What the WWF needs to do

[Guest RavishingRickRudo]

(Ok, this isn't the typical "here is what I would do" rant, enjoy.)

 

“Long-term customer satisfaction leads to the retention of customers and generates substantial profits. It is more profitable for firms to keep customers than to be constantly seeking new ones. Developing satisfied customers is therefore an important way to meet the organization’s performance objectives.” (Sommers/Barnes: Fundamentals of marketing, 9th Canadian Edition)

 

Rather than focusing on the core fan base the WWF has now, they are trying to get back the one it lost. The above passage says what the WWF currently is doing is WRONG. Rather than pandering to the fan they DON’T have, they should be focused on satisfying the customer they DO have. Now that this is established - now that we know what the WWF is doing right now IS wrong - we can focus on where the problems are and what the WWF can do to fix them. The three important issues are: Consumer Confidence, Consumer Pride, and Consumer Loyalty. They are all related to each other; after all, consumer confidence and consumer pride lead to consumer loyalty - and that, above all else, is the most important thing for the WWF to maintain (after all, if every WWF fan were Loyal - there would never be this ‘wrestling cycle’ -wink- that Vince McMahon speaks of). There are some common solutions to each defined issue, as they tend to overlap; however each is distinctly important to the success of the company and must be focused on immediately.

 

Consumer Confidence is perhaps the most difficult issue for the WWF to focus on. It relates to how the consumer sees the product and their ‘faith’ in the WWF to ‘do the right thing’. Every time the fan gets ‘screwed’, their confidence in the product drops. Every time an angle fails, they lose confidence in the product. Look at all the ‘failed’ angles. The WWF’s decline really began at Summerslam 2000. What was the major storyline at this time? It was the “HHH/Stephanie/Kurt” love triangle. This angle did not pay-off the way it was supposed to. Kurt Angle was supposed to break up HHH and Steph - HHH becomes the uber-face, Steph leaves television, and Kurt gets elevated as a heel. This didn’t happen. HHH and Steph got back together, HHH went face for a month, and the Kurt/Steph relationship just fizzled. There was no real pay-off, no defining end to the feud. Then what happened after that? The “Who hit Austin” storyline. After weeks and weeks of time dedicated to the angle - it turns out to be Rikishi! And if that wasn’t a bomb, we find out that HHH ‘arranged’ it and the focus got taken off Rikishi almost immediately. These were two storylines that had A LOT of time dedicated to them and delivered no satisfying pay-off in the end. I consider these two angles to be the beginning of the end for the WWF.

 

Then came WM 17 - a HUGE success as we all waited to see Rock vs. Austin... And what happened? AUSTIN TURNED HEEL. God, if that wasn’t a stupid move, I don’t know what is. The WWF gave us a screwy ending when it should have been clean. It was an epic match which had a horrible ending that made everyone groan. And to add more fuel to the fire, whom does Austin align with? HHH: The guy with whom he had been feuding with heavily for the past 4 months. Right here, the WWF is saying “We want you to FORGET the past 4 months - they were meaningless.” How do you think this effected consumer confidence? This said to the fan, “What you watch right now will be ignored in the future ” - so this brings up an important question to that consumer: Why watch?

 

After HHH got injured and the Austin/HHH feud that was supposed to last the summer got screwed up, Vince decided to play his trump card and bring out the WWF vs. WCW feud. Of course, it bombed... Horribly... And it couldn’t even last a full year - though the Monday Night Wars lasted 5. This was the straw that broke the camels back - this was the thing that made consumers say “Hey, the WWF fucked up a WCW vs. WWF angle - they put all the focus on WWF guys and the McMahon's, they didn’t even bother hiring Hogan, Nash, Flair, Bischoff and anyone else that mattered - they just thought we fans would be stupid enough to accept it as the real thing. Fuck this.” The WWF tried to bring Foley back - they dropped him soon after - they brought Flair in as a ‘Co-Owner’ and that didn’t last long - and then they brought in the NWO. This lack of direction KILLS consumer confidence - especially after the bombing of the InVasion angle. This tells that consumer “Hey, we have NO IDEA what we are doing or what you want from us”.

 

And this leads us to right now. The return of Crash-TV.

