Draft Idea

[CanadianGuitarist 0]

When this draft is completed, these are my ideas.

 

-Unify the World titles. This would allow for my second point to have more credibility. While I'm at it, unify the tag titles as well.

 

-Make the two shows more rivalrous. We hear an occasional 'That's why Smackdown is the best wrestling in the world' But I think there needs to be more of a rivalry between the two shows. Not an "a' and "b" show, make them even, like they were in 2000.

 

-More interpromotional matches. It implements bragging rights, especially with my second point.

 

-Bring back the King of the Ring tournament, or some kind of annual honour.

 

-More interaction between the two GM's, say, more trades.

 

Ultimately it boils down to a type of competition. Since there's no forseeable rivalry like the Monday Night Wars, perhaps it's time to do so within.

 

But maybe I'm just talking from my ass.

[Lord of The Curry 0]

Tazz and Cole were really great at pimping Smackdown during the first 6 months post-Brand Extension. Rightfully so with the roster that Smackdown had at the time. Ross and Lawler did absolutely nothing to put RAW over as a superior brand at the time and it showed.

 

I'd still prefer a champion per show but I do agree that we need more interpromotional matches. I'm sure the idea of an entirely RAW vs Smackdown Survivor Series has been pitched before and I'm not sure why it hasn't been done. Either way, with the way the current rosters stand (and w/ Smackdown getting a cruiser boost) they could do some great things.

[Dandy 0]

As far as a Raw vs. Smackdown Survivor Series, why not go back to the old days of all the survivors from the early matches facing off as well at the end of the night, with the winning brand getting rewarded with an extra pick in the draft next year, the #30 spot in the Rumble going to a Smackdown star, etc.

[nl5xsk1 0]

Instead of doing a Raw vs. Smackdown Survivor Series, how about modifying the WW3 approach that wcw did for their battle royal for the Rumble? Two battle royals in two separate rings, going on at the same time (with just like 20 men in each) and when it gets down to the final 20, it then becomes one BR in one ring.

 

/probably a crappy idea

[Dandy 0]

I don't think it would be a bad idea at all on TNA or some other promotion, but I think it would take away from the Rumble itself. The Rumble is special, and one of the most-watched, most-looked-forward-to PPV's each year.

 

EDIT

And to respond to the first post, I don't think they should merge the titles at all.

[Guest Brian]

The Rumble is really one of a kind. It would work for a battle royal concept, with 15 or 20 people starting in each ring. Even taking away the uniqueness and history of the rumble and putting it aside, the timed entrances combined with the massive amount of space would guarantee an overhaul in the rules.

[TheFranchise 0]

Instead of doing a Raw vs. Smackdown Survivor Series, how about modifying the WW3 approach that wcw did for their battle royal for the Rumble? Two battle royals in two separate rings, going on at the same time (with just like 20 men in each) and when it gets down to the final 20, it then becomes one BR in one ring.

 

/probably a crappy idea

What, they just stop fighting and climb in the same ring?

[Guest Tjhe CyNick]

I've always been a fan of having one unified title. I just think its better to have one top guy, instead of two guys, which makes it twice as hard to get guys over to that true superstar level.

 

The usual arguement against this is that when the World Title is being defended on RAW, it will cripple SD. Ive always thought it opens up the door to make the US and IC champs suedo main eventers, which would increase the value of those titles.

 

I dont think I would do more RAW v SD matches. I like how its set up now where Mania is the only place to see those matches. It makes Mania a lot easier to hype and seem more special than the other PPVs. Once you start increasing the # of RAw v SD matches, you make every subsequent match less valuable.

 

I think they should bring back KOTR as a brand exclusive show. RAW already has one gimmick PPV with Taboo Tuesday, it would make some sense to give SD a gimmick PPV as well, maybe the one in December or the October show.

 

I also agree ont he trading thing. I also wouldn't be against some type of entry draft thing, as a way to bring up new guys from OVW.

[Lord of The Curry 0]

They should modity Taboo Tuesday and make it a joint show between the two brands. Simple concept being the fans get to pick which wrestlers from the two shows they'd like to see get it on.

[nl5xsk1 0]

Instead of doing a Raw vs. Smackdown Survivor Series, how about modifying the WW3 approach that wcw did for their battle royal for the Rumble?  Two battle royals in two separate rings, going on at the same time (with just like 20 men in each) and when it gets down to the final 20, it then becomes one BR in one ring.

 

/probably a crappy idea

What, they just stop fighting and climb in the same ring?

Not necessarily just stop, but an announcement would go out (comparable to them announcing how "Wargames" has become "The Match Beyond" during the first Wargames on PPV) ... at that point, it would be known that the wrestlers needed to eliminate people from both rings to win.

 

I dunno, man, it was just an idea. It'd obviously need some tweaking.

