WWE's Perfect Match Formula Isn't Really Getting Over on Fans

So by now if you have watched the WWE for any period of time, you have noticed the format of matches.  The face gets his shine by beating the tar out of his opponent and then the heel gets to play dirty and then lay the smacketh down on him.  There are a couple "hope spots" to make you think the face can win.   Usually the heel comes up with the victory just to make those few times of good triumphing over evil memorable. 

This formula of match making has become so ingrained in the WWE that it is almost blasphemous to stray from it.  The consequences are people not watching.  The WWE has suffered a rather steep gradient in their fan base to the point that some UFC PPV's out-grossed Wrestlemania this year. 

The years of kayfabe have passed and the more educated fan is in danger of becoming disillusioned.  Professional wrestling has the aura and mystique that few sports have.  It is very physical, very demanding, and downright torturous on the performers.  Deep down most fans know it is scripted and mostly stunt work; however, it still carries the awe that a good book or a movie has that you can subconsciously compare to real life and give it a unique flavor.  The terror of a human body plummeting from two stories to smack through a table or the power of hurling a 300 lbs. man through the air, the spectacle, the showmanship!  As much subconscious hype and realism that professional wrestling gives the eager viewer, it is difficult to ignore the monotony after a while.

As a wrestler on the independent circuit, I have a unique perspective that perhaps the ordinary fan does not, but I started as a fan.  In the early 90's on Saturday mornings, you could watch your favorite stars beat the crap out of local no names to the point you could pretty much tell who was going to win before the match started.  The WWE fell into a huge slump before Stone Cold, the Rock, Mick Foley and others hoisted it back up.  Now the industry has enough money to support a roster that gives it a nice mix.  The match formula however is endangering the magic once again.

No fan wants to see the WWE go away.  At the same time, the fans of yesteryear are the fans of yesteryear because it has gotten so stale and almost boring.  I urge the WWE to change the formula, write some good story lines and take the fan base back.  A little elbow grease now will result in more satisfied fans and more money in Vince's pocket.