How about that title, eh? haha Yes, I am also Canadian. What I am talking about is how Vince McMahon has described the initial RAW days, and how things looked and felt raw. I like how things have evolved since then, the production quality, the Titan Tron, deafening arenas (when packed), etc. but with focus being on ratings and whatnot, perhaps a roll back could help rejuvenate things.
Smaller Arenas
Instead of thousands of people in a large arena, have hundreds of people in a smaller venue. 1k max. This could help in a few ways, one being the attraction. People want what they can't have more than anything. The ticket price would of course get a bump, but it could still add to things. Look at countries outside of the US, they're more into things because of the rarity of being able to go. The crowd reactions would feel just as big within a smaller arena. Which would add to the television experience, which having "harder to get in" shows could increase viewers for the stupid ratings.
Two Hours
Don't get me wrong, I can't get enough wrestling. It is just that the only difference between RAW and a Special Event (other than Mania and Summerslam) falls only in length. I get that there is a much bigger roster and all of that, but maybe put the matches or even some talent not really "important" to RAW or Smackdown! (random match with no real story to it, etc) on Superstars and Main Event. Not that NXT needs it, but if desperate dump some of RAW into there (if biz is about to close desperate).
Shock Value
I am not asking for grotesque, risque, Vince Russo type stuff. Even the stuff that worked is done now. However, everything feels scripted in a way that it is noticeable. Social media and all that has hindered surprises, but even then it doesn't feel anything has happened that would garner reaction sans internet. Not including Shane's return of course, or anything that happens at a Wrestlemania obviously. Given the talent signed and AJ Styles becoming the Number One Contender, it feels like they could go back to surprising finishes, title runs, debuts, and returns. Love Styles, but him being WWE World Heavyweight Champion would shock the hell out of me. And then say having me see him defend against guys like Seth Rollins, Samoa Joe, Kevin Owens, etc. would have me tripping through walls like my name is The Shockmaster.
Competition
Even the beginning of RAW had WCW competing, not yet on a head-to-head Monday Night War, but opposing company none the less. Fans of the products would argue TNA, ROH, Lucha Underground and others are WWE's competition now. Yes, and no. They are opposing companies, but they aren't what WCW was for WWE. Not talking talent, just production and all of that stuff. If talking talent though, WWE kind of went old school and swooped up a bunch of people "made" elsewhere like it was the early 80's haha So, since nobody can go toe-to-toe with Vince and company, it is time to create competition within. Beating the dead horse that is RAW V Smackdown!, but it did make for a steady flow of things in the early post-WCW 2000's.
If not a throwback, then there needs to be more separation of the product. I know Main Event and Superstars are taped before RAW and Smackdown!, it financially makes sense. The problem is that everything looks the same. Graphics are really the only thing that is different, besides the two main shows are red (RAW) and blue (Smackdown!). They need to differentiate that shows, give at least RAW and Smackdown! different looks visually, and of course product wise. Look at the success of NXT, it is more than the people performing. Smaller crowd, different look than the main roster, and other things are factors in the massive following. It all starts with RAW as it is the flagship, and its success would carryover into other areas, but again perhaps separating it from everything else would as well in some fashion.
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