I apologize for the rant, but this overall point is something that is so overlooked in ALL of the WWE debates, its absurd.
To the people that are criticizing his attitude, and saying that it could get him into trouble in lockerrooms or hold him back, think about it, you ARE watching a television show. How do you know ANYTHING about what his lockeroom attitude would be like?
It is no secret that these "Reality shows" have a very real feel to them, but if you think for one second that these people are portayed as 100% "real" all the time, you are very wrong. No matter what the theme is, Tough enough, real world, road rules, i love new york, flavor of love, etc. , there is always a certain amount of "gimmick" already added to each person. This gimmick is usually created around an already existing personality trait, such as an arrogant guy, overdramatic girl, emotional train wreck girl, level headed guy, hot head guy, etc. They ARE shooting a televsion program, and the main goal of that is NOT to develop the "next wwe star", but to MAKE MONEY. If you have a bunch of respectful, yes sir no sir, class act greenhorns on the program, it would be boring. It would not draw ratings, It would not make money, And it would go away. The same as Livewire, Heat, Velocity, ECW, NXT, Superstars (twice), all have done.
Everyone buys into these reality shows because of the EXACT same reason people bought into Professional wrestling years and years ago- The suspension of disbelief. You know it isn't real, but by the angles they play out, the editing, the characters, they find a way to connect with people and make them wonder "what if".
The only reason it doesn't work for professional wrestling anymore is because of the physical end of it being over-exposed as a work, and the recent UFC craze. 25 years ago Professional Wrestling had the same craze as UFC had. Then the internet happened, and the whole world found out EVERY secret that the business had. UFC's Success is heavily influenced by this. They are the "real" fighters that now hold that stigma that surrounded Professional wrestling for years. Everyone at least WONDERS if its all real, or if its a work, but nobody knows for sure. Professional Wrestling had that for years.
These are all facts that Vince knows, and henceforth has started to migrate the WWE into a worldwide Entertainment company, its not like it hasnt been coming?! The VAST TV experience, Movies, DVD/Video, On Demand? The WWE has been an entertainment company since the late 90's.
WHY Vince WHY? How could you take away "Wrestling"... Because there is money to be made, and as passionate as each and everyone on this board may be about "Professional wrestling", most people would enjoy a big, fat, 7,8,9-figure, wad of cash way more than they would a "classic pro wrestling moment" every monday night. I know I would. And I watch Every program, every week on DVR. Vince could close the WWE T\tomorrow, and all of his children and family would be set for life. Thats how much money he has. And of course he wants to make more if he can!
I realize a lot of people try to look past this "elephant in the room", but even as a fan of the product, you have to sit back and realize EXACTLY what you are saying. But that IS the point of television. To create the debate, excitement, and emotional attachment.
*End Rant*