 

“Unethical or socially irresponsible behaviour on the part of a company undermines trust and destroys closeness in a relationship.” (Ibid)

 

The fans’ faith in the WWF is still falling and won’t bottom out until each individual fans’ “trust” in the WWF is gone and no one watches any more. Believe me, it could happen. Look at WCW - they changed direction countless amounts of time, they screwed the fans more times than I can remember, they never paid off their huge build ups/angles and Consumer Confidence in the end was non-existent - they were just one big joke. When you hear the word ‘surprise’ or ‘mystery’ on WWF TV, do you groan or say ‘oh boy!’?. I groan because the WWF’s mysteries never pay-off. When there is a big title match are you expecting a cheap finish? I am - and the crowd is too as they look to the entranceway for a run in at the climax of a match. This reflects poor confidence in the company’s ability to ‘do the right thing’. This is what the WWF needs to fix. They need to bring that trust back into the relationship with its fans.

 

So how do they do that?

 

Like I said before, this is perhaps the hardest issue the WWF must face as consistency is the key to its success in creating a better trust with its fan

 

“A product or service should consistently deliver what it was designed to deliver, without variation from one experience to another.” (Ibid)

 

1) They need to have ends to feuds. Simple, right? - Any company can do that. Well, the WWF has a knack for leaving something ‘open’ when they end a feud so there can be another feud in the future if need be. Their inability to resolve angles has become a thing of ridicule among fans (much like WCW - who *did* drive the Hummer?) and that hurts confidence in the product. They can’t just have Austin beat the Rock - they must have it so Rock doesn’t look too weak and always leave the fan thinking “Hey, Austin isn’t better than the Rock” so when the next time Austin and Rock feud the final result won’t be as obvious. The flaw in this is that the Rock and Austin never had that rematch - they became buddies and sung a song together. Then they teamed up against the NWO. What did the Rock do his first day back? Did he rush in to kick the shit out of Stone Cold? Hell no, he beat up the McMahon’s and then feuded with Booker T. The WWF can’t be afraid to have one wrestler be the better man over another. They need to have clear-cut endings - not just allow them to fizzle out.

 

2)They need to have simple feuds. They have to go back to basics. Everyone fighting for the title, and the issues and storylines are spawned from their quest for the gold. If the you want consistency, then you might as well be easy on yourself and do it simple. None of this twisting and turning and swerves every ten seconds - storylines should be explained in 2 sentences in less than 10 seconds. Traditional wrestling storylines like friend vs. friend, old vs. young, student vs. teacher, champion vs. challenger, have been around a long time for a reason - they are universal and can deliver in the ring.

 

3) Stop Screwing your fans. Obvious -yet the WWF can’t seem to get it in their heads that when they piss off (and on) the fans, it’s not a good thing. Swerves for the sake of Swerves are just so.... Russo... And that’s the last thing the WWF should be. If the WWF promises a big surprise, they have to deliver. If the WWF promises a big match - they have to deliver. If a friend promises you that he will pay you back, and he doesn’t - will you loan him money the next time he asks? The WWF has to get their fans to trust them again. This includes no run-ins as well. Unless the storyline calls for it (which it usually never does) the finish to a match should ALWAYS be clean.

 

4) Be confident in whatever is promoted When WCW kept changing directions it showed that managements confidence in the product was low - and that effects the consumers. Even if a current angle, or champion, is bombing, do NOT cut it short. Now, that doesn’t mean they should continue the full planned duration of the feud/angle/champion - it just means they shouldn’t say “Ok, it’s over” (coughNWOcough) and be done with it. It not only shows a lack of confidence in whatever angle, but it also shows a lack of direction and faith the company has for the wrestler involved.

 

I am sure there are other things that the WWF can do to increase Consumer Confidence in their product -if you have any feel free to suggest them. I think these 4 should definitely be focused on and considered.

 

Consumer Pride and Consumer Loyalty are almost interchangeable, however I am not particularly proud to be a WWF fan, yet I remain loyal. Of course, the longer I remain ashamed of the product the more likely I am to leave. The same thing goes for each and every ‘die hard’ fan out there, because we all have our limits. I never thought I would stop watching the Simpsons, yet every Sunday since 1999 I have found myself on another channel. Since Pride and Loyalty are so close some of the solutions overlap - be warned!

