5 reasons why Vince McMahon is reportedly "stopping" scripted promos

One of the biggest criticisms that WWE has received over the past few years, particularly from ex-creative writers, ex-superstars and legends of the industry is that they've taken the route of overly-scripting promos.

This, in the opinion of many, including fans, has reduced the overall quality of the product and more importantly, has restricted a lot of superstars from shining. Ever wondered why your favourite NXT superstar thrived on the yellow brand yet was made to cut awkward promos on the main roster? The overly-scripted nature of things and the rule of needing to recite a script word-to-word certainly played a large part in all of it.

There are only a few superstars who are allowed to cut promos by just looking at bullet points rather than repeating it verbatim. These are the superstars like Kevin Owens and perhaps Samoa Joe - stars who are well-versed in the art of cutting promos.

According to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, WWE has recently changed this and given superstars such as Rey Mysterio, Sasha Banks and Bayley the opportunity to cut promos which are "non-scripted" and simply follow bullet points. Here are five reasons why WWE might be making this change.

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#5. Late realization that they're better off without it

Vince McMahon backstage

Sometimes, it's better late than never. There is a misconception that Vince McMahon isn't open too ideas. The opposite, is in fact, true. Vince McMahon happens to be very open to ideas, sometimes even too much for his or the company's own good.

In this kind of a situation, he was likely made aware of it by a backstage figure or began to realize that the company's product is better off without these overly-scripted promos. If not now, then when?

#4. The Paul Heyman effect

Paul Heyman has largely taken over

We've definitely seen the effects of Paul Heyman's influence on Monday Night RAW, even more so than what Eric Bischoff has on SmackDown Live. Granted, Bischoff's role has more to do with his experience to handle television executives over his creative experience.

Heyman, on the other hand, has been pushing for something entirely new and it can be seen. Unlike the days when WWE rebooted ECW, McMahon seems a lot more open to Heyman's ideas and it's clear that what he wants out of the product is something entirely different.

Being a promo expert in his own right and seeing so many different kinds of talent over the past few decades, it's safe to assume that Heyman has a very good eye for talent. He was the first person in WWE to really advocate for CM Punk and we've read various rumours by now about fresh, new stars that Heyman plans to push.

His influence backstage may be a lot stronger than we think. While he does answer to the main man himself, it's very possible that he was the backstage official who convinced Vince McMahon to change the approach in cutting promos.

#3. An overall change in direction

Ricochet is one of the new faces who have big things planned for them

With Paul Heyman and Eric Bischoff being hired, the objective was to reduce Vince McMahon's workload - something that seems to be happening on the RAW side of things, atleast.

It's not surprising to see McMahon still in control of SmackDown like before because it's currently a very fragile time for the brand. They're just about a month away before the FOX deal finally kicks in and they have to start afresh from there.

Overall, the biggest positive about this period of time is that there seems to be a genuine effort for change in the product. This new direction that they're taking is a very important one, but what many people need to realize is that these kinds of huge changes take time.

Granted, we're not expecting everything to change in a matter of weeks, but it's going to take months or even over a year before we fully see change of sorts being implemented regularly. This overall change in direction has probably brought about a few new approaches and some old ones that need to be brought back.

One of those old ones happens to be the style of cutting promos and the non-scripted nature of it.

#2. It's a tried, tested and proven method

Batista has been highly critical of WWE's scripted promos

Batista is a superstar who belongs to the Ruthless Aggression Era. He was never the best promo guy but thrived because he was given the creative freedom, even in promos. In an intervie with Wrestling Sheet Radio, Batista tore into the nature of WWE's creative process, revealing that the current performers have their hands tied.

"The creative process I still don’t get. It was a nightmare to me the last time I was there, which was 2014, and it seems like its become worse. I feel like they don’t have a clear vision, a long term vision, everything is very week-to-week. It doesn’t seem like they stick to a plan very much.” [Chris] Jericho pointed out something to me that makes complete sense. He said that John Cena is the last guy who is gonna be over like he is and it’s because the performers now they’re limited. Their hands are tied. They can’t go to war like we used to. We used to go to war and beat the crap out of each other and it earned a level of respect from people. And it was just like a different level of respect, it was a different level of getting over. We had more freedom.”

What he's saying is absolutely right and he had openly stated in the past that he hated scripted promos and preferred one where he just needed rough bullet points. Basically, he is an example of it being a tried and tested method that works. Many within WWE know this and it may only be now that they've had their voices heard.

If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

#1. To start giving superstars more creative freedom

The current roster needs creative freedom to thrive

We urge you to read that Batista quote a couple of more times. What you notice is that he clearly doesn't blame the roster for not getting as over as they are, because it isn't their fault to begin with.

As you know, talent certainly isn't an issue on this current roster. The current roster is easily the strongest in WWE history and the presence of incredible talent in the Women's division only adds to the depth of it.

Many know that there are superstars who are just waiting to have that breakout moment and need the right opportunity to do so. Admittedly, promos have been the biggest weakness in WWE over the past 7-8 years or so as they've tightened the restrictions on it.

However, if they are loosening up these restrictions, then there's only positive things that can come out of it. Sure, each superstar will have to undergo some trial and error when cutting promos, but ultiamtely, if they're allowed to express themselves and simply be themselves, we're going to get a much higher quality product and could even be on the brink of another great era.

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