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http://pittsburghlive.com/x/tribune-review/sports/s_175207.html

Only patience will allow McMahon's vision to prevail

By Rennie Detore
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Sunday, January 18, 2004 

Pay-per-view buyrates have reached record-low levels, ratings remain
stagnant, and Vince McMahon is growing tired. The brash McMahon, who
once scoffed at the slow, mundane style professional wrestling once
embraced, is begging for its return.
McMahon held a state-of-the-union-like meeting with "Raw" wrestlers
and staff last Monday on the heels of threatening the jobs of
"Smackdown" wrestlers a few days earlier. During his 40-minute
diatribe, McMahon offered a stirring message to his performers,
remaining upbeat in light of the business' downward trend.

McMahon wants sports entertainment to borrow a bit from its
predecessor -- professional wrestling. He wants slower, more
methodical matches that emphasize the moves and storytelling. He wants
referees to be treated respectfully and rules to be enforced, with
disqualifications actually being implemented.

McMahon wants his father's wrestling back. 

The 59-year-old McMahon referred several times to the Triple H-Shawn
Michaels World Title match a few weeks ago as an example of how
matches will be tailored for television. Supported by a strong
storyline, Michaels-Triple H emphasized each move and built toward a
strong finish that eventually incorporated nearfalls.

The style of the Rob Van Dam-Randy Orton match last Monday served as a
prototype for McMahon's vision. Gone were the random RVD highspots,
replaced by rest holds and submission moves that eventually lead to a
faster-paced affair as the Intercontinental Title tilt progressed.

McMahon's latest idea sounds good, if not an admission that sports
entertainment's attitude has run its course and the industry truly is
cyclical. Getting back to sound wrestling will not only afford
superstars much-needed career longevity but also will recondition fans
to respect what actually happens in the ring.

Since wrestling's "boom" in the late 1990s, fans have become
accustomed to short, rapid-fire matches customized for television and
an audience with a short attention span. More time during those
broadcasts were given toward outlandish skits, offbeat character
development and constant Steve Austin-Vince McMahon moments.

At the time, that thinking worked. The result was huge ratings and
equally impressive buyrates. But WWE never bothered to alter that
ideology as years passed, instead rehashing it in one form or another.
Fans not only became fickle but also grew tired of a product that
seemed more like reruns than live, innovative TV.

Those types of fans still exist and perhaps make up a majority of
what's left of wrestling's fan base. That said, McMahon must
understand that and be willing to let his request for a change in WWE
style last for more than a week. When fans start chanting "boring," or
become restless, he can't suddenly abandon his idea for the sake of
short-term success, reverting back to two-or three-minute matches and
steel chairs swinging ad nauseum.

The longterm rewards for gravitating toward a simple style include
more interest in WWE's product and fans who will respect the
athleticism and actually perk up when a superstar gets disqualified or
uses a set of ringside steps, because, in essence, that kind of
behavior won't happen as much.

Basically, everything that occurs in and out of the ring, and behind
the referee's back, will seem more important if the whole product is
scaled down.

McMahon's roster is littered with the kind of talent that can "sell"
sports entertainment as a more legitimate entity. Superstars such as
Kurt Angle, Chris Benoit, Eddie Guerrero and John Cena not only
entertain with different personalities but offer styles that are
equally unique and considerate of professional wrestling's heritage as
competition.

It's up to McMahon to let that happen without prematurely pulling the
plug.


Likely "Wrestlemania XX" matches: Goldberg vs. Brock Lesnar for the
WWE Championship; Triple H vs. Benoit for the World Title; and Orton
vs. Mick Foley for the Intercontinental Title, perhaps with some type
of hardcore rules or Hell in a Cell stipulation.
Benoit is booked to win next Sunday's "Royal Rumble," jump to
"Raw"
and request a shot at Triple H. Because "Smackdown" general manager
Paul Heyman told Benoit he'd never get another shot at Lesnar, Benoit
will opt to fight for the company's other world title.

The other plan is for Goldberg to win the Rumble and request a shot at
Lesnar, with Benoit still fighting Triple H but only after he's traded
or "signs" with "Raw."

As of Monday, Goldberg's status with WWE hasn't changed. His contract
expires the day after "Wrestlemania XX," and WWE isn't planning to use
him after the March 14 pay-per-view. The possibility of Goldberg
re-signing still exists, although it doesn't seem likely. Plans are
for Lesnar to defeat Goldberg at "Wrestlemania."


--- Internet Rex 2.29