 

Are you proud to be a WWF fan? Do you wear that “Just Bring It” shirt to school/work/etc everyday? Do you use wrestling catchphrases like ‘layin the smackdown’ and ‘suckkkaaa’ on a date? Whenever there is someone insulting the WWF and its fans, do you stand up for em? I don’t think many of you do. I know I don’t. Wrestling is no longer ‘cool’ and wrestling fans are seen as incompetent white trash who like to see grown men in their underwear hit each other with chairs. We are Jerry Springer guests. We are looked down upon. I read some posts here and I see a lot of “What do you expect, IT’S WRESTLING!” As even wrestling fans look at the product in that way. We have accepted that wrestling is stupid fluff that is unable to provide intelligent storylines - if I use the word ‘art’ to describe wrestling I would get laughed at. That’s the wrestling world Vince McMahon created - that genius!

 

I will never hear any “Dub Dub Eff” chants as long as I live - the WWF will never have that cult mentality - so even when it is shunned by society, and defined as a ‘niche market’, it is too big to be given cult status. Their fans are isolated and desperately need something to be proud of. Necrophilia angles are not something I would tell a friend about. The WWF needs to increase fan Pride ASAP.

 

How do they do that?

 

1)Retire a wrestler. The WWF has the Undertaker, Ric Flair, Hulk Hogan and Mark Henry on the roster (ok, Henry isn’t really old, he just really, really, really sucks) that all should retire soon. There is nothing that brings fans together more when one of their favourites leaves - it allows for that wrestler to say ‘thank you’ to the fans to make them feel appreciated, and allows for the fans to appreciate them. There could be a few tears shed depending on how important that wrestler is (The Undertakers retirement would mean more than Hogan and Flairs - because both have retired a dozen times already). They can show a montage, have a couple of speeches, etc. Really get over the importance and meaning a wrestling star has with its fans. This is a pretty extreme measure to increase fan Pride - but it is the closest thing to a sure thing that I can think of. This also will increase Loyalty, as it will show the fans that if you stay with the company for a long time you get appreciated. It will allow fans to say “I remember that” and feel proud that they did, and they will stay for more moments like that.

 

2) Get more personal with the fans. Have wrestlers come out at intermission at live events and just talk with the fans - don’t make it seem like a chore (coughAutographSigningscough) and it will make the fans feel more appreciated and proud to be there. There is nothing like a wrestling atmosphere where you get to see your favourite stars up close and personal. ECW had an intimate environment where the crowd and the wrestlers, seemingly, were one. The WWF should try and re-create that.

 

3) Broadcast ‘Great’ matches from the past. Sorta like what they did on Excess ‘from the vault’. Air a ‘classic’ match on RAW and Smackdown every once and a while, make it seem like an ‘event’ (but pick good ones for Christ sake - the hog pen match is a big no no). A great match leaves a satisfied fan - and may seem extra special to those ‘new’ fans who never got to see the match before. It, again, allows for reflection and appreciation and therefore pride in the product.

 

4) Give House shows meaning House Shows are an integral part of the WWF’s business and are a very telling economic sign. When house shows are down, it means that he fans’ interest in the product has decreased - they may be willing to pay of a Televised show, but won’t bother paying for a non-televised live event. How do they give them meaning? Advertise the card in advance - people are more likely to pay to see Benoit vs. Angle and Brock vs. Edge than going in uninformed. Sure, house shows are generally the place where the WWF tests out potential feuds, but then again, the benefits of advertising house show cards greatly out weight the costs. Also, have something important occur at a house show. Maybe a title switch (tag titles, that is) and show footage of the match and change - it will immediately tell that fan that if they go to a house show they will see something exciting. Hey, I know my interest house shows picked up when they said Bret Hart beat Ric Flair in Saskatoon for the title.

 

5) Make better T-shirts. This may seem like a little thing, but I believe it’s very important. When wrestling was at its hottest you had people wearing 3:16 and NWO shirts. It was cool and they were proud. Now you might find one behind a jacket - and even THAT’s rare. Fans want to subtly show they are wrestling fans - and they cannot do that while wearing ‘It’s true’ in big bold lettering. There have only been a handful of really good shirts in the past: the Hurricane ‘H’ and the Kaientai “Evil” shirts are the only ones that I can think of that I ever really showed interest in. What did they have in common? They were transferable to everyday wear. It didn’t say you were a wrestling fan, but you still knew you were representin and other wrestling fans would give you a nod on the street. “Less is More’ and Obscurity is the key.

