The State of Professional Wrestling - 11-29-21

    I have a lot of thoughts on the state of professional wrestling in 2021. I think it’s great that AEW is around now and that they’re presenting a great product. I think WWE has the potential not be really boring but I think the consensus is that most of the time it’s just a really boring show. I cannot tell you the last time I sat through a 3 hour Raw. Oh wait, yes I can. September, 9th, 2013 and that’s only because I was at the damn show. 

    WWE has a problem with stagnation. The product continually feels the same and I think there’s an obvious reason for that. WWE is too scripted. I think there’s a noticeable difference in the presentation between WWE and AEW. AEW feels like a legitimate sports show and WWE feels like broadway theatre without the music. I don’t think it’s a problem with the talent. When you go top-down, guys like Roman Reigns, Big E, Brock Lesnar, Edge, Bobby Lashley, Randy Orton, Rey Mysterio, Finn Balor, Jeff Hardy and Kevin Owens are all main event players. 

    I think it comes down to the scripting of the show, especially by people who aren’t fans of wrestling. How can you write a script for something you’re not familiar with? Tony Khan is a life long wrestling fan and presents his shows how you should present wrestling shows. I think that if WWE were to hire writers that actually have an understanding of their product it would make a huge difference. They seem to be content with trying out television writers though. Even Vince Russo was a wrestling fan! 

    AEW has its problems too. It’s not a perfect product but I’ll tell you right now it’s gotten much better with the additions of Bryan Danielson, Adam Cole and CM Punk. I could do without the midcards going 20 minutes with the main eventers. You can do a concise, good wrestling match in 6 minutes with someone higher and lower on the card. 

    I don’t want to harp on all the bad stuff. I think WWE puts on some great shows sometimes and it’s worth tuning into the good matches/promos. But that’s going to get me to check you out on the Network or on Youtube, not watch your weekly TV show. I still dislike Roman Reigns but I think he’s doing a great job right now. It’s great that Big E and Xavier Woods are getting a lot of shine right now. It’ll be interesting to see what the roster looks like this time next year. Who would have that Daniel Bryan, Bray Wyatt, Braun Strowman, Keith Lee, Adam Cole and Karrion Kross would be gone this time, last year. 

    AEW as I said is putting on a really good product. It’s awesome that CM Punk is back and I can’t wait for his match with MJF. I should be checking out more wrestling. I check out Impact when I can and I bought Bound for Glory anticipating a Strowman appearance that never happened. The dirt sheets are wrong sometimes, brother. This is no dirt sheet. Let me know, should I get NJPW World?

    I’m going to wrap this up by saying that I think there’s a ton of potential in wrestling and both companies can still kick it up a few or so gears. Check out the Twitter, YouTube and podcast will be coming soon!