.

Thanks guys. I'm glad you enjoyed reading it.

Next Week : Slater and Gabriel - How the Nexus rookies saved my life.

Great article. I had a forced hiaitus from wrestling due to not having Sky Sports and not knowing about various internet sites, but it is certainly on the up again!!! And Im glad to be able to watch all of it.

I don't get what likeability they're supposed to have, for me there has never been more characterless generic type A create a wrestler nobody's who walk, talk, sound and move the same since the boom in the 80s

Raw Elimination Chamber;

CM Punk
The Miz
Chris Jericho
R Truth
Kofi Kingston
Dolph Ziggler

Are you telling me they are all the same Gaff?

Gaffer, forever moaning


Absolutely fantastic read though ED, well done mate!

Electric Demon wrote:Raw Elimination Chamber;

CM Punk
The Miz
Chris Jericho
R Truth
Kofi Kingston
Dolph Ziggler

Are you telling me they are all the same Gaff?

CM Punk - Think's he's the best in the world.
The Miz - Think he's the best in the world.
Chris Jericho - Think's he's the best in the world.
R Truth - Think's he's General Custer
Kofi Kingston - I got nothing.
Dolph Ziggler - Think's he's the best in the world.

Whilst I appreciate you've put a lot of effort into this post I have to say I disagree with the majority of it.

that promo and the resulting storyline really died in the water and punk lost a lot of momentum from it, it took him months following his MITB high to get back up there. Ratings also took quite a dip immediately post the initial rush.

Genuinely likeable superstars who? As others have alluded to the majority are carbon copy identikit wrestlers, even some of the top tier talent has been accused of being too similar (Miz. Jerico, Punk). The chamber line ups and rumble just past have highlighted a lack of starpower.

Your remark about the attitude era attitude not being needed is a strange one, cena and rock have been making very barbed comments about each other, kane is back as a monster, cm punk is repeating the vince vs scsa storyline - its all very attitude era.

The return of 'Mr McMahon' Yes an on screen authority figure adds to things, but John Laurinitis bringing back the viewers?

Did anyone really care that Punk GTSed him? Compare that to when Austin finally stunnered Vince - light years apart.

wwe social network

I hate this tbh, twitter interfering with the show, basing characters/stories around trending, its garbage.

In 2002 the internet was well established, it isn't like message boards are a new thing. But I do agree anything is more interesting when you can discuss it with likeminded people and the internet has made this a lot easier.

If I'm honest I think it is normal for people to have a wrestling hiatus as they leave their mid teens and very normal to pick it back up in your early to mid twenties. I mean your mates must have been keeping an eye on it to know about CM punks promo?

King Beer wrote:

Electric Demon wrote:Raw Elimination Chamber;

CM Punk
The Miz
Chris Jericho
R Truth
Kofi Kingston
Dolph Ziggler

Are you telling me they are all the same Gaff?

CM Punk - Think's he's the best in the world.
The Miz - Think he's the best in the world.
Chris Jericho - Think's he's the best in the world.
R Truth - Think's he's General Custer
Kofi Kingston - I got nothing.
Dolph Ziggler - Think's he's the best in the world.

That says it all really

Also, take all 6 of those guys, not an ounce of fat on them, they are all around the same weight and size, if you look at 5 of those 6, they all have a similar wrestling attire, also, of the three Black guys that are rostered to RAW, all have dreadlocks/braids, there is very little to differentiate the talent in the WWE other than their names

I think you missed the point of the piece Ent. These are my reasons for why my interest has been rejuvenated. I just thought I would share. You can't really disagree - because they are my reasons

Also Gaffer - black guys in dreadlock shocker?!? What you neglect to mention is that one wears jeans and some sort of bulletproof vest whilst acting mental, one wears brightly coloured traditional wrestling attire and is a high-octane, crowd pleasing, high-flyer from Ghana, and the other is a bloody huge weightlifter with a malicious streak. So apart from their traditional african-american hairstyles they look absolutely nothing alike, nor do they wrestle alike, nor are their characters anything alike in the slightest. That's very selective feature analysis, Gaff. Like saying I think the main event scene is too similar because they all have willies.

Firstly let me say that I enjoyed the article and respect the amount of effort and time that went into it. This board is crying out for more well written, opinionated, thought provoking posts like this.

You've rediscovered your passion for wrestling and that's great however I must say that I'm on the same side of the fence as gaffer on this one and king beer summed it up prefectly. These new characters are no more likeable than those of any previous era imo, there are however a few glimmers of hope in the locker room and FCW but just as other have said the majority of the roster is so bland/vanilla/generic that it seams to me that wrestling just doesn't know how to create real stars anymore. You focus so heavily on the positives E.D which is endearing to read however sometimes I just want you look between the lines.

Good article tho my friend, and although globally recognised top 5 has been dropping pipe bombs, lost treasure of the wwe has quietly been sweeping up the debris!

Electric Demon wrote:I think you missed the point of the piece Ent. These are my reasons for why my interest has been rejuvenated. I just thought I would share. You can't really disagree - because they are my reasons

Also Gaffer - black guys in dreadlock shocker?!? What you neglect to mention is that one wears jeans and some sort of bulletproof vest whilst acting mental, one wears brightly coloured traditional wrestling attire and is a high-octane, crowd pleasing, high-flyer from Ghana, and the other is a bloody huge weightlifter with a malicious streak. So apart from their traditional african-american hairstyles they look absolutely nothing alike, nor do they wrestle alike, nor are their characters anything alike in the slightest. That's very selective feature analysis, Gaff. Like saying I think the main event scene is too similar because they all have willies.

The three black guys rostered to RAW I was on about was, well the three Black guys ristered to RAW, which is Truth, Kofi and JTG, still, that point apart every other aspect of my point is 100% accurate, it's all too familiar, visually the only guy who stands out is R-Truth

My comment on the likeability is referring more to the "actor" than the "character". I agree that some of the character development still leaves a lot to be desired and still needs a lot of work, and I absolutely agree that lower down the card there is a bit too much similarity with regards to image and style. But I truly believe the main eventers are distinct enough.

I suppose my comment was suggesting that the new clutch of main eventers has more respect for the business and the fans, than the previous era did - which had too many people blatantly out for themselves. But that's just my opinion, I may be wrong.

http://www.v2journal.com/unearthing-wwe.html

jesus christ

JamesLincs wrote:jesus christ

That wouldn't be a unique look either - the long hair is overdone.

Que?

A Jesus Christ character would be a great gimmick though, going all the way to a crucifiction, the Yanks would go batshiiiit crazy though

As for the "actor", I think the new bunch are seriously lacking in that department, everyone of them seem more intent on being liked rather than nailing their character

Glenn Beck would be burning effigy's of Vince McMahon live on air

Great article Demon, thought provoking and insightful.

Your opinion relating to The Rock is not one I share. His return really forced Cena to take a long hard look at himself in terms of his gimmick and the quality and variety he was delivering to the hardcore (and loyal)wrestling fans.

The Rock's involvement has forced Cena to "man up" and put the product above his over inflated opinion of his character and mythical code of ethics. We don't need another Hogan! This factor alongside Punk's excellent promo has helped usher in this new wave of relevance currently enjoyed by WWE.

Thanks General,

And I think you're probably right, and I have overlooked that. Whilst I'm not really interested in The Rock's return and even have the (possibly harsh) opinion that someone who doesn't put the man hours in shouldn't be headlining Wrestlemania - the positive effect it has had on Cena and his character can't be denied.

Good point.