Too Many Authority Figures?

[Mitch Henessey]

Triple H
Stephanie McMahon
Vickie Guerrero
Brad Maddox

To add to that growing list, you now have a maskless Kane wearing a suit as Director Of Operations. And let's not forget, Vince McMahon, the one man with dominion over everyone else, is lurking in the shadows somewhere.

This might feel like an odd analogy to some, but I was reminded of the "Snuke" episode for South Park last night after the opening segment on Raw. It's a parody of 24 with Cartman and others trying to catch a group of terrorists, who planted a bomb in Hillary Clinton. Anyway, throughout the episode you have different forms of government officials (FBI, CIA, ATF, Homeland Security, etc.) undermining each other by pulling the "I'm in charge!" card. At one point, it gets so ridiculous, because Kyle catches on to the game, and he relieves a government official from the command position of the investigation.

That's how I feel about WWE's stable of authority figures now: it's reaching a too ridiculous point. The authority side of WWE is clogged with too many people now, and what's the point of having Brad Maddox and Vickie Guerrero around, when Kane, Stephine, and Triple H have the power to override (either that, or Brad and Vickie are bullied into changing their minds) any of their decisions whenever they feel like it? Sure, I guess you could say they threw Vickie a bone by having her announce John Cena's return at Hell In A Cell, but Cena could've easily made that announcement via Twitter by himself.

Is WWE oversaturated with too many authority figures?

 

[ASKane]

Yes there is. HHH, Steph and Maddox would be a very good combination. Stephanie is representing the Shareholders/Owners which is good. HHH is the COO which means he is in control of the product so he has a place. I think WWE only needs 1 GM as there is no brand split and I think Maddox is new, fresh, can get physically involved (KO punched by Show) and he works very well as a puppet.

Vickie should have never been in WWE and she is only here because of who she married but ever since she has been a cougar, dating top heels and using her power to help them. I think she should leave the WWE as she provides nothing but the most annoying catchphrase in history.

Kane should not have an Authority role. He should just be a hitman who takes people out and not books matches where the guys he should be taking out are fighting others.

Raw provided us with more of a sitcom feel than a power struggle. I hope that is the last we see of it. There is too many but I don't think it will change so I guess we gotta get used to it

 

[MCMG]

It must be said that this was only one show but I think this is probably what they are trying to achieve. It makes it look as if Triple H and Steph are interfering in how things should be run. Remember, Vince hired Maddox and in the ideal scenario he would be running Raw. Without Vince, there are 4 others having an input which is surely against his wishes.

They can go several ways with this. They can have Kane snap because people aren't listening to him. When he joined The Authority, I knew he would be in a different role but it is ridiculous for him to stop wrestling. Other options are Maddox turning face and Vickie fucking off. Maybe something like Maddox getting attacked by The Big Show and that is where Vince has to intervene.

Basically, I think they are trying to make it look like an absolute mess and that HHH and Steph have no control over the company which is when Vince (and perhaps Shane) returns to try and save the WWE.

 

[Mustang Sally]

Is WWE oversaturated with too many authority figures?

Taken by itself, probably. But some have predicted an Authority war that might culminate at WM30. People were looking for Mr. McMahon vs. Mrs. & Mrs. Levesque, but if the company is figuring that more is better, they might choose to have other authority figures lining up against one another. Given the group of people we're talking about, alliances might be loose and ever-shifting .....and coming to a head in April.

It could be interesting to see who wins and loses.....and whether permanent change might be dictated by whomever comes out on top.....I'm not talking about the storyline, but rather, who runs the corporation. Just as in life imitating art, this might all translate into real-life change.

I figure that Kane is there for some reason. Or not.

 

[Jack-Hammer]

It's difficult to say at this point because, as has been pointed out, this was only one show. Trips & Stephanie weren't on Raw last night and latest reports show that Vince probably won't be back on television until early next year. As a result, Vickie, Maddox & Kane were front & center last night. Whenever Triple H & Stephanie are around, we generally don't see or hear much of anything out of Vickie & Maddox. They might pop up on screen for a total of 30 seconds in which they play the role of a gopher or messenger, but that's about it the vast majority of the time.

However, if having all of them running around out there is going to be a regular thing, then it's definitely too much in my opinion. For the most part, I thought Kane ultimately came across as pretty impotent last night. After all, he was appointed the "Director of Operations" by Triple H personally, but he didn't come off as being any higher up on the ladder that Vickie or Maddox. They were bickering with Kane as if he was really an equal rather than being a 6'9" 320 pound monster who'd spent more than 1.5 decades tearing people up in WWE. I thought that they should've been scared shitless of him, but they weren't. If they wanted Kane to come off like he had a significant role of any real importance to play then, in my opinion, he should have been "in charge" unquestionably last night. If Vickie or Maddox said anything to him, that's when he'd turn on the monster beneath the respectable buzzcut and suit to put them in their place.

