FanPost

The Answer to Solve the WWE Network

The WWE Network is flailing.

Since its debuted in February, the network has lost subscribers, money and has even been the catalyst for the most annoying catchphrase in wrestling since Austin’s "What" chant. It has led to people losing their jobs and a drop in stock for the company.

Most of the people who purchased the product, including myself, have claimed that while a great product, it isn’t a necessity. The Pay-Per View events have been the primary piece that has kept a majority of people tethered to the network. Other than that, the library is lacking, a majority of the content can be seen in other places, and the things most want to see (Nitro, Raw, Hardcore TV, Documentaries, Monday Night War, etc.) are not up yet. Granted, I could see a spike in those things appearing towards the end of this six-month period.

However, the thing about this period is that, for as much as it’s failing, the network has already found the way its going to become a success..

Last night, as I stayed awake (I have terrible sleeping habits), I was rummaging around my Netflix accounts and instead of watching Mad Men (again) I decided to go onto the WWE Network, with the hope of finding the Monday Night Wars documentary. However, what I decided to watch was the Cena-Lesnar prelude to Summer Slam special.

Before I get to the special, I want to mention I am a huge boxing mark. I don’t get every Pay-Per View, only because I am a struggling 24-year old with a part time radio job (which means, I am broker than the average Twenty-Something). However, one of the highlights to every match build is the "24/7" half-hour shows that HBO puts on to hype up a big match.

Why?

Because it tends to make a match, which could include two unknowns or one mid-card talent being fed to a main-eventer, seem all-world. It’s shot well, it’s made to make us believe (even if it’s not always true) that this match is going to be something you’ll tell your children about.


WWE has had plenty of those, but they don't build them like that anymore. They used to...

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via 38.media.tumblr.com

But they don't anymore

The WWE has been reluctant to make any of their matches seem that big. They build things, make them seem important, but not on the level to which they seem like a moment we will all remember. Granted, the Orton-Cena TLC match was built fairly well and the Bryan-Triple H Mania match had a big fight feel in spite of the meander build.

Now, in the middle of one of the most do-or-die moments in wrestling history, the WWE has decided to change the way the builds (at least over the last few years) have been going. They decide to have an amazing promo war between Paul Heyman (one of the greatest promo men of all-time) and John Cena (a good promo when he wants to be) with sprinkles of Brock Lesnar.

The advertisements have been some of the greatest ads I’ve ever seen. And I don’t mean just in terms of "wrestling ads". I mean in terms of any sports-related advertisement.


Then, after a lame-duck episode of Raw, I watched the "24/7"-esqe "Prelude to Summer Slam" and was blown away.


*NOTE: This was the clip shown on RAW, but its all in the program.

The program was short (only running at 27 minutes), but it was done so superbly that it leaves me thinking that the WWE’s best route is to run things similarly to the boxing world:

-Have a network-only 24/7 each month, hyping the main-event.

-Don’t defend the WWE Championship at every Pay-Per View. Obviously, Lesnar will hold the gold until Wrestlemania so we wont have to worry about this for a while. However, assuming that Lesnar loses at Mania (which I am adamantly against if they resign him), they should only defend at 8 out of the 12 Pay-Per Views. That way they can elevate other championships.

-Build up things ahead of time: we knew that John Cena/Brock Lesnar was going to happen. Why not scrap the Fatal Four-Way at Battleground (which was a letdown) and have something else main event. I don’t think anyone would have had a problem with a 24/7 build and main event for Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins at Battleground.

At the end of the day, the WWE has to infuse the things that made the old school great (solid champions, amazing stables and memorable feuds) and mix them perfectly with what is hot now in combat sports.

How does UFC continually gain in fans when it is less approachable (but more difficult to maintain) than professional wrestling? It builds things in such a way that it makes you want to seem them. I love combat sports, but I am not a big UFC guy. I don’t like it because it tends to let me down every time I actually tune in. That said, this promo work has me contemplating splurging and going to Buffalo Wild Wings to watch the fight:


The WWE has to change in order to make a run with the network. I think it has the ingredients right in front of them. Telling us the price point isn’t going to change that fact.

The FanPosts are solely the subjective opinions of Cageside Seats readers and do not necessarily reflect the views of Cageside Seats editors or staff.