One big thing: WWE’s attempt at realism falls short
WWE’s portrayal of a backstage altercation between Cody Rhodes and Kevin Owens as a real-life incident has drawn criticism from wrestling veteran Bully Ray.
• The segment, presented as an unplanned incident following Bad Blood, aimed to add realism to the storyline.
• Bully Ray, speaking on “Busted Open Radio,” praised the initial approach but criticized WWE’s follow-up.
Why it matters
This incident highlights WWE’s ongoing struggle to balance kayfabe (portraying scripted events as real) with modern storytelling techniques in the era of social media and increased fan awareness.
The details
• WWE treated the scripted brawl as a behind-the-scenes issue to be dealt with internally.
• Bully Ray initially appreciated the air of legitimacy this approach provided.
• He criticized WWE’s decision to release an official statement from Triple H about the incident.
Bully Ray’s take
“I don’t want to pull the curtain back too much on them. I want the fans to be able to let their brain run away with them and get captured in the moment of ‘Wow was that real?'”
The big picture
• WWE is experimenting with blending reality and fiction to create compelling storylines.
• This approach aims to engage fans in an era where traditional kayfabe is harder to maintain.
• The challenge lies in finding the right balance between realism and storytelling.
What’s next
The aftermath of this incident could shape how WWE approaches similar storylines in the future, potentially influencing their use of social media and official communications in storytelling.
What do you think about WWE’s approach to this storyline? Is it too realistic, or not realistic enough? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.
