WWE: The slow decline into mediocrity

As mentioned before, TNA, that is now run by Bischoff and Hogan, offers no threat to the hegemony that the WWE has on the wrestling business. They are merely trying to rerun a poor man’s WCW by using age-old gimmicks, and and failing to replicate the success of the NWO with the new stable called Aces and Eights. Most wrestlers there are WWE rejects or former employees like Kurt Angle who were disgruntled with the company. Others like Sting are now approaching the twilight of their careers and their appearances become more sporadic with every passing day.

It’s hard to pinpoint when exactly the WWE went downhill. Was it the deaths of two behemoths of the ring: Eddie Guerrero and Chris Benoit? The former was one of the most entertaining superstars ever, while the latter a supremely gifted wrestler who took part in one of the greatest triple threat matches of all time at Wrestlemania 20. People said both these deaths were brought about by possible steroid use and, in Benoit’s case, severe brain damage that spiraled into madness resulting in him murdering his wife and child before committing suicide himself. Was it the retirements of wrestlers like Stone Cold? No one can pinpoint the cause of the decline with accuracy.

Chris Benoit and Eddie Guerrero in happier times

Recently, the WWE has tried to revive interest by falling back on the prodigal son – The Rock – who left the WWE to pursue a career in Hollywood. This was a move that benefited The Rock more than WWE, in my opinion. When he was brought back to host WM 27, his Hollywood career had stagnated, and his movies were not doing well commercially or critically. Once he returned and engaged in his feud with Cena that ultimately culminated in him winning the WWE title, his stock had risen. Suddenly, his films started to do well too. His latest films like Fast and Furious 5 and its sequel, along with GI Joe Retaliation, have been blockbusters, earning nearly a billion dollars in earnings put together. He has become hot property in Hollywood once again. But while he was WWE champion, there was criticism from the fans about the sporadic appearances he would make on RAW due to his film commitments. Fans knew his comeback to the WWE would only be temporary, and they have been proved right.

The WWE really needs to get its priorities straight if it wants to win back fans. Storylines need to be given due importance. No matter how good the wrestler may be, if the storylines are weak it could signal the end of the superstar’s career. It would be great to see the resurrection of the golden era of wrestling once more, and one hopes that things do indeed change for the better.