What's wrong with Raw and Smackdown

[Guest Hitlist]

I saw this thread on IGN, and I thought it was everything that I've been thinking about Raw and Smackdown for a long time. It just goes over everything that's wrong with the shows, and I whole-heartedly agree with every single one of them. Here she is:

 

Problems with Raw

 

- IC division consists of two people (Benjamin and Carlito)

 

- The IC champion is currently being used as fodder for the world champion (Carlito)

 

- The number 1 contender (Benjamin) for the IC title has been distanced from the title after being robbed three straight weeks

__________________________________________

 

- The tag division consists of two teams (Rosie/Hurricane and The Hearthrobs)

 

- The tag team champions rarely appear on Raw (Rosie and The Hurricane)

 

- The tag team challengers (The Hearthrobs) rarely appear in tag team action, and when they do it is not to further

 

them as a team

 

__________________________________________

 

- There are two weekly segments that have the same approach and generally the same pay off (Masterlock Challenge and

 

Eugene/Angle Invitational)

 

- The Diva Search takes up as much time as 2 matches

 

- The crowd hates the Diva Search

 

- There is at least one match each week that serves no purpose, as both competitors have no direction or reason to be fighting

 

- Kurt Angle has not been in a feud since he has appeared on Raw (Should be changing)

 

- John Cena, the WWE champion, is currently in yet another authority angle

 

- John Cena's weaknesses are not being hidden

 

- John Cena is not being given the proper setting to perform at his best ability (Promo and wrestling wise)

 

- John Cena has not been given an opponent that makes him look credible

 

- Whenever someone says something the general manager does not like he throws them in a match with people such as Gene Snitsky, Chris Masters, and Kane

 

- Chris Jericho, the number 1 contender, has wrestled sparsely since Vengeance

 

- Most new characters debut on Sunday Night Heat

 

- Hogan has had 3 more matches

__________________________________________

 

- The Matt Hardy angle was completely wasted

 

- After interfereing in 3 of Edge's matches he is brought in by Vince McMahon

 

- His interferences, which were originally made to look real, were completely forgotten

 

- His promo killed all of Kane's heat when he revealed that he and Lita were only married on TV

 

- His promo also made every match between Kane and Edge a complete waste as it eliminated the story line

 

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Problems with SmackDown

 

- The cruiserweight division has been relegated to Velocity

 

- Some of the newest cruisers have never appeared on SmackDown despite being featured regularly on Velocity

_______________________________________

 

- The Mexicools regularly interupt matches, often before they even have a chance to start.

 

- The Mexicools have no direction

 

- The Mexicools rarely wrestle

_______________________________________

 

- The tag team division consists of one team (MNM)

 

- Their current feud features a wrestler with no redeemable qualities (Heidenreich) and a wrestler from the glory days (Animal)

 

- MNM lost the titles to Heidenreich and Animal

 

- Their (MNM) main foil (Heidenreich) is on course to become the next Road Warrior

 

- Their only other feud was against a thrown together team (Haas and Holly), one of the wrestlers from that team is no longer in the company

 

- MNM won the titles because Eddie Guerrero wanted to hurt Rey

 

- They have yet to win a serious title match without cheating

 

- Their manager is not a good talker and neither are they

_______________________________________

 

- The US title division consists of one person (Orlando Jordan)

 

- The champion (Orlando Jordan) is boring and rarely defends the title

 

- The champion has not had one feud since winning the title in March

 

- His only notable defenses to date are Chris Benoit and Heidenreich

_______________________________________

 

- Chris Benoit, the first SmackDown draft pick has spent more time on Velocity than on SmackDown

 

- Muhammad Hassan, another SmackDown draft pick, can no longer appear on the show

 

- Christian, another SmackDown draft pick, has been jobbed to Booker T since joining the show

 

- Randy Orton has made only 2 appearences since being drafted

 

- The Undertaker does not appear with any regularity

 

- John Bradshaw Layfield has been in the title scene since March

 

- The latest storyline features women and a growth on a woman's face

 

________________________________________

 

- Eddie Guerrero and Rey Mysterio have been feuding for 5 months

 

- Eddie Guerrero has not won a single match in the feud

 

- Eddie's secret was drawn out for 2 months

 

- Eddie's secret is that he is Dominic's father

 

- The feud has been stale since their rematch after WrestleMania

________________________________________

 

- Batista is not being given opponents that make him look credible

 

- The only solution so far for contenders is a number 1 contender's match, which there have been three of in the last month

 

- There have been night when Batista has barely made an appearence

 

- His match JBL has made him look even worse

 

 

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- On both shows there is a general lack of direction and purpose and the entire product is devoid of anything compelling.

