I don't choose sides when it comes to wrestling because unlike everyone else, I don't own a stake in WWE, TNA, or ROH.
However, if you're going to tell me that WWE matches are filled with psychology, progression, and selling, then I'll argue with you until the sun comes up.
I grew up on an era of wrestling that saw wrestlers going at it for an hour. Not just an hour of stalling either, but an hour of actual wrestling.
Aside from Finlay, Undertaker, Flair, HHH, HBK, and Regal, there's not too many instances where a WWE match has psychology. The roster is just too young and inexperienced to know how to include it in matches.
The two guys that are world champions (Batista and Orton) have no understanding of long term selling. Orton's translation of ring psychology is to slow things down every few minutes with a headlock. Batista claims to be a great storyteller in the ring, but he's not able to do it without Undertaker or HHH in the ring with him.
The last WWE match I saw with brilliant psychology was between Punk and Striker on an episode of ECW a few weeks back. Surprised the hell out of me that Striker could work that style of match. I knew Punk could from his matches in ROH, but Striker really earned my respect that night.
I really hate this "the vets are the only ones who know how to work" fucking bullshit. It's such crap. Most of the best "stories" in the past 3 years have involved one man, John Cena.
Cena/Umaga
Cena/Jericho
Cena/Khali
Cena/HBK
Cena/Edge
This business of "oh man these young guys dont know shit" is being taken to extreme. While I do agree to an extent, Finlay, HBK, HHH, and Taker are far from the only ones who understand psychology.
Orton was taught by his father. When he grabs a rear chin lock its for the same reason it was done back in the day. The point of the match is to tell the story of trying to win and trying not to lose. When Orton grabs a hold he just doesnt sit there, he works it. If the blueberry he has in the lock doesnt sell, whats he sposed to do? Well I would MAKE him sell it but that could lead to problems later. So please dont tell me that only the vets know psychology.
And yeah, Carlito and Benjamin were given midcard pushes and they fell flat on their faces everytime. Why? Because Benjamin has no charisma and Carlito is fucking lazy. This is a case where the young guys dont know shit. Benjamin had the title for how long? And when he got in the ring, how much did he make it worth? Almost nothing. And before you give me the "he wasnt booked right" spew that crap at me, know this. The booking of the title doesnt reflect on its value insomuch as its the only thing. The most important way to establish value in a title is to have consistancy. A solid champion who takes on all comers and wins (if a face) or a bitch who holds on to it anyway he can (in a heel). Benji couldnt have been booked any stronger as a face. He went over everyone when the title was on the line and he FAILED TO DELIVER IN THE RING. It's that simple. It's not the WWE's job to get you over when youre in the ring, it's YOURS. Benji went out there and did his "spots" and didn't listen to the crowd. That's why he's a failure, he doesn't know how to listen. And THAT is what most young guys dont get. They plan a match out in the back and do it because they think its the right thing to do. THen they get out there, have their match, and the crowd shits all over it. Who's fault is it? Ohhh poor Shelton didn't get over because the WWE restricted his moves. WRONG. WWE booked him to look weak. WRONG. He failed to get over because instead of giving the crowd what they wanted, he gave the crowd what he wanted to give them. Now I can hear you all saying "well thats what the WWE does, look at Cena." If the fans didn't want to see him, the rafters wouldnt shake with a reaction when he comes out. The WWE gives fans what they want and allow the wrestlers to impress them. Trouble is, the wrestlers underneath dont get that they have to give the fans what they want, thats what Cena, Orton, Edge, and the rest get. They give the fans what they want, something to cheer wildly for or booo obnoxiously against. That's what the average crowd wants. They want to suspend their disbelief and say "Orton, you're a whiny smurf, get in the ring and fight the guy straight up" and Orton keeps giving them a reason to say it. If Shelton is booked as a face, he gets in the ring and "gets his shit in" and because the fans clap at the pretty moves, he thinks he got over. And guess what, he was wrong. No TNA fans want to stab Chris Daniels in the heart for a heelish tactic. They want to cheer his fancy moves and then go "whats next". However when Christian Cage is out there, the fans wanna rip his god damn throat out.
