Recently, I started playing WWE 2K14 and in said game there is a “30 Years Of Wrestlemania” mode, where matches are separated by various “eras” in Wrestlemania history. The Hulkamania Runs Wild Era, the New Generation Era, The Attitude Era, the Ruthless Aggression Era and The Universe Era. Each defined by its own styles and stars. It was a nice way to compartmentalize the game and a nice history lesson to those unfamiliar with WWE’s past.
I didn’t give it much thought until reading an early draft of Last Word On Sport’s own @DeHaanoffate‘s latest article on (Antonio) Cesaro. After I finished, my mind kept wandering back to those eras from the video game. Times change and with them all forms of entertainment, including World Wrestling Entertainment.
Whenever a new era in WWE was set to occur, there was a shift in momentum to a particular style, usually heralded by a handful of stars who excelled at that style. For years, the WWWF held shows featuring pro wrestling not far removed from its amateur inspirations, lead by men the likes of Bruno Sammartino, Pedro Morales and Bob Backlund. Then came along Hulk Hogan, Randy Savage and Roddy Piper. Men who emphasized style over substance and an in ring style that was more about audience participation. The Rock and Wrestling Era had begun.
When fans grew tired of saying their prayers and eating their vitamins a fast paced, higher energy in ring product became the focus of the WWF with men like Shawn Michaels and Bret Hart waving the flag of the New Generation Era. Stone Cold Steve Austin, The Rock, Triple H and others gave us the edgier, more physical style of the Attitude Era when fans demanded it, and the hybrid storytelling style of the Ruthless Aggression Era saw the rise of stars like John Cena, Randy Orton and Edge.
But what caused said shift? Well, each era had its own factors to consider, but there was always one constant. The fans demand for something new and different. Without the fans, Hulkamania would never have run wild, Shawn Michaels would not have become the leader of the New Generation, Smackdown wouldn’t be an official word in the dictionary and John Cena wouldn’t be the face of the WWE. In the last few months we have seen an incredible ground swelling of support for certain individuals who until this year were not considered major stars.
Daniel Bryan is the first and best example of this. Daniel Bryan started 2013 as an entertaining fool who was paired up with an imposing monster in an odd couple comedy team. However, as Team Hell No continued to have impressive matches that both entertained an excited, the fans began to get behind Bryan more. But why Bryan? Why not Kane? Or anyone else for that matter? Why were the fans chanting yes by the summer, leading to Bryan’s push into the spotlight?
Next we have Cody Rhodes. Parallel to Daniel Bryan’s year, Cody started as half of an entertaining tag team who knew how to deliver in the ring. He slowly built momentum throughout the spring and in the course of one single Money In The Bank ladder match, became a hero to the WWE Universe. The mustachioed marvel helped take the WWE Tag Team division to new heights with his brother Goldust and is poised to be a breakout sensation if the fans have anything to say about it.
Speaking of teams, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention both The Shield and The Wyatt Family. In the last year, these two trios have become some of the most respected and desired performers on the roster. Dominant and physical in ring styles punctuated by captivating personalities that demand the attention of all the eyes in the arena. But what is it about these men that sets them apart from any number of teams that tried and failed to do the same thing in the last few years?
Most recently we have Cesaro. As Jeff DeHaan pointed out, his match with Randy Orton from Smackdown recently showed just how much the fans are behind him. They cheered his every move and went absolutely crazy for him when he won. Was it simply that he defeated a despised heel? Possibly, but it could also be that Cesaro has been slowly building his own rabid fan base outside of those who know him from Ring of Honor. He too has been getting huge reactions for his work in the squared circle.
So why are these men making so many waves and connecting with the fans? Although each of these stars are different in terms of appearance and character, it’s hard to argue that they each bring to the table a hard hitting, ultra athletic style that seems to be a combination of WWE storytelling and independent high impact pacing. Even WWE.com recently highlighted the contributions Ring of Honor’s style has made to the current crop of budding superstars.
WWE may have a particular plan in mind for their product, but their vocal crowds may be trying to tell them something: They are ready for a new direction. A direction where the stars are just as skilled at exciting them bell to bell as they are with the microphone. Perhaps they are finally ready for that revolution CM Punk talked about in his pipebomb all those years ago. They just needed an army to lead them into battle.
Now I’m just postulating. I could be way off. Many felt WWE was headed for a revolution in 2012 when CM Punk, Daniel Bryan, and Beth Phoenix all held major championships with the company. That did not turn out to be the case. Nor do I think men like John Cena, Randy Orton or Sheamus are ready to simply step aside and let these new faces take their place. If this does turn out to be the dawning of a new age in WWE, who’s to say those performers aren’t up to the challenge of adapting and changing with it? After all, there’s a reason they’re considered the best in the business today. Legends like The Undertaker and Shawn Michaels were able to cross multiple eras because greatness is ageless.
Of course, I’m not talking about today. I’m talking about the future, and what lays in wait around the corner for WWE and it’s fans. Who knows what kind of tomorrow is waiting for us, what it will look like, and what kind of era it will bring? More importantly, who will be there at the edge of the horizon leading the charge?
I want to know what you think. Is the vocalization of the WWE Universe a sign of the changing times? Or are they simply a passing fad? Use the hashtags #wwenewera or #wwesteadycourse to make your voice heard.
photo courtesy of auburnpub.com
