WWE Realizes That Not Everything Is Ok With

[Guest BoboBrazil]

WWE REALIZING THAT EVERYTHING IS NOT OK WITH THE PRODUCT

 

by Dave Scherer Updated: 9/4/2002 2:33:52 PM

 

 

It's pretty well known by now that where television is concerned, WWE has been presenting two very different products lately. Raw has been more of the "sports entertainment" style show where they try to present more sizzle than steak while Smackdown has been just the opposite. Raw has been reliant on using the older, more established big names prominently during the shows while Smackdown has been less reliant on their top guys and has spent more time creating spots for younger wrestlers. Given the storyline of the brand extension, the two different styles that the shows have taken on actually play into the angle.

 

Internally in WWE, the two different directions are indicative of the two styles of booking prevalent in the company right now. Obviously, everything starts and finishes with Vince McMahon. Despite anyone else's title in WWE, he is the real head booker and he has been hesitant to change the style and format away from what led to WWE's glory run over the last few years, even as house show attendance, PPV buyrates and TV ratings have fallen.

 

As we have talked about here before, Brian Gewertz is the head writer of Raw, while Paul Heyman is the head writer for Smackdown. The two men's style and approach is clearly evident in their work. Gewertz is more into the "entertainment" aspect, while Heyman is more of a wrestling guy. Gewertz, of course, is a holdover from WWE's glory days, and like McMahon, his take on wrestling falls more in line to what WWE was doing back in the days that they were drawing sixes on Monday nights. Heyman's approach is more traditional, which leads to the backstage debate of which is a more effective style for WWE to employ at this time.

 

Despite raves on the internet about the consistent quality product that Smackdown has offered, McMahon has been said to have thought that Raw is the better show, largely because it's more in line with what he personally sees the business being. After all, he is the one who put the "E" in World Wrestling Entertainment, not to mention the business itself. As best I can tell, he also feels like Raw is more like what WWE was in the company's glory years. While that may be true, there is a growing feeling backstage that the old formula that Raw uses hasn't been working lately. Internally, at least some people who, until recently, have said that Raw was the better show are starting to change their minds. There is a feeling among some in the company that in order for the Raw style of show to work, you have to have enough talent over to make it all play out the right way and since the company doesn't, a lot of what they are doing isn't getting over as planned.

 

Inside WWE, it's well known that the last two editions of Raw have bombed for the company. More importantly, sources at Raw on Monday told me that the message that the lack of crowd reaction to some of the "important" segments sent was heard by management. This is in stark contrast to recent bad shows where top management liked what many in the viewing audience didn't.

 

There is a feeling among some in WWE that if you listen to what the crowds react to, you also need to listen to what they don't react to. The last two weeks, it was very clear what they were not reacting to. Coming on the heels of bad financial numbers from the company, there is a feeling backstage that the current problems in the product have to be fixed so that the company can work its way back up to where they were from a business standpoint. Whether it will lead to significant change in the product remains to be seen but we can finally hope that WWE is finally realizing the seriousness of the situation. The real question remains as to whether the person that matters most, Vince McMahon, will realize what the problems are.

 

1wrestling.com

 

 

Yet, Stephanie McMahon is still on the writing staff and they still aren't making Undertaker or HHH put over the new talent.

[Guest bps "The Truth" 21]

And...Kane is in line for a big push.

 

The hosses be running wild.

 

"Despite raves on the internet about the consistent quality product that Smackdown has offered, McMahon has been said to have thought that Raw is the better show"

 

Then he just has to be an RVD fan. Almost every week he's the only thing worth watching on the show...at least since they just job Jericho and he's worth the least he has been in his entire career.

[Guest Trivia247]

Maybe we should all Send in Feedback to the WWE. Maybe one person saying one thing won't go through but the Hundred or so Smarks from this forum emailing them via the Feedback might get the notice.

[Guest *Slaps Pants, Big Boot*]

Why do you think they put Test on what they think of as the better show?

[Guest HartFan86]

This is bullshit coming from the WWE. If they realized that their company's product sucked, having ideas like a promo at Ground Zero and an actually having a gay marriage...well, yeah. That's stupid. Maybe they should try and actually, I dunno...WRESTLE? That's what they did in 2000 when business was booming. Do it again. That's something the fans will never get tired of (Smark or mark) if the match is good enough.

[Guest *Slaps Pants, Big Boot*]

I think the gay marriage can work.