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| Article: |
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| The WWE Effect |
Michael Campbell |
Why British promotions shouldn't rely on big-name US talent
It�s well established amongst wrestling fans that the pro wrestling scene in North America isn�t what it was during the original Monday Night Wars in terms of status, popularity and ratings. Right now, WWE is the only true major league in town. Sure, Dixie Carter�s TNA is doing its utmost to close the gap � however, it remains an enormous chasm, with the elusive casual fans seemingly out of reach and initial Monday night ratings for every head-to-head broadcast forecasting no change on that front. As such, with so many prospective superstars scavenging for scraps of earning, there�s a distinct shortage of �big money� spots available through every promotion. And sadly, the situation isn�t helped by the WWE�s often fickle hiring-and-firing policies.
2010 has already seen the TNA resurrection of Sean Morley (or Val Venis as he�s more fondly remembered) and, almost as quickly, his exit. While Morley supposedly asked for his own release in order to facilitate his work in Mexico (TNA�s transition to Monday nights would have prevented this), the fact remains: while working for TNA, he wasn�t over with the fans. Positioned as a babyface, the former WWE Intercontinental Champion was greeted largely with boos and jeers from the Impact Zone fans and upon his pay-per-view debut at Genesis, fans seated in the front row � sitting in full view of the main camera, no less � turned their backs to the ring when the grappler pinned TNA stalwart Christopher Daniels.
Despite such a reception (or possibly because of), he delivered tepid bouts that were a step down from the action TNA fans had become accustomed to. This would have been tempered somewhat had Morley been a huge star like Mick Foley, or possessed the charisma of Mr Anderson, but that isn�t the case � instead, years of being perceived as a WWE jobber had left his image tarnished. As is the case for many other wrestlers like him, he carries a stigma that�s almost impossible to shake: apparently, he was no longer good enough for a smaller promotion thanks to the manner in which he was presented in the big leagues. Is this a fair scenario? Should the fans really have held The Big Valbowski accountable? Perhaps not. But then, it�s hardly an isolated case�
For the rest of this feature, check out issue 54 of FSM - available at WH Smith and all good retailers. (For US readers we are now carried at Borders and Barnes & Noble, so check for local availability or click here to subscribe.)
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