The reason as to why Raw is currently...

[Guest I Got Banned for Sucking]

WWE Raw is a pretty damn good show, making it not a weekly two-hour chore. And that's great.

 

But I think that what we're all forgetting (or haven't noticed) is that it didn't pick itself up - what about the addition of Superstars such as Chris Benoit, Mick Foley, Edge, Shelton Benjamin, Eugene, William Regal? They've all helped. Sure, Chris Benoit is/was an addition, but with the title picture now involving guys such as Kane and Chris Jericho and it didn't when it could have been most helpful, that might show something.

 

New Superstars = new and good angles. Original Superstars could have = new and good angles. But it didn't.

 

So what this is targeting is the myth of a success story.

[muzz 0]

New Superstars = new and good angles. Original Superstars could have = new and good angles. But it didn't.

Another few months of a good/great RAW, then end the brand split.

 

Need to pick the whole fed up off the ground.

[Silence 0]

Another few months of a good/great RAW, then end the brand split.

 

Need to pick the whole fed up off the ground.

Woah, you want HHH, Bradshaw, Shawn Michaels, The Undertaker, etc. in the main-events on both shows while Benoit and Eddie drop the belts and get demoted to the mid-card with Jericho and feud with wreckless slugs like Tyson Tomko? Because that's exactly what would happen if the brand split ended. You would think it wouldn't if you were booking so that you could open up the possibility of more feuds between good wrestlers, but you know how Vince and the creative team function, and they're not going to change anytime soon, unfortunately.

[Dark Age 0]

Screw ending the split. Everything that needs to be said is said above me.

 

The reason Raw has become as good as it is now is simply because SmackDown! got screwed big time. They lost Benoit, Edge, Shelton, Hardy, Tajiri, Rhyno, Train and Palumbo to Raw, lost Angle and Show to injury, Brock walked out, Taker hardly ever appears and is in the Deadman gimmick (not good) and whereas Raw is pushing alot of new guys like Eugene, Tajiri (not exactly, but he's made to be more important than when he was on SD) and Shelton, SmackDown!'s new stars/big pushes are Mark Jindrak, Suzuki, Mordecai, Bradshaw, Chavo Classic and Mark Jindrak. It's prefectly clear why SD sucks. It's just that they won't do anything about it.

[muzz 0]

Another few months of a good/great RAW, then end the brand split.

 

Need to pick the whole fed up off the ground.

Woah, you want HHH, Bradshaw, Shawn Michaels, The Undertaker, etc. in the main-events on both shows while Benoit and Eddie drop the belts and get demoted to the mid-card with Jericho and feud with wreckless slugs like Tyson Tomko? Because that's exactly what would happen if the brand split ended. You would think it wouldn't if you were booking so that you could open up the possibility of more feuds between good wrestlers, but you know how Vince and the creative team function, and they're not going to change anytime soon, unfortunately.

Fair enough, I forgot who I was dealing with. I've just been watching old RAW's and Smackdown's etc. and enjoyed it a lot more than current programming.

 

But with the lopsided quality these days, it's probably a good decision to keep it going.

[The Mandarin 0]

Is Tajiri supposed to be injured because of Batista's attack a few weeks ago, or is he still appearing on Heat nowadays?

[Aero 0]

Screw ending the split. Everything that needs to be said is said above me.

 

The reason Raw has become as good as it is now is simply because SmackDown! got screwed big time. They lost Benoit, Edge, Shelton, Hardy, Tajiri, Rhyno, Train and Palumbo to Raw, lost Angle and Show to injury, Brock walked out, Taker hardly ever appears and is in the Deadman gimmick (not good) and whereas Raw is pushing alot of new guys like Eugene, Tajiri (not exactly, but he's made to be more important than when he was on SD) and Shelton, SmackDown!'s new stars/big pushes are Mark Jindrak, Suzuki, Mordecai, Bradshaw, Chavo Classic and Mark Jindrak. It's prefectly clear why SD sucks. It's just that they won't do anything about it.

