WWE: Cinematic Matches Jump In For The Save At PPVs

It’s been said many times over, by a plethora of WWE superstars over the years: simply put, wrestlers feed off the energy of the WWE Universe while performing. It’s like an injection of adrenaline, the more the crowd reacts to them, the more the superstars bring it up on notch (or two) in a match.

I’m not going to lie, and I think most fans will agre:, watching the first crowd-less edition of SmackDown on Friday Mar. 14 of this year had me wondering if pro wrestling, sports entertainment, and the WWE would ever be the same under this so-called “new normal.”

Was it even worth tuning in to weekly programming? Was it even worth tuning into pay-per-views (PPVs)?

Simply put, cinematic matches have saved the WWE and its PPVs. From the Boneyard match, to the Firefly Funhouse bout and to the recent Money in the Bank match, many can argue that this new genre in the way that pro wrestling performances are presented have also revolutionized the way stories are told within the land of the WWE.

They bring an entirely new layer to storytelling as it relates to sports entertainment.

While matches in the ring, pre-COVID, relied on so many uncontrollable elements – from the fans’ reaction, to live performance, hitting each spot flawlessly, technique, talent reaction and communication (with each other and the crowd) – cinematic matches are not only far more controlled, but they allow for a higher standard of creativity.

They also provide a new form of wrestling outside the squared circle, rely less on perfecting technique, increase the drama, add to the storytelling, and still offer the wrestling action most fans thirst for. Not to mention that background music to help set and guide the tone of enhanced emotion around what audiences should be thinking and feeling while watching the match.

To be frank, I had low expectation entering the WrestleMania 36 weekend, and not only did the in-ring matches prove to be stellar, but those cinematic bouts blew me out of the water.

I’ve always been a fan of Bray Wyatt and John Cena, but the direction around their match and storytelling added a major element around the concept of “coming full circle” and provided a certain finality to this rivalry chapter. It was mind-blowing, to say the least, and I almost didn’t want it to end.

Fast forward to this past MITB, and the ladder bout literally offered all genres of entertainment into one 30-minute package: from comedy, to suspense, Easter eggs (in the Roman Reigns poster), drama, all while drawing in past history (looking at you, AJ Styles and The Undertaker), some ah-ha moments with special guest appearances, and a major mix of wrestling action.

Cinematic matches incorporated within WrestleMania and MITB no longer leave a question mark around PPVs, in fact, it gives fans something to anticipate and look forward to before a monthly event.

Had the WWE missed their mark, they may not have a leg to stand on; however, thanks to these matches, there is always something to look forward to at a PPV now. With fans eagerly anticipating what the next major cinematic match will bring.