PWTorch.com - REPORT: Does main WWE TV have an identity crisis?, WWE trying to serve too many people, with NXT highlighting perceived flaws

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REPORT: Does main WWE TV have an identity crisis?, WWE trying to serve too many people, with NXT highlighting perceived flaws

Oct 6, 2015 - 3:47:17 PM

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By James Caldwell, PWTorch assistant editor

During Tuesday's conference call, Triple H stumbled across one of the main concerns with the main roster right now, especially in comparison to the NXT brand.

"The idea on the main roster is to serve as many people as possible, without alienating anybody. You try to do that - it's not always easy - but you try to do that in the best way possible," Hunter said.

The issue many fans have right now is they do feel alienated by WWE trying to reach everyone with the "ultimate variety show," as Vince McMahon views Raw and general WWE programming, and without the star power to make up for perceived Creative flaws.

Hunter also talked about trying to weave "reality" into the fiction of main roster programming with more and more viewers aware of of the inner-workings of the wrestling business. That has also led to mixed results with things such as the "Divas Revolution," where the fiction is the Divas roster bickering and trying to take credit for who started it, instead of centering the division on individual feuds creating an emotional attachment and response from the audience.

There seems to be an identity crisis on the main roster where WWE is (a) trying to serve too many masters and (b) trying to weave in "reality" elements into a fictional TV environment.

Whereas, as Hunter said, NXT has its own niche, he understands his audience and demographics, and they can serve the audience with solid-to-great shows every time out.

"WWE is more pop music. It's your general population, so you're trying to serve all those masters," Hunter said. "We're trying to serve a niche. I know who my fanbase is with NXT and that's who I'm trying to serve."

Thus, an inverse relationship has helped NXT and hurt the main roster. Fans who are frustrated by main roster programming have become more attached to NXT. Then, the growth of NXT over the past year has created more frustration with the main roster, with questions like "why can't the main roster feel more like NXT?"

As Hunter said, WWE is trying to appeal to the masses with the main roster. However, 2015 TV ratings indicate that audience is not being served, with the rise of NXT further highlighting the issues in-play.