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WWE Raw drops to lowest TV rating in 18 years
- Thread starter RBH
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His job is to seemingly bury the entire roster and to make sure that no one is taken seriously.
Cole is supposed to be the face commentator, but he pretty much just lets JBL shit on everyone with no comeback.
BoboBrazil
Member
Mauro is insanely better on Smackdown. It almost makes me want to watch Smackdown from the small clips I've heard him in. Cole needs to be on the B show. Bring Mauro and heel Lawler to the main show.
Ninja Scooter
Member
JBL is terrible. He sucks up to heels and faces.
Every time I fall off the wagon it's because of crap like that. They did a similar thing with Matt Hardy after he was fired over the Edge/Lita thing. He started randomly turning up and attacking Edge whilst competing in ROH where he was cutting promos against Edge, Lita and WWE. They could have kept that going for months, costing Edge titles, getting in his head, putting Hardy over. But no. After about a month, Vince is stood there in the ring saying he was resigning Hardy and the whole thing fizzled out in a few weeks.
It was almost as if they couldn't bear not taking full credit for a worked shoot and giving ROH any sliver of promotion so they had to bring it all back in under corporate ASAP. It's so desperately insecure. Vince is still running scared from tiny, little promotions and the marks liking the "wrong" people that he'll throw away millions of dollars out of misplaced pride.
Dark Ninja
Member
WELCOME TO THE BIG LEAGUES
Mauro and heel Lawler on Smackdown is five billion times better than RAW commentary.
Just please for the love of God fire Byron Saxton. I don't understand why or how he is commentating on all of their shows. He is literally a plank of wood with headphones.
The Silver
Member
exactly what WWE wants, someone as vanilla as possible, another Michael Cole to spout corporate bullshit
Mauro makes the entire Raw commentary team sound like fucking amateur hour.
god michael cole is so fucking awful. this reddit post does a good job explaining why he is so irritating:
This is a Vince/branding thing, not a Michael Cole thing.
Smackdown gets much less attention.
"New Sensation" Neville wasn't coming out of the brains of anyone under 60 years old.
BoboBrazil
Member
Did you know the usos like to play cornhole?
Besides the booking of the show, the presentation is it's biggest problem. It all sounds fake and artificial.
Most of the performers don't sound like real people, neither do the commentators.
Also, they undermine certain performers all the time. AJ Styles is a great wrestler and they bring him as an underdog. Why not show a video package of him kicking ass and then put him in some matches kicking said ass? Instead they wipe out their "small guy is small" playbook and run with it.
Connor Mcgreggor is one of the biggest stars today and he is AJ's size. Difference is UFC doesn't treat him as an underdog. They treat him like the star he is.
But we can complain all we want, they won't change. NXT is where is at for a WWE product, with plenty of other alternatives outside of that. Can't wait to see how they ruin Balor.
Most of the performers don't sound like real people, neither do the commentators.
Also, they undermine certain performers all the time. AJ Styles is a great wrestler and they bring him as an underdog. Why not show a video package of him kicking ass and then put him in some matches kicking said ass? Instead they wipe out their "small guy is small" playbook and run with it.
Connor Mcgreggor is one of the biggest stars today and he is AJ's size. Difference is UFC doesn't treat him as an underdog. They treat him like the star he is.
But we can complain all we want, they won't change. NXT is where is at for a WWE product, with plenty of other alternatives outside of that. Can't wait to see how they ruin Balor.
There's been talk that Balor won't be moving up to the main roster any time soon, because they want to keep some big stars in NXT.
We can only pray the same applies to Nakamura. And then AJ, KO, Neville and Cesaro make their way to NXT as well.
Discotheque
Banned
Can't believe they're trying to make that garbage stick.....still better nickname than THE LUNATIC FRINGE
Ravensmash
Member
I think Cole gets a lot of undeserved stick.
Watching older stuff, I didn't realise how early it was when he became prominent.
If he was given a bit more free reign (than it appears now), then he'd probably impress a lot of people here again.
Watching older stuff, I didn't realise how early it was when he became prominent.
If he was given a bit more free reign (than it appears now), then he'd probably impress a lot of people here again.
I'm all for building the NXT brand and keeping some stars there. Especially when we know they will be wasted.
Maybe with a stable Balor won't get the "small guy" story pack but it will probably happen at some point.
Gable is another guy where size will be mentioned when in NXT they only hype him as a wrestling machine. In fact, they rarely mention size. It's the small things that make all the difference.
Officerrob
Banned
Since we are trashing all the over the top/ridiculous WWE catchphrases, can we mention "WWE Universe"? Every single time that shit is said it completely overshadows what the person who said it was saying because NOBODY WOULD EVER SAY THAT!
yep. just sounds like Corporate Approved Phrase every time it's said, all because they don't want to say "fans".
PHOENIXZERO
Member
Even before the internet fans have always sensed and turned on corporate bullshit.
That angle died the second Matt got a mic, it's been a long time so maybe I'm remembering it wrong but the second he started cutting that "Lita you whore" promo it felt like the crowd remembered Jeff was the Hardy they liked.
