What's good folks! It's been a while due to health stuff and other commitments so there hasn't been as much time as normal, but best believe, I've had a LOT to get off my chest concerning the current state of the game. For starters, let's examine the ever divisive issue of WWE against the indie scene. This has been a year in which we've seen promotions such as ROH, PWG, NJPW, RevPro, WCPW (now Defiant Wrestling) and Progress deliver in quality and bigger fan bases. However, WWE has had very mixed results. Let me begin to break it down.
Although it's been reported that WWE has had a dynamite year and especially an awesome third quarter in terms of merch sales, ad revenue, and fairly steady WWE Network numbers, morale is a whole different story. We've long grown weary of Vince's constant and frequent mind-changing when it comes to pushes and creative direction. Things hit a turning point when the company released Summer Rae, Darren Young, and the most surprising release of them all, Emma. After what had been an overall failed WWE run, Emma was in a brief run against Asuka when the record-breaking Japanese star made it to the main roster. She was also in a featured match on a pay-per-view. Although very unfortunate, the saying goes, "When one door closes, another opens", as Emma (now going by her real name Tenille) is already taking weeks of bookings starting in February. Emma is a world class talent that will have no problem succeeding elsewhere. Now by these releases happening, it has created an air of uncertainty and doubt. Basically, if you're not getting used regularly or if you have massive heat, your future doesn't look good. With recent situations involving Owens, Zayn, and NXT upstart Leo Rush, seemingly anytime there are reports of heat, the instant thought is, "Ah hell, they're next to get future endeavored". That's such a bad way to approach work everyday.
Enter Cody Rhodes and The Bullet Club. He was released in 2016, but has become even hotter than he was in WWE. Rhodes has faced the likes of Kurt Angle, Rey Mysterio Jr, and others while also becoming ROH World Champion and being a member of the single hottest unit in all of wrestling, The Bullet Club. His association with the boys consisting of the likes Hangman Page, the most incredible team in the sport The Young Bucks, and "The Six Star Cleaner", and arguably the best in the world today, Kenny Omega has had his merch go through the roof at ROH shows and Hot Topic. Plus there was the VERY petty situation of the mock "invasion" by The BC outside a live Raw show that prompted Vince to not only fire one of his best creative writers in indie legend Jimmy Jacobs, but he also issued a Cease & Decist letter for them to stop using their apparently trademarked "too sweet" (along with the hand gesture) and "suck it". This financially backfired, as it did nothing but give BC more notoriety. Plus, ROH's recent Global Wars shows set company records in terms of attendance, producing sellout shows at each location.
Quality was also mentioned, as NJPW has BLOWN away everyone in 2017 in terms of match excellence and pay-per-views. With four matches that broke the notorious Meltzer scale, and plenty other five star matches or close, WWE has had bits of glory, especially Cena vs. AJ at the Rumble earlier this year, but they were last on the totem pole. When you look at the caliber of matches from other companies such as Progress, WXW (peep that David Starr vs. WALTER encounter), Evolve, and especially PWG, WWE doesn't stand up. While storytelling is the goal, the other companies allow them to not be set to a certain "style" except your own (NJPW is the exception but one wouldn't know it). Maybe it's not huge deal to Vince. That's not to say he doesn't want great matches, but clearly his product can learn from Omega vs. Okada if they really wanted to.
Let's speak about the cases of Neville and Austin Aries. A few months ago, Neville took his ball and went home reportedly before a live Raw due to being burnt out and being unhappy with his creative direction, primarily having to lose to Enzo Amore. Also, Austin Aries was let go due to nothing for him creatively. Although there have been talk that Neville may return, Aries is back in the indies and put out a Tweet stating that he had made more within six weeks than in the final four months of his WWE run. Who knows what other big deals Austin has in store. The release of Aries was just dumb, as there was a lot they could've done with him, as he's a hell of a worker and a promo guy. That's just laziness and favoritism. As for Neville, he had absolute reason to walk as well.
This in tow is the problem with WWE: lazy booking and creative. It prompts talent to become unhappy and losing their passion. Not to mention, if one is injured (unless one is in the upper tier of talent), they better not be out long or else it's an uphill battle for them. However, their loss becomes the gains of everyone else. I wonder what would happen if they actually do lose Daniel Bryan in 2018? They can believing they're the only game in town for talent and fans. People are continuing to show their reign as the lone wolf in the game is starting to get shared. Stay tuned for the best matches of 2017. Until next time!
