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EATON'S PERSPECTIVE OF THE COMMON FAN: WrestleMania 30 Aftermath - Bryan, Youth Movement, Network, more

Apr 13, 2014 - 6:46:40 PM
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Perspective of the Common Fan
WrestleMania Season Aftermath
By Jimmy Eaton, PWTorch Common Fan specialist


Before I start this, I want to mention the Ultimate Warrior. It's been all the wrestling world has been talking about and I definitely share in the sympathies sent to his family. They are certainly in my prayers and it's just a very heartbreaking situation for them to deal with. I was never a huge Warrior fan, but I respect what he did for so many fans and the memories he provided.

The circumstances really hit home for those that met him during WrestleMania Week. After last week's Hall of Fame, I had more respect for the man behind the crazy promos and the legendary face paint. As the Common Fan, I hope the positive memories will overshadow the negative ones and that his final days being involved with WWE alongside his family will be the way he is remembered. Rest in Peace Warrior.

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On the tail-end of a bittersweet WrestleMania XXX weekend, wrestling fans find themselves in the midst of huge changes. The man they've been clamoring for to become the next "face" of WWE has done just that by winning the WWE World Heavyweight Title, Daniel Bryan. That long streak everyone talks about? Poof. Gone. New stars set to debut from NXT? As the Wyatt Family would say, "We're coming." Seriously, is my head the only one that is about to explode with all this change?

All kidding aside, these changes could end up being a great start to a new generation in WWE. Could it also blow up in their faces? Of course. However, like every other time where potential change is possible, I'm all aboard for the ride.

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Something just feels a bit different this time around. Usually I'm cautious and try not to get too excited. Maybe it's for all the previous times WWE has broken my heart with so many flubs of potentially genius angles. Or maybe I was just expecting to much. Now, I think it just boils down to the possibilities with the recent launch of the WWE Network.

I'm a nostalgic nerd when it comes to wrestling, so without a doubt at the announced price point I was going to be all in. I'm not sure about everyone else, but while I was very excited about the Network's launch, I had little faith in a live stream for a PPV with WMXXX being the guinea pig. I was sure it was going to blow up causing a bunch of people to miss out on the spectacle that fans love, or at least try to love every year. But post-Mania, I have to give credit where credit is due. Bravo to the WWE and the technical team that made that possible. With a successful live stream of their biggest show in history, getting that right is critical.

I'm actually very interested in the upcoming Network programming and of course let's not forget about the expansive library they already have that includes a ton of PPVs and older shows with more to come. Heck, some of the current original content is fun, too. Legends of Wrestling? Yes please. Old PPVs that include even the so bad-it's good ones? Yes, sign me up!

Looking at the future, I think the Network may end up being an even bigger piece of the puzzle for fans who have been dying for the change that C.M. Punk spoke so passionately about during his infamous pipebomb promo on 2011. You would think that more eyes will be on upcoming PPVs due to lower costs, which would lead to more attention to detail. You would also think that there is hope to continue to build on this youth movement. Or at the very least, maybe it can have a longer lasting effect than past attempts. Hey, if everything still falls apart then at least I can go re-watch the glory days.

An example of how the Network can lead to more positive change leads me to NXT, which I look forward to watching each week. Most upcoming talent will start there. Then, you have more outlets to tell stories with original programming. On another front, everything can have that potential to feel even more big-time with how events are presented with pre-shows. Eventually, everything comes full circle. Oh, the possibilities.

The fact that people saw Daniel Bryan start out on the independent scene before the days of the Network and rise up through the WWE ranks can be done again but through a medium that more people can see. How? Case in point, with the aid of the Network. Who doesn't love to see someone start from the bottom and ultimately make their way to super-stardom? I do. It makes me more invested in how far they've come, even if I am subbing the independent scene for NXT (In the case of Daniel Bryan). It makes matches feel more special down the line. At least it should. Over-saturation is always going to be a concern, but it's not impossible to avoid. I know, I know. Easier said than done though, wishful thinking. Still, more possibilities are at their disposal now more than ever before.

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This leads me to the ultimate question I pose to everyone. And there is no wrong answer. While I refuse to call this the "Reality" Era, the question still remains; Do you have faith in where the wrestling business is going? Or, do you have no faith and expect past mistakes to be repeated? It's a fun debate to have and quite frankly we always tend to have it every few years. Most of my fascination with wrestling is on how people react to it. How do hardcore fans react to something as opposed to a family-friendly crowd at a live show?

Case in point being The Undertaker's loss last Sunday and the reaction to the unforgettable 21-1. Hilarious, heart-breaking, and memorable. I'd be lying if my face wasn't looking similar to most of those while cameras panned the crowd. My whole house had that reaction. From friends in disbelief, my grandfather stunned and shocked thinking he may never see that awesome entrance again, to my Dad who never watches wrestling saying "He should have gone out winning!" Then, my wife, who watched part of Raw without me (Which NEVER happens, and she doesn't usually watch it that much as it is) to see if there was any fall-out from that unimaginable outcome. Will he be back? Is that it? What happens now? That is a night few will ever forget, and I'm glad I never will.

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In my mind, the future is bright, yet the question still floats out there of how bright that future is. How long does it last? Can it continue without the annal WrestleMania nostalgia? Can smaller promotions still compete to affect fans on that kind of emotional level? Maybe not on the same scale, but who is to say that huge business shifts like the Network won't motivate companies to do something big of their own? Stuff like this has potential to benefit everyone and raise the boats for all players. It doesn't happen all the time, nor does it happen overnight.

Regardless, we were a part of it. I wouldn't miss what's to come for anything. Well, maybe. Is Renee Young hosting something else? Because if so, that takes priority. Isn't she awesome? It's like she actually enjoys what she's doing. And KNOWS about the history of wrestling. What? Oh, so yeah. Network? Yes. New champion? Yes. Potential new stars? Yes. Sounds familiar. This has been my perspective, what's yours?

Agree? Disagree? Have an nostalgic show you want me to review? Tweet/Post suggestions to me and keep the debate rolling on Twitter- @TheCommonFan

Jimmy occasionally writes a Retrospective/Perspectives of of the Common Fan column for the Pro Wrestling Torch on nostalgia/independent scenes and other happenings in the world of wrestling. He can be found on Sean Radican's Wrestling Community Audio page/show yapping about independent wrestling too from time to time. Speaking of which, be sure to "Like" the Radican's Wrestling Community Page located at Facebook.com/SeanRadicanRWC.


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