I agree 100%. How sad is it that on Smackdown last Thursday, when hyping the Booker T vs. Undertaker match for next week, Cole mentioned that Taker would be making a RARE TV appearance.

[Guest Choken One]

Is Tajiri supposed to be injured because of Batista's attack a few weeks ago, or is he still appearing on Heat nowadays?

he is still selling the injury...He'll likely return for a match against Evolution at Bad Blood, likely teaming with Edge, another person whose targeting Batistia...

[Guest gearhead]

Why i think Smackdown is Better

On RAW, it seems like every match except the Main Event is to further a storyline. Yes, Smackdown Too, but Smackdown actually has Wrestling. RAW doesnt seem to push young stars either. Ok, Benjamin and Eugene but look at Smackdown, they are trying to give, in their eyes, deserving wrestlers a chance. HardCore Holly, JLB, John Cena, Rene Dupree are a few young stars that have been sky rocketed to fame because of Smackdown.

 

Smackdown doesnt have good new storylines? I think that a storyline where the Champ goes through HELL (Mother suffering Heart Attack, Getting arrested etc.) and still is able to defend his title is an OK story. How about a French-man going for the US Title? new right? And Booker T, have we seen that BEFORE? I dont think so...(I havent been watching wrestling that long). RAW Stories include, 2 love triangles and...and...some normal feud between HHH and HBK, and Benjamin and Orton.

[Tawren 0]

I don't think Raw is that great, really. It's far better than it was in 2002/2003, but that doesn't make it great. Decent? Sure. But nowhere near what they are capable of doing.

[Dark Age 0]

HardCore Holly, JLB, John Cena, Rene Dupree are a few young stars that have been sky rocketed to fame because of Smackdown.

 

You're insane.

[Guest Choken One]

I don't think Raw is that great, really. It's far better than it was in 2002/2003, but that doesn't make it great. Decent? Sure. But nowhere near what they are capable of doing.

I think it's better then it was in 1998...Nowadays two *** matches are the standard when back then a *** free tv match was RARE.

 

I believe wrestling wise...Raw is performing on a very good level...perhaps the best its done in ages and storyline wise...while it's not at 1997 or 2000 levels...it's been very consistant and solid...

[Tawren 0]

I think it's better then it was in 1998...Nowadays two *** matches are the standard when back then a *** free tv match was RARE.

 

I believe wrestling wise...Raw is performing on a very good level...perhaps the best its done in ages and storyline wise...while it's not at 1997 or 2000 levels...it's been very consistant and solid...

Certainly it is better wrestling wise than in 1998, and it could be argued that the storylines are better as well. I disagree with you saying Raw usually gets two *** matches, but I don't want to get into another star argument right now so I'll leave it at that.

 

Your last paragraph is pretty much my opinion (the "solid" part).

[ChrisMWaters 0]

HardCore Holly, JLB, John Cena, Rene Dupree are a few young stars that have been sky rocketed to fame because of Smackdown.

 

You're insane.

Well, you did miss the "in their eyes" part..."their eyes" refering to WWE.

[Guest Choken One]

then explain why the OTHER set of eyes clearly see pushing Benoit, Kane(face it...he's a fucking draw), Benjamin and Dismore...

 

 

while the other set of eyes see Bradshaw, Dupree and holly?

[ChrisMWaters 0]

then explain why the OTHER set of eyes clearly see pushing Benoit, Kane(face it...he's a fucking draw), Benjamin and Dismore...

 

 

while the other set of eyes see Bradshaw, Dupree and holly?

Bradshaw: McMahon likes Bradshaw for some reason, and thought that he'd be a good main event player.

 

Dupree: Sure, he's not the best RIGHT NOW...but how many people who are wrestlers at his age ARE? He's got YEARS to build...and I like the French Tickler.

 

Hardcore Holly: Loyalty. PLus, there was probably something in his contract stating he could get at least one PPV WWE Title match.

