WWE Hall Of Famers Steve Austin and Ric Flair recently shared a Skype session on The Steve Austin Show podcast. Among other topics of discussion, Flair talked about the reason why WWE promos are so heavily scripted. He also discussed the negative impact of social media on WWE Superstars.
Flair believes promos are heavily scripted to due WWE creative having no confidence in its superstars due to lack of experience.
“I have to believe, because I was there with [Austin] a lot, but [Austin] walked around and [he] collected [his] thoughts and [Austin] knew where [he] was going. [Austin] didn’t have 40 writers walking [him] to the gorilla [position] before [he] walked out the door. [Austin] had a gameplan.
When you have that groove and the capacity to entertain the crowd, they have to let you run with it and I don’t see that much these days because I think they’re worried that the kids don’t have enough experience. It’s not that they can’t, but that they don’t have enough experience, so I think it’s harder these days from that standpoint.
Do I think it’s any easier in terms of work? No. I think that the kids do a lot more high wire stuff right now and they incorporate so many things in their work. It’s not that they’re any more gifted as an athlete, but the business has raised the bar. Ultimately, it may mean something or it won’t mean something.”
Ric also added that WWE superstars nowadays have it harder than before due to social media and the number of people giving them direction.
“I think it’s harder because the kids on social media eat them alive. I don’t think the [pro wrestling] business is any harder. I think the days are longer. I think the scrutiny [is more intense]. But it’s equally hard physically, but it’s harder on them because they’re so affected by social media and the number of people trying to give them direction.”
h/t to Wrestling Inc for the transcription.