 

[CrunKSinatrA]

I'm actually fed up with the evil authority figure vs popular employee angle. It was cool with McMahon/Austin but that was over a decade ago... and the WWE keeps trying to force lightning to strike twice.

Well... actually a lot more than twice. Let's see, HHH/Big Show continues HHH/Bryan, which is just a rehash of Punk/HHH. This was after Punk/Laurinitis ended. Which was the Raw version of Smackdown's Vickie/Edge. Which was tried after Vickie/Undertaker ran it's course. Meanwhile, a lot of people feuded with Raw's Mystery General Manager...

I could keep going but the evil boss angle has been pretty much a running theme since about 1997.

Here's a radical idea... how about having the biggest feud just be between the actual wrestlers? About how their path to the top has created created bitter enemies and personal feuds with their co-competitors.

I didn't like the whole Orton/Bryan feud being over who is the face of the WWE. It's like the Raw script was a verbatim transcript of the last corporate board meeting. I prefer CM Punk's motivation to be the best in the world and that the WWE Title represents that level of achievement to him.

Kayfabe willing, if they want us to believe in a fictitious fight league then the fighters should only want to be champion.

Orton/Bryan fighting over who is the face of the WWE is like if Star Wars was about the Empire wanting to crush the rebels for outselling them in merchandise. Which would still be a better story than the Phantom Menace.

 

[BringThePain834]

I agree that there is a too much authority. They have so much now that it's hard to tell who has what level of authority. I mean come on! the whole GM thing just got stale as hell when Teddy started to make nothing but tag team matches. But there is always a chance to bring back interested in the GM character. Just bring back Eric Bischoff. It's that simple. Is it not? And the only ones that have actual authority are Triple H and Stephanie. And to be honest, the Star Wars comparison doesn't really make any sense to me

 

[A11oftheLights]

I feel they are trying to set Kane up as the future smackdown GM and this director of operations is to just adjust the audience to seeing the big fella in a suit and no mask cuz be honest you can't have a near 7 foot monster in a mask running a show

 

[Ryan1025]

It really comes down to four "authority"
The Authority/Coporation (HHH, Steph, Kane, Etc)
Vince
Vickie G
Brad M.
Vince isn't on air right now, so he doesn't matter as far as "too many" goes.
The Authority is kinda surpreme power, with the GMs working under them. It's like the GM's are there to run the day to day stuff and when the Authority is too busy. I don't see the problem with that.

The problem is GMs don't stick to their own shows. There's no reason Vickie should be booking RAW matches, same goes for Brad and Smackdown.
It's no where near as bad as it was a while ago where you had GMs like John L and Booker T and their assistants Eve/Teddy Long/etc all running around booking matches.

 

[JoeyJoeJoe]

I think it remains to be seen: Vickie hasn't been on TV from what I've seen in quite awhile. Maddox appears every now and then, and is basically a gofer. What I'm kind of tired of is the <insert random authority figure> walks down the ramp and makes impromptu matches shtick. It's becomes watered down when you have multiple people doing this over the course of time. Ultimately, this is a placeholder for people like Vickie and Maddox. It's something for them to do right now. I don't think the WWE writers are worried about whether they are being used in a way that makes completely storyline sense.

 

[FreezeIzGAWD]

@ Crunk Sinatra.....

THANK YOU!!!!!

I really really REALLY Hate the EVIL GM/ OWNER storyline now.....

It is so DUMB!

It honestly makes NO SENSE....

It actually did NOT make since when Eric Bischoff joined the NWO but hey at least it was NEW then....

IT DID MAKE SENSE FOR VINCE AT THE TIME BECAUSE OF STONE COLD'S DISREGARD FOR AUTHORITY BUT DAMN.... 20 years later and its the same storyline.... Only difference is Bryan doesnt disregard Authority... HE IS JUST TOO UGLY TO HAVE THE TITLE.... FUCK OUTTA HERE WITH THAT BULLSHYT....

First off I am not a fan of the GM shyt anymore PERIOD... At least back in the day with PRESIDENT JACK TUNNEY we were suppose to not know Vince was in charge....

Now its all in the open.... THE McMahons R in charge... He owns the company.... So having KANE/MADDOX/VICKIE whoever is just dumb..... We know they dont have any POWER so its DUMB.... All the GM can do is make stupid "SPUR OF THE MOMENT" tag team matches that will be happening right Now....

Having an "EVIL" GM is about as silly as having a Judge on television that openly takes BRIBES.... "Hey I know U committed those Murdres but I am going to let U skate because U helped pay for my mansion in the Hamptons and bought me a Bugatti"....

