10 Things Modern WWE Could Learn From Its Golden Era
2. More Time Between Shows
NXT usually runs four or five TakeOver shows a year and is wildly popular with fans and critics alike. The main roster put on fifteen pay-per-views in 2018 and, well, you can see where this is going.
The sheer number of pay-per-views on WWE's calendar means that stories have no time to grow or develop. Everything gets rushed and fans are often too burnt out to fully invest, especially when the events in question can be over seven hours long.
Compare 2018 to 1988, when WWF ran just three pay-per-views. This would increase to five the following year, but wouldn't exceed this number until 1995.
Larger gaps between shows meant that WWE had time to tell well-structured stories and the anticipation for the climax to these stories was much higher, because fans had to wait longer to see it.
Going back to three, four, or even five pay-per-views a year isn't possible with WWE's current business model, and reducing the number of big shows a year should definitely be considered.
Giving fans more time between shows would be hugely beneficial to the company's creative output. However, with the Saudi Arabia deal in full effect, don't expect this to happen any time soon.