 

6) Use the Internet Despite popular belief, the Internet is NOT the enemy. In my view - the internet fan is the most caring fan the WWF has (with the exception to the ‘mega-fan’ - the one who travels thousands of miles to see a show and doesn’t know Billy Gunns real name... They are just whackos ). After all, the ‘typical’ Internet fan may write negative things about the WWF - but you can’t say that that fan doesn’t CARE (why else would he/she dedicate that much of their time to a particular subject if they didn’t care about it?). The ‘bad’ fans are the ones who are apathetic to the WWF product. So what better way to get that fan interested in the WWF than getting them on the Internet? - A place where you have thousands - if not millions - of fans sharing their views on the same subject. If the Consumers are isolated by the mainstream, the Internet allows for those isolated fans to gather where they no longer are alone. From that they can take pride in being a wrestling fan. Will the Internet expose some of the ‘seedier’ aspects of the business? Sure. But I believe it was Maxx Payne who said that the next evolution of the business is opening the curtain to the fan - revealing the secret so that fans can enjoy wrestling on a different level - not like fans of magic - but as fans of film. Have a WWF message board - a WWF chat (a REAL WWF chat) where wrestlers can communicate with the fans (what a better way to attract non-internet fans than by allowing them to talk to their favourite wrestler), just generally pimp the website on-air. The WWF keeps the Internet at arms length, thinking that it’s against them, when in reality it is one of their most powerful tools.

 

As I said with Consumer Confidence, Consumer Pride can be improved upon in other manners, feel free to suggest some, these are the ones I feel are important and I might be skipping over some things.

 

The end result of Consumer Confidence and Consumer Pride is of course Consumer Loyalty. It is the main goal of all businesses to attract a loyal consumer base - the WWF is no different. However in the past 2 years the WWF’s fan base has been cut in half. Where they once drew 6’s and 7’s they now draw 3’s. Their house shows are nowhere near capacity and at the Toronto Smackdown! taping I would say that it was about 75-80% full... And this is in Canada. The Memphis Smackdown! was said to be considerably smaller. No Mercy, a week before the PPV, had roughly 3000 tickets sold. There is no doubt the ‘Attitude Era’ fan - this coveted ‘casual fan’ the WWF wants back so badly - had little to no loyalty to the product. Once the WWF stopped being ‘cool’, once it stopped being the talk of the playground, they packed up and left. Unfortunately, during the Attitude Era, many ‘hardcore fans’ or ‘base fans’ left as well - which may leave the WWF in a BIG mess when they get knee deep in the ‘down’ period in a year or two. So what the WWF needs to do right now is get the current fan as loyal as possible to the product - so hopefully no one else will leave before the ratings hit the 2.0 mark and the WWF is unable to survive. In the mid-90’s, after the WWF’s first “fall” they tried to increase fan loyalty by doing things ’for the fans’ and it was lame because it was forced. The WWF has to subtly make the fan appreciated.

 

How do you make that fan loyal?

 

1) Remember History In the Attitude Era, everything before Survivor Series 1997 was forgotten about... Completely. The only time I ever heard mention of ‘Hulk Hogan’ - a man who was on top of the World Wrestling Federation for nearly a decade - was either in ridicule or... well... in ridicule. Bret Hart - a hero to millions in the early to mid 90’s - was all but forgotten as well - unless they were in Montreal, of course. Macho Man, Million Dollar Man, Jake the Snake Roberts, Ric Flair - you name it - they were all forgotten and never mentioned. And even if anything pre-SS97 was mentioned - it was always in Mcmahonian terms. What does THIS say to those long-time fans? It says ‘We don’t care enough about you - we are going to either forget about what you watched, or lie about it - you have no worth to us. The only thing we care about is the NEW fans. Stay or Go Away - we don‘t care. If you don‘t like it don‘t watch it - this ain‘t your Granddaddies wrestling.”. And what does it say to the new fan? “Nothing happened before SS97” - so that when the WWF ‘falls’ that fan gets worried and stops watching because he/she does not know that the WWF can still be good (Hart/Michaels) in a ‘down’ period. That fan doesn’t know that if he/she stays with the WWF, it will benefit their best interests.

