Heyman demoted as head writer of Smackdown

[Guest RedJed]

From the Wrestling Observer site.......

 

Paul Heyman was removed as lead writer on Smackdown. It was announced to the wrestlers earlier today. David Lagana and Bruce Prichard will be the main writers for the show. It was positioned that Heyman would be a consultant for both Raw and Smackdown and that it wasn't a demotion, which is carny for a demotion.

 

------Well so much for enjoying Smackdown anymore. Thanks once again Vince, you sure know what you are doing.

[Guest CoreyLazarus416]

Now, I'd like to knwo the reasoning for this. Could it be that SmackDown's been consistent in providing more entertainment? Or maybe that Heyman's helping heels get over? Or, maybe, it's because Vince feels that SmackDown shouldn't be better than Raw?

 

I'll actually withhold judgement for 2 weeks on Lasagna/Prichard. If the show is dramatically worse than it's been, then I'll bitch.

[Guest BoboBrazil]

Probably because Heyman wouldn't stop fighting with Gerwitz.

[Guest bps "The Truth" 21]

This must be a result of writing the show that saw Benoit get a standing ovation based on talent...but failed to get Albert a reaction.

[Guest Retro Rob]

Maybe they want really do want Heyman's input on Raw...

[Guest RedJed]

Maybe they want really do want Heyman's input on Raw...

If thats the case thats no reason to take him off as head writer of Smackdown though.

 

I swear to god, what else can they do to show they have no fucking idea what the fans want right now? People all over the place have bitched for months about how Gerwitz is a horrible writer, etc, etc.......and again alot of people have taken to ONLY watching Smackdown because of that and because of the quality wrestling/storytelling and so what is the result?

 

This

 

Makes no sense other than that Vince has no fucking idea how to run his own company anymore and might as well just give up.

 

Now watch, he does realize he doesn't know how to run the company anymore but gives full power of everyday activity to Steph. Just watch.

[Guest Kahran Ramsus]

Well, if Smackdown ends up like RAW, I will be back to watching Survivor on Thursdays.

[Guest Annoyed Grunt]

This kind of makes sense in a WWE way. Smackdown ratings have been steady but Raw's ratings have been on the rise, so Smackdown is the show that's in trouble and needs a creative shake up

[Guest RedJed]

This kind of makes sense in a WWE way. Smackdown ratings have been steady but Raw's ratings have been on the rise, so Smackdown is the show that's in trouble and needs a creative shake up

I'm missing where Raw's ratings are on the rise at all other than a one week jump.

[Guest Mulatto Heat]

This must be a result of writing the show that saw Benoit get a standing ovation based on talent...but failed to get Albert a reaction.

Heyman didn't write the Rumble match, and frankly Benoit's booking since then has been suspect at best.

[Guest BoboBrazil]

from 1wrestling:

 

Also, the word going around backstage at the show is that Paul Heyman has been taken out of the lead writer spot for Smackdown. It was announced today that he will be a consultant for both Raw and Smackdown, but people at the show were taking the move as a demotion for Heyman. Bruce Prichard and Dave Lagana, who is a former ECW Arena fan that went to work as a writer on TV shows in Hollywood and was very close to Heyman until recently, will head the Smackdown team now. Please, don't email me asking why WWE would take Heyman off of Smackdown when it has been a consistently good show and the best part of WWE for months now. The move doesn't make any sense to me either. As best as I can tell, this is a political move born out of the fact that Heyman is very vocal about things in the company he sees as being wrong, and also the fact that people like Kevin Dunn don't like him.

[bobobrazil1984 0]

n/m ^ beat me to it.

 

Fucking Kevin Dunne. He was the guy that wanted less wrestling and more gay vignettes like the katie vick stuff, didn't he? That stupid fucking buck toothed moron.

 

I'd be remiss in my HHHate duties if I didn't mention this comes pretty closely after the HHH/Steph engagement, and Heyman is actually getting other people over on SD. Just a coincidence

[Guest RedJed]

Fuckin politics........what bullshit that is. I can understand using certain politics as force for making a move on someone in the company at times if it's clearly to help out the company, but when someone is doing something obviously good for the Smackdown brand as Heyman has done, this is just so wrong on so many levels. And even worse, this is the time of the year where I was looking forward more than ever for Heyman's writing, in the month leading into Mania.

 

Not looking forward to seeing how they build up Lesnar-Angle now, among other Mania matches.

 

Yes and Dunn was the mind behind such classics as the Al Wilson-Dawn Marie shit, and necrophilia.

[Guest razazteca]

If the new main writers are responsible for the Los Guerreros mini sitcom than I say I like their work. Besides the Rock and Hogan need people to feed them their lines.

 

Does head writer mean the primary duty is to write the promos and storyline or making matches entertaining?

