WWE Plans Bigger Star Entrances First So They Can Cut To Commercial

WWE prides itself on pushing boundaries to the limit when it comes to their live television productions. Many find the show to be over-polished and over-produced. Jump cuts are among the prime sources of frustration, but they’re not exclusive to WWE. The company does have a method to their madness.

This is no secret to fans who have attended a live episode of Raw or SmackDown in the past. WWE will frequently show the entrance of a superstar and then immediately cut to commercial before the start of their match. Fans at home rejoin that wrestler in the ring as if no time has passed.

In reality, WWE dims the arena lights and shows promotional videos on the in-house big screen. It can be a jarring experience if you’re used to watching at home. Dave Meltzer explained the reason for the process on the latest Wrestling Observer Radio.

“The idea is that if they have people in the ring, you know what the match is going to be and you will sit through the other stuff to get through the match. Especially because, usually when they do that, they’ll announce the star, who they perceive to be the bigger star, first.

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That’s the person that you see. And you can’t wait to come back from the commercial. You can’t wait to get through those interviews because there’s that big star. So, that’s the mentality behind it. Whether it works or not is a different story.”

WWE introduced AJ Styles on Raw this week and then cut to a commercial. It’s something the company has done for years. The reason is that the show’s producers think of it as an enticing tease to keep viewers watching through the break. Even without Kevin Dunn and Vince McMahon at the show, WWE continues to follow their own formula for success.

Are you a fan of WWE’s television production quality? Share your opinion in the comments!

Transcription by Ringside News