WWE Vengeance 2011: 5 Reasons the Show Wasn't Worth Ordering

WWE Vengeance 2011 is in the record books, and looking back just 24 hours later, there isn't much to reflect on.

It was the usual, standard PPV that will get lost in a sea of mediocre shows that weren't deserving of the money required to view it.

Fans who went into the event hoping the WWE would rivet, surprise and ultimately justify their purchase were left feeling empty, scorned and betrayed by the thought of all that hard-earned cash being squandered.

Among other reasons, it was the definition of a place-holder show designed to build interest to a crescendo of sorts at next month's Survivor Series.

Unfortunately, because the WWE is in the business of selling PPVs from month to month, very few shows stand out and are often used to serve as cliffhangers for the following Monday's Raw or next PPV.

Regret and disappointment upon the conclusion of these "special" events is the prime reason why PPV buy-rates have continually plummeted in comparison to years past.

The recently concluded Vengeance is the epitome of a show that chips away at the fans' goodwill.

No Title Changes

In prior months, Hell in a Cell, Night of Champions, SummerSlam and the Money in the Bank PPVs all had at least one championship change hands.

Fans who ordered those shows felt at least a modicum of validation, knowing there was something worth chronicling for posterity.

However, last night at Vengeance marked the first time in a long time not one title was won or lost.

There were several instances it could've happened, too.

For instance, Dolph Ziggler should have probably succumbed the U.S. Championship to Zack Ryder after being involved in a grueling tag team match just moments earlier.

Another example is members of the WWE Universe were misled about the Cody Rhodes-Randy Orton encounter being for the I.C. title.

Granted, the victor of the match, Orton, probably doesn't need a second-tier belt, but it would've been nice to see him claim his prize after vanquishing the insecure narcissist.

All in all, an utter lack of championship changes made Vengeance 2011 a show that will end up having very little historical value.

This is all the more perplexing considering WWE's new directive.

According to the Wrestling Observer, the company is supposed to feature at least one title change per PPV in order to placate the buying customer.

Simply a Prelude To Rock's Return at Survivor Series

In this precarious economy, the average fan cannot afford to purchase every PPV.

Realistically, even the average consumer with some expendable cash will buy only a handful of shows besides WrestleMania every year.

So, when Joe or Jane fan is sitting on his or her couch after spending a cool 50 bucks watching Vengeance, you don't think he or she felt a touch of buyer's remorse after seeing a commercial advertising The Rock's return to the ring after seven years at Survivor Series?

Taking into account The Rock's in-ring return has only been common knowledge on the Internet, it is very plausible the casual viewer was frenetically looking for the refund button on his remote after becoming apprised of the news during the Vengeance broadcast.

And let's face it—is Survivor Series, slated to be at the newly-renovated Madison Square Garden, going to carry a higher price tag than the average show (WrestleMania excluded)?

Then what's the incentive—assuming one was informed of The Rock's return—to have ordered Vengeance at all?

With Mick Foley confirmed to be involved at the show, and Steve Austin rumored to be making an appearance as well, it becomes clear Survivor Series is the only event worth ordering post-Money in the Bank.

Predictable Storytelling

We all know Survivor Series is next month, where elimination matches usually abound.

Many could predict that The Miz, R-Truth and even Kevin Nash—upon returning—had to be portrayed as formidable foes heading into the next offering.

Never mind the absence of creative presentation (i.e., Nash's reappearance as an outsider, "Jackknife" included, felt like a rerun).

The WWE's mindset last night was if the three don't appear dominant, then what reason do fans have to see the babyfaces ultimately get revenge?

The problem is, who didn't see it all coming? Did anyone really believe Kevin Nash was fired?

Or that The Miz and R-Truth would not have big roles as antagonists on the show, notwithstanding the fact most of it could've been saved for Raw and SmackDown?

With the aforementioned three heels long rumored to be on the same team at Survivor Series—opposing The Rock, Cena and three others—there wasn't much guesswork as to how the proceedings would transpire at Vengeance.

Standard, Formulaic Matches

Most WWE PPVs usually have at least one four star match on the card.

Vengeance, on the other hand, had a bevy of average matches not unlike anything one may see on Raw or SmackDown.

The best match was arguably the opening tag contest pitting Bourne and Kingston against Ziggler and Swagger.

And the last man standing finale, although a fine match in its own right, was hampered by a broken ring and several lulls in between the action.

Even the two most anticipated matches—Rhodes versus Orton and Punk/Triple H versus Miz/Truth—had a plodding, lackadaisical disposition about them. They lacked the passion and ire fans might have expected to witness given the buildup.

The live fans in attendance caught on as well, refusing to be emotionally swayed by many of the matches to the WWE's chagrin.

Only 1 Memorable Moment

Days, months and perhaps even years from now, will anyone recall anything from this event besides the collapse of the ring?

Yes, Mark Henry superplexed the Big Show from the top rope, causing the ring to implode and the fans to marvel with vociferous satisfaction.

It was a sight reminiscent of a natural disaster— the aftermath of a tornado as it was described on the broadcast—confined to a 20X20 ring in front of 15,000 screaming WWE fanatics.

Yet, despite the extraordinary sight and subsequent sounds, the ring implosion was not an original occurrence.

Eight years ago, in the exact same superplex maneuver also involving the Big Show, he and Brock Lesnar crashed through the center of the ring on an episode of SmackDown.

Over time, one might argue the memory of last night's successive ring implosion—Vengeance's only shining moment—will fizzle out under the weight of its predecessor.