Wrestling has been in my blood since 1980 when I first started watching it with my older brother on Long Island. I have seen this industry from both the outside as a fan and from the inside as well working for various companies. I have lived through Hulkamania, The Four Horsemen, The Monday Night Wars, ECW, etc. If it has happened I have seen it or I was there. Sadly, pro wrestling is not in very good shape these days, for a myriad of reasons, and I wanted to spend some time taking a look at the organizations in The USA this week, then follow it up next week with an international look.
World Wrestling Entertainment
The main problem with the WWE has nothing to do with wrestling. Linda McMahon has this intense desire to become a politician, and as such, WWE programming (in it's current PG form) is not what it should be. Vince McMahon got exactly what he wanted in this business, a monopoly on it, and the numbers (outside of a great rating for the 1000th episode) are not looking very good. In fact, this past Monday's Raw episode did a 3.08 rating according to Nielsen. The stock for the company is down to somewhere between $7-$8 a share, and The McMahon's have lost nearly half a billion in net worth over the last couple of years. But I sadly do not see much of a change in the WWE format anytime soon.
The WWE likes to hire Hollywood people to produce programming for the company. Wrestling needs to be produced by people who know the industry. They like to hire models over hard working females, and Vince still has a fascination with muscle men (see Ryback). This business has changed over the years, and they need to change with it. No one really knows why Vince McMahon wants to be in entertainment over wrestling, but if you look at his constant attempts to get away from the term "pro wrestling", it is easily apparent. They are the flag bearer of this industry to the outside world, but they are going to need someone to step up to become a good number two in this business, because Vince and his company seem to do their best only when they are under pressure.
Total Nonstop Action
TNA has certainly stepped it's game up in recent months, but there is so much more that needs to be done. Austin Aries as their World Champion was a very good move. The Gut Check segments work. Open Fight Night is a great concept. Sure, they are still doing some absolutely mind boggling things (see the AJ Styles storyline), but the company is finally putting wrestling first, bringing in some new talent, and keeping the idiotic storylines (for the most part) out of the company. It will be interesting to see where this Aces and Eights angle goes. They are the number two company in the USA right now due to their television contract with Spike TV. It is going to be interesting to see if they can gain any type of ground over the next year, because the time is right now if something is going to happen.
Ring of Honor
ROH has it's good points and bad points. The in ring wrestling is top notch. They now have television in many markets. They have an idea of what they are doing, and they are executing it to the best of their ability.
One of the biggest problems that I see are the fans themselves. These are very hardcore fans who stand by the product no matter what. But I do not think they realize how it can turn off some people because they think they know everything about wrestling, and the fact of the matter is that no one knows everything. Case in point - go to a Ring of Honor show and count the number of WWE branded T-Shirts that these fans are wearing. Yes, Daniel Bryan and CM Punk were in ROH and were prominent players for a period of time. But when you are all chanting Yes at an ROH show (especially one that is being broadcast live on iPPV), these same fans that will defend ROH to their death are actually hurting the product. I hope to see ROH do big things in this industry as the years go by, but someone needs to say something because the smart marks that say they love the company are actually doing more to hurt it than to help it.
The Independents
There are a million indy companies on the US scene. Some draw, some don't. The National Wrestling Alliance is still in existence, and I hope they can really start making some headway over the next decade or so. I grew up a fan of the NWA and the territories, and that's what once drove this business.
Overall, Pro Wrestling is in decent shape in the US in 2012, but there is always room for improvement. WWE is standing pat, which means it's time for someone, somewhere to step up their game and see if they can compete. Will it be TNA or ROH over this decade? Only time will tell. I will see you all next week when I look at the international wrestling scene.
Mike
Hogan, Piper, Vader, Goldust, Lawler and more appearing for Northeast Wrestling 9/22/2012 in Fishkill, NY - ORDER TICKETS BELOW!
