10 Ways WWE Can Be THE Cool Wrestling Company Again
7. ...And LISTEN To Them
The following is out of the mouth of Stephanie McMahon, who had this to say at the ANA Masters of Marketing Conference held in October of last year:
"You want content that's relatable, genuine, authentic and resonates with your consumer. They have to have a reason to care. If we're doing our jobs right, you become invested in our characters' tragedy and triumph."
By that standard, WWE are not doing their jobs right. The Roman Reigns push isn't relatable, genuine, nor authentic. Desperate, forced and unwanted, it is the antithesis of successful. The guy is a superb and chronically underrated performer - but he's not The Guy. Forcing him onto the fans with the instruction of a parent is also the very antithesis of cool. Coolness is magnetic. You are drawn to it through the hushed reverence of word of mouth, or a cult-like imperative to follow. Reigns is repellent as the top face nobody cheers when he isn't in The Shield.
Wrestling at its best is a creative enterprise. Tetsuya Naito earned his bond with the New Japan audience by abandoning his quest to become the next Hiroshi Tanahashi. He now exists as the coolest star in the world’s coolest promotion.
Reigns' path could not be any clearer. If only the heel Roman was permitted the same creative input.