One of the biggest criticisms towards WWE is that virtually everything presented on their weekly programs are predictable and formulaic to the point that nothing feels truly new or innovative. Many match-ups and rivalries have become so repetitive that nothing shocking or truly awe-inspiring ever happens anymore. Why does this happen? Because WWE is playing it safe and isnt taking any major risks. They have stockholders to answer to, and any risky direction could lead them to lose money. Considering WWEs responsibility to these people, theyre not likely to change their business model, instead opting to keep the safe route, knowing that doing so is easy money with little risk involved. Its not like they havent tried taking any risks; in 2011 WWE pulled the trigger on Alberto del Rio and gave him a run as WWE Champion. But when they saw the Nielsen ratings fall, they panicked, and quickly put the belt back on John Cena, because Cena = ratings. They didnt take into account competition from other sports shows and the fall TV season, yet they were more concerned with pleasing stockholders than attracting new viewers. At the same time, there is an argument for playing it safe and doing what works. When Pro Wrestling NOAH tried to build new stars and pulled the trigger on them, ratings tanked, and by the time they entered damage control, it was too late. That company ended up struggling in the building of new stars to replace the retiring legends of the 1990s, and by the time the 2010s began, NOAH was a shell of its former self. This might be the only WWE mentality that might make sense. WWEs top brass are being careful so that they dont put all of their money on the wrong horse. However, predictability leads to boredom, and boredom leads to apathy. Unless WWE decides to take at least a few more risks, WWE might very well lose a lot of fans who are tired of continuous repetition.
Alexander Podgorski is a writer for WhatCulture that has been a fan of professional wrestling since he was 8 years old. He loves all kinds of wrestling, from WWE and sports entertainment, to puroresu in Japan.
He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Queen's University in Political Studies and French, and a Master's Degree in Public Administration. He speaks English, French, Polish, a bit of German, and knows some odd words and phrases in half a dozen other languages.
