New is not always better.
Change is not always good.
If the eighties taught us anything, they taught us that one-hit wonders fade into the night and what looks impressive at first sights may just wind up being a complete failure.
Dexy’s Midnight Runners, Flock of Seagulls and A-Ha. They all hit it big, had their moment in the sunshine and faded into insignificance soon after. A decade of wannabes and failed dreams.
Cue April 23rd, 1985.
The competition in the cola world was fierce and Coca-Cola wanted to do something extra-ordinary. They wanted to do away with their tried and trusted formula and introduce a new blend.
More sugary-sweet, one that would appeal to the generation of kids out there.
They called it New Coke.
And you know what… It was an overnight success.
The New Coke hype helped sales skyrocket. An instant boom in the market.
That is, until the public got to taste the new brew.
Complaints rolled in and sales plummeted as quickly as they had risen. One thing became abundantly clear. People simply didn’t like the new flavour.
People hated the taste of New Coke. The extra sugary-sweet taste reminded them not of what they had always trusted. New Coke, in fact, was almost as bad as Pepsi.
Within a few short months, Coca-Cola had scrapped New Coke and reverted back to the original drink we know and love. Once again, all was right with the world.
The world of Old School Wrestling is fierce and competitive.
The Slaughterhouse is an unforgiving place for most who look to make a name for themselves. But you, Generation Kid, are an overnight success. A sugary-sweet hero to the generation of kids who remember your nostalgic era.
Surely, winning a nice shiny title belt the very night you first step foot inside the squared circle is to be commended. It boosted your popularity overnight, an instant boom in the market.
You’re New Coke. Welcomed to the market of the Slaughterhouse with bright shining eyes, full of sugar and spice and wonderful things.
Only, this week is different. This week, you’re subjected to the very same downfall that New Coke suffered.
The taste test.
Because instead of winning that Rewind Championship, now you have to defend it. And that’s a totally different ballgame.
Now, people get to taste the real you.
The element of surprise has worn off, the honeymoon period is over.
And your stock will plummet just as quickly as the failed New Coke.
When people get a real taste of you, they’ll find you stale and flat. Overnight, your fame will fizz out much like any other 80s One-Hit Wonder. And people will yearn for the old recipe back, their true Rewind Champion.
I’m no New Coke.
I’m the tried and trusted. I’m the classic blend that saves the day. When all is said and done, New Coke fades away into insignificance, and Classic Coca-Cola continues to dominate the market.
Drink up the fame while you can, for this drink may very well be your last.