MITB Is Done. Next Up, Summer Slam...

Happy Independence Day, US Enthusiasts!

 

This isn’t the most uplifting one but it’s still nice to commemorate anyway. The United States still has its plethora of problems but at least we’re working on it…one way or another. That’s why peacing out to the WWE Universe is preferable from time to time. Let’s see what’s going on.

 

So, the Money in the Bank PPV has come and went and to be honest, it was a solid show. I believe this is the first show I’ve seen that didn’t have a bad match. Many felt the Men’s Ladder Match could have been better but how that played out is more due to Management not execution. The WWE roster performed well Saturday night and should feel proud of themselves. They demonstrated the WWE Universe’s truth. There’s no lack of talent, just a lack of Vision.

 

General consensus is that The Usos and Street Profits had Match of the Night and I would have to agree. It’s no surprise really but theirs was the true display of skill and performance. Yet, as I said, everyone did a good job out there. No one should be upset. What did sort of stick out, though was how the crowd was very vocal. When Liv Morgan looked like she might tap out to Ronda Rousey, the crowd groaned undeniably so, they’re not going to take any of that. It will be interesting to see how WWE handles that sort of thing because they certainly prefer to do what they want but with a crowd that against it, it will be hard to do, especially with the bad press floating around. They may have to please fans whether they like it or not for the time being.

 

The Men’s Ladder Match was a bit of an indication of that as well. I was not surprised that Theory was inserted into the match. I don’t mind Management playing favorites. Theory is doing a good job of being the young punk so he’s out there for us hate anyway, fine by me but when Butch/Pete Dunne ran out, you could sense the crowd shift to “eye-roll” mode. We knew that this wasn’t going to be clean match. It would be full of shenanigans for WWE to establish whatever they’re going for. WWE hasn’t been impressing anyone for a while creatively and these contrived intrusions served as exemplary evidence.

 

Fans’ patience is wearing very thin with WWE. Matches work best when they’re competitive and well-executed. Fans don’t want a lot of interference. They want to be fooled. They want to believe the action they’re seeing is real. We know it’s all predetermined but what makes the whole thing exciting is what actually happens. Shit could go down that wasn’t scripted and that’s always more interesting. When WWE opts to “rig” the outcome, it becomes too obvious and fans can’t continue to suspend their disbelief. Many Social Media commenters feel that kayfabe is dead but it’s not. It’s more alive than they know because they never had any idea of what’s actually going on in the first place. We all believe what we’re told and I’m sure we’re not told a full story, we never will be and that’s fine too. I don’t need full disclosure. I just need to be entertained.

 

WWE has forgotten how to do that story-wise that’s why they’re preferring “good workers”, right now. I would say, Dolph Ziggler is the quintessential example there, Mr. Robert Roode to a lesser degree. He can go out there and just put on a good match, no lead up necessary. Only reason Roode isn’t right there with him is because he looks like someone’s dad but he’s got the chops, no doubt. Put guys like that in ring and let them go to work. But, as you can see, WWE doesn’t have a reason to trot them out there so, they’re not out there. We’ll see ‘em from time to time to keep ‘em TV ready but they’re not in the conversation because of what I’m saying. They’re solid workers and got nothing to prove. They have to wait for WWE to incorporate them into the action.

 

In the meantime, we witness WWE workshop the newcomers and experiment with the draws. All the while, the art of storytelling is left by the wayside. Yet, this is leaving fans feeling that they have to orchestrate the shows. We got glimpses of that on Saturday so, if WWE wants to maintain control of the narrative, they have to make the action seem more real. The MITB matches that finished clean, received little to no complaint. The crowd rolled with it and cheered the well-executed action. Once Management “intervened” the audience either wanted it to go their way (e.g., Morgan’s victory) or started to tune out (e.g., Men’s Ladder Match). So, it would appear it’s not a bad idea for Management to either let matches finish clean for a while or continue to act like Management but have that “blow up in their face” so that the fans can enjoy seemingly external vindication.

 

I think they did more of that sort of thing in the 90s. I remember a lot of storylines being based on the Authority making their influence felt and upstarts like Steve Austin would shove middle fingers in their face and do what they set out to do in the first place despite the Authority’s orders. They can tailor the concept for modern times but that sort of dynamic is an old trope and given how they don’t do the creative side of things too well, they might as well stick to old standards as they brainstorm new ideas. All I can really suggest is that they try to fool the audience more. They clearly want to forget it isn’t real.

 

In any case, we now have the Fallout for Money in the Bank and set-up for Summer Slam. It’s at the end of the month so that WWE can prepare for the Clash at the Castle in the UK in September. We can expect to hear from Theory on his contract win. Liv Morgan will probably have some words as well. We should see some tag team action courtesy of The Mysterios and Judgment Day, now under new management. And The Miz will have some choice words for that attention seeking Logan Paul. You’ll have to watch if you want to know the rest. Funny tweets and Likes get retweeted. Keep an eye on how they set themselves up for the end of the month. We know what awaits. How do they make that interesting?

  

See You in a Bit,

-Nicole Alexis (^_~)