- Jul 27, 2015
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But again, different doesn't mean lesser. Different doesn't mean the effort or passion isn't there. It just means that it's different.I wouldn't go so far to call it vicious slander, but you can definitely see a difference in product/result as the event grows older. Gone are the days of original characters, original event themes, and actual scare zones and In are the generous amount of IP houses (which are fine and do well with the audience), selfie zones, and an event branded on its own name.
The evolution reminds me of WWE's Wrestlemania. They'll sell out the event solely on the name - rather than the list of wrestling matches that are on the card. People know what to expect - and most of the emphasis is placed on the brand recognition to drive butts in seats. Probably a poor comparison - but it's the only thing I can think of that has evolved and grown the way HHN seems to be heading.
I'm most excited for next year - and am hoping for completely new house locations to really shake up the status quo of the event.
I think your WrestleMania comparison is pretty apt. The scale and grandeur of the event is greater than it ever was. The performances are still the highest quality. The effort to create engaging storylines that somehow subvert expectations while still creating a satisfying payoff for fans (all while striving to follow the organization's philosophy) is the same that it was. You don't do that job without a passion for it. It's different because they have different writers than ten years ago. They have different performers with different talents. And the audience has changed, becoming smarter and more demanding. It's just different.