Its RIDICULOUS.... You have someone who BREAKS RULES.... As the RULE ENFORCERS... And this one is just DUMB ALL ACROSS THE BOARD.... There is NO DIRECTION AT ALL.... I still am confused as to why Triple H made the SHIELD have that 11-3 handicap match.....

There is no reasoning behind any of it.. Okay Bryan is UGLY so he is Bad for Business... GOTCHA... So why is the BIG SHOW even in the angle... He has already held the belt... Multiple times... And he was brought to the WWE by VINCE remember.... So what's the problem...

I remember when having the TITLE was the story now the belts mean shyt.... The feuds are shyt with no actually rhyme or reason to them.... The endings are shyt.... THERE IS NEVER A CLEAN ENDING UNLESS ITS JOHN CENA single handedly BEATING UP ALL THE TOP TAG TEAMS.... Which makes them shyt.... And the most important element of the show is which wrestler is dating which **** BYTCH off of a REALITY SHOW.... THAT IS TOTALLY SHYT!!!!

Its PATHETIC....

This is a terrible STORY LINE and should just be put to BED.... Cause it's making the entire PRODUCT LOOK LIKE SHYT....

 

[chicagokmc]

There aren't too many authority figures because most of the figures that were listed don't have real authority. Maddox and Vicki are GM's but they are powerless puppets with no true autonomy. They either follow orders directly, get the suggested thing to do repeated so many times a 3 year old would know what to do next or get yelled at when they show initiative that ends poorly. Kane is being depicted as a bit of a wild card, but he doesn't have the power to over-rule HHH/Steph.

The only time there are ever too many authority figures around is when you have HHH/Steph and Vince all actively involved as the storyline. Hopefully that doesn't resume any time in the near future.

 

[#tamale]

I like the Authority, but they have gone overboard with the management positions. Just keep it with HHH, Stephanie, and Kane. Vickie has overstayed her welcome in these roles. I like Maddox but his position is useless in this story. This past Monday was the a great example of how they complicate the story with Vickie just strolling in making matches and Kane not overruling her even though he is the Director of Operations.

I do feel they need at least 1 more active wrestler in this story, but someone who is a credible threat. Sheamus would be ideal for this story, joining the Authority and going after Cena and the World Heavyweight Championship but he would need to return by the end of November. Sandow would be a good choice as well.

 

[GeneralKarim]

Well I think this is just to continuously get the Authority Angle over.Its to show that no matter what GMs do, the big bad evil higher-ups interfere when they something doesnt tickle their fancy.

I think its fine.Only thing I hate about the too many authority figures is that I'm being constantly reminded that I will never reach the level of fashion sense Maddox has.

As others have said Vince put Maddox their so this all just builds to where Vince will comeback and they will have a big confrontation that will culminate at Wrestlemania probably.

Plus Vickie is not all that bad too look at so the more she's on TV the better, I mean those hips....those lips and datasss the things I woul......Ok im gonna stop myself and go to college before I reveal what I do when Im alone.

 

[TimAH]

One thing I find completely stupid about this is that the control freaks HHH and Stephanie McMahon go on vacation and apparently don't tell anyone who is in charge of what.

 

[klunderbunker]

Let's see. There are currently more than zero people with authority. Therefore, yes there are too many authority figures.

The idea of an authority figure needs to be brought to an end. It's been proven for years and years that these characters simply aren't needed to have a successful product. I don't need Maddox or Guerrero or Kane or HHH or Stephanie holding my hand and walking me through a show. Want to know how you announce a match?

Cole: "Here's what we have for you later tonight. Are you ready for this? Alberto Del Rio one on one with CM Punk! They've fought for the world title before but who will come out on top? Still to come tonight on Raw!"

That took how long? Maybe ten seconds? No GM, no stupid comments, no power struggle. Just a match made, a teaser, a reason to watch and nothing making you want to bang your head into a wall. This system has worked for years in wrestling and it can still work today.

Don't believe me? Look at NXT. It's had two GM's since the show moved to Florida and combined, Dusty Rhodes and JBL might have made ten appearances in over a year. The only times you hear about them are in something like I mentioned above. It would be the same kind of statement about the match with "This match set up by NXT General Manager Dusty Rhodes." He never appears on screen but it's said that he's working to make the best show possible. It's simple, it's quick, it gets the job done, and it gives you more time for wrestling. Imagine that: wrestling instead of Vickie and Brad bickering over who is a better boss despite neither of them actually being the boss.

Yes, far too many because none of them need to exist.

 

[Big Nick Dudley]

A GM isn't what the show needs.... not right now, anyhow. When Steve Austin is available, let me know.

