Enforceable Rules Would Make the WWE Better

As counterintuitive as it may seem for an industry that prides itself on its 'anything may happen' mentality, the WWE would be far better off if it set out some binding rules that were consistently enforced on their shows.

Some fans might perceive the idea of more rules as ridiculous folly, but there is a simple reason behind this thought. Rule breaking is far more exciting when there are some actual rules to break—otherwise the disobedience is inconsequential.

This was seen on Monday night (7/30) when Alberto Del Rio declared that he would not perform unless his matches were for the World Heavyweight Championship.

This should have evoked a strong reaction from the crowd, but little—if any—response was registered and the statement has barely received any thought from the WWE Universe since.

Such a declaration should be monumental as it flies in the face of everything that professional wrestling stands for. To become the champion, the wrestler in question must defeat every one of the challengers around him and consistently prove that he or she is the best person behind the champion.

Claiming that anything but a World title opportunity is beneath the superstar is a display of such hubris that the WWE Universe should be baying for Del Rio's blood. Despite this, the whole thing has passed the wrestling world by with barely a flicker of attention.

One factor contributing to this apathy is that Del Rio's character is failing to connect with the WWE audience. However, he is one of a plethora of heels who have failed to get over with the fans.

The deeper problem comes from these statements of intent being both commonplace, and directed against no one (and no rules) in particular.

These issues are a hangover from the 'Attitude Era' when superstars could make huge declarations that spelled out what they wanted to do to someone or something, and this was enough to get fans interested in an upcoming feud.

However that time period had two notable advantages.

One of these advantages was the number of strong leaders whom wrestlers could target. The obvious example is Mr McMahon, but groups like DX and the Ministry Of Darkness also had strong leaders that  lesser-known figures could target through the group's members as well as a direct feud.

The second advantage came from generations of understood rules that did not need to be explained. These rules extended further than just inside the wrestling ring, so it governed their behaviour outside matches.

The 'Attitude Era' smashed these rules into oblivion and huge amounts of excitement were produced.

The modern era is missing both of these factors.

There are many authority figures on WWE television, but who can do what and what actual power they wield is a great mystery within the scope of kayfabe.

The WWE Board of Executives may be the highest-ranking institution, but they appear to be made up from several figures who have individual power as well. There also appears to be other mystical members of that board that no one has seen, and their intervention is sporadic at best.

Executives like Triple H and Stephanie McMahon appear to have power that varies from week to week while Mr McMahon's position has been unclear since being stripped of power last summer.

The General Managers of each brand appear to have little power, apart from making matches between people who are ready to fight anyway or throwing together a random match which is set up to start a feud.

Even the referees are no longer consistent, with tag team partners being disqualified for breaking up a pin in one match but then being allowed to do so multiple times in another, and with matches being overturned after the final bell when the referee feels justified.

This problem with referees is consistent with the fact that there are no rules or guidelines anywhere in the WWE anymore. The rules which were inherently understood as the 'Attitude Era' exploded have been lost in the mists of time, and nothing has come in to replace them.     

Rules are needed for every level of the WWE hierarchy, from instructions that govern what is acceptable in the ring to a charter that explains the powers that each level of WWE's authority possesses.

Consistency over storylines would immediately improve with such a move, as matches would be played out on a level playing field. Novelty matches would also have more meaning as the fact that something is no longer outlawed would be meaningful, as opposed to now when no one is really sure what someone can and cannot do in matches anymore.

Breaking those rules would become exciting again, and this could give heels like Del Rio a chance to build their character. Del Rio's announcer Ricardo Rodriguez would be a perfect foil to deliver illegal manoeuvres while the referee's back was turned.

Finally there would be someone for wrestlers to rage against, and that is key for an industry that needs the "good versus evil" type of battle more than any other entertainment industry. Leaders, both good and bad, can rise and then be shot down for another to take those powers on.

The WWE Universe would have some structure where anarchy currently reigns supreme. Rules would make the anarchy mean so much more, and the "anything goes" spirit would be a rallying call to fans, rather than an accepted norm that people can get bored of.