 

Remembering History not only allows for the old fans to be appreciated and to appreciate what happened but for new fans to know there was life before Austin and there will be life beyond him. A simple “this reminds me of the Bret Hart/Davy Boy Smith Summerslam match” or a “He reminds me of a young Jake Roberts” (and keep it within the WWF context JR - your ‘history lessons‘ are just cliches now). Air some classic matches too -as mentioned above. The fans’ bond with the product is important in every sport or show. By remembering their history, the WWF can retie some old bonds and form some new ones. By bringing back ‘tradition’, even in small doses, the WWF can bring a sense of importance and pride to storylines and matches. By saying ‘Thank you for watching our show, you long-time and short-time viewer’ the WWF can make their fans feel appreciated, they can make them feel special, they can make them feel that watching the WWF for however long they have been doing has paid off, and will in the future. By doing this the WWF won’t be history anytime soon.

 

2) Best of DVD’s They have started this with HHH - but they should do more of an ECW approach. With WCW’s library the WWF has opened up a whole new way to present a wrestler - and even though it might pain McMahon to acknowledge WCW’s history, it would be a great way to get the fans to care about that wrestler more (Why yes, I AM waiting for a Chris Benoit DVD). This is a simple ‘thank you’ to the fans for watching and a sign to the newer fans that great things can happen - so it is best to continue watching.

 

-As mentioned before, a great deal of the solutions in ‘Consumer Pride’ effects Consumer Loyalty directly - especially the retirement angle.

 

Consumer Confidence and Trust. Consumer Pride and Loyalty. Things the WWF lack right now and need in order to survive. With these in tact, with this ’base’, the WWF can only grow. In time, word-of-mouth with travel from satisfied fans and more people will tune in. Maybe a captivating feud or wrestler will bring with them another boom like Hogan and Austin - and even if they don’t, maybe a healthier wrestling industry will be rebuilt so that new promotions can flourish and compete and the Wrestling fan will be better for it.

[Guest Banky]

I dunno Rudo - this would all seem like a lot of work. Vince has never made drastic changes like that - EVER. But they are good, valid points.

 

I drop the split. WWE could save money but releasing the stars who no one cares about. Why wouldn't the WWE want to ahve their biggest stars on both RAW and Smackdown? Many fans probably watch only one brand - the one with their favorite wrestler. By re-alligning the Angles, Benoits, Guerreros, Jerichos, and Van Dams - it would make fans want to watch both shows each week. The split limits the match possibilities, and it makes the shows insanely boring.

 

I guarentee you that if the split was dropped, mroe fans would watch.

[Guest RavishingRickRudo]

I dunno Rudo - this would all seem like a lot of work. Vince has never made drastic changes like that - EVER. But they are good, valid points.

 

You think they are drastic? It's not like "hey, split up the roster" or a change in format - it's merely a change in philosophy (which, I suppose is a big thing for Vince). But He has done that with the Attitude Era - and he will do it again when he realizes that trying to recapture its former glory is fruitless.

[Guest RavishingRickRudo]

See, if they dropped the split - it would be the 3rd MAJOR angle which had been dropped in the past year (invasion, NWO being the first two). This relates to the 'consumer confidence' issue where the WWF has to be confident in their direction for the fans to be.

[Guest Angle-plex]

I just really think they need knew writers. IMO, you have to change the writers every few years to keep storylines fresh (and no, this doesn't mean change all the writers, but keep Steph as head writer).

[Guest Banky]

I dunno Rudo - this would all seem like a lot of work. Vince has never made drastic changes like that - EVER. But they are good, valid points.

 

You think they are drastic? It's not like "hey, split up the roster" or a change in format - it's merely a change in philosophy (which, I suppose is a big thing for Vince). But He has done that with the Attitude Era - and he will do it again when he realizes that trying to recapture its former glory is fruitless.

This would all be tough for Vince. Turning his back on the veterans, giving the fans what they want, and listening to the internet? Sorry, but neither will happen. Vince has always pandered to himself, and no one else. That is the one big change he needs.

[ChrisMWaters]

See, if they dropped the split - it would be the 3rd MAJOR angle which had been dropped in the past year (invasion, NWO being the first two). This relates to the 'consumer confidence' issue where the WWF has to be confident in their direction for the fans to be.

