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WWE has taken a lot of flack for its tendency to rely on veteran talent. This criticism has been quite active lately, as the company gave part-time star Goldberg a WWE Championship Match at the Royal Rumble pay-per-view. But it's fair to wonder how much of this negativity is warranted.
Likewise, one could argue that company's reliance on established Superstars is helping it maintain its status as a globally renowned company. WWE has household names on its roster, so it should feature them on a regular basis.
It is important to note that December is a notorious down period for the company, so it's hard to fault WWE for this consistent decline at the end of the year. Beginning in the new year, the on-screen product has improved, as both RAW and SmackDown feature compelling stories right now.
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But WWE still relies on veteran talent, and the issue continues to divide the WWE Universe. The narrative often focuses on the downside of this pattern. But it's just as important to focus on the positive side. In many ways, WWE's utilization of veteran stars is quite beneficial.
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#5 WWE relying on veteran talent generates a reaction from fans
It's no secret that WWE fans get upset when the company decides to focus on veteran talent. But the company needs to use this reaction to its advantage. It's an easy way for heels to generate nuclear heat, as they can brag about the fact that they're getting the opportunities.
This dynamic also makes it easier to root for relatively younger babyfaces, assuming the pairing features a notable age difference. Of course, some fans will still complain about veteran talents getting all the top spots. But there are several ways that WWE can benefit from this negativity.
In the end, anger is a very powerful emotion, and it can be used in a variety of ways. Ultimately, WWE must decide how it wishes to deal with it. Either way, the company must toe the line and give less established talent a chance to gain momentum, too. But focusing on veteran stars in the present could be quite beneficial down the road.
#4 WWE Relying on veteran talent creates genuine tension
WWE lacked a certain edge during the winter months last year, and a lot of that absence was linked to the believability of the product. While the company did everything it possibly could to drum up interest in its weekly shows, the on-screen stories just weren't very credible.
Various Superstars were missing, so the company wasn't firing on all cylinders. But now that WWE is focusing on the road to WrestleMania 37, it has benefitted from the presence of several veteran stars. It's fair to say that the company's reliance on veteran talent is paying off in a big way right now.
This pattern has given Mustafa Ali some genuine motives as a heel. He has been complaining about how RETRIBUTION is being denied opportunities due to legends like Edge. It's easy to invest in this storyline because other Superstars probably feel the same way. Ali is doing some believable storytelling that could culminate with something truly special.
#3 WWE relying on veterans creates nostalgia
WWE has been called "soft" lately, and this remark has motivated the company to step up with its storytelling. Of course, there have been some hits and misses, but WWE's current use of legends is one of the most interesting parts of its television product. In fact, seeing so many familiar names can make fans feel like they're living through the Ruthless Aggression Era all over again.
Between Ric Flair becoming Lacey Evans's manager and Goldberg competing at the Royal Rumble, this period has been a nice trip down memory lane. Plus, the decision to bring back the Legend Killer gimmick with Randy Orton was another successful choice on WWE's part.
Ultimately, this stretch of time might not be as good as the original Ruthless Aggression Era. But it shows that WWE is acknowledging a wider audience. It could also pave the way for some very interesting matchups at WrestleMania this year. As a result, even the most skeptical of fans will want to tune in for the fun.
#2 Veterans gives young WWE stars a narrative to work with
WWE has done a lot of things over the course of the last few weeks to improve its product. The company is creating an overarching narrative, which has been a pleasant surprise. This branching storyline can make every show feel like a cohesive story.
For example, Mustafa Ali was absolute magic on commentary on RAW last week when he talked about how veterans are taking time away from the younger talent. He was emotionally invested in this role in his mission to push RETRIBUTION to new heights. Fans almost had to sympathize with Ali's passion.
The narrative of old stars being pit againt younger talent is a very powerful story that can easily make fans care about the product. It remains to be seen whether the company is able to keep up this dynamic storytelling.
WWE's higher-ups will have to commit to this conflict in order to make it work. But the sky could be the limit with this kind of world building.
#1 WWE relying on veteran stars gives them a chance to put someone over
WWE's dependence on veteran talent is a mixed bag, but it does have its upsides. In fact, letting younger talent slowly rise to the challenge and cement themselves as the next big thing is a great way to build new stars. It's not a guaranteed way to succeed, but this approach gives promising competitors the chance to thrive in the spotlight.
Still, this method can easily backfire. If WWE continues to make young babyfaces the butt of the joke and rely on 50/50 booking, fresh talent will continue to struggle. But if the company allows the younger babyfaces to get one over on veteran stars, this proactive booking could help WWE prosper in the future.
Ultimately, it comes down to execution and WWE's willingness to utilize the stars of the past in the interest of buidling a brighter future. With the seeds the company is currently planting on RAW and SmackDown, WrestleMania 37 could be an incredible clash between the past and the present.
