WWE only 'gets good' when they have competition - True or False?

[GearSolidMetal]

First, I'm a casual wrestling fan and only watch the premium events regularly.

Second, I'm under no illusion what I'm about to write is an original opinion, but I'm curious how common an opinion it is.



This quote reminded me of the Attitude era, and how WWE was must-see TV... but the era before it was quite lacking but then WCW began to skyrocket to the ratings, so it caused WWE to increase the quality of their shows. Then WWE bought out their competition and within a few years it became... lazy and complacent.

I'm not saying the current situation is the same, infact its very different with AEW but they've never had high ratings. But WWE was in a slump creatively for a VERY long time, and its of no question there's been a gradual increase in quality over the last 3 to 4 years.

This Jon Moxley quote made me curious... Could it be respectfully argued that one of the biggest reasons for WWE's quality rising is because of AEW's existence... and if AEW fails it won't be long before WWE's quality to fall back to the laziness & complatency?

 

[Frank23]

 

[Based God]

I don't really think it's competition, It just seems like they go through cycles of 2-3 years of good shit, then 2-3 years of suck.

WWE had some good runs between WCW dying and AEW's existence. 2002-08 had a lot of good stuff, especially the Smackdown 6 era. Them going PG in 2008 and then having the guest host era really did them in for a few years, but they still had some good stuff sprinkled in. 2011-2014 had some good shit. 2016-17 Smackdown was dope. Just seems like they would have a good run of a couple years, run out of ideas, suck for awhile, get good for a couple years, suck for awhile, etc.

WWE sucked for the first few years of AEW's existence. I think Vince McMahon being gone and them getting someone in there with fresh creative ideas helped them with this most recent run of better creative.

Even the Attitude Era started really going off the rails and getting bad before WCW died. They actually got better again after WCW died and after that WCW/ECW invasion angle ended.

 

[Wrath of Foamy]

I agree with it due to history, but I'm not sure if that is truly the reason.

Benoit doing what he did, the CTE stuff and the PG stuff really sank WWE to the pits.

Black and Gold NXT was awesome, and WWE has really improved since the end of that Vince stuff.

AEW did trailblaze a lot, but I think that it's a combination of competition and the removal of the old guard.

 

[Batjester]

I agree with it due to history, but I'm not sure if that is truly the reason.

Benoit doing what he did, the CTE stuff and the PG stuff really sank WWE to the pits.

Black and Gold NXT was awesome, and WWE has really improved since the end of that Vince stuff.

AEW did trailblaze a lot, but I think that it's a combination of competition and the removal of the old guard.

What exactly is so trailblazing about AEW? They really aren't much more than a modern-day ECW with a better TV deal and an owner who's checks don't bounce.

 

[Wrath of Foamy]

What exactly is so trailblazing about AEW? They really aren't much more than a modern-day ECW with a better TV deal and an owner who's checks don't bounce.

They were white hot when they first came, with a load of fresh talent and they've always knocked PPVs out of the park.

WWE was awful before COVID. Boring product and their audiences were dead silent.

 

[Pliny Pete]

What exactly is so trailblazing about AEW?

They put Nick Gage on national tv

 

[Batjester]

They were white hot when they first came, with a load of fresh talent and they've always knocked PPVs out of the park.

WWE was awful before COVID. Boring product and their audiences were dead silent.

That's not being trailblazing, that's just having a good opening run and taking advantage of an opportunity. Now even hardcore fans are turning on the product.

 

[Wrath of Foamy]

That's not being trailblazing, that's just having a good opening run and taking advantage of an opportunity. Now even hardcore fans are turning on the product.

AEW has always performed very well in PPVs, creative misfires or not.

WWE was the absolute pits before COVID. All round awful, no spark, no fire, even NXT stars, that peoplebwere excited about, were dead in the water on arrival.

If AEW was a turkey, WWE was roadkill.