[Guest Retro Rob]

And since when does everyone take 1bob's word as gospel?

[bobobrazil1984 0]

well Meltzer broke the story I think. I'm taking both of their words on it.

[Guest RedJed]

Yeah Meltzer reported on this item first, before the ppv started.

[Guest Celtic Jobber]

God it sucks to have only one national wrestling company and no local indys. I guess I'll have to buy some ROH tapes to see quality wrestling.

[Guest EN090]

I've enjoyed Smackdown more than Raw but it's not like it was completely crap-less. I mean, John Cena, the rapper? Los Guerreros sitcoms? Al Wilson? I personally loved Smackdown back in August/September. It was a good mix of action and solid storytelling telling (With the exception of the Angle/Benoit feud revolving around a Rikishi's stinkface) but it started going downhill after Al Wilson started.

 

And it's not like they were drawing good ratings. Sure, they've been steady but what good is a steady 3.2 for the past eight months or so? I think a little bit of a change should have been in order. Maybe not removing Heyman from the head booker spot but bringing in some new guys with a different view or whatever.

 

That being said though, Bruck F'N Prichard?

 

Who are they kidding? This is the same guy that was writing television during the time of The Goon and Freddie Joe Floyd. It's like Vince is in the same mode he was in 1996 when Raw was drawing 2.0's and guys like Prichard and Cornette were writing the TV to entertain themselves. It seems like he just doesn't care anymore.

[Guest Vern Gagne]

The Torch is reporting the same story.

 

Where the hell did that jerk Kevin Dunn come from anyway.

[Guest Annoyed Grunt]

I'm missing where Raw's ratings are on the rise at all other than a one week jump.

Raw ratings since December:

 

12/02/02 3.3

12/09/02 3.3

12/16/02 3.5

12/23/02 3.3

01/06/03 3.6

01/13/03 3.9

01/20/03 3.9

01/27/03 4.1

02/03/03 3.4

02/10/03 3.9

02/17/03 3.8

 

Minus that 3.4, it looks like an upward trend to me.

[Guest cynicalprofit]

Here comes the A-Train push all over again. YEHAW!(note the sarcasm)

[Guest bravesfan]

I HIGHLY doubt Heyman could keep up his role as Head Writer of SD! and have an on-screen role, while assisting with Raw's creative direction.

 

As long as SD! has a direction to follow (set by his groundwork), Heyman is free to be a consultant to both shows.

 

Hey, if this helps Raw's overall quality in ANY WAY, while keeping Smackdown at its current pace, this is good news.

[Guest RedJed]

I HIGHLY doubt Heyman could keep up his role as Head Writer of SD! and have an on-screen role, while assisting with Raw's creative direction.

 

As long as SD! has a direction to follow (set by his groundwork), Heyman is free to be a consultant to both shows.

 

Hey, if this helps Raw's overall quality in ANY WAY, while keeping Smackdown at its current pace, this is good news.

The problem is that I can almost guarantee that Smackdown will be different without his writing on top. I guess time will tell.

 

And to answer my own question on top of this thread (can they stick it to us anymore).....well they sure did tonight with the Montreal screwjob revisited again. Damn if I went to all of the Montreal shows live I would really start to consider stopping at this point if they bring back that incident now over 5 years ago someway, somehow on EVERY DAMN SHOW they do there.

 

Definate depressing night for the state of affairs in the company tonight.....with this and the things that occured from the ppv, its not looking good at all (not that is was looking good before today but still)

[Guest Brian]

SmackDown will be better off.

[Guest bravesfan]

Definate depressing night for the state of affairs in the company tonight.....with this and the things that occured from the ppv, its not looking good at all (not that is was looking good before today but still)

In terms of pushes, maybe you're right.

 

But the state of the WWE is looking better NOW than it has since late-August. People will tune into their respective shows this week to see the fall-out from the shows, and Heyman possibly helping out with both show's writing leading into Wrestlemania XIX , we may see good times ahead of us.

[Guest Youth N Asia]

Gee, now maybe they'll take out that pesky wrestling and slap on some good ol sports entertainment...make it more like RAW

[Guest EN090]

SmackDown will be better off.

 

With Bruce Prichard writing?

[Guest Brian]

Pritchard had his schooling in UWFI under Gilbert and Mantell; and UWSA under Embry. He worked alot of his Brother Love angles and I'm sure can do a good job, at least as well Heyman.

 

And what has Heyman done? Cruiserweights are still pretty much stalled, Lesnar has embarrased Team Angle, and Benoit's stuck.

[Guest Luke Michael]

Why???????? Paul Heyman gave Smackdown continuation!! He booked these that were good for a whole 6 months worth of booking. Raw books based on that month and then throws it away afterwards.

 

This royally sucks! I haven't watched Raw in 4 weeks though and I don't blame on watching it again. Do they want the same for Smackdown?