[Guest JMA]

I'd say that most of those are spot on. How depressing.

[snuffbox 0]

- There is at least one match each week that serves no purpose, as both competitors have no direction or reason to be fighting

 

Ever watch Superstars etc back in the day? These kinds of matches are really ALOT less prevelant today than they used to be.

[Guest JMA]

Fixing the tag division would be quite simple actually. All they need to do is hook up two guys with chemistry and who have a reason to be together. They colud potentially do this:

 

Smackdown! Teams

 

The Mexicools

 

bWo - Nova and Meanie could do this until Stevie gets back. When he does return, Nova and Stevie colud be the main team.

 

Booker T and Chris Benoit - These two guys have a lot of respect for one another and have both been World champions in their careers. They could be a credible team if pushed right.

 

Money Inc. 2k5 (JBL and Chief Morley) - After losing to Batista again, JBL would get frustrated and take it out on OJ in a U.S. title match. JBL wins the match--and the title-- by cheating and then fires Jordan. The next week he hires Chief Morley as his new "Chief of Staff." The two team frequently when JBL isn't defending the U.S. title.

 

The FBI (Nunzio and Big Vito)

 

MNM

 

Paul London and Spanky

 

Scotty 2 Hotty and Funaki - This is admittedly a thrown together team, but WWE might as well do something with these two.

 

RAW Teams

 

The Heart Throbs

 

Hurricane and Rosey

 

The Shane Twins

 

Vicious and Delicious (Chris Masters and Snitsky_

 

The Big Show and Shelton Benjamin

 

Eugene and Tatanka - If they're going to keep Tatanka, they might as well hide his weaknesses in a tag team.

 

Team WASP (Kerwin White and Danny Holiday) - Both these guys have experience in tag teams and i think they would look good together visually. Just put the former Danny Basham in a polo shirt and khakies.

 

Carlito and Matt Morgan - All they need to do for this to work is hire back Morgan. Carlito's weaknesses can be hidden here, but he'll still have a chance to get heat. Plus, he needs an enforcer for the Cabana.

 

The Thrillseeker (Matt Capotelli and Johnny Jeter) - After Capotelli is healed, these two need to debut on RAW.

 

Obviously, WWE will have to do more then put teams like this togetber, but it would be a good start.

 

You'll notice that I didn't include Animal and Heidenreich--that's because I don't see them lasting long.

[razazteca 0]

- There is at least one match each week that serves no purpose, as both competitors have no direction or reason to be fighting

 

Ever watch Superstars etc back in the day? These kinds of matches are really ALOT less prevelant today than they used to be.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Who wants to pay $35 on a PPV to see the MNM vs Heindrech & Animal?

[Kahran Ramsus 0]

- There is at least one match each week that serves no purpose, as both competitors have no direction or reason to be fighting

 

Ever watch Superstars etc back in the day? These kinds of matches are really ALOT less prevelant today than they used to be.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

I actually don't mind those type of matches. Why does every match need to have a story behind it other than two guys who want to move up in the rankings? Only a few matches on each card actually sell a show, so aside from those 4-5 big matches why not just stick a couple of good workers together for the hell of it? WCW used to do it all the time with guys like Rey Misterio & Ultimo Dragon and often those matches were the most memorable on the program. Do we really need an excuse to see Benoit/Regal if it isn't going to be a top level feud? I'd rather have two guys just thrown in there together because its their job, rather than some half-assed feud over coffee or shampoo.

 

Who wants to pay $35 on a PPV to see the MNM vs Heindrech & Animal?

 

Nobody. But it doesn't need to be a selling point. For example with Summerslam, we have Orton/Taker, JBL/Batista, HBK/Shawn & Jericho/Cena as the big matches. If someone is going to order the show, it is very likely going to be based off of those four matches. If a fan is interested in those matches, he will buy the show and if he's not, he won't. The rest of the card should be based around making the paid customer happy so that he enjoys himself and is hyped up for those matches, or for putting over certain wrestlers for an upcoming push.

[Dobbs 3K 0]

That's why I loved watching WCW Saturday Night, even in the late '90s when no stars were on it...because it would just be a couple guys wrestling to wrestle, not because one guy was jealous of the other's girlfriend or one wanted to be in a movie the other was in, or something stupid like that.

[JoeDirt 0]

While some would say Conway/Val had no point, the point was obviously to give Conway a win on RAW to establish his new character. The "pointless" matches are usually just that.

[Exslade ZX 0]

Fixing the tag division would be quite simple actually. All they need to do is hook up two guys with chemistry and who have a reason to be together. They colud potentially do this:

 

Smackdown! Teams

 

The Mexicools

 

bWo - Nova and Meanie could do this until Stevie gets back. When he does return, Nova and Stevie colud be the main team.