[Guest Brian]

I have two problems with the one champion theory. The first is from a purely business standpoint, and it's dangerous. You leave yourself open to all the politics that can cripple things. There a ton of financial incentive involved with holding the title, including working main events more often (more PPV pay dates). In theory, you defend on all the brand specific pay per view shows, and that means your're reaping all those benefits. Those with political power, and I'm not going to put names down but there are more than just Triple H, will work their way into those spots.

 

Second has to do with the main event scene. Yes, I agree, you could help out the secondary titles. But you're also going to more than likely, end up with less of a main event scene. Fewer people competing for only one title.

 

OVW Draft wouldn't work without those guys getting more experience prior to coming out.

[Black Lushus 0]

why don't they just call Smackdown (or Raw I suppose) WCW Nitro, blow the dust off the old logo and merchandise, run an angle where Bischoff buys a chunk of WWE and wants to bring back the WCW legacy, etc. etc. That seems (at least to the marks) more realistic than WWE competing with WWE...

[Guest Tjhe CyNick]

We all know Vince would never push a show called "Nitro" properly.

[Black Lushus 0]

oh I know, but he sure as hell wouldn't push any of our other ideas either...figured I'd just throw something wacky and off the wall out there...

[Dandy 0]

OVW Draft would work. You can show highlights from matches down there, show "combine" workouts that they did, give some background on them, a short interview on why they chose wrestling, etc.

 

You could play up the differences between each wrestler just like real drafts, such as follows:

 

"Wrestler A" --- (6'3", 255) tremendous athlete; maybe the most potential in the draft; will be a project, as it will take him several months to a year before he is ready to compete with the big boys; probable #1 overall next year, but will most definitely get drafted this year; high-flying heavweight that needs work on his mat wrestling; finisher is a wheelbarrow suplex.

 

"Wrestler B" --- (6', 230) ready now; 4 years in OVW has shown him to be a good all-around technician; has a low-key personality that might not catch on with the fans right away, so if he wants to become a superstar he might want to learn to be more entertaining; good submission wrestler that usually finishes his matches with a Texas Cloverleaf.

 

"Wrestler C" --- (6'4", 265) hated by the fans so far in his career; has a knack for getting under the fans' skin with his brash personality; more of a brawler that needs to round out his wrestling; great physique, good talker, lacks substance in the ring; finisher is a powerbomb into a chokeslam.

 

And so on....

[Guest Brian]

It would take a ton of time to do what they need to do. The reason sports drafts work in terms of entertainment value, which is what the WWE should be shooting for, is that players get national experience and go to teams that people are very loyal to. Those two things, and the money involved, give them a ton of independence. OVW is a feeder system, and only one feeder system at that. All your prospects are coming from one area that serves as a farm unit currently, which means you don't have a very diverse talent pool to draw from that is ALSO disconnected from the main entity. They're not gojng to introduce money into the scheme of things, or contracts, and if they did it would take re-education of the fan-base. Then you're going to have to find time to feature all these workers at a point where the WWE has scaled back on shows. And finally, you're going to have to treat the split as being real: divide the rosters up, stop sharing shows almost completely, start creating divides in production, wrestling, etc., etc., etc. Maybe it is possible to do all of the above, but the circumstances need to be just perfect for it to happen and the WWE has to be completely committed to so many things they're not willing to be committed for.

 

And besides, we have no way of evaluating talent on an objective level.

[Dandy 0]

I disagree. I don't think any of that is necessary to add 3 or 4 OVW/other farm draft picks for both Raw and Smackdown. They can do it at the same time of the Draft Lottery. They don't need to have a draft-only special like the NFL draft, just incorporate it into the shows. It would not be hard to show 2 minute highlights of 10 prospects over the course of a few weeks to a month. I think it would be interesting.

 

Also, if they can hold the Draft Lottery without stopping the split production, sharing shows, etc., then they can do the same for this type of draft.

 

As far as being objective when evaluating the talent, I don't expect them to. I figured they could point out what strengths the wrestler has in the ring, you know....how they do when they announce. "Rob Van Dam with those educated feet." "Rey Mysterio is quicker than a hiccup." Stuff like that. It would not be hard at all and it would be much easier to debut a wrestler like that instead of saying, "Here's X, cheer him."

[Carnival 0]

I like the idea of Survivor Series being like a WWE All Star Game. This way when smackdown gets 2nd billing and RAW guys win the RR and KOR or other interpromotional matches, smackdown can get their heat back, by winning this, or vice vera.

 

Maybe the winning team can have a free pick of any superstar from the losing team.

 

Bring back King of the Ring.

 

Have both brands openly diss the other.

 

DO NOT unify the world title.

 

Change the WWE title back to the Attitude Era belt.

 

OVW draft is a good idea too.