10 Small Changes That Would Improve WWE

8. Fewer camera cuts and angles

While it was nice that Raw and SmackDown added jib cams and new angles after the brand split, the thing that sets New Japan Pro Wrestling apart is that it is shot as though it’s a legit sporting event. it’s simple, mostly shot from the floor, and it’s obvious the camera crew is trying to stay out of the way of the match.

For proof watch, this match between current WWE Superstars Shinsuke Nakamura and AJ Styles from Wrestle Kingdom 10. Not just because it's an incredible mach, but the way it's presented as a shoot fight between two megastars.

Often, when the camera in WWE cuts to a shot in the corner near the turnbuckle, the only thing you'll see is the back of the head of the wrestler who was just whipped into it. Often, matches on Raw or SmackDown look like they're focused on the hard camera and an endless array of closeups. It's another thing that feeds into the idea that WWE is over-produced when it should seem more like a sporting event with extra drama.

Making it less obvious that the talent is working to the camera rather than the other way around could help the audience suspend its disbelief.

In this post: 
John Cena
 
Posted On: 
Contributor
Contributor

I'm a lifelong writer and former newspaper journalist, a full-on Star Wars and wrestling nerd, and a fan of superheroes. I'm also a husband and a dad, and my fondest wish is to instill good values into my children, and to convince them that Han shot first.