 

Booker T and Chris Benoit - These two guys have a lot of respect for one another and have both been World champions in their careers. They could be a credible team if pushed right.

 

Money Inc. 2k5 (JBL and Chief Morley) - After losing to Batista again, JBL would get frustrated and take it out on OJ in a U.S. title match. JBL wins the match--and the title-- by cheating and then fires Jordan. The next week he hires Chief Morley as his new "Chief of Staff." The two team frequently when JBL isn't defending the U.S. title.

 

The FBI (Nunzio and Big Vito)

 

MNM

 

Paul London and Spanky

 

Scotty 2 Hotty and Funaki - This is admittedly a thrown together team, but WWE might as well do something with these two.

 

RAW Teams

 

The Heart Throbs

 

Hurricane and Rosey

 

The Shane Twins

 

Vicious and Delicious (Chris Masters and Snitsky_

 

The Big Show and Shelton Benjamin

 

Eugene and Tatanka - If they're going to keep Tatanka, they might as well hide his weaknesses in a tag team.

 

Team WASP (Kerwin White and Danny Holiday) - Both these guys have experience in tag teams and i think they would look good together visually. Just put the former Danny Basham in a polo shirt and khakies.

 

Carlito and Matt Morgan - All they need to do for this to work is hire back Morgan. Carlito's weaknesses can be hidden here, but he'll still have a chance to get heat. Plus, he needs an enforcer for the Cabana.

 

The Thrillseeker (Matt Capotelli and Johnny Jeter) - After Capotelli is healed, these two need to debut on RAW.

 

Obviously, WWE will have to do more then put teams like this togetber, but it would be a good start.

 

You'll notice that I didn't include Animal and Heidenreich--that's because I don't see them lasting long.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

That just seems like...way to, 'EWR booking' though. Seriously. I know people want more teams, but IMO, that's just way to many teams. I'm sure people want more teams..like they used to have, but they do only have 2 hours a week now. (or 3..compared to the 5 they used to have though) how many tag team matches do people expect in one show? :/

 

They'd need to focus more on the IC/US division before they start trying to pair up people for the tag team division..

[RavishingRickRudo 0]

I like how JR said "Eric Bischoff hates John Cena because Cena won't kiss his ass" - as if Cena didn't FU Bischoff or anything.

[razazteca 0]

I'm sure people want more teams..like they used to have, but they do only have 2 hours a week now.

Take away the Smackdown Rebound, Diva Search, and The Challenge of the Week.....WWE could easily have 5 more wrestling matches.

[JoeDirt 0]

Lots of wrestling matches doesn't make a good show. Not saying that the crappy entertainment they do now is good, but you've gotta mix it up a bit.

[Guest JMA]

Fixing the tag division would be quite simple actually. All they need to do is hook up two guys with chemistry and who have a reason to be together. They colud potentially do this:

 

Smackdown! Teams

 

The Mexicools

 

bWo - Nova and Meanie could do this until Stevie gets back. When he does return, Nova and Stevie colud be the main team.

 

Booker T and Chris Benoit - These two guys have a lot of respect for one another and have both been World champions in their careers. They could be a credible team if pushed right.

 

Money Inc. 2k5 (JBL and Chief Morley) - After losing to Batista again, JBL would get frustrated and take it out on OJ in a U.S. title match. JBL wins the match--and the title-- by cheating and then fires Jordan. The next week he hires Chief Morley as his new "Chief of Staff." The two team frequently when JBL isn't defending the U.S. title.

 

The FBI (Nunzio and Big Vito)

 

MNM

 

Paul London and Spanky

 

Scotty 2 Hotty and Funaki - This is admittedly a thrown together team, but WWE might as well do something with these two.

 

RAW Teams

 

The Heart Throbs

 

Hurricane and Rosey

 

The Shane Twins

 

Vicious and Delicious (Chris Masters and Snitsky_

 

The Big Show and Shelton Benjamin

 

Eugene and Tatanka - If they're going to keep Tatanka, they might as well hide his weaknesses in a tag team.

 

Team WASP (Kerwin White and Danny Holiday) - Both these guys have experience in tag teams and i think they would look good together visually. Just put the former Danny Basham in a polo shirt and khakies.

 

Carlito and Matt Morgan - All they need to do for this to work is hire back Morgan. Carlito's weaknesses can be hidden here, but he'll still have a chance to get heat. Plus, he needs an enforcer for the Cabana.

 

The Thrillseeker (Matt Capotelli and Johnny Jeter) - After Capotelli is healed, these two need to debut on RAW.