He got his break when JR had a bout of Bell's Palsy back in 1999 IIRC. Compared to today maybe but back then Cole was still bad, he's always come off as a disingenuous puppet full of fake enthusiasm and except for a few instances on Byte This back in the day or when like Lawler nearly dropped dead while sitting next to him he's always felt insincere, at least to me. But still, he has like, negative charisma, no improve skills and is just irritating to listen to for an extended amount of time and would be more fitting behind the desk of one of those old magazine shows they use to do or just stuck with sit down interviews. I think it might say something when ESPN throws out offers to Todd Grisham, Coach and Renee Young but we never have ever heard the same thing regarding Michael Cole. A great announce team enhances the product as much as a shit one is a detriment and it doesn't help having old man Vince and whatever other idiots in the back yelling in your ear.
Coincidentally I just found probably the most famous moment of Byte This.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sx1PhviIAt4
That angle died the second Matt got a mic, it's been a long time so maybe I'm remembering it wrong but the second he started cutting that "Lita you whore" promo it felt like the crowd remembered Jeff was the Hardy they liked.
He got his break when JR had a bout of Bell's Palsy back in 1999 IIRC. Compared to today maybe but back then Cole was still bad, he's always come off as a disingenuous puppet full of fake enthusiasm and except for a few instances on Byte This back in the day or when like Lawler nearly dropped dead while sitting next to him he's always felt insincere, at least to me. But still, he has like, negative charisma, no improve skills and is just irritating to listen to for an extended amount of time and would be more fitting behind the desk of one of those old magazine shows they use to do or just stuck with sit down interviews. I think it might say something when ESPN throws out offers to Todd Grisham, Coach and Renee Young but we never have ever heard the same thing regarding Michael Cole. A great announce team enhances the product as much as a shit one is a detriment and it doesn't help having old man Vince and whatever other idiots in the back yelling in your ear.
Coincidentally I just found probably the most famous moment of Byte This.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sx1PhviIAt4
twinturbo2
butthurt Heat fan
Apparently, if what I'm hearing is true, JBL is getting inducted into the Hall of Fame this year with the Godfather. I think Jacqueline is getting inducted, too.
Still better than "Divas"
You're misremembering a bit. Hardy came out of the crowd and grabbed a mic and started shouting "Lita, you whore, Adam, you bastard, etc." before getting bundled out.
It was the next week when Vince turns up in a limo and cuts his "we listened to you fans and signed Matt Hardy" promo, hands the mic to Hardy and the angle died on its ass. He could have delivered a Dusty-tier promo and it wouldn't have mattered; the energy and rebellion of the angle was gone before he even hit the entrance ramp.
As a kid I never even realized those dudes were particularly big. Of course that's what happens when your roster is overstuffed with huge dudes.
I always thought the "lunatic fringe" was a spectrum or a space that people occupied. Like, "Oh, those people are basically a lunatic fringe, nobody agrees with them." Why would one person be the lunatic fringe? That doesn't even make sense.
Ambrose's gimmick is horrible and I think it's been bad since The Shield days. He's the guy where the gimmick is stilted walking and the need to wash his hair. Like how is that a gimmick? He doesn't do anything demonstrably "crazy;" I'd think that's more of the lightweight wrestlers in NXT bouncing off the rings and diving around. This guy is pretty much bog standard. Except he needs to wash his hair.
I do agree with what someone said above that I don't know if Punk/Bryan/etc. would ever be as big a draw as Austin/Rock/DX/etc. In some cases, I think the culture has shifted a bit such that the gimmick is not as appealing (DX), but I really do not think those guys had the "look." I hate to sound like Vince, but Austin and Rock really were iconic. Bryan started looking absolutely ridiculous and it has nothing to do with size.
Ambrose's gimmick is horrible and I think it's been bad since The Shield days. He's the guy where the gimmick is stilted walking and the need to wash his hair. Like how is that a gimmick? He doesn't do anything demonstrably "crazy;" I'd think that's more of the lightweight wrestlers in NXT bouncing off the rings and diving around. This guy is pretty much bog standard. Except he needs to wash his hair.
I do agree with what someone said above that I don't know if Punk/Bryan/etc. would ever be as big a draw as Austin/Rock/DX/etc. In some cases, I think the culture has shifted a bit such that the gimmick is not as appealing (DX), but I really do not think those guys had the "look." I hate to sound like Vince, but Austin and Rock really were iconic. Bryan started looking absolutely ridiculous and it has nothing to do with size.
Liu Kang Baking A Pie
Member
I can't tell you a single opinion Byron Saxton has on anything, and he's been on nearly every fucking show for a year.
MrPressStart
Member
Agreed.. he is horrible and brings nothing to a single show I have seen him on.
SomedayTheFire
Member
i thought it was a joke about his hairline
Rockandrollclown
lookwhatyou'vedone
The whole "Lunatic Fringe" thing comes from Ambrose's roots being in Cincinnati. We have a radio station here that used to be a big deal before all radio stations were bought out by the same 2-3 companies. WEBN "The Lunatic Fringe of American FM".
