What is so bad about Modern Day Wrestling?

[michael.foulds]

Right a lot of people on this forum are starting to piss me right off. Every thread I look about 70% of the comments are negative. What is actually so bad about wrestling?

Yeah it's not the attitude era anymore. WE GET IT. IT hasn't been the attitude era for quite a while. People say wrestling is in a state now but I've seen the same bithing for years. Here are some examples:

"TNA will never succeed, they are the minor leagues" - Maybe they are the minor leagues, but look at their roster? Angle, AJ, Hardy to name a few. They've really stepped up their game and I think Hogan/Bischoff/Flair is only good for them in the long run, but people still bitch about TNA no matter who they get. If they signed John Cena tomorrow they'd say "another WWE reject".

"There's too many title changes" - This one really makes me laugh, because it's the SAME people who bitch about how long JBL/HHH/Cena being champion for so long, so now you don't like the title changing hands? OK....

"It's always the same people in the main event" - OK, let's look at the new people who's been in the main event this year. Miz,Swagger, Nexus, Sheamus, Pope, Anderson to name a few...Hell even Zack Ryder! haha. But seriously, when Sheamus and Swagger won the title's and gave the title picture a fresh look, everyone bitched saying they "weren't ready". How the fuck do we know if they're ready? We only see them on screen, we don't see their full potential backstage.

So that's my views. I think that most people on this forum who do this are just fat, horrible middle aged men or sad little virgins who have nothing better to do with their lives because of how shit their lives are in real life. Now I'll get a lot of hate for posting that, but that'll just prove my point even more, threatening someone you'll never meet over a computer. Oh so scared I think I'll cry :'(

 

[Jack-Hammer]

Most of the complaints you'll hear regarding wrestling these days are made by the IWC. Your average wrestling fan, for the most part, is generally happy.

To some degree, the internet has ruined professional wrestling in the sense that there's no mystery or mystique left to it. Internet sites like WZ, as much as we enjoy them, have revealed many of the inner workings and behind the scenes situations of wrestling. Among the more common complaints you'll hear is that wrestling is too predictable these days. Of course its predictable if you spend time cruising the wrestling sites for spoilers on matches and potential storylines as a hefty portion of the IWC does. Now, it's also true that you can get a good general idea about where something is going to go in storylines and angles if you've watched wrestling long enough. Due to restraints placed on wrestling either by the company itself or television in general, there really are only so many things companies can do and places they can go as far as stories are concerned.

Another huge issue you'll hear, regarding WWE anyhow, is the PG label. Way too many smarks act as though this is the worst thing in the world, completely disregarding the fact that most of wrestling throughout history in America has been firmly within the land of PG. If you look at the general content of TNA & WWE, there's very little difference. The only differences, the only legit differences really, are that TNA allows the use of blood and frequent swearing when wrestlers cut promos. Apparently, that somehow makes TNA edgy while WWE is sometimes called kid stuff for some reason. Whenever TNA has a legit opportunity, however, to set themselves truly apart by doing a storyline or angle with some legit controversy and juice to it, they don't go through with it. All the propoganda you'll hear about TNA being edgy with a more adult format is little more than a smokescreen.

A lot of people in my age group look back on the Attitude Era and see nothing but greatness. However, the truth of the matter is that a lot of people look back on the Attitude Era and see it through rose colored glasses. Just as you'll sometims hear people reminise about the good old days or how everything was better when they were younger, you hear the same thing said about wrestling. According to many, the Attitude Era was simply the best. While a lot of it was good, there was also a lot of crap that made its way onto tv that they don't acknowledge and conveniently overlook.

A person could sit at his/her computer for hours and go on and on about the IWC but I think the single biggest problem with internet fans is that far too many of them have unrealistic expectations. Every match has to be a classic, every promo solid gold and every storyline to be epic otherwise you'll definitely hear a lot of pissing and moaning about it. Many within the IWC want the wrestlers that they feel are good, wrestlers that they feel are money to be given big pushes and title runs even if the vast majority of fans don't see what they see. There's also a decent amount of internet fans that seem to want nothing but blood and hardcore action. They want to see people tossed off of 25 foot cages through tables or onto concrete floors, they want to see steel chair shots to the head, they feel wrestlers should be able to take steroids and various other illegal drugs if they want to, and so on and so forth. In a nutshell, all many within the IWC want is anything and everything, meaning their is constant complaining as they know deep down inside they can't have everything.

 

[Djm]

The title of this thread is a very good question. What IS bad about modern wrestling, exactly?

WWE is giving people jobs and money to where they can provide for their family, and they have occasional moments of greatness.

TNA has a talent roster that is, IMO, the best I can ever remember in at least 10 years. When allowed to their roster's talent shines through IN SPITE of their booking.

Ring of Honor is still good. CHIKARA is doing Ring of Honor attendance numbers in some cities. Pro WRestling Guerrilla is still awesome.

New Japan really seems to have recovered. All Japan and NOAH still have great junior divisions. Dragon Gate is still fun as hell. DDT is still groin-grabbingly hilarious.

