10 Reasons Wrestling Will Never Ever Top The 90s
1. Creative Freedom
In 2017, virtually every promo you hear on WWE TV is penned by a team of writers. It isn't a trend; this has been standard practise since the turn of the millennium, and given that it was implemented by the woman set to inherit the company, we might as well refer to it as the new normal.
These promos range from dire (tater tots) to derivative (essentially every generic babyface spiel). There is little or no scope for a performer to colour between the lines. Promos used to exist to forge a unique bond between performer and fan; now, a seasoned talent like Seth Rollins relies on an inexperienced wingman to seduce his audience. It doesn't matter what he's packing downstairs.
Back in the fabled day, star power pre-Attitude Era was at such a premium that the likes of Steve Austin and The Rock were permitted (after some petition) to flex their creative muscle. Austin used his own initiative to craft his transgressive antihero. Likewise, Rock embellished his natural cool to create weekly catchphrases. Mankind humanised his persona with a series of improvisational sit-down interviews. Shawn Michaels and Triple H transposed their backstage irritant schtick onscreen. The common denominator here doesn't need pointing out.
Arguably, the two most popular (new) acts of the millennium (albeit within separate demographics) were John Cena and CM Punk. Both men were just two of a Donald Trump handful to receive creative freedom.
That isn't a coincidence. That WWE still hasn't reconciled the difference is infuriating.