The Importance of Creating a Character

[Master_MIND]

WWE has completely forgot how to create a character for their wrestlers. The character is what makes people interested and makes people care. They do a decent job on a few guys (main eventers) but that's it.

What does a good character need? It needs to be semi-believeable for that guy. For example Steve Austin looked like a tough SOB, that came through when you saw him and even more so when you heard him. His music....you could feel his persona with that music. And he had great nicknames besides Stone Cold. He was the Texas Rattlesnake, the Toughest SOB in the WWF, and others. It was the total package.

So a good character needs:
1. The look
2. The attitude
3. The music
4. The moniker

Like him or hate him Randy Orton has all these and he is successful. But what about some of the good younger guys.

A perfect example is Wade Barrett. He has talent in the ring and on the mic....but who is he really? He's from England....ok and?? They end it there and that is why he can't get to the next level. They say he was a bare knuckle fighter before so go with it! Whether it's true or not it can be something to build on. All the greats say the best characters are extensions of their own personalities with "the volume turned up" so this could be something for him to draw on.

WWE has the capability to produce excellent promo videos. They should make one featuring Barrett back in England going into old buildings and warhouses where they can say he used to fight. They could do interviews with guys who said they used to see him fight and how tough he was. They could give nicknames that they used to have for him which could then be used in WWE. It doesn't have to be real...it just has to be entertaining. They waste money making stupid fucking movies no one watches, why not use WWE studios to create characters for the WWE!

Barrett has lame music too. It doesn't do anything for his character, oh ya because they haven't developed a character for him! He also really needs a nickname. Look at how many HHH has, Barrett doesn't even have one. Anybody got any ideas?

They are trying with Dolph Ziggler. They have the Show Off for him. It's alright I guess. It is funny when he does flips and headstands and stuff like that in the ring when his opponent is down so it shows he is trying too. His new music and entrance video really suck though. For me it just takes away from his overall persona. A true superstar needs the total package.

In the past mid card guys had better characters. It allowed them to really get into the character and develop it over time. Look at Mr. Perfect, Rick Rude, Million Dollar Man....the list goes on. They had it all. Remember the vignettes with Mr. Perfect....they were gold. The music and the look where all there too.

They have talent now but the problem is they don't package it and present it properly. Justin Gabriel has a lot of talent and could be a great midcard champ. But who is? Why should I care about him? Zack Ryder went out and made a character for himself and now he is getting used. Some may disagree with how but nonetheless he is a solid mid carder now with the potential to be elevated. But he had to do it himself because the WWE doesn't put any effort into making characters and giving them the necessary exposure to get over and the product is suffering because of this.

Who would you develop and how?

 

[H33LTurn]

I agree with you 100%. It cant just all be about the "talent" of the superstars, they have to reel the fans in with some personality. Its like if theres a fight at school between two nobodies people will go see because its a fight nonetheless but if its the two toughest SOB's in the school it makes it that much more interesting. Like you said, Wade's music is just horrible. I know hes a Phil Collins fan and therefore they gave him a little "I Dont Care Anymore" remix but the song is way too pop-ish and nice for a guy that looks like Wade. I dont know why he just didnt stick with We Are One. He should've claimed it back since he was the originator of the entire Nexus movement. They've never built on that bare knuckle fighter either. That has to be tapes of him fighting and if not they could use your idea and find guys who fought him and interview them. Whats left is the rivalries. The Orton thing is pretty good but it has no true basis. One of the former Nexus members should reach some form of success. Then Wade should show up and feud with them on the basis that he "made him into what he is". Dolph is doing good but the whole Show Off thing seems watered down. He should embarrass someone bad. Like have kids do a contest on RAW to win a prize but technically everyone is eligible to compete so at the last moment Dolph shows off and beats some little girl at the contest. But its true what you said, they're just not going the extra mile with characters anymore and its a shame.

 

[Paralyzer Z]

I somewhat agree and disagree at the same time.

On one hand you are right when you say that WWE has the potential and capabilities to expand further on characters. They can use money and the production crew to further cement the personas and make interesting segments that would do wonders for development of characters. Of course in some cases that is the case and some cases that hasn't been the case as in recent months.

