"The foundation of RAW, Smackdown, ROH, ECW and TNA is still professional wrestling."
The wrestling business is "entertainment based" but they (the programs) are supposed to be presented as though they are real.
"...the results of those wrestling matches are supposed to be IMPORTANT to everyone, fans and wrestlers alike."
It is now in his comment that he starts talking about the seven rules to follow.
Rule 1. The World Title means EVERYTHING.
-What this means, in Lance's blog, is that the credibility of the title needs to be restored. It is moving around too much and this doesn't let the fans "...follow the lineage." He stresses that when the title changes hands it needs to be a significant event and only, in majority of cases, a one on one match. "The World Title means that you are the best individual wrestler in the company and it should never be on the line in a match where other factors or other people can play a major role in determining who the best is."
Rule 2. Champions do not Lose matches.
-This rule is basically saying that if you are a champion and you lose, what are you a champion of? Which is, in reality, a good point. A champion should only ever lose a match if it's a non-title match which will be in the lead up to a title shot. When this happens, according to Lance, "...the loss has to be treated like a big deal and lead to something."
Lance states that the exception to this rule is tag champs being beaten in singles competition or vice versa but even then it shouldn't be done too often and should lead to something.
Rule 3. Simplify the product.
-"Not every match needs to have an angle." Basically, wrestlers have been trained to have matches. Not every match needs to be some part of an elaborate storyline with a background. "...if they win they make more money and if they win enough they get a title shot." Lance says that simple angles are enough to have matches for and that the shows should focus more on wrestling and "Fewer segments and focusing on one or two main event angles per show..." which would make for a more better show.
Rule 4. Gimmick and Stipulation matches should never be done COLD.
-Matches, such as cage matches , ladder matches, stretcher matches etc. are special matches and should be a part of something rather then just throwing them into storylines. "Throwing gimmicks and stipulations everywhere on a show in hopes of drawing ratings only waters down their effectivness, which leads to needing more gimmicks and stipulations in the future."
Rule 5. Bring back Managers and Valets.
-This one is pretty self explanatory. Managers and Valets are normally there to help the wrestler gain some extra oomph, something that wrestlers these days need. Lance says "Take the girls who look the part and have the personality and pair them with guys who need an extra something to stand out." (Thats about the women being valets!). In terms of Managers, Lance says that we should start "...pairing the talkers and the workers and as long as they get heat as a unit, everybody wins."
Rule 6. Maintain Company Integrity.
- This means that, for example, if you are a booker you have to make sure that you present the company as "...competent and professional...". Don't go turning it into a comedy show where even the comedy isn't all that good. "There needs to be structure and knowledge behind the product, management has to be in control, if they are not it hurts the product...." You have to do stuff that makes sense business wise for the company. There is a line between comedy and crossing the line and if that line is crossed, it makes it look as though it's a joke.
And last but not least...
Rule 7. Reduce scripting of Promos.
I don't think that I really need to explain this one. The title itself is very much self-explanatory.
Well, thank you for reading my blog entry and until next time....
Adios!
Reference:
Lance's Take: Wrestling Rules
P.S. The writing in Italics is from Lance's commentary...
Rule 1. The World Title means EVERYTHING.
-What this means, in Lance's blog, is that the credibility of the title needs to be restored. It is moving around too much and this doesn't let the fans "...follow the lineage." He stresses that when the title changes hands it needs to be a significant event and only, in majority of cases, a one on one match. "The World Title means that you are the best individual wrestler in the company and it should never be on the line in a match where other factors or other people can play a major role in determining who the best is."
Rule 2. Champions do not Lose matches.
-This rule is basically saying that if you are a champion and you lose, what are you a champion of? Which is, in reality, a good point. A champion should only ever lose a match if it's a non-title match which will be in the lead up to a title shot. When this happens, according to Lance, "...the loss has to be treated like a big deal and lead to something."
Lance states that the exception to this rule is tag champs being beaten in singles competition or vice versa but even then it shouldn't be done too often and should lead to something.
Rule 3. Simplify the product.
-"Not every match needs to have an angle." Basically, wrestlers have been trained to have matches. Not every match needs to be some part of an elaborate storyline with a background. "...if they win they make more money and if they win enough they get a title shot." Lance says that simple angles are enough to have matches for and that the shows should focus more on wrestling and "Fewer segments and focusing on one or two main event angles per show..." which would make for a more better show.
Rule 4. Gimmick and Stipulation matches should never be done COLD.
-Matches, such as cage matches , ladder matches, stretcher matches etc. are special matches and should be a part of something rather then just throwing them into storylines. "Throwing gimmicks and stipulations everywhere on a show in hopes of drawing ratings only waters down their effectivness, which leads to needing more gimmicks and stipulations in the future."
Rule 5. Bring back Managers and Valets.
-This one is pretty self explanatory. Managers and Valets are normally there to help the wrestler gain some extra oomph, something that wrestlers these days need. Lance says "Take the girls who look the part and have the personality and pair them with guys who need an extra something to stand out." (Thats about the women being valets!). In terms of Managers, Lance says that we should start "...pairing the talkers and the workers and as long as they get heat as a unit, everybody wins."
Rule 6. Maintain Company Integrity.
- This means that, for example, if you are a booker you have to make sure that you present the company as "...competent and professional...". Don't go turning it into a comedy show where even the comedy isn't all that good. "There needs to be structure and knowledge behind the product, management has to be in control, if they are not it hurts the product...." You have to do stuff that makes sense business wise for the company. There is a line between comedy and crossing the line and if that line is crossed, it makes it look as though it's a joke.
And last but not least...
Rule 7. Reduce scripting of Promos.
I don't think that I really need to explain this one. The title itself is very much self-explanatory.
Well, thank you for reading my blog entry and until next time....
Adios!
Reference:
Lance's Take: Wrestling Rules
P.S. The writing in Italics is from Lance's commentary...
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