 

Obviously, WWE will have to do more then put teams like this togetber, but it would be a good start.

 

You'll notice that I didn't include Animal and Heidenreich--that's because I don't see them lasting long.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

That just seems like...way to, 'EWR booking' though. Seriously. I know people want more teams, but IMO, that's just way to many teams. I'm sure people want more teams..like they used to have, but they do only have 2 hours a week now. (or 3..compared to the 5 they used to have though) how many tag team matches do people expect in one show? :/

 

They'd need to focus more on the IC/US division before they start trying to pair up people for the tag team division..

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

WWE could work fine with the teams I suggested. They have two shows a week for each brand. As razazteca said, they could get rid of all the filler crap.

 

Edit: Assuming that Tatanka hasn't been hired, I'd replace him with Tajiri in my list of potential tag teams.

[fisticuffs 0]

I knew that there were a ton of problems, but when you list them like that, it looks 10x worse.

 

I think that 4 or 5 tag teams per show is about right.

 

I think another idea would be to bring back factions. That's what brought wrestling back in the late 90's.

[cabbageboy 0]

I agree with Kahran on this one. There doesn't have to be a storyline to every match and even then you can make the storyline the match itself. I mean on Nitro back in the day you'd have Malenko and Rey fighting over the cruiser title...no real storyline, it was (gasp) WRESTLING. As in Malenko had the title, Rey wanted it, they fought over it, etc.

 

Also, a major problem I have with WWE now is the actual in match booking and wrestling. There are way too many dreary restholds, the matches lack excitement, they lack a variety of holds, they lack crisp action. These guys need to sit down and watch hours of Ricky Steamboat matches....no huge highspots that would get someone hurt, but the action is crisp, it moves, there are near falls. Just beacuse management doesn't want people doing dangerous spots nightly doesn't mean everyone should do the opposite and just grab chinlocks for a whole match. Stuff like chinlocks and extended headlock sequences have no business being in a shortened TV match.

[CanadianChick 0]

I think a huge problem with both shows are simply not making sense. For example, Paul London has defeated Nunzio in a cruiserweight title match twice. Why does Nunzio get another shot at the belt on Velocity this week? Why is Chris Jericho, a man who hasn't won a PPV match in 2005 IIRC getting a title shot at Cena? Things like this simply don't make sense. They need organization it the booking. If they have that, it won't solve everything, but it'd sure as hell help.

[razazteca 0]

WWE needs a ranking system similiar to boxing's RING magazine top 10.

[CanadianChick 0]

Exactly. And a reason to have a match wouldn't have to be worried about. It'd be self-explainatory, which seems to be a WWE writer's best friend.

[strummer 0]

at least they have Number 1 Contender matches to create title matches. In the 80s it was just popular face gets a shot at the IC Title or big fat heel gets shot at Hogan

[snuffbox 0]

- There is at least one match each week that serves no purpose, as both competitors have no direction or reason to be fighting

 

Ever watch Superstars etc back in the day? These kinds of matches are really ALOT less prevelant today than they used to be.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Who wants to pay $35 on a PPV to see the MNM vs Heindrech & Animal?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Check the cards for old Summerslams and Wrestlemanias. Im sure that WM V had more filler matches than all 15 or whatever ppv the wwe do all this year.

[Guest JericholicEdgeHead]

What's wrong with Raw & Smackdown?

 

Stephanie and her crew of Hollywood writers...case closed.

[cabbageboy 0]

People are too used to shows like WM 14 nowdays though, where nearly every match has a story and purpose behind it.

 

I'm not going to wonder about Nunzio getting cruiser shots, because that is merely happening on Velocity...I mean who cares? It doesn't hurt anything.

 

But yeah stuff like Jericho getting a title shot despite not having won against ANYONE for like 2 years. Jericho desperately needs a few wins but as I've said, against who? It's hilarious really, they aren't even attempting to make Jericho a real contender, it's like "Here's some token jobber for Cena to feud with until HHH (the real contender) gets back."

[SuperJerk 0]

I like how JR said "Eric Bischoff hates John Cena because Cena won't kiss his ass" - as if Cena didn't FU Bischoff or anything.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Didn't Bischoff already hate Cena BEFORE that happened?

[Angle-plex 0]

People are too used to shows like WM 14 nowdays though, where nearly every match has a story and purpose behind it.

 

I'm not going to wonder about Nunzio getting cruiser shots, because that is merely happening on Velocity...I mean who cares?  It doesn't hurt anything.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

So say two guys face each other, with no storyline or purpose except to "move up in the ranks". If just anyone can get a title shot (Nunzio, Jericho), then the ranking DON'T matter, which essentially makes the original match pointless.