However, the question is...are the customers confident in the split anyway?

[Guest RavishingRickRudo]

It all comes down to what you think is more damaging. What will happen if you prolong the split or what will the fans think of another dropped angle. The practical solution would be to drop it and merge the better talents with each other - however I just can't help thinking about WCW and how they changed direction so many times.

[ChrisMWaters]

It all comes down to what you think is more damaging. What will happen if you prolong the split or what will the fans think of another dropped angle. The practical solution would be to drop it and merge the better talents with each other - however I just can't help thinking about WCW and how they changed direction so many times.

Point taken.

 

However, (and this is a bit however) I think that there could be a way found that the brand extension/roster split could end nicely while not causing a "dropped storyline" feeling.

 

Remember...this whole split was started, storyline wise, because Vince McMahon and Ric Flair couldn't get along with each other as 50/50 owners.

 

Technically, there's no need for it now in the storylines.

[ChrisMWaters]

Oh, another thing I just thought about to instill customer confidence: Do not be afraid of talent not "created" by WWF/E

 

Almost every time, in top match situations, if it's a guy "home grown" by WWE against someone originally made in WCW or ECW...the WWE person will come out on top.

 

This is even considering the fact of how popular the person is.

 

They need to understand that, 9 times out of 10, people don't care that they were not WWE grown. They just want to see the best person for the job on the top.

[Guest Ravenbomb]

I still say the split could be salvaged.

[Guest RavishingRickRudo]

However, (and this is a bit however) I think that there could be a way found that the brand extension/roster split could end nicely while not causing a "dropped storyline" feeling.

 

I can't imagine it coming out any different than the 'end of the alliance' - which wasn't even an end since all the wrestlers never left in the first place. The same thing would happen anyways - the cruiserweights would still be on smackdown rather than raw - and the only difference would be more HHH on UPN In my view they need at least a year before a proper end to the split could occur

 

Remember...this whole split was started, storyline wise, because Vince McMahon and Ric Flair couldn't get along with each other as 50/50 owners.

 

What was Vinces reasons for the General Managers and keeping the split after he got the whole company?

 

Technically, there's no need for it now in the storylines.

 

I believe the split has functional purposes too - like dividing up the writers, its easier on the workers - or something.

[Guest DawnBTVS]

E-Mail this to Jim Ross on his personal E-Mail and as many WWF/E staff as possible as this as a GREAT piece of pointing out mistakes and coming up with corrections.

[Guest JericholicEdgeHead]

Rudo,

 

That was an excellent opinion, would you mind if I copy and pasted to post it on another message board?? I would give you full credit.

 

It is such a good piece on the WWE that I think other fans who doesn't come to this board would find it good.

 

If you don't I would understand,

Thanks!

[ChrisMWaters]

I still say the split could be salvaged.

Well, for it to be salvaged, 3 big things need to be done, IMO:

 

1)End the big trading between the two companies. IF the rosters are going to be special and unique, then we need to see a permanent set roster for both shows. Besides that, it also gives a better perspective on how seperate the shows are now, despite the fact that they are under the same company banner.

 

2)Unite the world and WWE titles. It's very simple: I thought the WWE Champion floating between shows was a great idea. It gave him a bigger choice of main eventers to go against, as well as people to wrestle in general. I feel that a top title, in a split company, should be able to be on both shows. This goes for the tag titles and women's title as well.

 

3)Bring back titles. Raw's side of the split has a notorious reputation of getting rid of titles (First European, then Hardcore, and finally Intercontinental). Those titles should be brought back. Put the European (or bring out a WWE United States or Television) title on one show and the Intercontinental on the other, to be the second teir belt. To help build up the younger stars better. And since Raw is suppossed to be more about entertainment than wrestling...the Hardcore title could be brought back (no 24/7 rules) to be the Raw exclusive title, while the Cruiserweight title is the exclusive Smackdown title.

[Guest Kahran Ramsus]

If they dropped the split, I would go from watching Smackdown to not watching either show. The last thing we need is 2x HHH.

[ChrisMWaters]

If they dropped the split, I would go from watching Smackdown to not watching either show. The last thing we need is 2x HHH.

True, didn't think about that.

 

Though...if you remember correctly, HHH was ORIGINALLY a Smackdown competitor.

