10 Things Everybody Gets Wrong About Modern WWE
Never ignore the bigger picture.
WWE are one of the most widely criticised sports organisations on the planet.
The fanbase is incredibly passionate, and while this has helped create an extremely dedicated following (who'll likely never abandon the promotion, no matter what they're served), it also means that they're extremely quick to jump on things they don't like.
Some of their complaints are valid. As a company, WWE often do a poor job of meeting their consumers' needs, and their booking regularly defies all logic and reasoning. Regardless, you'd think that the company were a complete disaster if you only listened to their harshest critics, and this simply isn't the case.
There's plenty to enjoy about the current WWE product, but the company can't lift a finger without angering at least one corner of the internet. Everyone has a right to their opinion, of course, but the promotion are so beleaguered by criticism that fans are often blind to the good things they bring to the table, of which there are many.
It'd be wrong to bury our heads in the sand and pretend WWE is perfect, but several of their critics' most popular arguments just don't stand up to scrutiny...
10. Raw Needs To Be Two Hours Long
Three hours is a long, long time to dedicate to an inconsistent professional wrestling show every Monday night. Even when it delivers, WWE Raw is an absolute slog, and its marathon length is a major contributor to the show's longstanding ratings problems. It's a slow, draining grind, and enough to test the loyalty of even the most ardent WWE supporters, particularly those outwith American timezones.
There's a huge clamour for Raw to return to its traditional two-hour format, but while this should guarantee a more watchable experience, it doesn't make any sense from the company's standpoint. Why?
Ad revenue.
It sounds obvious, but a three-hour show means WWE have more advertising time to sell than they would with a two-hour broadcast. Thus, the company would be forgoing potential earnings by shaving 60 minutes from their flagship show, and given their recent struggles to turn their record revenue figures into consistent profits, that's not an option.
Raw is best enjoyed pre-recorded, with the benefit of a fast forward button. This isn't ideal, but its a fair compromise, because complaining about the show's length is a waste of time and energy.