8 Things WWE Can Learn From Star Wars: The Force Awakens

6. Take A Chance On The Future

The Force Awakens takes serious risks by foregrounding the three new main characters of the film - Rey, Finn and Kylo Ren - at the expense of the legendary material at its disposal. Remember, Disney could easily have chosen to make this Star Wars: 30 Years Later, and have Luke, Leia and Han doing the exact same thing as they did in the original trilogy, with the same vibe and tons of self-referential, winking dialogue. Those risks pay off, because most of what people have been talking about over the weeks since the film's release has been the new characters. There€™s been very little speculation over the fate of old school classics: no one's holding mass candlelit vigils for Lando Calrissian or Wedge Antilles. Rather, for the most part, fan excitement has centred around Rey and her mysterious past, around Finn and his potential redemptive arc, around Poe Dameron and just how goddamn cool he is. The WWE audience is crying out to become invested in new characters. A few years ago, Cody Rhodes and Zack Ryder were getting audience attention. For a brief period last year, Damien Sandow had audiences citing him as the best part of the show - now it's The New Day receiving all the plaudits. Not only that, but the WWE crowd is clearly desperate to get behind Dean Ambrose, who's been relegated to wacky sidekick, and Cesaro, who (before his unfortunate injury), had his own large and vocal section of fans in every city on the loop. There's more, too: but WWE seems only interested in investing itself in telling stories about the two, perhaps three people at the main event. At this time of year, the only storylines that WWE seems to think are important are the ones setting up the top three matches at Wrestlemania, which always seem to involve part timers, celebrity guests and WWE legends. Everyone else gets lip service to narrative, but no real commitment€ and the new characters are mostly left to rot in the bullsh*t battle royal and the pre-show. WWE need to start taking chances on the new again, especially with injuries depleting the roster so severely.