A Few Questions - Getting Back Into Wrestling

[skeenz]

I am approaching my 19th birthday, and I've gone through 2 phases of being a huge wrestling fan, from around 96-99 and from 04-early 07. I started watching some YouTube videos a week ago and started getting back into it. Ever since then I've been reading up, watching old clips, and trying to get back into it. I watched Raw this past Monday and wasnt really impressed with the show, some good wrestling but the entertainment value wasnt super high for me (hopefully that's just from being out of it). I've just got a few quick questions that I was wondering.....

1. Seems like the WWE is working with a smaller roster these days, or is that just me?

And

2. How badly is this move to PG programming hurting the product? I loved the attitude era like everyone else but I also greatly enjoyed the WWE product from 03-07 too. Is that entertainment value still there today?

[The15thunter]

Re: A Few Questions - Getting Back Into Wrestling

roster isn't necesarily smaller, there's two brands. they just rely on the same cast of characters for the shows we watch.

pg isn't hurting the product. the writing is hurting the product.

[woody2goody]

Re: A Few Questions - Getting Back Into Wrestling

I think in general the quality of wrestling is better, which is definitely a good thing.

I didn't really get into this week's Raw though to be honest. Definitely watch Smackdown, as there has been some terrific wrestling there over the past couple of months

[goh]

Re: A Few Questions - Getting Back Into Wrestling

1. If anything the roster is too big though yes,as said it may seem smaller due to having 2 brands.

2. I guess things have a little less...flavor...but other than that not really.

[cactusruss]

Re: A Few Questions - Getting Back Into Wrestling

It's not the "PG" rating thats hurting the product, it's the over-production of the product by producers and writers who are outsiders to the wrestling business.

[skeenz]

Re: A Few Questions - Getting Back Into Wrestling

Thanks for the good words guys, I'm not sure what it was that made the roster seem smaller. I watched for a few years with the brand split so I'm used to that; maybe it's just because I didn't see a bunch of guys used on Raw this week, or the fact that there are many new faces to me is throwing me off. Another question though, I read somewhere that no one is allowed to blade anymore in WWE, is this true? Seemed kind of fishy to me but you never know.

[cactusruss]

Re: A Few Questions - Getting Back Into Wrestling

Thanks for the good words guys, I'm not sure what it was that made the roster seem smaller. I watched for a few years with the brand split so I'm used to that; maybe it's just because I didn't see a bunch of guys used on Raw this week, or the fact that there are many new faces to me is throwing me off. Another question though, I read somewhere that no one is allowed to blade anymore in WWE, is this true? Seemed kind of fishy to me but you never know.

There is no blood allowed anymore. And every interview/backroom segment/anything any "sports entertainer" (the words "Wrestler and Wrestling" are banned from on air use) says is extremely scripted, as apposed to bookers (which no longer exists, they've been replaced by hollywood writers) giving the wrestlers a general theme and direction the interview should go, and letting the wrestler improv. Wrestlers aren't very good actors, and hearing them recite scripts line by line makes the product sound like a cheap B-Grade movie. It sounded more natural when the wrestlers would get in character and improv everything.