In the ever-evolving terrain of WWE, changes in storytelling and production have become evident, signaling a new era. However, actor Freddie Prinze Jr. has offered a word of caution to the company regarding certain aspects of its presentation.
With the departure of Kevin Dunn, WWE’s approach to live TV production has undergone a shift. Under the leadership of former ESPN executive Lee Fitting and with Triple H taking control of booking, the way matches and segments are shot has noticeably evolved.
Speaking on his Wrestling with Freddie podcast, Prinze Jr. expressed his appreciation for WWE’s new direction in transitioning in and out of matches seamlessly. He noted a departure from past practices, stating,
“I love the new direction they are going in… The way they are shooting segments backstage now and not leaving viewers hanging out to dry as they did in the last 25 years.”
Highlighting a recent single-shot angle on RAW involving Jey Uso and Sami Zayn, Prinze Jr. lauded WWE’s creativity but cautioned against overusing such filming techniques.
While Prinze Jr. acknowledges WWE’s efforts in integrating technological advancements, such as augmented reality graphics during superstar entrances, he expressed reservations about certain implementations. Reflecting on the use of 3D visuals, he found them “weird” and welcomed WWE’s recent scaling back of their usage.
In Prinze Jr.’s view, while technological advancements offer exciting possibilities, discretion in their application is crucial: “Sometimes, if we’ve got the technology, it doesn’t mean we’ve got to use that.”
As Triple H and his team continue to redefine WWE’s presentation, the collaboration between performers and production personnel remains pivotal in shaping the audience’s perception of the product.