So, I think wrestling isn't all that bad at all right now, mostly. Than again, I'm not someone who only watches Monday Night Raw just decides to bitch about that and be nostalgic for the 'old days'. And I don't live in my mom's basement, either.

 

[La Parka]

Most of the complaints you'll hear regarding wrestling these days are made by the IWC. Your average wrestling fan, for the most part, is generally happy.

To some degree, the internet has ruined professional wrestling in the sense that there's no mystery or mystique left to it. Internet sites like WZ, as much as we enjoy them, have revealed many of the inner workings and behind the scenes situations of wrestling. Among the more common complaints you'll hear is that wrestling is too predictable these days. Of course its predictable if you spend time cruising the wrestling sites for spoilers on matches and potential storylines as a hefty portion of the IWC does. Now, it's also true that you can get a good general idea about where something is going to go in storylines and angles if you've watched wrestling long enough. Due to restraints placed on wrestling either by the company itself or television in general, there really are only so many things companies can do and places they can go as far as stories are concerned.

Before I respond to anything else, let me say that, as a kid, I was predicting how the rhythm of matches would go, and calling moves, back when I even thought it was real. There was no website cruising for results. Especially in the later years, you had a strong sense about what was going to happen. Some finishers, at a certain point, were unbreakable, if that guy goes for his finisher too early, it'll be reversed in the exact same way, OR the opponent will kick out. That bad guy's going to back away from the corner, only to smash the face with an elbow, and the ref won't do jack shit about it. There's a lot of obviousness in wrestling, to begin with.

Anyway, my beef with modern wrestling, is how boring most characters are. For me, it's about badass costumes, OR, supreme talent. Kane, badass costume, and decent working ability. The Boogeyman, freaky look, and a true dedication to his character. Antonio Inoki, very very plain, boring wrestling trunks, but the man was a supreme beast. Ultimo Dragon, La Parka, and The Great Muta? Colorful, crazy costumes, AND supreme ability! Right now in wrestling, it's just a bunch of boring looking people using boring moves, not acting properly, looking sloppy in the ring, and generally fucking it up. Where did the awesome go? Can anybody tell me?

 

[Mr. Artistic guy]

Ok lets break it down then. If 70 % of people have negative comments which I reckon is about right then about 30% are peole complaining about nothing and looking for an arguement, we all have our off days. I'd say another 40% are just imitating what other people have said and can't think for themselves and the final 10% are people who have a genuine originial points worth listening to so you really have to filter through the comments those worthwhile people.

Of those with no real point are people who complain about WWE's lack of unpredictability for one, and people who bitch about TNA without actually watching the show, people bitching about PG and not accepting that it is what it is now and people who complain about storylines a week into their development. There are all sorts of void points people make that aren't worth your time. Peopl imitating other people's opinions speaks for itself.

And there are people with genuine points;this includes when a company pushes older guys who should have retired, have an unecessary amount of mic and promo time, when a company forgets a storyline and it goes nowhere, predictable matches and others. Heyman said it, the biggest reason that the wrestling business is in decline is because it isn't seen as cool right now and is being swamped by MMA/UFC etc..., usually not because of the reasons people find, they are generally smaller points, that is the most important one.

 

[Unsold Bacon]

I really don't know what is so wrong with it these days I really enjoy it. I really hate when people are like same old shit make up some new storylines. How about they try to make up new storylines its not like they have a unlimited supply to choose from. It's just that the internet always has to have something to complain about.

 

[Dyno Kid]

I guess it's all a generational thing, when you grew up with wrestling will always be the best of times for you. I myself started watching in the late 70's-early 80's so that's the wrestling that I like the best. I'm not a fan of today's product.

Give me WCCW, Mid-South/UWF, JCP, CWF, All Japan, New Japan, and Stampede from the 1980's and I'm in HEAVEN ! I love Pro Wrestling, not Sports Entertainment, hate it when Pro Wrestlers are called Superstars, and think it's so stupid to call your fans the Universe.

 

[Tommy Rage]

Wrestling today is severely underrated because a lot of people who post on forums grew up with the Attitude Era and believe that is what wrestling should be like. Personally I disagree. The in ring product (in WWE at least) is a hell of a lot better now than it was 11-12 years ago, and the roster in general is more talented. Plus, we are seeing some interesting angles develop which revolve around younger guys. Personally I think 2010 has been a really good year for WWE and people hate on it way too much.

And yeah, a lot of internet fans seem to just be contrary for the sake of it in an attempt to prove they are "smarter" than everybody else, which is ridiculous. I'd rather watch something and mark out than try to pick holes in it... provided it is good enough to suspend my disbelief of course.

 

[Dyno Kid]

All the mystery is gone today, thanks Vince, so much so that when I try to watch I get bored because it just feels like I'm watching a performance. It's hard to suspend belief when you know guy's are reciting scripts and are just jumping from spot to spot most times.

Yes I knew as a kid that wrestling wasn't a legit contest but there were somethings that we still didn't know the answers too. I could get emotinally invested but today forget it ! Like Jim Cornette once said, " If before a magician did his act he showed you how all the tricks were done would you still watch or pay to see his show ?" Of course not !

