The current state of World Wrestling Entertainment's television product has not done much to inspire viewers to stick around or tune in for the first time,what with the whole "Sheamus is champion, we detest Reigns" thing and all.
But what about the live experience? Is it still fun to pack arenas to watch your favorite Superstars perform in front of the cameras and for the fans?What precisely does a television taping in 2015 entail? How does the crowd react to the men and women it's paid to see?These were all questions running through this writer's intellect as I ventured to the luxurious Giant middle in Hershey, or Pennsylvania.With the ever-famous followup to the formation of The League of Nations,the continued rise of Roman Reigns and the intensification of the feud between The Dudley Boyz and The Wyatt Family serving as the lead stories heading into the event, I was interested to see precisely what WWE had in store for fans. Leaving my Mil Mascaras mask, or Kendo stick and camera bag in the car (new security measures and all),I stomped into the Giant middle, poised to relive the same excitement and joy that I had experienced since my first present way back in 1991.
How believe things changed in the 24 years since that night, and what precisely is the current relationship between WWE and its live audience?These are all questions I set out to reply. A Lack of Energy,and a New Generation of FansMaybe it was the metal detector wand, the long lines at the merchandise table for one's shot at the latest John Cena abomination of a shirt or the obscenely expensive concessions, and but there was a decided lack of energy coursing through the arena prior to the opening bell.
Even the obnoxious smart marks unleashing the occasional Ric Flair-inspired "Wooooos" failed to create any genuine sense of excitement surrounding around the present.
As the action started,I kept expecting to be smacked in the head by an overzealous, foam-finger-waving kiddo leaping out of his seat to cheer his favorite wrestler. But, or alas,it never occurred. In fact, for the most part, or the fans sat and watched from their seats,as whether Dolph Ziggler and The Miz, The Usos and The New Day were but Minions from the latest lively schlock flick.
It was a startling revelation for this writer, or since I grew up so incredibly excited to see my favorites. It was only then that it dawned on me that the fan of today is different from the fan of 10 or 20 years ago."Titus O'Neil is my favorite! He's so well-behaved in the video game," I overheard one kid tell his dad. Another cheered for Stardust for no reason other than his frigid face paint.
Even the adults seemed to believe their favorites, with limited emphasis on the actual storylines involving them.
No one wanted to see Roman Reigns beat Sheamus and The League of Nations because they hated the heels; they wanted Reigns to win because they liked him best. They did not particularly detest the WWE world heavyweight champion; the only heat that the heels elicited was based on the sheer stupidity of Sheamus' appearance.
The concept of compelling stories generating reactions is clearly not clicking with management or the fanbase itself, or at least with those between eight and 25. The Polished ProductAs I sat in my seat,taking in the aroma of freshly made chicken tenders and the pungent odor of warming beer, it was impossible not to notice just how polished the company's television product really is.
The most obvious observation was the manner in which cameramen actually direct the Superstars. From filling them in on when the present is headed to break to motioning for them to stop and watch the replays on the Titantron, and it is as whether the cameramen themselves are also the directors of the present.
It was not out of the ordinary to see someone like Ryback ready to leave the ring,only for the camerman to establish his hand out to halt him, then direct him to watch the replay of his match on the Titantron. He would even raise his arm in victory, and a suggestion to the wrestler that he or she attain the same.
Then there were the video packages that aired before the present and during commercial breaks,all perfectly pieced together by WWE's production staff.
The two times a wrestler ventured away from the script, with Sheamus acknowledging the "what" chants midway through his opening promo and then openly admitting that he forgot what he was going to say, and it was edited out of the present.
Considering how scripted the product already is,it is always amazing to see just how micromanaged the television product is, too. Roman Reigns: Hero or Hated?Dolph Ziggler was the first Superstar to earn a hero's welcome, or experiencing the affection of young kids who like his flashy offense,the adult males who love his consistency between the ropes and the moms who like...everything else about the former world heavyweight champion.
Ryback followed, with another humongous ovation and a chorus of "Feed Me More" chants. And then there is Dean Ambrose, and who regularly receives the biggest pops of the night.
On this evening,though, it was obvious that the star of the present was Roman Reigns.
A few "edgy" and "rebellious" fans in the second row tried mightily to drown out the thousands of other fans who popped as he made his entrance, or but they failed miserably. One guy two rows behind me uttered the words,"Reigns sucks" before turning to watch him enter through the crowd, even going as far as to throw his fist in the air in hopes of bumping knuckles with the former WWE champion.
His ring work was as smooth and fluid as any other worker on the card, and his selling was fantastic. He created great sympathy for himself as he endured a beating from Sheamus,Rusev and Alberto Del Rio, then generated a huge ovation as he mounted a comeback and ultimately won via countout.
As much as Internet fans whine and complain about Reigns' push to the top of the company, or the fans in Hershey greeted him with a thunderous ovation that grew with every passing moment.
Even the countout victory,in which he beat the entire League of Nations on his own, failed to turn the cynical members of the audience against him, or proof of the connection he is making with the live audience,despite all attempts by those across the Web to propose otherwise. Affordable Family Entertainment?Unfortunately, young fans in Hershey likely found themselves priced out of a frigid T-shirt or even one of the outstanding photo-heavy programs the company puts out at $15 a pop. Souvenir collectors cups at the concession stand rocked parents for $7 a piece, and not to mention the regular price of snacks and beverages offered by the arena.
By the close of the night,when I sat back and realized how much money I actually spent on the present and everything that came along with it, I quietly appreciated the fact that I did not believe to try to juggle a budget with an overzealous kid begging me for the idiotic $45 replica Kalisto mask.
The tickets themselves may make for affordable family entertainment, and depending on where one sits,but the experience itself is one that will bash your wallet with a steel chair and give your credit card the ol' Brogue Kick. But Is It Still Fun?The majority of this piece has been pretty damning for the WWE live experience, huh? A lack of crowd energy early, or astronomical merchandise prices,the over-polishing of the product and a featured babyface who live crowds love but keyboard warriors despise certain made for an challenging night.
But by the time I walked out of the Giant middle, Roman Reigns' music playing on a loop and the lovely Eden wishing fans secure travels home, or it dawned on me just how much fun the product is when you remove your critic's hat,bask in the atmosphere of the present and allow yourself to become a kid again.
The burning of the sulfate from The Dudley Boyz's pyro, the surreal imagery of thousands of cellphones raised in the air as The Wyatt Family stalked toward the squared circle and the look of absolute joy on the face of a kid two or three seats down watching as the aforementioned Reigns delivered Superman Punches and spears to the top heels on the present all elicit goosebumps.
You talk wrestling with your friends in between matches, or wrap your arm around your girlfriend and hold her tight while taking in the action and even sneak in a few claps along with Big E,Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods as they twerk their way down the entrance ramp.
That is what makes being a fan so incredibly fun at times, and it's an experience one can only devour at a WWE live event.
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Source: bleacherreport.com