I Was Wrong: Total Divas Being A Success

Doing this for over seven years now, there are many perks that come with writing columns about wrestling. Obviously, the monetary gain depending on the website. The chance to interact with other fans. The opportunity to interview/quote wrestlers. The platform to voice an opinion. The ego boost received through emails/tweets from readers. All good stuff. A part of that comes with the inevitable – gloating about being “right” when the history books are written.

From the man who predicted the sinking of the Titanic (what is his name?) to the man who predicted Sheamus vs. Daniel Bryan at WWE WrestleMania 28 would last under a minute (hi!), there is always that motivation. Mine have been numerous throughout the years: everything about TNA Impact Wrestling’s current mess, Zack Ryder being a flash in the pan (if even that), John Morrison leaving WWE, Mark Henry being World Champion in 2011, CM Punk NOT coming back anytime soon, Sting working with WWE in 2014, weekly television ratings patterns, Daniel Bryan getting his payoff, etc. The list goes on and on. However, there are two sides to every coin…

I have also been VERY wrong over the years. Babbling on Twitter, deep in a wrestling forum, on Facebook, Skype with your buddies or making pointless predictions in the bottom of a comment section is one thing (that I do not personally do). Those are read by a select few and are basically irrelevant. Just spewing nonsense with no repercussions or accountability. As noted above, writing a column for the whole world to see makes it mean that much more. Thus, this concept was born. Instead of raving constantly about ‘calling it’ every week, why not flip the script? Humble myself a little? Sure. Sounds like fun.

Note: I realize the actual column on Total Divas is lacking some, so here is the return of reader feedback!

Travis329: I quit reading after three paragraphs when you were still talking about yourself.

Then you will love this week’s edition!

Darren Runne: One of the worst matches of all time and someone liked it. Oh well. It’s your prerogative.

One of the worst matches of all-time? Now that is some hyperbole. Then again, it’s your prerogative!

CS 22: Are Watry and Russo related?

Which Russo are we talking about?

Erick: what was the point of this article?

For you to click on it.

greg: most of the matches weren’t that good though hardy-edge was maybe the second most anticipated matc on the show and was a 2 minute letdown. Angle-Eugene was a glorified squash

I would argue that Kurt Angle vs. Eugene SHOULD have been a glorified squash. One was heading to the main event scene, while the other was juuuuust about done with his current gimmick. It was fine for what WWE wanted. Agreed on Edge vs. Matt Hardy being a letdown. The bout was longer than two minutes (again, hyperbole), but yeah – Hardy returns only to get his head kicked in by Edge, while his former girlfriend laughs. I understand there was a larger story line arc yet to play out but for that one night, the crowd erupting in boos was not only for the heel winning but for the disappointment.

All in all, a very good PPV event.

Craig Holmes: Great article

Thanks man. Appreciate it.

Okay, I filled enough space…

Backstory

This topic was picked because of two reasons. First, the new season of Total Divas just returned (last month). Secondly, with the new ‘revolution’ happening in WWE surrounding women’s wrestling, it kinda-sorta related. Oh, and I had to find something I was wrong about. Yeah, that too!

My Claim

I could not find any direct quote, but in summer 2013, I repeatedly said Total Divas would debut on the E! Network to decent/good television ratings, fall in its second week, and be off the air after its first season. One and done for the WWE reality series was what I proclaimed. Needless to say, the show is still going strong two years later.

I was wrong about Total Divas.

Let’s take a look…

The Bella Twins Improved

In every area imaginable, Brie Bella and Nikki Bella improved. People forget this, but they left the company a few years ago. For everything they are ripping on Eva Marie about (Hollywood aspirations, using WWE as a stepping stone, etc.), they did just that. Ironic, huh? Regardless, the past is the past, and everything said about the twins from 2013 can no longer be said in 2015. Their return to the WWE was met with mixed feelings but having a lot to prove, they delivered.