[UseTheSledgehammerUh 0]

Smackdown! produces the matches, which are decent, but the talent wrestling in these matches have gimmicks that aren't very fresh (see: RVD, Cena, Booker T, Dudleys, Mysterio) or the talent wrestling has to like, *endure* trying to bring less-talented guys to quality matches, often almost KILLING THEMSELVES to do it (see Guerrero's getting Bradshaw over).

 

The writing on Smackdown! isn't as awful as we think. With the exception of the TERRIBLE cruiserweight title stuff, the feuds have been written decently (Cena/Dupree, Dudleys, and Eddie/Bradshaw). The PROBLEM is that the actual wrestlers aren't as interesting as the more colorful and entertaining Raw characters (Jericho, Eugene, Orton, Michaels, Foley, Kane, etc.).

 

Raw > Smackdown! because of the characters. You got it.

 

Oh yeah, one thing. Jericho is NOT "in the world title picture".

[Toxxic 0]

On RAW, it seems like every match except the Main Event is to further a storyline.

 

How is that a bad thing? Storylines AND wrestling is what makes professional wrestling work. Matches for no reason are fine as far as they go, but I'd rather watch a decent match with a story behind it than the same match that's been thrown together for no reason.

 

RAW doesnt seem to push young stars either. Ok, Benjamin and Eugene but look at Smackdown, they are trying to give, in their eyes, deserving wrestlers a chance. HardCore Holly, JLB, John Cena, Rene Dupree are a few young stars that have been sky rocketed to fame because of Smackdown.

 

Hardcore Holly isn't young. Nor is Bradshaw. Cena and Rene Dupree are, sure, but out of the four you mention the only one who IMO deserves the push he's got is Cena. Holly is mediocre, Bradshaw is worse, Dupree is still green and even Cena is losing his ability to make up for his current average in-ring ability with his raps since they've got stale.

 

Storyline where the Champ goes through HELL (Mother suffering Heart Attack, Getting arrested etc.) and still is able to defend his title is an OK story.

 

It sucks. Sorry, but it does. How many times has Eddy been arrested now? Four? Five? Every damn week, it seems like. WHY THE HELL does having his mother "suffer a heart attack" sound like a GOOD storyline to you? It's tacky, it's cheesy, it's OTT and it's totally unnecessary.

 

And Booker T, have we seen that BEFORE? I dont think so...(I havent been watching wrestling that long).

 

Two words - 'Papa Shango'. Voodoo "priest" from the early 90s (played by the same guy who later became the Godfather, if that rings any bells). Sure, Booker isn't anywhere near as obvious as Shango was, but it still smacks of a lack of ideas. And I'd actualy be really, REALLY up for a subtly-voodoo Booker T IF there was the slightest change in HELL that he could ever beat the Undertaker. He's already jobbed once, clean, on PPV. Now it looks like he's going to job, clean, again, on free-to-air TV. How does that help anyone? And before you say anything, it's not like Taker needs the help. The Undertaker is, for better or worse, a legitimate and immediate title threat no matter WHAT has gone on. He doesn't need the build even if they're seeking to put him into the title picture soon (which I pray to God doesn't happen).

 

How about a French-man going for the US Title? new right?

 

Yeah, new... and failed. He didn't win it, so the angle is fairly worthless. And it simply encourages the xenophobic attitude that the WWE falls into all too easily. I'm English. I'm ALLOWED to dislike French people (several centuries of wars will give you that prerogative), but the way the WWE goes off about it makes me nauseous.

 

RAW Stories include, 2 love triangles and...and...some normal feud between HHH and HBK, and Benjamin and Orton.

 

Nothing truly remarkable, but by and large their feuds are built around wrestling. OK, Kane/Matt/Lita isn't, but the rest are. Even though Trish/Jericho/Xian wasn't it was still done well. HHH and HBK hate each other due to years of history and the fact that they've stopped each other from getting the World Title (wrestling). Orton and Benjamin are feuding for the IC Title (wrestling). Kane envies Benoit for his normality and his title (wrestling). Compared to that all Smackdown has is a Senior Citizen with a belt, racism in the main event and the unending question of will Charlie Haas ever truly accept his gay tag partner.

