Let’s face it. To long-time fans, professional wrestling isn’t what it used to be. In actuality, wrestling isn’t even what it was 5-10 years ago. Before you know it, the WWE may completely eliminate wrestling from the equation all together.
Years ago, the WWE lifted the curtain of its business, and exposed their product as entertainment rather than real sport. The term “sports entertainment” has become part of the fans’ common vocabulary. It is not unusual to see WWE Superstars and Divas appear in mainstream outlets such as movies, television, game shows, and music videos. Some of these talented individuals have become very successful when branching out.
Now, Vince McMahon (Chairman and CEO of WWE) wants the company itself to expand into those other aspects of entertainment.
“I can’t blame the WWE for wanting to expand their brand with TV, movies, and their own network”, explains Kotter, a former Pro Wrestler and current Program Director at ROCK 106.1 in Hilton Head. “Diversifying is smart business.”
McMahon, perhaps fearing the stigma of pro wrestling is going to impede on his grand idea of expansion, has been making some subtle, yet drastic changes to his core product. A recent press release included the following edicts:
- WWE no longer stands for World Wrestling Entertainment. It is simply WWE.
- In fact, forget the term “Sports Entertainment”. It’s strictly WWE.
- They will no longer use the term Wrestlers, Divas, or even Superstars. Performers are now referred to as WWE Entertainers.
- WWE is “Pure Entertainment” and an “Action Soap-Opera”.
To borrow a phrase from (now former) WWE Champion The Miz…REALLY?
Kotter continues, “The thing that worries me is completely sacrificing what got you to the dance for the sake of everything else, and that’s wrestling. I am a wrestling fan, and taking the word “wrestling” out of their vocabulary bothers me.”
Longtime super fan Mike agrees, “It leaves true wrestling fans with a bad taste in their mouth when WWE turns its back on the art form that made them a billion dollar corporation.”
Others speculate that there are ulterior motives at play.
Brian Willey, Owner/Operator of Effingham Computer Services in Rincon, wonders if wrestling’s reputation of drug use and young deaths are the real reason for the changes. “If you look at the recent deaths in wrestling, (WWE) might be trying to distance themselves from the problems, rather than working toward a solution. It’s a shame they care more about money than their people.”
What might be the most significant opinion of all comes from the casual wrestling fan, like Jennifer. “WWE is known for being a WRESTLING company. Always has been, always will be…Unless they drop it all together.”
Maybe this is the beginning of the end for WWE as we know it. Realtor Rob Fletcher in Savannah ponders the horizon. “Hogan's gone, Flair's gone, Rock's gone, and Austin’s gone. HHH is nearing the twilight of his career, heading towards the WWE front office. Cena is already venturing into TV and movies, and, though he says he won't, will likely lean more towards a more lucrative and safer career in Hollywood. While there is wrestling talent coming up, there is a lack of superstars to bring in the mainstream money and attention.”
“My guess is we'll start to see less matches each week on RAW and Smackdown, and more ‘action soap opera’ segments”, a worried Kotter concludes. “Whatever the hell that is.”
Wrestling fans must hope for the best. A good wrestling program has solid in-ring work, supported by interesting and engaging storytelling. Soon, it seems, the actual action in the ring will only serve as a necessary scene to forward a soap opera story (even more so than it is now.)
In the late 80’s, the (then) WWF’s tagline was “What The World Is Watching”. With the recent philosophical change, you have to wonder how long the World will continue to watch…
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