Host Samurai
Member
Brian Pillman was a lunatic. Sold it and played it like a champ naturally. Ambrose as a lunitic feels forced. It's a terrible gimmick for him.
I also hate how Romans gimmick is still the same as when he was in the Shield. Idk why WWE didn't give their new golden boy different attire and music.
I also hate how Romans gimmick is still the same as when he was in the Shield. Idk why WWE didn't give their new golden boy different attire and music.
Pop-O-Matic
Banned
The Shield was over, so they wanted to make sure that Roman and only Roman kept that heat.
HazySaiyan
Banned
"Hey The Shield were awesome right? Well this guy used to be in The Shield, remember? Please don't boo..."
And now he's the least over compared to his two teammates who everyone seems to love.
Another masterful move by WWE.
Dick Justice
Banned
Maybe instead of just dropping it, they should've continued, make it a long term thing. Shit doesn't just happen overnight. But they're in a much better position now than if they'd truly gone ahead with Punk, right?
Frustrated_Grunt
Member
I watched this after watching DVR'd Lucha Underground. The contrast of quality was too much, I just dozed off.
But you don't understand, he's over at the house shows.
And he sells a bunch of merch! I'm sure that has nothing to do with the fact that they push 5 new shirts for the guy every week
It goes without saying that in a fake world of wrestling, fans have to sorta play along with alot. Its fine, its a part of it
But now the fans have to pretend they are somehow excited for a three way main event at Fastlane in which they know who the winner will be, because WWE has already set up these feuds at the Rumble. Im sure there is someone excited to watch Brock toss Ambrose around, but from a storyline perspective there is nothing exciting here bar maybe some sort of rift between Ambrose and Roman.
So when the main event is written and decided for Mania, that means the B show is already decided, as are the RAWs that are suppose to hype this shit. Essentially the fans are ahead of the story and are awaiting for the next part. If Dean held the MITB briefcase now, maybe that could have added something to this whole ordeal. But everyone knows Dean will be wrestling in some lame battle royal
And its not like it was unpredictable before, we knew Austin would win the RR and beat Shawn. I suppose the difference is that getting on the bandwagon of Austin in 1998 and Roman in 2016 are two completely different spheres of fan interest.
But now the fans have to pretend they are somehow excited for a three way main event at Fastlane in which they know who the winner will be, because WWE has already set up these feuds at the Rumble. Im sure there is someone excited to watch Brock toss Ambrose around, but from a storyline perspective there is nothing exciting here bar maybe some sort of rift between Ambrose and Roman.
So when the main event is written and decided for Mania, that means the B show is already decided, as are the RAWs that are suppose to hype this shit. Essentially the fans are ahead of the story and are awaiting for the next part. If Dean held the MITB briefcase now, maybe that could have added something to this whole ordeal. But everyone knows Dean will be wrestling in some lame battle royal
And its not like it was unpredictable before, we knew Austin would win the RR and beat Shawn. I suppose the difference is that getting on the bandwagon of Austin in 1998 and Roman in 2016 are two completely different spheres of fan interest.
CrispyBoar
Banned
Can the PG rating & go back to two hours instead of three.
They're some of the reasons why the ratings dropped.
They're some of the reasons why the ratings dropped.
It's been stated multiple times in this thread, the PG rating is not the problem. NXT is also PG, yet is still good and popular.
Liu Kang Baking A Pie
Member
They misunderstand the house show popularity thing so much.
People like him or want to like him. He gets booed on the storytelling shows because the story they're telling with him sucks.
What does going above PG add at all? Be detailed.
Ninja Scooter
Member
They can have bra and panty matches again
Nerdkiller
Membeur
What's with all the people saying that Lucas is some sort of hack? Just because he made a few crummy movies means that somehow he's applied as one, not to mention trying to deny anything that he was involved with prior to the Prequels? He's always been a creative mind that always needed to be reigned in a bit. Can't say the same for Vince, though, considering that he refuses to let the writers try and be ambitious.
The difference nowadays, as illustrated by the majority of posts over the last couple of pages, is that people will cheer for the people who are GOOD. Not the people who are faces, not the people that Vince arbitrarily wants you to cheer for. But the people who are passionate performers (I hesitate to say great athletes/wrestlers).
Owens, Rollins, Cesaro, Bryan, Punk, New Day, Heath Slater(!).
If the writers played to peoples' strengths, and allowed momentum to swell, rather then constantly forcing square pegs into round holes, everything would be so much more enjoyable.
That, plus the fact that everything is so predictable results in lame ratings. Create a bit of drama, embrace, rather than fight, the talent and Boom, ratings will improve. It's not fucking rocket science.
Owens, Rollins, Cesaro, Bryan, Punk, New Day, Heath Slater(!).
If the writers played to peoples' strengths, and allowed momentum to swell, rather then constantly forcing square pegs into round holes, everything would be so much more enjoyable.
That, plus the fact that everything is so predictable results in lame ratings. Create a bit of drama, embrace, rather than fight, the talent and Boom, ratings will improve. It's not fucking rocket science.
Host Samurai
Member
I can't stand that spot. Was cool the first time i saw it but now it's quite annoying to see every single match multiple times
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