I do however concur your oppose the claim that "WWE has forgotten to make characters". Sure as you said it's not all about the talent, but WWE doesn't rely solely on the talent to make these characters. Making a character is in metaphoric ways similar to making a personality. You don't need flashy videos, and extras to make obvious to the audience "this guy is cocky and a show off". What matters it the actions and selling of the characters in the ring, take Dolph Ziggler opting to show off a taunt rather than jumping over the top rope to please the crowd on Raw. Storytelling in the ring is the bare necessity to get someone's persona over. Promos and other extras just add to it in some way or another. Music is mildly important but not to the extent that you mentioned.

Sure there is a lot of untapped potential to make characters more alluring or gratifying but they haven't forgotten how to make characters in the least way.

 

[IA-SteveB]

I think it is pretty hard to develop everyone's characters while giving them enough screen time. There are a lot of stars out there who need it, but there simply wouldn't be enough time in a show to do it. THat said, there are definitely some people who get far too much screen time being on RAW and Smackdown every single week.

 

[jrichardson25]

WWE has completely forgot how to create a character for their wrestlers. The character is what makes people interested and makes people care. They do a decent job on a few guys (main eventers) but that's it.

Not partiicularly true... There are good characters now... Mark Henry's recent rise comes to mind along with the rebirth of Kane.

So a good character needs:
1. The look
2. The attitude
3. The music
4. The moniker

I can agree on this... to a degree. MOST of the big stars of the past were that way. However, there's a lot of wiggle room in there and over using monikers (example EVERYONE IN TNA... at one point felt like that...) makes them not special...

A perfect example is Wade Barrett. He has talent in the ring and on the mic....but who is he really? He's from England....ok and?? They end it there and that is why he can't get to the next level. They say he was a bare knuckle fighter before so go with it! Whether it's true or not it can be something to build on. All the greats say the best characters are extensions of their own personalities with "the volume turned up" so this could be something for him to draw on.

Wade Barrett is a good point. His music will grow on everyone over time. He just needs to personify himself a bit. He needs to continue to be his own biggest fan. A nickname isn't the end all be all of a star but in his case... something about being a bare knuckle champion would work... or a brawler... vignettes are only really useful if the person hasn't been on camera for a while... He could pull elements from his own life and fling them at creative... their call ultimately...

They are trying with Dolph Ziggler. They have the Show Off for him. It's alright I guess. It is funny when he does flips and headstands and stuff like that in the ring when his opponent is down so it shows he is trying too. His new music and entrance video really suck though. For me it just takes away from his overall persona. A true superstar needs the total package.

Mr Ziggles needs arm candy (not Vickie) and to be tossed out on his own (aka mic time to himself). Dude has really picked it up in the past couple years. He does have a Nature Boy feel to him... but that's another debate all together...

In the past mid card guys had better characters. It allowed them to really get into the character and develop it over time. Look at Mr. Perfect, Rick Rude, Million Dollar Man....the list goes on. They had it all. Remember the vignettes with Mr. Perfect....they were gold. The music and the look where all there too.

True but that was 20+ years ago... not today. Some of the "larger than life" characters can't work in today's field because of that bastard reality television. (f*** you Survivor)

They have talent now but the problem is they don't package it and present it properly. Justin Gabriel has a lot of talent and could be a great midcard champ. But who is? Why should I care about him? Zack Ryder went out and made a character for himself and now he is getting used. Some may disagree with how but nonetheless he is a solid mid carder now with the potential to be elevated. But he had to do it himself because the WWE doesn't put any effort into making characters and giving them the necessary exposure to get over and the product is suffering because of this.

Who would you develop and how?

Gabriel needs to get mic time. He needs a direction. Put him in a program with someone like Tatsu (who is also in need of a push)

Ryder needs an edge...

Who would I focus on?
Santino Marella. The guy has everything. He just comedy jobs. Its ridiculous. I know he's enjoying it but honestly... he needs to have a make over so to speak. Have someone crack him upside the head and completely revamp his character. He can still use the name "The Milan Miracle" makes total sense for a pompous ass...