 

[Tequila Dave]

I personally believe the wrestling industry has made huge strides forward in recent years.
The WWE has really began pushing new stars: Sheamus has established himself as a main eventer, Daniel Bryan debuted and made an impact, The Miz's dramatic rise has been well recieved, NXT was created and even Jack Swagger had his chance in the spot light. At the same time, it seems as though WWE programming has become A LOT more unpredictable with veterans such as Kane and Rey Mysterio winning world titles. It also (despite the PG era) it seems as though creative have invested more time into coming up with exciting storylines such as the birth of Nexus and Bret Hart's return; even if these stories were poorly executed, they got the entire wrestling community talking. For the first time in years. it really believe it when I hear "anything can happen in WWE." On another note, WWE has gained more media attention with big name celebraties making appearences and their recent tour to China can only mean good things.
Now on to TNA. This year has really put the company on the map (even if it's for the wrong reasons.) At the beginning of the year, TNA saw a big influx of big names and legends such as Hulk Hogan, Ric Flair, Eric Bishoff, Jeff Hardy, Mr. Anderson and Rob Van Dam. We also saw the 'Monday Night Wars,' and it was an exciting time for the wrestling industry, even if it fell flat on it's face. This year more people have watched/talked/debated about TNA than ever before.
Taking all this into consideration, it's hard to deny the steps wrestling has taken lately. It's certainly an exciting time and i think there are definately more posotives than negatives.

 

[Paul_J_L]

Well, as my 10th post...FINALLY.

I'll just say that, and I've pointed out beforehand in another post, is a whole game of what-ifs.

IF Brock or Rock let Cena beat them, then Cena will look legit to most people's eyes. This would continue the people's perception as Cena as a big star, then allowed for the stream to be continued.

Basically, the abruptness of every major name during the prior generation left the current one in a tough spot. That's really all there is to it.

Another what-if is if Vince looked at UFC as competition, they wouldn't have gotten the TUF spot on Spike, which would've stopped the fans of WWE going to UFC, deflating the product even further.

Other than that, really I have no problem with the current wrestlers. Those guys are going out there and putting on a hellova show most of the time. Remember, wrestling is improve and trail-and-error at it's finest! So, even if 2 performers screw up, it's understandable as long as they get back on track and figure it out.

The current REAL issue is that the writting hasn't really complimented the talent.

Punk was riding HIGH in his feud with Hardy, it started capturing a TON of people's imaginations, and solidified both guys as main event threats. Then Punk shot his mouth off (which rumors have been rampant of this happening), and Hardy got busted for drugs.

SES was likely the RtC on steroids, but again, crappy writting shot any momentum in the foot for that.

Swagger got a title reign, but again, the writting shot his chance at solidifying his spot.

Shemus is just starting to regain momentum, and Barrett looks to be the next "big thing".

But again, the writting has been stunting and sputtering.

Allow the writters to write and the bookers book, and we have a NEXUS situation (which was F'n AWESOME). Handcuff them and we have builds that get cut off at the legs.

Simple, really.

(I only have an issue with Indy talent, and that's only if they go all 10-25 finishers a match. Other than that, I feel like it's un-natural pressure to get their names known. It's forcing those performers to go way past what they SHOULD be doing.

But they'll figure it out eventually. Again, Pro Wrestling is the greatest experiment in "Trial by Fire" Method known to man, right?)

 

[Dagger Dias]

So that's my views. I think that most people on this forum who do this are just fat, horrible middle aged men or sad little virgins who have nothing better to do with their lives because of how shit their lives are in real life.

OUCH. That's a little harsh isn't it? I don't always agree with the others on here, but that doesn't mean they fit that stereotype. It means they have a right to their opinion. If they think it sucks, let them sit there and complain all they want. I happen to really like today's wrestling. When I see a post I don't like, I don't make threads asking why people complain so much, I debate. Try it out, it's loads of fun.

Anyways, back on topic. This actually ties into what is wrong with modern day wrestling. People read into things they see online too much. Some guy posts a rant, and then many of those who read it will automatically think "hey, maybe he's right!" and then post rants of their own. People, we should be glad that we have WWE to watch two nights a week AND we should also be glad that we have TNA as an alternative on thursdays. What if both federations shut down? Then we would have no wrestling to watch on mainstream tv. THAT is when we will truly have something to complain daily about. I try to just ignore all the "omg wrestling sucks i miss the attitude era" posts. Let them whine all they want, us true fans will enjoy the modern product because we like to watch wrestling.

 

[Dyno Kid]

To say that we should be happy to have WWE and TNA to watch each week because without them we'd have no mainstream wrestling to watch is just crazy ! If something sucks(current WWE/TNA) I'm not gonna watch because there's nothing else to watch on T.V. I'll whip out the old school tapes & DVD'S or go on the computer to watch the classic stuff from the past.

I just can't watch the stuff that passes for wrestling today, I hate it, but I''m not gonna knock anyone who's into it even though I don't understand how they could be.