8 Ups And 6 Downs From WWE Extreme Rules 2017

2. Systemic Problems

OK, let’s put aside the fact there are more ups than downs here. We can all acknowledge that Raw has an abundance of talented wrestlers who are capable of putting together solid in-ring action, which can make for an enjoyable evening.

However, it is absolutely undeniable that Raw is hemorrhaging viewers these days, and WWE overall has seen viewership drop dramatically in recent years. It has become embarrassingly bad, and no amount of excuses – Monday Night Football, hockey and basketball playoffs, people using DVRs or cutting the cord – can absolve the company.

There are problems here, too many to be noted or expounded upon in one item (it would be better suited for a separate article), but it has to be acknowledged at some point. WWE has to start doing something different to break the cycle. (No, the answer isn’t, “Push Roman Reigns harder.”) And while Extreme Rules wasn’t a bad show at all, it wasn’t the answer (or even the beginning of an answer) to that problem.

Samoa Joe winning a #1 contender’s match is a pleasant surprise, but you know what would be a dramatic change? Having him choke out Brock Lesnar next month and become the dominant heel champion. That’s just one idea/example. Give people compelling reasons to fight. Let them cut their own promos. Change things up soon, because while things aren’t 1995 WWE or 2000 WCW bad, it’s definitely, empirically not a high point right now.