[Guest Kahran Ramsus]

If they dropped the split, I would go from watching Smackdown to not watching either show.  The last thing we need is 2x HHH.

True, didn't think about that.

 

Though...if you remember correctly, HHH was ORIGINALLY a Smackdown competitor.

And Smackdown sucked balls while he was there too.

[Guest Spaceman Spiff]

not to mention:

2x Rikishi

2x Big Show

2x Taker

2x Kane

2x Bubba/Spike

[Guest phoenixrising]

I wonder if WWE has ever thought of using focus groups. I attended a focus group during the summer for two potential new shows. Maybe WWE can hand out flyers at the gate or set up a booth inside for those interested to attend one. What content the group would see is a problem, cause RAW is taped live, you could show the week's Smackdown but I imagine it takes time to edit. Or just show them the shows but provide them with pencil and paper for notes. Maybe a little mail survey as well...I noticed how the website makes you post your address if you want to sign up for feedback. Even if they don't listen to the focus group or the surveys, at least they can say they actively obtained fan feedback, which would help for consumer pride ("hey I got to give my input"), customer loyalty ("WWE cares about what I think") and customer confidence ("they're trying to improve and they want fans to tell them how"). Much better than trashing all the feedback and then saying that they are gathering controversy despite 99% of the e-mails saying the angle sucks. They could even make the focus group appearences cool with appearences by wrestlers and people involved with WWE.

 

Liked your post, Rudo. Especially the history part. Sports like baseball and football have made their history something to treasure, something for the next generations to shoot for and carve their own niche in history. Even better, ALL of the history is remembered, not selective history. Seeing the faults that players, teams and the league has gone through only helps the appreciation for the sport. There's really not a lot of records in WWE other than titles won and gates, but showcasing their history more can't hurt. Even casual fans mark for the "Desire" videos they were showing this summer with the historic images of great WWE moments. And I think that while showing old matches on RAW and Smackdown won't work (save those shows for this generation of wrestlers), bringing back a "From the Vault" and putting it on Confidential would be awesome. Then when the announcers make references to historic matches (which they should do more often), the fans know what they're talking about and can make their own comparisons.

[Guest RavishingRickRudo]

You know it also puzzles me why they don't do focus groups - it seems so practical.

 

Edgehead - pimp away

[Guest Brian]

SmackDown's writing and characters were still stronger than RAW when HHH was there, i's just that nobody noticed because the wrestling was better.

[Guest saturnmark4life]

Eye think the reel question here is, how dew people make p0sts that long without going blind? Eye leaf ewe with this. Well i'm off to get fucking well drunk. ta ta.

[Guest Cataclysm911]

“Long-term customer satisfaction leads to the retention of customers and generates substantial profits. It is more profitable for firms to keep customers than to be constantly seeking new ones. Developing satisfied customers is therefore an important way to meet the organization’s performance objectives.”

 

(Sommers/Barnes: Fundamentals of marketing, 9th Canadian Edition)

If I wasn't so fond of my own personal signature, that would most definately be signature worthy.

[Guest Lord of The Curry]

Cata- Keep the sig as it is.....damn dat Lock Ness monsta......

 

Though it would be swank if you had the dialogue in there....

 

" I gave 'im tree fiddy"

[Guest Cataclysm911]

"It was about this time that I realized the girl scout was about eight stories tall and a giant crustacean from the paleolithic era.. I said goddamn lock ness monsta.. what the hell you want? He said I need about tree fiddy."

[Guest phoenixrising]

Man you gotta put the three-fitty somewhere in the sig. Damn Loch Ness monsta...

[Guest deadbeater]

Also, try a little low-key selling of an angle for a change. For example, the Molly Holly/Chris Nowinski angle would have been infinitely better, and might have seen a more satisfying end, if Jerry Lawler wasn't told to ape all about Molly's cherry and hymen, and thoroughly embarrass Molly like he did.

[ChrisMWaters]

Also, try a little low-key selling of an angle for a change. For example, the Molly Holly/Chris Nowinski angle would have been infinitely better, and might have seen a more satisfying end, if Jerry Lawler wasn't told to ape all about Molly's cherry and hymen, and thoroughly embarrass Molly like he did.

Actually, I was glad that the Molly/Nowinski storyline was trashed like was.

 

I never thought it was a good story to begin with.