Pretty soon, every WWE promo will be touted, all commentary will be done by tweets, and if you're not following the company on Facebook, all wrestling programming will be blacked out on your TV. I'm only joking. But barely.
In some ways, I see how this influx of social media can be effective. For example, I would imagine tweeting with others during Raw on Monday nights heightens the experience. The multiple platforms also allow stars to connect and interact with more fans, more often. It's a great way for fans to get even more connected to their superheroes.
It's not ALL bad, but then…
Brock Lesnar touts he's leaving WWE and never coming back.
Let's start with the obvious — why is this guy talking in the first place? Why in the blue hell was Heyman supposedly holding the camera and not the other way around? I guess we should be thanking Tout for limiting all videos to 15 seconds.
Tell me why Heyman and Lesnar couldn't have shared this breaking news with us during the opening on Raw? Screw seconds, they had 15 minutes to inform us of their plans. Rather, it makes more sense that Brock would want to rush to the back, pull out his IPhone and tout it to his 20k followers.
You're right, I'm nitpicking the lack of logic in a wrestling storyline. I honestly try not to do that.
My main criticism with this fast-growing relationship between pro wrestling and social media is the risk vs reward factor. I'm afraid it will soon stop leaning in Vince's favor, if it hasn't already.
What he loses in fan perception will outweigh what he's gaining in reach and interaction.
Brock Lesnar, in real life, would likely NEVER use Tout. As a fan, I don't want to picture him as human with the ability to even work a phone! Vince shouldn't want me to either.
Remember the old cliche alwas used to describe the greatest gimmicks in wrestling? They are the individual's real-life personality with the volume turned up about ten notches. The country boy that likes to kick a** is Brock's reality. Turning it up should NOT include camera phones.
Kayfabe in wrestling is all but thrown out the window, but it still exists in perception. I'm pretty certain it would be hard to view Undertaker in the same mythical light if I followed him on Twitter. I'm aware he's human, but don't remind me of it everyday.
That's one guy I bet Vince knows not to ask Tout his promos.
I'm sure Vince is aware Brock's "Tout" was unrealistic and silly. But it didn't matter. Maybe that's the exact reason he wanted it in the first place.
"If BROCK….LESNARRRR endorses it, it must be cool!"
But it's not cool, Vince. It's fun. There are certain stars and certain moments I don't want associated with "fun", and it's up to WWE to determine who and when those are. I personally would have thought Brock Lesnar would be a no-brainer, but I guess not.
I haven't been one to continuously bash the excessive use of social media in WWE, but I might start if we get more stuff like this.
I also have been pretty defensive of WWE's booking of Brock Lesnar, despite getting ridiculed by readers as a result. However, if I were going to give a thousand options on what to do with Brock this past Monday on Raw, quitting the company via Tout wouldn't have made the list.
It humanizes Brock, and displays a certain level of intelligence even. We can't have that. Keep him strong and stupid, Vince, strong and stupid.
And by the way, despite the aforementioned opinions, the following is NOT contradicting or hypocritical of me in anyway:
– Follow me on Twitter @RealityofChris
– Check out my latest WrestleZone TOUT
– Follow the VOW Network on Twitter @VOWLive
– Follow the VOW Network on Facebook @VOWLive
