What ‘Behind The Curtain’ Reveals About WWE’s Creative Process

The world of professional wrestling, and the WWE in particular, is a land of larger-than-life drama, aerial matches, and charismatic performers. But the things that happen behind the curtain are very often just as interesting as what happens in the ring. WWE recently put out a documentary, “WrestleMania XL: Behind the Curtain,” that gives an insider’s perspective on the creative process and behind-the-scenes dynamics in the weeks leading up to one of wrestling’s biggest shows: WrestleMania. This article will explore what this documentary reveals about WWE’s creative process, how it stacks up against what has come previously, and how changes in leadership have affected the way the company approaches storytelling.

The Documentary: WrestleMania XL: Behind the Curtain

“WrestleMania XL: Behind the Curtain” is a documentary that tracks the planning and execution of WrestleMania 40, featuring stars Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Roman Reigns, Cody Rhodes, and Seth “Freakin” Rollins. The documentary provides an up-close look at the hectic lead-up to the show, with its meticulous planning, rehearsals, and last-minute changes that are the hallmarks of WWE’s major events.

One of the most intriguing aspects of the documentary is the exploration of how certain storylines were developed and why certain matches never happened. It reveals, for instance, how close The Rock and Roman Reigns were to headlining WrestleMania at SoFi Stadium, a match fans were highly anticipating but never got to witness. This glimpse into the decision-making process highlights the complexity and volatility of WWE’s creative planning.

Key Takeaways from the Documentary

Collaborative Approach: The documentary showcases a more collaborative storytelling approach under Triple H’s leadership. This not just involves writers but also wrestlers contributing to the development of their own storylines.

Flexibility and Adaptability: WWE’s ability to be flexible in reacting to unexpected changes and fan reactions is highlighted. This kind of flexibility is significant in making the product dynamic and engaging.

Behind-the-Scenes Dynamics: The documentary provides an insight into the relationships and interactions between wrestlers, writers, and other key figures in the WWE universe.

WWE’s Creative Process: Then and Now

Historically, WWE’s creative process has been faulted for its rigidity under Vince McMahon’s leadership. WWE used to have a massive team of writers who would develop storylines, but those concepts would need to pass through many layers of approval, with the final say always resting with Vince. That process was derided as being cumbersome and, at times, detached from the wrestlers themselves, who had little input into the storylines in which they were featured.

But with Vince McMahon gone and Triple H now in charge as Chief Content Officer, the landscape of creativity has shifted dramatically. As Paul Heyman described, Triple H creates a more open atmosphere, where he invites his team in and lets them pitch and contribute to help shape the product. The outcome has been a more open and fluid creative process, where ideas are welcomed and nurtured in a more collaborative environment.

Evolution of WWE’s Storytelling

Vince McMahon Era: Characterized by a centralized decision-making process, with Vince being the central power in the creative process.

Triple H Era: Defined by a more collaborative and inclusive approach, with more input from wrestlers and other talent.

Impact of Leadership Changes

The guard change from Vince McMahon to Triple H has been a watershed moment for the way WWE approaches storytelling. Triple H’s regime has been marked by collaboration and flexibility, allowing for more spontaneous and responsive storytelling. This is seen in the manner in which wrestlers, as well as other talent, are integrated into the creative process with the ability to help shape their own storylines.

Triple H’s leadership style, as described by Paul Heyman, is to start with a blank piece of paper and invite his people to make recommendations, which are subsequently refined and trimmed down. This style is the complete opposite of the more dictatorial style of the past, whereby Vince McMahon’s vision drove the creative direction.

Leadership Styles Compared

Vince McMahon: Known for his strict, centralized control of creative decisions.

Triple H: Emphasizes teamwork and flexibility, rendering the creative process more collaborative and dynamic.

Comparison with Other Promotions

WWE’s creative process is different from other wrestling promotions. AEW, for example, has a much more streamlined process where wrestlers have a tendency to pitch and work out their ideas with Tony Khan personally. That allows for more organic and crowd-influenced storytelling, where the focus is on what’s going to get over with the audience rather than trying to make a preconceived story.

On the other hand, WWE’s procedure involves a larger team of writers and a more structured system, which can lead to a more polished but sometimes less spontaneous product. However, under Triple H’s leadership, WWE seems to be moving towards a middle ground between structure and flexibility, allowing for both carefully planned storylines and sufficient room for improvisation.

AEW vs. WWE Creative Strategy

AEW: Focuses on organic storytelling with direct feedback from wrestlers.

WWE: Combines formal planning with increased flexibility under Triple H.

Challenges and Opportunities While the new innovation strategy under Triple H offers many opportunities for innovation and collaboration, there are also challenges. One of the greatest challenges is how to reconcile the need for a cohesive narrative with the need for spontaneity and flexibility. WWE must ensure that its storylines are coherent and engaging while also being responsive to fan response and unexpected events.

