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It seems like there have been Cena haters for so long that it's difficult to remember when he was an undisputed fan favorite. Could you point to a particular stretch of time - or maybe an individual event - that was the "tipping point" for the rise of the anti-Cena sentiment and the divide that exists today?
I live by the day to day of the business so I don’t have an exact event I can think of. It just seems like it has been more of an attrition thing to me. As the years have gone by and he has continued to be booked like Superman, more people have jumped on the anti-Cena bandwagon. I do think it tends to be the more serious fans that don’t like him because they understand that the way that Vince McMahon has booked him as stunted the growth of the product on the whole whereas the more casual fans just like seeing the good guy win and don’t look past today’s show. The sad part is, the people that like watching Cena win don’t realize that they would look it all the more if he actually had to come back from things to triumph in the long run. It’s a far more compelling story that Cena’s almost complete domination of people all the time.
With the seemingly beginning huge push for Roman Reigns, a thought came crossing my mind. I'm all for giving new guys a chance at the top as the company is in desperate need, especially after failing immensely in the past with either the wrong picks or horrible booking, however, I'm not sure if Reigns is ready yet. The reactions he got since his return have been sometimes rather mild and with so many factors going into the next months, especially as the road to Wrestlemania is nearing, Reigns might be rushed a bit too much. Those factors being the rising popularity of Dean Ambrose and to an even larger degree, Dolph Ziggler. Ziggler's been super over with audience despite being booked like a loser for a good portion of his career. With his re-emerging push & the rising hopes of fans that Bryan might be back by Wrestlemania-season, could Reigns become the odd man out? The Rumble is in Philadelphia, what are the chances of fans turning on the all to obvious winner, which seems to be the former shield-powerhouse by now, like their neighbors in Pittsburgh did last year and demanding for Bryan, or Ziggler?
It really is quite ironic that people like myself have been calling for new blood at the top and when Vince is poised to give it to us, we still wonder if it’s the right move. I am not sure Reigns is ready either but he has some time in the immediate future to show all of us that he is. There is definitely a chance that the Philly crowd will do what the crowd in Pittsburgh did last year if they don’t like how the show is booked. The difference this year is that Bryan was a guy who obviously deserved more than he was getting while there isn’t anyone in that same position this year. WWE could always change it up by doing a finish where two or three guys get eliminated at once and they have a match in February to determine who gets the Title shot. It would be a way to hedge their bets. If they decide to go full on with Reigns, I will sit back and see how it unfolds.
I know the difference is who's in charge, but what's the point of having such an awesome women's division in NXT, if they're never allowed to show what they can do on the main roster?
The stock answer is that at least they are learning how to work in case they are ever allowed to do it on the main roster. NXT has to train people for the best case scenario, that being that the talents get to show what they can do when they get to the main roster. It would really be nice if Vince would get on board with what the woman can do if they are allowed.
Does the WWE, or should I say Vince, get that, just because something is trending on Twitter, that doesn't mean that it's necessarily a good thing? Yes it might be the #1 Worldwide Trend (which they love to boast all the time), but it could easily be nothing but people saying how terrible it is.
I have said the same thing many times. I also add that just because something is trending doesn’t mean you have monetized it in any way. But they have their indicators that they love to trumpet, so I don’t see it changing.
I was thinking of ways WWE could get more network subscribers (if I was in that position of authority), and thought, what if WWE would give its subscribers discounts on merch and live event tickets? I'd have to wonder how much of their live event audience are subscribers (if its less than 75% that should be a problem), and if it'd be worth it for more people to make the plunge who could get 10-20% off on already pricey ticket costs, and possibly lead to higher event attendances. Your thoughts?
I think that is a solid idea. People like to be given back something for their loyalty. In the end, it could get people to buy more and make up for the discount too.
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