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The WWE does a pretty fine job with their archives when compiling DVDs and other retro footage. I just wonder why they don't use some of that same footage to further their own storylines. Wouldn't The Big Show teaming with the McMahons mean that much more if the WWE went back to Paul Wight's original debut where he helped Vince McMahon *lose* a cage match against Stone Cold Steve Austin at St. Valentines Day Massacre?
Is this type of footage being left out because the DX feud mirrors some of Stone Cold's shenanigans too much? Or is this type of footage being left out because the writers don't know the product well enough? You would think with all the positions in the company the WWE would hire just one dot connector. Or am I just beating a dead horse here?
I think it's more that the writers don't know their history. I remember reading that one of the original Diva Search contestants wanted to make a Katie Vick reference, but the writing staff didn't know what she was talking about.
In fairness, they are starting to do that a little with the "This Week In Pro Wrestling History" segments. It's difficult, though, because when you start focussing on past angles, you end up reminding people not only of the similarity between the past angles and today's, but also of wrestlers who have switched allegiances or gone to TNA or whatever.
But you're right that this would be a good usage of some of the old footage.
Originally posted by Peter The HegemonIt's difficult, though, because when you start focussing on past angles, you end up reminding people not only of the similarity between the past angles and today's, but also of wrestlers who have switched allegiances or gone to TNA or whatever.
Not to mention, as with the "This Week In History" spots, they do nothing but remind people of how far things have fallen. That said, if they can find some footage from 1995 that's relevant to now then by all means, use it.
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Originally posted by BigDaddyLocoYou would think with all the positions in the company the WWE would hire just one dot connector. Or am I just beating a dead horse here?
I was reading something about the comic book industry a little while back, and there is apparently an important position on the staff of any comic book called something like the "Continuity Editor." Basically this person's job is to make sure that any apparent contradictions between a story arc that is happening now and one that happened even years ago are identified and explained away, or avoided altogether.
The problem is that wrestling fans on the whole don't actually care. We on this board don't even really care; we bitch about it sometimes, but don't actually stop watching it. And the kids who make up the vast majority of WWE's audience probably don't even notice or know. So it's really just not worth it for the WWE to waste their time worrying about continuity, if worrying about it is going to a) limit what they can do in terms of new storylines, and b) cost them time and money.
Originally posted by BigDaddyLocoWouldn't The Big Show teaming with the McMahons mean that much more if the WWE went back to Paul Wight's original debut where he helped Vince McMahon *lose* a cage match against Stone Cold Steve Austin at St. Valentines Day Massacre?
A lot of people would just say that Vince doesn't want to acknowledge backstory, or that his team is simply ignorant of it. But I hasten to note that just because you can connect dots like these doesn't mean you always should. In this case the only point you'd be making is that Big Show is more of a liability to the McMahons than an asset, which doesn't sell the PPV. We've already seen DX beat the McMahons soundly, so why would anyone want to see it again thinking the McMahons are at even more of a disadvantage?
By your reasoning, WWE should also flash back to, in no particular order: The time Shawn turned on DX to join Vince; the time Hunter turned on DX to join Vince; the time Show turned on Vince; the time Shane turned on Vince; the time Shane and Show were fighting Hunter and they were both fighting Vince and then Shane, Vince, and Hunter teamed up; the time Show and Shawn were both in the NWO; the time Shane helped Hunter win the WWF title; the time Vince beat Hunter for the WWF title; Hunter beating Shawn to death at Summerslam '02; Shane beating Vince to death at Wrestlemania X-Seven; Shane beating Show at some PPV I can't remember now; et cetera. They'd be running so much footage they wouldn't have time to actually air live material.
I think they also want to avoid anything that displays just how heavy Show's gotten. He was slim and scary when he arrived in WWE. I think he also had a fabulous mane.
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Originally posted by sentonBOMBI was reading something about the comic book industry a little while back, and there is apparently an important position on the staff of any comic book called something like the "Continuity Editor." Basically this person's job is to make sure that any apparent contradictions between a story arc that is happening now and one that happened even years ago are identified and explained away, or avoided altogether.
The problem is that wrestling fans on the whole don't actually care. We on this board don't even really care; we bitch about it sometimes, but don't actually stop watching it. And the kids who make up the vast majority of WWE's audience probably don't even notice or know. So it's really just not worth it for the WWE to waste their time worrying about continuity, if worrying about it is going to a) limit what they can do in terms of new storylines, and b) cost them time and money.
WWE hired someone for continuity purposes a few years ago, but the person ended up being fired after (I kid you not) a few days. Apparently they pointed out a dozen contradictions in just one episode of Raw, and Vince got tired of it quickly.
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Originally posted by GugsI think it's more that the writers don't know their history. I remember reading that one of the original Diva Search contestants wanted to make a Katie Vick reference, but the writing staff didn't know what she was talking about.
ha, the real question there is- did they have a blank look on their face when asked or did they look around and over their shoulders and say, "we have no idea what you're talking about" before abruptly changing the subject.
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Well, the problem is that in a way is that like comic books and soap operas, wrestling storylines and characters can go and go for years (decades even.) You have to retcon stuff, otherwise kayfabe becomes completely obsolete. If they actually traced all the ups and downs of say, Vince McMahon's and HHH's interaction it would A) not make sense B) ruin any chance of people paying money C) take up 3 weeks worth of shows.
So, it's best that they keep things within a limited time frame (it seems they rarely flash back more than a year in storylines when they renew a feud.)
Now, the fact that they didn't mention that HBK trained Cade tonight bugs the hell out of me, but then you have to promo or script out why he turned on his trainer. Stuff like that, while I would appreciate, ultimately doesn't affect the bottom line.
I think it was the rather boring Hardyz shoot with Keller where they explained that Vince hates complicated things (which is why we don't have wrestlers with the same first name anymore.) I think the policy is keep everything simple and self-contained so even the most casual fan can follow the storylines.
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