IS IT TIME TO DO IT RAW AGAIN?

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.

NXT MAIN ROSTER CALL-UPS

The choices are all deserving, I just can't help but wonder the "why" behind it. Again, deserving, so is that the simple reason? The obvious of reasons would be the significant number of WWE Superstars on the shelf at the moment. Cesaro just returned on RAW. There is still John Cena (close to returning), Seth Rollins, Neville, Randy Orton. The question that arises from this scenario is, what happens when everyone returns? Will we see some future endeavored? Sent back to NXT?

Or, are we seeing the beginning of a main roster expansion to...split up between RAW and Smackdown!? Vince McMahon did give Shane McMahon RAW to run. Obviously, Shane can't "fire" Triple H and Stephanie in this scenario. Well, kind of obvious as this is sports entertainment. The Power Couple isn't going to be up for being "under" Shane on RAW either I would assume. Bringing us once again to a RAW V Smackdown! Not so much "head-to-head" as that only lasts so long, and RAW will most likely always come out on top at the end.
With fan awaiting the other members of The Bullet Club now known as The Balor Club (for obvious public relation reasons) to join Finn Balor. Who must be next in line to leave NXT for the main roster, regardless, that brings even more people into the mix. And there is an endless of former WWE talent who could find themselves back with the company. Carlito's name has been popping up as of late, and if you have seen the direction the (former) Los Matadors are heading, it makes a great entry.
This might not be the case though. During the Monday Night Wars, WWE was in a similar situation and needed new stars, so the roster was slightly beefed up and divided into numerous factions and groups. Nation Of Domination, Los Buricuas, D.O.A., Degeneration X, etc. From there the obvious top picks came in the form of The Rock and Triple H, but at that time it also helped other members (ie Road Dogg was uber over, and if not for demons, been a top guy). Now, I am not saying the there isn't any stars on the WWE roster right now, I just think that they don't really know who to  really get behind. If everyone (or majority) are in factions or groups, then it provides a chance to see who the best of the best. And again, it could help out other stars find/re-find their way to the top (or close).

It could be a slight combination of everything. The main roster is now getting a shot of youth, which it needs for the long haul. But, a large roster means less space both in ring and on camera without groupings or splitting. If they do split the brands, I just hope that now with the WWE Network, that each show will have a special event (PPV for those still paying for that) each month. I do remember RAW tended to get top billing, and the 2 month build ups when a brand would get a solo event weren't always great. Guess we will find out as things progress. Until then, Stay Nerdy!

TRUE RAW V SMACKDOWN!

We are not in the early 2000's anymore. Back then, I don't know about anyone else but I like to think the majority of us 80's kids were  on our own at that time and although we may have been able to afford the internet, a computer was a different story. Nowadays, almost everyone has access to the internet. Whether it be through their phones, tablets, at home hacking the neighbors wifi, where ever. My point? Having a pre-taped Smackdown! doesn't bode as well against a live RAW.

Now, I know that the cost of a live production is pretty high, but wouldn't the possible payoff be worth it? The basic reason we enjoy a live show is the unpredictability. Mishaps, surprises, it all adds to the show. With Smackdown!, we all have had access to spoilers for years. Nowadays here in Canada, we have Smackdown! aired on Wednesdays instead of Thursdays.
If WWE is to truly have a brand split, it would almost make sense for it to be with both RAW and Smackdown! being live shows. Completely separate from each other too. Saving the "crossovers" for unicorn-esque rarity. Even if say a person is fired from RAW, they aren't always guaranteed to show up on Smackdown!, sometimes the person is legitimately future endeavored. Not all performers would be willing, but having a small bit where the fired RAW wrestler shows up at Smackdown! looking for a job, only to be denied.
Now, another part could be nobody wanting to work every Thursday night (similar to Triple H back in the day apparently). To make the brand even more appealing, perhaps add a bonus of sorts for being apart of Smackdown! They need to not repeat the mistake of making Smackdown! the "feeder" brand for RAW. Undertaker was really the only mainstay way back when, everyone else it was a matter of time before they switched once they were over with the crowds and Vince.
Personally, I would break it all down as such; Initial draft. 2 World titles, 2 Womens titles, US on one and IC on the other, 2 tag titles. Not bringing back the cruiserweight championship. Everyone is a contender for the titles. Bringing back the Cruiserweight division almost allows Vince to pigeon hole people. