Guest Ransome Report post Posted March 27, 2005 The brand split has denied WWE viewers from seeing a lot of potentially great matches. Since April 2002, we've only had a handful of interpromotional matchups, and most have come from WM XX and XXI. My question is, should they save all interpromotional matches for the 'big match' atmosphere of Wrestlemania, or hold them at other pay per views during the year? I can understand why they'd want WM to seem 'special' and more important than every other PPV. But since WM is guaranteed to get a big buyrate on name alone, how can it be good business to make one event so spectacular at the expense making 13 other PPVs appear to be absolute crap? At the very least, I'd like to see interpromotional matches also happen at Survivor Series. I don't see why they can't bust out one at a single-brand PPV either; given how crumby the past few single-brand events have been, they could use a decent match for the people who bother to buy them. What does everyone else think? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CanadianChick 0 Report post Posted March 27, 2005 I agree that they should inter-promote for Survivor Series in the semi main events (not the World/WWE champions, but certainly not complete jobbers). It creates a competitive nature between the brands, which only occurs at the actual PPVs when the two GMs yap at each other it seems. But at every other PPV, nah. Remember when they had that interpromotional IC Title match at SummerSlam between Benoit and RVD? Because if you don't, that's understandable seeing how forgettable it really was. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
edotherocket 0 Report post Posted March 27, 2005 Ideally, if they put better planning towards their matches in the single brand PPVs instead of having 1 headline match and the rest thrown together a week before the PPV then it wouldn't be so much of a problem. I wouldn't mind seeing RAW vs Smackdown Survivor Series matches though but the difficulty is in how to promote them. If you have RAW and Smackdown guys constantly appearing on each others shows then why even the brand split? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Taker666 0 Report post Posted March 27, 2005 The Royal Rumble Match could be consider a Inter-promo match to right? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NYU 0 Report post Posted March 27, 2005 But at every other PPV, nah. Remember when they had that interpromotional IC Title match at SummerSlam between Benoit and RVD? Because if you don't, that's understandable seeing how forgettable it really was. I think that could be attributed more to the fact that they had wrestled each other only a few weeks earlier. Both Benoit and Van Dam were Raw superstars fighting over the Intercontinental title, with Benoit eventually winning. He then jumped to Smackdown right after. An interpromotional match was set up between the two for SummerSlam, which Van Dam then won. There was no set of distinction between rosters when it came to those two guys since they were both on Raw only weeks before. I think they should have more interpromotional matches, but still limit it a touch. Have two cross-brand matches at WrestleMania, two cross-brand matches at Survivor Series, and maybe a particular Pay-Per-View dedicated to a best-of-five series between Raw and Smackdown superstars. Singles matches, tag matches, stipulation matches, etc. Stick this in the middle of a lull of the WWE year -- possibly June. There is definitely not enough interaction between the two rosters at this point, and the fact that virtually no trading is taking place isn't helping the staleness of the overall product. They need to have more cross-brand matches to increase interest -- as it has done with HBK/Angle and Orton/Taker -- but it's important that they don't overdo it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JoeDirt 0 Report post Posted March 27, 2005 They should bring back KOTR in June of 2006 (taking the spot the ECW PPV has this year) and have a RAW vs. SD final. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Thrashist Report post Posted March 27, 2005 The way they've set it up right now is great: tease with light interbrand segments at Survior Series, have a roster-wide Rumble match, have a couple big-name interpromotional matches at Mania, and then trade a few bodies in a draft to open up a whole bunch of brand possibilities. The case could be made for more, but overall, one of the few positive things the company has done in the last few years is invest in this brand split and not give in to the temptation of combining the rosters too much or all together for a quick buck. To ask for much more would be nitpicking. I don't mind the poster's idea of bringing a KOTR-type deal with only a Raw vs SD final in one of the summer months to cover the long gap between Mania and Series. But yeah, overall, I'd rather they kept it the way it is right now then go overboard and saturate the unique feeling of interpromotional. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Shadow Report post Posted March 27, 2005 I agree that the seperation of brands for the most part has been an good thing. I do like the inter brand matches only being at Mania now. However, I do think @ some point they should as a measure of saving storylines and matches set up a 5th interbrand show this year (on a prexistant ppv) and do a StarrCade 1995 "world cup" format but only with RAW Vs Smackdown. A Best of seven series of matches for the "Vincent McMahon Cup", the underlying "prize" being for the G.M's to get a hefty chunk of change and the GM's offering handsome rewards for those who won. I'd leave the champions off and using the roster formation now i'd do this 6 singles matches and 1 tag team match. with the wwe and world titles defended in their own match. using how raw and smackdown is currently booked, i'd do this Chris Benoit Vs Kurt Angle HBK Vs Eddy Guerrero Christian vs The Big Show Tajiri and Regal Vs Bashams Edge Vs John Cena Shelton Benjamin Vs Charlie Haas Chris Jericho Vs Orlando Jordan WWE Title JBL Vs Undertaker (no sense in wasting a potential money match, so just use a random challenger) World Title Batistia Vs Triple H (again, same idea) I'd have Smackdown win allowing Bischoff to go super heel again and "shake things up" which he does once a year anyways... What comes out of this? further sells the Illiusion of seperation, creates potential storylines, saves bigger match for other shows.. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Placebo Effect 0 Report post Posted March 27, 2005 This will happen eventually. More than likely it'll be the next time a big star gets injured and they have to rework their plans for the next few months. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Ransome Report post Posted March 27, 2005 I wouldn't mind seeing RAW vs Smackdown Survivor Series matches though but the difficulty is in how to promote them. If you have RAW and Smackdown guys constantly appearing on each others shows then why even the brand split? I think there are good ways of promoting cross-brand matches, but it's probably hard to think of any precedents because almost all the interpromotional buildups have been poor. So far, the Angle-HBK has been the most interesting, but I don't think it necessarily needs to involve wrestlers constantly appearing on the other brand. You could, say, show fan camera footage of wrestler A attacking B as he arrives in the city's airport. Even if wrestler A and B don't meet face to face beforehand, if done right it should heighten the anticipation for when they finally step in the ring together. I think that's what kills a lot of the buildup for main events these days: they announce the main event 3 weeks in advance, then have two weeks of tag matches involving their main event wrestlers squaring off already. Then, the week after the pay per view, they tend to give away the main event rematch on free TV anyway (eg Orton vs Benoit). When they do this, why bother ordering the PPV when you'll see the wrestlers fight both before and after the match you're paying $30 for? At least interpromotional matches brings a degree of conclusiveness. Also, I like Shadow's idea, and I'd certainly buy that event long before I even dreamed of ordering Taboo Tuesday II. Besides, I dunno that it kills the idea of the brand split given we already have the Smackdown/Raw Rebounds, announcers promoting the pay per views of other brands, and subtle references to the other show (eg, Smackdown announcers talking about how much of a shock it was to see the Rockers reunion on Raw). I just think it's a waste to allow only 50% of their stellar roster to wrestle eachother. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MarvinisaLunatic 0 Report post Posted March 27, 2005 Interpromotional matches are pretty much best suited for Wrestlemania. They can make the interpromotional matches seem bigger by having them once a year only at Wrestlemania. That being said, with the draft done yearly (im assuming a 3rd draft is coming soon) and various roster changes and whatnot, there arent a whole lot of SD vs Raw matches that I would really care about enough to even have them at WM. They lucked out with HBK vs Angle because they've never wrestled before.. I sorta had the feeling that if they didn't want JBL to lose to Cena that they would push to have JBL vs HHH..but...I dont think that will happen given they are both heels anyway. Its not like theres a large contingent of fans of one brand over the other that would root for JBL just because hes on Smackdown (or HHH because hes on RAW).. A Smackdown vs RAW PPV where they have like 7 matches consisting of interpromotional matches would be really hard to promote given the fact that the wrestlers wouldn't even meet face to face (or they could, but then you lose the illusion of the brand extension if 4 SD wrestlers show up on RAW and 3 RAW wrestlers on SD). Plus, there really isn't much of a benefit of 1 brand winning over the other (OMG!!! RAW beat Smackdown 4-3!!) and you would know that the first 6 matches would split 3-3.. If any PPV could be made into this, it would be Survivor Series..and honestly 5 on 5 SD vs RAW SS rules matches would be more interesting that 7 seperate matches, but I wouldnt make the whole show out of matches like that. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SuperJerk 0 Report post Posted March 27, 2005 They definitely need to have MORE interpromotional matches at WM. Then use the draft to continue the feuds into the summer. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Shadow Report post Posted March 27, 2005 Actually; Im shocked no one has mentioned the old iwc favorite, WAR GAMES. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SuperJerk 0 Report post Posted March 27, 2005 Actually; Im shocked no one has mentioned the old iwc favorite, WAR GAMES. Because the sheer awesomeness of the idea couldn't be conveyed into words adequate enough to properly convey its sheer awesomeness. Or nobody thought of it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Evolution Report post Posted March 27, 2005 Actually; Im shocked no one has mentioned the old iwc favorite, WAR GAMES. Because the sheer awesomeness of the idea couldn't be conveyed into words adequate enough to properly convey its sheer awesomeness. Or nobody thought of it. Or we've pretty much accepted that it'll likely never happen, and I don't know if I'd want it to happen, since Vince would probably put himself into the match to totally suck all the WCW out of it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Shadow Report post Posted March 27, 2005 Actually; Im shocked no one has mentioned the old iwc favorite, WAR GAMES. Because the sheer awesomeness of the idea couldn't be conveyed into words adequate enough to properly convey its sheer awesomeness. Or nobody thought of it. Or we've pretty much accepted that it'll likely never happen, and I don't know if I'd want it to happen, since Vince would probably put himself into the match to totally suck all the WCW out of it. I'm not sure why not even Triple H can convince Vince into doing this match; it's no secrect that Trips wants to do war games but it's the one thing Vince can say no to. HHH: Can I marry your daughter? Vince: N...Sure. HHH: Can I be the on who carries this company on my pimply back? Vince: Go for it HHH: Can I bury potential talent that could greatly help our business? Vince: Fantastic Idea. HHH: Can I book a War Games match? VINCE: HELL NO! ARE YOU INSANE! NOT A CHANCE IN HELL. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
UseTheSledgehammerUh 0 Report post Posted March 27, 2005 You seem to forget the epic interpromotional showdown between 3 Minute Warning and Billy & Chuck. And Benoit/RVD a month earlier. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Tjhe CyNick Report post Posted March 27, 2005 Bneoit/RVD was mentioned. The Billy/Chick match was likely intentionally forgetten about. I like the way things are set up now. After Mania they create a bunch of fresh match through the draft (theoretically), you have a few months of single brand shows until August for Summerslam. I think if they were to add more interpromotional matches you would lose the specialness of the ones that happen at Mania. At leats by doing this you have the potential to see matches that you've never seen before like Orton-Taker, Angle-HBK, Goldberg-Lesnar, Kane-Taker....oh wait, well matches you haven't seen for a couple fo years anyway. Without Angle-HBK and Orton-Taker, I dont think I'd be all that into Mania this year. I wouldn't be against a KOTR format, but if they made it a PPV, then they really should have some interpromotional matches at Summerslam and SurvSer as well. Because part of the selling for Mania has been "this is the ONLY time of the year when you get to see RAW v SD matches". If you add another PPV where RAW v SD happens, then you cant sell Mania on that concept, so you might as well make the other two dual brand shows RAW v SD as well. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kahran Ramsus 0 Report post Posted March 27, 2005 Wrestlemania should be the only place where interpromotional matches can happen pretty much up and down the card. Personally, this year I don't think there are enough. I would almost have every match but the title matches as being interpromotional to make Wrestlemania more special. The other times for interpromotional matches have been discussed in this thread already. KOTR. The PPV should contain the semi-finals and finals for both brands. With the winner from both brands taking each other on in the finals of the KOTR. Survivor Series. One RAW vs. Smackdown Survivor Series match. You can even create more interest by sticking heels & faces on the same team similar to the Wild Card match in 1995. Using current storylines, a HHH, Batista, Randy Orton, Shawn Michaels & Chris Benoit vs. JBL, John Cena, Kurt Angle, Undertaker & Eddy Guerrero match would certainly interest me. The Royal Rumble Match. Anything more than that is going too far and decreases the uniqueness of the concept. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Shadow Report post Posted March 27, 2005 Here's my concern, does Mania really need the "value" of interpromotional matches? Mania sells itself alone on the name. However, Summer Slam and Survivor Series have turned into basic ppvs only with both brands represented. I would imagine Survivor Series getting the interpromotional push would greatly benifit WWE more. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Evolution Report post Posted March 28, 2005 You seem to forget the epic interpromotional showdown between 3 Minute Warning and Billy & Chuck. I've read stuff about that and it seemed like such a good idea, even if they couldn't follow up on it. Wish I would've seen it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jericholic82 0 Report post Posted March 28, 2005 you forgot the greatest cross promotion match ever, torrie/sable vs jackie/stcay at wm 20 (note that sarcasm mode is on here) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Karc 0 Report post Posted March 28, 2005 The brand extension is a failed excuse for artificial competition created by Vince McMahon for Vince McMahon. Micheals vs. Angle isn't a Smackdown vs. Raw match, it's a dream match that was going to happen even if both guys were on the same show. Much like Undertaker vs. Kane was last year (dream in the sense that no one dreamed that WWE would dare try it six years too stale, but they did). The problem with interpromotional matches is that no one believes in cross-brand hatred enough to want one brand to win over the other. McMahon would never allow it. He owns both shows. Name one interpromotional match since the extension where the crowd was clearly rooting for either one brand or the other. More specifically, where there was a real, honest "mixed" reaction for Smackdown or Raw. You can't. The booking would never allow it happen. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kahran Ramsus 0 Report post Posted March 28, 2005 The problem with interpromotional matches is that no one believes in cross-brand hatred enough to want one brand to win over the other. McMahon would never allow it. He owns both shows. Name one interpromotional match since the extension where the crowd was clearly rooting for either one brand or the other. More specifically, where there was a real, honest "mixed" reaction for Smackdown or Raw. You can't. The booking would never allow it happen. How about the big reaction it got at the Royal Rumble with both sides squaring off. Or whenever one brand is mentioned on the other show and gets booed out of the building. The live crowd eats this stuff up. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
brighty 0 Report post Posted March 28, 2005 problem with the WWE having a public policy of 'only interpromotional matches at WM' is that you can see it coming in terms of build, and its lazy booking most of the time (one guy goes on tv and issues a challenge and that's it, no hype or build or even a reason for the two people involved to be feuding). Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
UseTheSledgehammerUh 0 Report post Posted March 28, 2005 They likedly wanted to just see the more popular Raw stars beat down the second-rate B Show Smackdown! guys asses. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
iggymcfly 0 Report post Posted March 28, 2005 The brand extension is a failed excuse for artificial competition created by Vince McMahon for Vince McMahon. Micheals vs. Angle isn't a Smackdown vs. Raw match, it's a dream match that was going to happen even if both guys were on the same show. Much like Undertaker vs. Kane was last year (dream in the sense that no one dreamed that WWE would dare try it six years too stale, but they did). The problem with interpromotional matches is that no one believes in cross-brand hatred enough to want one brand to win over the other. McMahon would never allow it. He owns both shows. Name one interpromotional match since the extension where the crowd was clearly rooting for either one brand or the other. More specifically, where there was a real, honest "mixed" reaction for Smackdown or Raw. You can't. The booking would never allow it happen. If I'm reading this correctly, I could swear you're saying that Vince doesn't have the balls to bury the Smackdown brand. Wrong, wrong, and wrong. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Karc 0 Report post Posted March 28, 2005 I would hope Vince doesn't want to bury Smackdown. Come September that could very well be his only show left. And the Royal Rumble being cross-brand doesn't matter. Benoit last year is a good example. A really good Smackdown feud thrown away for a crappy Raw feud. The Batista thing showed it this year, especially during the contract signing. It wasn't about Smackdown vs. Raw. It was about Batista powerbombing Flair or Triple H. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kahran Ramsus 0 Report post Posted March 28, 2005 And the Royal Rumble being cross-brand doesn't matter. Benoit last year is a good example. A really good Smackdown feud thrown away for a crappy Raw feud. The Batista thing showed it this year, especially during the contract signing. It wasn't about Smackdown vs. Raw. It was about Batista powerbombing Flair or Triple H. I mean the segment early on with Benoit, Jericho, Edge & Shelton teaming up against Luther, Eddy, Rey & Booker. It got lots of heat. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
