Defending The WWE Creative Team. . . Sort Of.

I am not laying blame entirely at the feet of the WWE creative team.  I personally think they are doing a horrible disservice to fans who have been loyal to the WWE product throughout the years.  I am just saying that it is not all their fault.  There is much that goes into the planning of a storyline and the subsequent matches that usually follow.  It is hard juggling all the outside influence that comes from the wrestlers and the top executives.  I am sure plenty of great ideas get shot down because a specific superstar refuse to lose or Mr. McMahon doesn't like one of the participants since they do not fit a specific mold.  Even when they have a script that is satisfactory, constant changes take place and it becomes hard to build great characters when most times they are just winging it.  Also, top performers have a lot of say in their matches.  The epic fail that was Hart vs. McMahon was mostly put together by the two who were involved.

The Internet is filled with comments and articles criticizing the WWE.  The writers on this site alone make some excellent points that I whole-heartedly agree with.  An exceptional piece was written by a contributor (Iam D Real Deal yo: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/372992-wwes-biggest-problem-its-creative-staff) who goes into great detail about all the things the WWE is doing wrong.  A great article, but one that doesn't take into effect all the politics that take place behind the scene.  I recommend checking it out. 

Hearing all that the community had to say has got me thinking.  It is easy to criticize and list round-about ways to fix things, but take a second to put yourself in their shoes.  It is not about the story or overall talent, it has become more about appeasing egos and doing what the people who sign your checks want you to do.  It is hard to build new superstars when you don't have the freedom to script them in a way that will consistently get them over with the crowd.  Creative has tried to push new stars but it seems that, if they are not approved by HHH or certain other top stars, they slam into the glass ceiling so hard that they fall back down to the base of the ladder.  The writers have so much pressure coming from above that the few superstars that are accepted are shot to the top so rapidly that it leaves the WWE universe collectively scratching their head.  The crowd does not know how to react because there is little to no build up and this comes off horribly on live television.

We want new talent in the title picture but most top superstars refuse to make room.  When was the last time you see John Cena put over a younger more talented star? The only feud I can remember him being in with someone who was not a main-eventer at the time was the Miz and he would have ended up being buried if not for his own tenacity and passion to make it to the top.  At Wrestlemania there were numerous opportunity to showcase younger stars, but that would have meant either giving them more time to perform or (gasp!) have a top performer lose on the grandest stage of them all.  We don't want that!

Pressure to see an instant increase in the ratings is another item that is worthy of blame.  Instead of thinking long-term, the WWE is relying heavily on gimmicks for a quick increase in viewers.  It is hard for creative to focus on building up characters and creating compelling story lines when they are stuck writing scripts for pseudo-celebrities that guest host Raw.  Most of them do not have the slightest clue about the WWE product.  The writers have to do their best so that they don't come off looking like a complete ass and ruining the show entirely.  

I am not trying to make excuses.  The WWE creative team has failed, they just don't deserve all of the blame.  They work in an environment based mostly on politics and whims.  Writing for the WWE is not about being creative and compelling.  It is a juggling act.  Wrestling has become more about the wrestlers' egos and less about good story lines that keep viewers coming back for more.