Moreover, the documentary illustrates the importance of communication and trust among the leadership, talent, and creative team. When everyone is on the same page and is collaboratively working toward one goal, the product can be incredible. Miscommunication or a difference in vision, however, can lead to confusion and discontent among the performers and audience members.

Balancing Structure and Spontaneity

Cohesive Storytelling: Ensuring that storylines are well plotted and coherent.

Flexibility: Allowing for spontaneous moments and alterations based on fan reaction.

“WrestleMania XL: Behind the Curtain” is a fascinating glimpse into WWE’s creative process, showcasing both the pitfalls and promise of producing a spectacle like WrestleMania. The documentary presents a more free-form and collaborative process under Triple H’s regime, which differs from the more regimented approach of the past.

As WWE goes on, it will be interesting to see how this new creative direction influences the company’s storytelling and overall product. By focusing on teamwork and flexibility, WWE may be capable of achieving a balance between storylines that are mapped out in advance and spontaneous moments, which may lead to more engaging and less predictable storylines that resonate with fans worldwide.

Lastly, WWE’s creative process will be successful if it is able to remain flexible when confronted with changing circumstances without losing a sense of direction for its storylines. By embracing collaboration and innovation, WWE will continue to be a powerhouse in the world of professional wrestling.

Documentaries and Behind-the-Scenes Features: WWE regularly makes documentaries and specials that provide an inside glimpse into its creative process. These can be an excellent source of information regarding how storylines are developed and produced.

Interviews with Creative Team Members and Wrestlers: Interviews with creative team members and wrestlers tend to offer insight into how storylines were created and production challenges.

Fan Engagement: WWE’s success is significantly influenced by fan engagement. Understanding what clicks with the audience can help in developing improved storylines and characters.

Combining these sources with the information contained within “WrestleMania XL: Behind the Curtain,” fans are able to gain a clearer picture of the complex and dynamic nature of WWE’s creative process.

Impact on Talent Development

The shift in WWE’s creative process under Triple H also impacts talent development. With the more collaborative process, wrestlers are encouraged to be a part of their own storylines so that they can develop their characters in a more organic manner. The process can lead to more layered and engaging performances since wrestlers have stakes in the storylines they are a part of.

Also, the emphasis on flexibility allows for more openings for emerging talent to breakthrough. By being responsive to the reactions of fans and altering storylines accordingly, WWE is able to capitalize on unexpected successes and give a chance for new stars to emerge.

Talent Development Strategies

Collaborative Storytelling: Getting wrestlers involved in their own storylines.

Flexibility in Booking: Allowing for adjustments based on fan feedback to capitalize on emerging talent.

NXT as a Developmental Platform: Utilizing NXT as a proving ground for new talent before they move up to the main roster.

By making these initiatives a priority, WWE can maintain a strong pipeline of talent and ensure that its product remains fresh and exciting.

Fan Engagement and Feedback

Fan engagement is so crucial to WWE’s success since it provides feedback that can be used to develop storylines as well as characters. WWE uses various platforms to engage with fans, from social media to live events, where the audience’s reaction is capable of determining the direction of storylines.

Under Triple H’s leadership, WWE also seems to be more open to fan feedback, with storylines being altered due to crowd reaction. This keeps the product fresh and up-to-date, as it’s driven by what the fans want to see.

Strategies for Fan Engagement

Social Media Engagement: Engaging with the fans on social media sites to view the reactions and obtain feedback.

Live Event Feedback: Including the reaction of the audience at live events in storyline decisions. 

Surveys and Polls: Conducting surveys and polls in order to determine fan interests and opinions. By these means, WWE is capable of remaining in close connection with its fans and making its storylines applicable to its audience. 

Conclusion: The Future of WWE’s Creative Process 

As WWE embarks on the future under Triple H’s leadership, its creative process has the potential to be more responsive and dynamic to fan feedback than ever before. By embracing collaboration, adaptability, and innovation, WWE can continue to captivate the audience and remain the leader in professional wrestling. The disclosures in “WrestleMania XL: Behind the Curtain” are an intriguing exploration of the challenges and potential within WWE’s creative process. 

As WWE continues, it will be captivating to see how these evolutions impact the world of professional wrestling and what new characters and storylines emerge as a result. Final Thoughts WWE’s development into a more open and responsive creative process is a reflection of its ability to change and innovate. 

By being willing to change and responsive to what is working with fans, WWE can ensure that its storylines are engaging and unpredictable, and will continue to entertain audiences for years to come. Finally, the success of WWE’s creative process will rest in its ability to balance structure and spontaneity, with a clear direction for its storylines. With a focus on collaboration and innovation, WWE is well positioned to continue thriving in the fast-evolving world of professional wrestling.