#4 Fans cannot invest in the match
Fans cared about CM Punk versus John Cena. That rivalry was all about Punk attempting to grab the brass ring in an environment in which he was not supposed to succeed. John was seen as the corporate champion holding him back, and fans rallied to the side of The Second City Saint.
But this was more than just a storyline told through cross-legged promos. This was a story told in the ring that fans could emotionally invest in. Cena is at his best when he’s tested by talented stars, and that was definitely the case with Punk.
Their bouts worked because they matched up well against each other. There was no wasted movement, and no unnecessary bumps taken. This was the basic pro wrestling match, but told in such a way that fans could not watch without feeling it.
How many feuds can that be said of today? How many times do matches crescendo with five to six near-falls before a guy is finally pinned? More importantly, how many finishers are used until the final three count, which is disappointingly anticlimactic?
When guys go too fast, no connection can possibly be made. True dramatic moments are not created by near-falls, they are created by well-crafted matches that are evenly paced. High spots must be highlights, not filler until the finish comes. Fans must care about the matches again, and that will not happen unless the style changes.
