On a recent edition of the “Busted Open Radio” podcast, WWE Hall of Famer Bully Ray critiqued the fan reaction LA Knight and Seth Rollins received at Elimination Chamber: Perth this past weekend.
You can check out some highlights from the podcast below:
On how fans reacted to Seth Rollins at Elimination Chamber: “Cody talks, then Seth talks, and the people were — I’ll call it ‘politely quiet’ for Seth. Then he did his tagline and they did it with him and then they stopped.”
On how fans are chanting for taglines and moves rather than the wrestler: “Now what about when you’re at the meat of what you want to say, like Seth Rollins? What about when it’s time to do your moves, like LA Knight? Are they responding the same way to you doing your moves?”
On how it’s going to take time for LA Knight and Rollins: “They respond to the move, not to you! They want to chant LA Knight’s thing, does that mean they’re fully behind LA Knight? No, it sounds like they’re fully behind the tagline as of right now. This is going to take time for LA Knight; Seth is a different story.”
Knight was among the six participants in the men’s Elimination Chamber match which was eventually won by Drew McIntyre.
In a recent episode of the “Busted Open Radio” podcast, WWE Hall of Famer Bully Ray shared his thoughts on the fan reaction towards LA Knight and Seth Rollins at Elimination Chamber: Perth. Ray discussed how fans seemed to be more interested in chanting taglines and moves rather than showing support for the wrestlers themselves.
When it came to Seth Rollins, Ray noted that the crowd was “politely quiet” during his promo. However, they did join in when Rollins delivered his signature tagline. This indicates that while fans may engage in certain aspects of a wrestler’s persona, they may not necessarily be fully invested in the individual as a whole.
Ray also mentioned LA Knight, who participated in the men’s Elimination Chamber match at the event. He pointed out that fans were enthusiastic about chanting Knight’s catchphrase, but it doesn’t necessarily mean they are fully behind him as a wrestler. Ray emphasized that it will take time for Knight to establish himself and for fans to truly get behind him.
The phenomenon of fans responding more to moves and catchphrases than to the wrestlers themselves is not a new one. In recent years, WWE has seen an increase in crowd participation during certain moments of matches or promos. Fans often chant along with wrestlers’ catchphrases or cheer loudly for high-flying moves and impressive displays of athleticism.
While this level of audience engagement can create an electric atmosphere, it also raises questions about the depth of fan connection with the wrestlers. Are they truly invested in the characters and stories being told, or are they simply reacting to the spectacle?
This issue is not unique to WWE or professional wrestling. In many forms of entertainment, fans often gravitate towards catchy phrases or memorable moments rather than fully immersing themselves in the narrative or appreciating the performers’ skills and talents.
For wrestlers like Seth Rollins, who have been established in the industry for a significant amount of time, fan reactions may be more nuanced. Rollins has built a strong following over the years, and his tagline has become a recognizable part of his persona. However, it is essential for wrestlers like LA Knight, who are still trying to make their mark, to find ways to connect with the audience on a deeper level.
Ultimately, the challenge lies in striking a balance between creating memorable moments and establishing a genuine connection with the fans. Wrestlers must find ways to engage the audience beyond catchphrases and moves, allowing their personalities and stories to shine through. This requires careful character development and storytelling that resonates with the audience on an emotional level.
As the wrestling industry continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how wrestlers adapt to this fan dynamic. The ability to create meaningful connections with the audience will undoubtedly play a crucial role in determining long-term success in the industry.