scrubadam
Registered User
- Apr 10, 2016
- 12,438
- 1,904
I think if WWE actually taught these guys how to handle a mic and work a crowd the viewership would not only go up but it would stay up. It's become a long forgotten art form and I can honestly say whenever someone like Charlotte comes out and speaks I just hit the mute button and wait for her lips to stop moving.
Cena, Haitch, Jericho, Rollins, Miz, Enzo are the ONLY talent that can come out and deliver 5 minutes worth of talking without looking like a complete freaking idiot. Ambrose, Styles, Owens and Ziggler have their very good moments too but it's not at those levels. It's not like the writing is that good either. As pertains to Raw in the 3rd hour we often get someone to come out and speak but even if it's any of those guys I really just don't care. The ONLY person I would actually stick around for is Jericho.
All Rollins does is whine, Haitch drones about the same crap about himself we've been listening to his whole career, Enzo follows a script, Owens looks like he can't figure out what he's supposed to be doing and I haven't cared what a guy like Paul Heyman has to say about BAAAARRROOOCCCCKKKKKK LEZZZNUURRRR for 15 years and I could care less for Goldberg.
Want people to stick around for that 3rd hour? Bring someone in who can actually hold the audience's attention while using the art of comedy. Guys like the Rock, Jericho and prime John Cena could've done stand up for a living.
I think its more a lifestyle think. Back in the day most wrestlers were believable as tough guy larger than life people. They just had this aura about them. Now adays most wrestlers are just geeks who hit the gym. Some don't even hit the gym that hard.
Also not many guys today have a character. Not a gimmick, but a different voice when they are wrestling. Look at guys like Savage or Ventura. They were colorful, over the top, they had a distintive voice and personality. It all lead into the total package and made people, even casuals pay attention. Rollins or KO just talk like normal people and dress like normal people.
Last thing is back in the day in the territories you need to have a great story, and to talk crowds into the stadium. Now a days in indies (or non WWE) the best wrestlers are the guys who put on 5 star matchs. Its not about building a long term story, or cutting great promos. Hogan/Ventura/Billy Graham wouldn't survive in the independant scene today because its all about MOTYC and "this is awesome" not fooling the fans to be emotionally invested in a character or storyline. I think most indy fans know its fake and don't care about wins or losses just how many snowflakes the match has.