[tbondrage99 0]

Another reason Raw is better in my opinion. The push the womens division and dont make it look like a joke anymore....well at least not as much as they used to back a few years ago anyways, Smackdown has the Crusierweight division which should be all right 100 times better the the Raw womens division but is constantly being mis-used and not pushing the wrestlers that people want to see get pushed i.e. The Ultimo Dragon, Paul London and more, and instead put the title on people like Jackie and Chavo Classic, nothing against Chavo Classic or anything I do think hes great but still he shouldnt be the crusierweight champion, at least in my opinion.

[Internet Warfare 0]

Marks dont care about Ultimo or London and without a good gimmick never will. Chavo Classic atleast has a gimmick.

[Dark Age 0]

Marks dont care about Ultimo or London and without a good gimmick never will. Chavo Classic atleast has a gimmick.

What reason do they have to care about them? Maybe if they were actually used once in a while people would care.

[Tawren 0]

Marks dont care about Ultimo or London and without a good gimmick never will. Chavo Classic atleast has a gimmick.

What reason do they have to care about them? Maybe if they were actually used once in a while people would care.

Exactly. If they haven't been given a chance, of course they won't be over.

[Guest gearhead]

How is that a bad thing? Storylines AND wrestling is what makes professional wrestling work. Matches for no reason are fine as far as they go, but I'd rather watch a decent match with a story behind it than the same match that's been thrown together for no reason.

 

Im not saying it IS a bad thing. Remember when Matt Hardy was going to wrestle Val Venis? But he got beat up by Kane? There was ZERO wrestling in that one. I was awaiting to see Matt Hardy wrestle, but instead we see Kane. I dont mind a match, and then in the middle or end it futhers a story, i just HATE it when something like that thing with Matt, Val and Kane happens.

 

Hardcore Holly isn't young. Nor is Bradshaw. Cena and Rene Dupree are, sure, but out of the four you mention the only one who IMO deserves the push he's got is Cena. Holly is mediocre, Bradshaw is worse, Dupree is still green and even Cena is losing his ability to make up for his current average in-ring ability with his raps since they've got stale. 

 

 

Yeah, but hey, they are new faces right? They didnt get the push the old fashion way (Climbing the Ladder) but at least its something different.

 

 

It sucks. Sorry, but it does. How many times has Eddy been arrested now? Four? Five? Every damn week, it seems like. WHY THE HELL does having his mother "suffer a heart attack" sound like a GOOD storyline to you? It's tacky, it's cheesy, it's OTT and it's totally unnecessary. 

 

 

Its not exactly the fact that she got a Heart-Attack that it was a good story. The fact that she got a Heart-Attack and JBL didnt care and said she needed to die was a good story and good way to get you attracted into it.

 

 

 

Two words - 'Papa Shango'. Voodoo "priest" from the early 90s (played by the same guy who later became the Godfather, if that rings any bells). Sure, Booker isn't anywhere near as obvious as Shango was, but it still smacks of a lack of ideas. And I'd actualy be really, REALLY up for a subtly-voodoo Booker T IF there was the slightest change in HELL that he could ever beat the Undertaker. He's already jobbed once, clean, on PPV. Now it looks like he's going to job, clean, again, on free-to-air TV. How does that help anyone? And before you say anything, it's not like Taker needs the help. The Undertaker is, for better or worse, a legitimate and immediate title threat no matter WHAT has gone on. He doesn't need the build even if they're seeking to put him into the title picture soon (which I pray to God doesn't happen).

 

 

 

Exactly HOW would Booker T be able to beat the Undertaker? From the way things seem, The Book Man will once again Job to Undertaker...

 

From what i see, Smackdown could be the show that keeps you guessing...look.

 

Smackdown:

What Stipulation will Bradshaw put in GAB?

Whats going on with Dudleys and Paul Bearer?

