Powell's Blog
Big Show and Floyd Mayweather angle delivered the type of realism that’s been missing from wrestling
Feb 18, 2008 - 05:38 PM |
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Monday, FEB. 18 - 5:38 P.M.
Here’s hoping the Floyd Mayweather and Big Show angle makes the WWE and TNA creative teams consider adding more realism to their products. I’m not suggesting that wrestlers should be subjected to taking stiff shots to the face like Big Show did last night, but the truth is that the angle wouldn’t have been nearly as successful without those punches and the bloody aftermath that was Show’s face.
For the record, Show told Mayweather to lay those punches in beforehand, but it sounds like Floyd got a little more carried away than Show would have liked. There’s no heat over it that I’m aware of, but Show did suffer a broken nose and it appeared just by looking at him that he might be in need of some dental work.
At the same time, I hope this angle doesn’t inspire either company to start delivering an endless number of worked shoot story lines. It’s not about trying to fool a fan base that knows the business is a work. Rather, It’s about making it easier for viewers to suspend their disbelief. And it’s nearly impossible to do that while watching shows that feature Hornswoggle walking through walls or skits where the writers are more concerned with telling fish jokes than creating money-drawing story lines.
Don’t get me wrong. I’m not a sports entertainment hater. I just believe it’s time to eliminate the ultra-campy comedy. I have no problem with DX playing to the crowd with humorous promos or Kurt Angle hamming it up occasionally. I’m more concerned with those mood killing skits that make you feel as if you are watching a variety show on public access at 3:00 a.m. on a Saturday morning. In TNA’s case, most of the heels are playing comedy roles when they should be trying to earn the type of heat that makes viewers pay to buy tickets and pay-per-views.
Both companies have been searching for the last several years to find the right formula that will spark the next big wrestling boom period. They’ve tried catering to children, tweaking the in-ring product, and hooking up with every D-list celebrity possible. Oddly enough, neither company has tried abandoning the skits in favor of creating a more sport-like, realistic product. I’m not saying that’s the definitive answer, but I’d sure like to see them try it.
Reminder: Check back for my Live Coverage of tonight's Raw at 8:00 p.m. (CST).
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