Whereas we are not completely out of the woods yet, the WWE are now in a position where they can start touring again. This is precisely what they announced on Friday morning when the promotion revealed its tour plans beginning in July of this year. July 16 is the big TV return, with a go-home edition of SmackDown – live from the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas – just before Sunday’s Money in the Bank pay-per-view (PPV), which will take place in Dickies Arena, Fort Worth. This is, of course, welcome and tremendous news. Not since March of 2020 have WWE been on the road – with WrestleMania 37 being the only event to have housed fans since. Despite the positives of returning to the road and the negatives of the pandemic era, there is still plenty which needs to be learned – so let us take a look at some of the lessons the WWE can learn from the pandemic era.
WWE Superstars Need To Have Holidays
When you are on the road throughout the vast majority of the year, taking bumps in hundreds of towns in the process, holidays are essential. For years, WWE superstars did not get this privilege. Imagine how many careers have been cut short by the simple act of holiday and proper rest prevention. The injuries pro wrestlers endure are, frankly, brutal. There is no surprise that former superstars, often well into retirement, struggle to walk – whether Mick Foley, The Undertaker or Kurt Angle, to name just three. Broken necks; spinal injuries; leg surgeries and more take their toll. In order to get the best out of its superstars, WWE need to continue what they have been doing in recent months. They have established a sort of rotational system; meaning superstars may find themselves with a few extra days in bed. This is, without a doubt, an excellent start which will only help WWE performers get the rest they need. With the promotion having such a ballooned roster in recent years, it is perfect opportunity to rotate and get the best out of them all.
A Return to the Road, Though Good, May Be Problematic
Over the past year, the WWE’s wrestlers have been working far less dates than at any other point during their time with the company. A return to the road, though certainly welcomed by top brass, fans and wrestlers alike, does pose problems. With superstars having grown comfortable with less time on the road, the return may pose risks; such as a shock to the body, to name just one. With the body having grown accustomed to taking far less bumps than it would have previously, and will again in the near future, it will take time to re-accustom itself to the usual number of bumps. This means a greater risk of injury within the first few months of touring – another argument for the previously mentioned rotational system. With SmackDown in particular doing tremendous work with pushing its newer stars, it needs to keep them healthy so they may continue to grow in front of a live audience.
The Company Needs To Stop Taking Its Fans For Granted
This one is a little more nit picky, especially because the WWE has been better with this aspect in recent months. Over the past decade or so, there has been a tendency with WWE booking to take its fans for granted. Whether it be Roman Reigns’ time as the seemingly unstoppable, unnecessary babyface or the efforts to cool off the momentum of superstars who weren’t supposed to get over on their own (Zack Ryder, Damien Sandow, Rusev etc), the WWE needs to begin delivering to its audience. Though company income is at an all-time high, viewership is hitting all-time lows. In the months leading up to the pandemic, crowd attendances were hitting lows, also. There is no better way for the WWE to win fans back than by delivering with its live, televised shows. SmackDown, again, will be fine. Raw, however, has been struggling and needs to hit a run of form before returning to the road. There have not been many WWE moments in recent memory better than the one where Vince McMahon himself welcomed the audience back at WrestleMania 37. Returning to the road is an opportune time to extend that welcome and make them want to stick around.
The Fans Need To Stop Taking the WWE For Granted
Yes, being critical of the WWE is perfectly acceptable and often justified. However, credit has to be given to the entire WWE team (creative, top brass, superstars etc) for continuing to deliver shows during the pandemic era. Have they always been great? No. Has the booking often been stressful? Yes. However, the company took a great risk by continuing on with McMahon’s “the show must go on” mentality. Without the WWE, some of its most devout fans might have struggled far more during the pandemic. It was something to look forward to during the most peculiar of dreary times in the lives of many. The WWE carried on for its audience regardless of the intention. For that reason, it is worth sticking with and giving the chance it deserves when it returns to the road. The WWE superstars, especially, have continued to deliver for us, so when the tour begins, we can return the favor.
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