Will/When Will Kurt angle wrestle again?

How Will Undertaker react when he finds out Paul Bearer has been Kidnapped?

Can the CW title LOSE Anymore cred?

Haas and Rico, how will they co-operate? They look like they are a pretty good team.

 

RAW:

What did Kane ask Lita?

 

Is there anymore? (There probably is but im trying to make SD! look good...)

[UseTheSledgehammerUh 0]

This comparison of Smackdown! being the "exciting, keeping you guessing show" and Raw "holding down the young talent" is hilarious.

 

***QUOTE***

Smackdown:

 

What Stipulation will Bradshaw put in GAB?

 

WHO CARES?

 

Whats going on with Dudleys and Paul Bearer?

 

2 out of the 3 of them are fat.

 

Will/When Will Kurt angle wrestle again?

 

I don't remember this being an issue. He said "never".

 

How Will Undertaker react when he finds out Paul Bearer has been Kidnapped?

 

Zzz...

 

Can the CW title LOSE Anymore cred?

 

What a COOL concept! What is this, WCW 2000?

 

Haas and Rico, how will they co-operate? They look like they are a pretty good team.

 

***They're...eh...okay, I guess. Same old, same old "wacky partners" that'll last for 2 more months.

 

You claim this shit makes Smackdown! exciting?

 

RAW:

 

What did Kane ask Lita?

*** That's actually the WORST storyline on Raw.

 

 

Here's MY take:

 

Raw:

 

* Will Jericho recover from Tyson's desktop-bomb?

* Can Benoit continue to hold 2 titles?

* How soon is too soon for Orton's "time" ?

* Will Evolution stick together during this "tough" time for them?

* Where's Tajiri? When will he be back from his beatdown?

* Will Eugene continue his "lucky friends to help him" adventures?

* When will Regal finally stick up for him and kick Bischoff's ass?

* Will Orton finally accept Shelton's challenge?

 

And the Lita shit.

[Art Sandusky 0]

People are ignoring that Raw turned the quality corner and started beating out Smackdown as the better show during the height of the HHH/Goldberg program, before any of the big names came over.

[Guest pinnacleofallthingsmanly]

Well...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

fuck Triple H!

[Hektik 0]

Raw is better than Smackdown because the WWE wants it to be better. Shame on the WWE for letting Smackdown get this bad. They took Chris Benoit, Edge, and Shelton Benjamin and gave them prominent roles on Raw. Smackdown got stale acts in return like RVD and the Dudleys. Vince will never let Smackdown get better than Raw because of his emotional attachment to Monday night wrestling. That does not make sense because Smackdown is available in more homes and is on a broadcast network. More people watch Smackdown because of this. They are at a point where they need to start throwing stuff at the wall and see what sticks. Call up a new batch of OVW wrestlers and give them a push, they can't do any worse than Mark Jindrak.

[Guest Cheech]

-Good matches

 

-Good feuds like Benoit vs. Triple H vs. Michaels, Triple H vs. Michaels, Orton vs. Foley, and Evolution vs. everyone

 

-Changing things up. A new champion like Benoit, Jericho as face again, Christian has alligned himself with Trish and a monster, and giving young guys a chance to shine like Orton and Benjamin

 

-New interesting characters like Eugene

 

-Direction. Smackdown is going nowhere. No one cares who Eddie is facing next because most of the possible challengers suck, but Raw leaves you looking forward to who will challenge for the title next. Benoit, Trips, Michaels, Kane, Jericho, Christian, Edge, Randy Orton, Shelton Benjamin, Batista, they're all building. And Benoit vs. anyone is a good match.

[Lord of The Curry 0]

then explain why the OTHER set of eyes clearly see pushing Benoit, Kane(face it...he's a fucking draw), Benjamin and Dismore...

 

 

while the other set of eyes see Bradshaw, Dupree and holly?

While I will concede that Kane is (surprisingly) still over, I'd like you to cite your source for him being a draw.

[Guest Choken One]

all of last summer.