Nikki and Brie Bella had very little ‘star power’ in their previous. They were just the good looking twins who were in WWE and never lived up to expectations from fans. To think a reality show based around them would be a success would be a shocker. In 2015, with a new skill set, new attitude, new looks, and a new focus, The Bella Twins created The Bella Army and became legitimate stars. Not just in the wrestling world but with mainstream crossover – like a reality show on the E! Network.

Now, they could carry a one hour program in primetime to follow the hit Keeping up with the Kardashians.

Eva Marie

You see that video posted above? Watch it again.

Like the Bella Twins in 2013, Eva Marie was nowhere near as polarizing. Her and Jo-Jo were the newbies in WWE. Truth be told, I remember seeing the previews and not thinking much of either. It seemed like the E! Network hired two girls to be added to the cast last minute, and they were the ones selected. Again, I was wrong. Jo-Jo was about as innocent and lovable as can be, while Eva Marie…well, Eva Marie is Eva Marie.

No explanation needed.

Girl Power

If WWE wants something to be a success, they are going to try everything in their arsenal to get it over. Their strategy will NOT always work. Plenty of projects have fallen flat. However, WWE has many prime time hours on cable, a huge social media presence, and tons of other outlets for promotion. Total Divas was going to get the company’s full attention and while I thought it would fizzle out, the opposite happened. The entire division has a renewed passion due to the new ‘revolution,’ the Bellas had a big story line last summer, and Paige has developed a passionate fanbase in her one year on the main roster. Yeah, 2013 is not even in the same universe as 2015 with women’s wrestling.

Get it? Universe? You know, WWE Universe?

*sighs*

Moving on…

Timeslot

Back to the Kardashians for a second. I know wrestling fans love to mock them and make fun of their family. Heck, a lot of the world does. That is fine; it is your opinion. What is NOT an opinion is their massive popularity and attention they bring to the E! Network. I often joke the channel should called the K! Network because it is all Kardashians all the time…

…and for good reason. You can not blame them one bit when you looking at the numbers they draw and revenue brought in by the advertising dollars. It only makes sense to focus on your #1 priority as much as humanly possible. If it works, it works. Do not blame the network; blame all the people who follow their every move and then tune in for their show.

What am I getting at?

Simple. The E! Network has tried for years to find the next big thing in reality television to pair up with the Kardashians. Other channels have produced hit shows, while E! was still relying on KUWTK every week (and weekdays for reruns). My suspicion was that Total Divas was just next in line to fail in that role. Viewers watch the Kardashians and then turn the channel. Why would a WWE themed show be any different on a new channel with a completely different demographic?

Oops, wrong again. Total Divas did well in its Sunday time slot (struggled against WWE pay-per-views at times) before just recently moving to Tuesdays, worked perfectly following the Kardashians, even taking their place in off weeks, and best of all – the E! Network found their new hit show.

Reality TV

Of course, Total Divas would become a success! Of course.

What was I thinking?

Like it or not, America loves their reality television. High class or not. Look, I am a big fan of CBS’ Big Brother and have auditioned for the show multiple times. I know what their program is like. It is not an educational tutorial on rocket science or whatever. It is a train wreck designed for people to laugh at, while the network rolls in the cash from all the suckers who watch. Over and over and over and over again. If you are looking for something else, you better change the channel, and fair or unfair, viewers do NOT change the channel.

That is why I should have known Total Divas would draw an audience. People love that stuff. It fit like a glove with the E! target audience and was basically a “new” version of the Kardashian family.

Future

Sitting here in summer 2015, two years after Total Divas premiered, I have no idea when the end game is coming. The cast is kept fresh and interesting, which is a great thing. Moving to Tuesdays was not a good idea (in my opinion), but it was worth a try I suppose. TV ratings have sunk, just a bit, so a reboot/reset is not that far out of the question. My guess is the show will continue on for another few years, but you never know…

Cheap Plugs

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