The show needs drama, though. Just having matches is an awful idea. However, that drama should exist among the wrestlers (and managers). I don't mind a GM here and there, but only when the storylines absolutely call for an authority figure.

 

[chicagokmc]

Great response, Klunder. The idea that an on air GM is needed to run a show is an extremely recent one. This is what causes the need for extra people - a GM is a low level management position and if you insist on having it, someone other than upper management HHH/Steph/Vince has to do it.

Wrestling in the live show/PPV era went on for years without a GM just having matches. Run-ins and interview segments were more than sufficient to build drama. We didn't need a GM to build drama or be the on-air booker for matches like:

- Andre vs Hogan
- Hogan vs Savage
- Undertaker vs Shawn Michaels
- Stone Cold vs the Rock
etc.

And to make it worse, WWE has made the GM a puppet position that fans can't take seriously because it changes 2 to 3 times a year.

 

[SkyCommanderWinky]

The BIGGEST problem with the authority, or at least Triple H and Stephanie is that they are always tweeners. At least Vince could fully commit to being a heel. I'm honestly tired of Triple H coming out and doing something a heel would do and then the next week he pulls a face move and we're supposed to forget the week before. It's fucking bullshit and it needs to stop! I'd be happy if I never saw Triple H or Stephanie on television again.

The second problem is that they take credibility away from whomever they are backing. In this case Randy Orton. Randy Orton doesn't seem like a legit Champion and it not just because of all the screwjobs. It just doesn't come off that he can beat someone like Daniel Bryan or even Big Show because he hasn't really had to fight.

The final problem is specifically with Stephanie. As long as WWE is PG, Stephanie will never get her comeuppance. We won't see Stephanie powerbombed through a table or anything like that. The main point of having a heel character is that people get to cheer when they are eventually beat. However, the fact that Stephanie is a female involved in male feuds means we will never see her get beat in any way that I would call satisfactory. Factor that in with my first point and Stephanie might just be the most annoying person in the WWE right now.

 

[thebowtiekiller]

i dont mind authority/abuse of power storylines they can be done right the fact that hhh and steph are there most of the time makes the general managers ect pointless.hhh and steph can be truly hateable combine them with a group of thugs to do there dirtywork and thats all that is needed imo.

on further note i wish they would just give vicky a backstage job and keep her off tv she is just awful makes me cringe when shes on her overacting is ridiculous even by wrestling standards

kane as the director of operations sporting a suit is a very unexpected change but could be good if he is the old psychotic monster kane only this time he has authoritaw lol

 

[BaconBits]

We're in the so-called "reality" era, correct?

I'm guessing none of you have corporate jobs. You'll have way more authority figures telling you what to do than the picture WWE is presenting on television. And all of those authority figures will tell you something different and every day and every single is a constant clusterfuck of mismanagement.

It's the most realistic angle in professional wrestling history.

 

[JoeyJoeJoe]

We're in the so-called "reality" era, correct?

I'm guessing none of you have corporate jobs. You'll have way more authority figures telling you what to do than the picture WWE is presenting on television. And all of those authority figures will tell you something different and every day and every single is a constant clusterfuck of mismanagement.

It's the most realistic angle in professional wrestling history.

Sounds like someone's projecting more than anything else. Reality only sells when it's entertaining, and that simply isn't entertaining.

Creating a cohesive storyline, while a bit of a unicorn in the WWE, is still what you shoot for. Creating layers of middle management in a wrestling storyline is just confusing. But if your goal is confusing people, go right ahead, I suppose.

 

[H33LTurn]

You've absolutely hit the nail on the head. The most annoying part is that "the Board" card (the Board of Directors of the WWE that regularly undermines everyone, including the company's owner) will surely still be played, adding even more confusion to the process. Honestly, its time to get rid of Vickie. She had her run and I know WWE feels indebted to her and she does get along with everyone backstage, but her character has gotten old. She's reached Teddy Long status, when a familiar face in authority doesn't do anything for the quality of programming. I'm not saying get rid of her completely. Phase her out and bring her back in a non authority position. If ever a spot opens, however, she should definitively be the first candidate. Brad Maddox should have never been an authority figure in the WWE. Its inconceivable that someone with virtually no experience in the ring, who's younger and smaller than half the roster, can control the show. While it may be fun to see people like Cena and Big Show undermine him from time to time, eventually it gets harder to suspend your disbelief. Get him out of there completely and have him doing backstage interviews. The McMahons (including Triple H) can stay because they are legitimate authority figures within WWE and I'd say the majority of WWE's fans are already used to the idea of Triple H, Steph, and Vince calling the shots within the company. Then you can let the Board of Directors interfere from time to time whenever a change in authority has to be made.