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CALDWELL'S TAKE
CORNER CUBE MONDAY 4/28: Start Game - WWE's serious approach at Backlash is good sign Apr 28, 2008 - 11:15:24 AM
Updated daily from the corner cubicle, Torch columnist James Caldwell's weekday blog focuses on hot topic current events and other items of interest from around wrestling.
Updated Monday, April 28, 2008
On the PPV where Triple H won the WWE Title after a lengthy quest to regain the belt, a serious tone was set for the Backlash PPV before the first match even started. I don't believe that's a coincidence.
That tone was the formal ring introductions for MVP vs. Matt Hardy for the U.S. Title. It seemed like no big deal at the time, but it added to the drama of the match and established the serious nature of the PPV, which was then carried out through the rest of the show.
The show followed the template established by TNA with their Joe vs. Angle build-up at Lockdown. I'm sure there are folks who were paying attention to that, or it could be that WWE simply decided to take a more serious approach to the PPV. Regardless, Triple H's title victory will be remembered hand-in-hand with that approach.
It started at the King of the Ring tournament on Monday when the majority of the matches featured clean finishes. William Regal captured the crown using his submission finisher after using a more aggressive mat-based attack that looked more realistic than what we're used to seeing on Raw.
It carried over to Smackdown when C.M. Punk and Edge wrestled a fantastic TV match that featured a clean finish, but gave Punk serious points for hanging with the #1 Contender to the World Title.
The KOTR tone carried over to the PPV where Shawn Michaels used a variety of submission holds and a mat-based attack on Batista. Randy Orton was determined to get people to buy into one of his three holds with the extended reverse chinlock on Hunter. Undertaker effectively incorporated his MMA-inspired attacks. Even Khali tried to bust out some submissions, but even if they put the audience to sleep, it fit the tone of the show.
It remains to be seen whether this was the start of a new approach to presenting the WWE product. WWE has the talent at the top of the card to pull it off, but it will take dedication from WWE management when ratings don't initially reflect a desire from some fans to see a more serious approach. WWE has shortened the attention span of their audience with the funny ha-hah stuff over the years that trying to get them to buy into serious TV wrestling will be a tough task.
Certainly, WWE doesn't need to do-away with the mid-card acts that add a lighter fare to the show. Balance is key, and filling in the gaps between the serious content creates a more watchable product for all fans.
But, the takeaway is that WWE can draw a more quality viewer than just accumulate a number of viewers who will tune in for the b.s. wrestling, but never spend a dime on a PPV. WWE taking a more serious approach means quality viewers over quantity of viewers. I believe that's the right approach, even if TV viewership takes a hit.
If WWE only draws 4.5 million TV viewers doing a majority of serious wrestling, but they get 300,000 buys for an off-brand PPV, that's better than drawing 5.0 million TV viewers for a majority of comedy ha-hah and only drawing 250,000 buys.
Doing serious wrestling will alienate a portion of the audience thanks to WWE's short-term thinking over the years with heavy reliance on comedy ha-hah (e.g. 2006 with DX vs. Spirit Squad) at the top of the card.
But, if there's ever a time to start fresh, now is the time, especially with Triple H as new champion after Regal set the course of action on Raw and Joe vs. Angle established the template earlier this month at Lockdown.
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