LaBar: The wrestler WWE needs to invest in now
You have to change with the times, and times have changed for WWE.
Their flagship show, “Monday Night Raw,” is three hours. That's too long. But WWE gets a nice check for producing the amount of content they do for NBC Universal. The length of the show isn't going to go down until the zeros in the check do.
Social media and the access to information has spawned a separate group of fans. There are hardcore fans and casual fans. The measures of success by each is dictated mostly by very differing factors.
Just as the times change, the formula to some extent has changed. Larger-than-life characters who stand out on the street or project superhuman-like abilities are and always will be a draw. They will draw for merchandise. They will draw for outside media attention. They will draw for the more casual fan. That's been John Cena, and Roman Reigns is moving into that spot as time goes on.
The change that comes with evolution is the need of a costar who is relatable. This person doesn't need to have a look hard to mimic. This person doesn't need to be seen in Hollywood movies. This person needs to be relatable with a sense of an underdog for the hardcore fans to feel they have a piece of. In the past, this person was CM Punk and then Daniel Bryan. Punk is gone, and Bryan never will be a world title holder in WWE again, in my opinion. The company got burned twice in two years with him holding titles and then getting hurt weeks later. WWE finds it too much of a risky investment and in Bryan's health.
Kevin Owens is that next relatable guy.
“Monday Night Raw” in Pittsburgh on Monday was entertaining live and on TV had a better pace to it than recent episodes. However, the questions posed to me were the same, and they weren't about what had happened but about who everyone didn't get to see: Owens.
Can you blame them? Owens is the intercontinental champion, one of the best talents on the roster, and there's three hours to fill.
However, it made sense after I broke the news on my Twitter account (@JustinLaBar) on Tuesday that Owens was sent home because of illness. He had his son, Owen, with him, and he too was dealing with illness. Owens later confirmed this on social media. This is perfectly acceptable.
Assuming and hoping Owens recovers quickly, what an opportune time for him and for WWE to use him. Many top players are missing, and Owens is holding the second-most prestigious title. With the road to WrestleMania approaching in January, the company's most profitable time is the most productive time to cement future talent.
The casual fans will be appeased, as they always are with WrestleMania season. The bells and whistles, celebrities and no doubt Cena and Reigns being featured prominently.
The 31-year-old Owens stepping into the WrestleMania spotlight is perfect for the hardcore fan base that constantly craves something different. He also implements a unique style of offense: hard hitting complimented by a display of moves that's an athletic attraction given his size and husky build.
Owens has made comments in recent media interviews about a dream match against Brock Lesnar. This is something that satisfies so many objectives.
Fans at any level can be interested when seeing this match on the marquee. The build-up will intensify the excitement. It will be violently physical, which will make it memorable. Owens' profile and credibility is immediately raised, win or lose.
I'll always understand the need for the traditional form of larger-than-life characters.
Owens, though, looks like a guy who came out the crowd, who I'd pay to see try and beat up anyone because he doesn't have a care in the world. Even if that anyone is Lesnar.
Justin Labar is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. Reach him at jlabar@tribweb.com or via Twitter @JustinLaBar.
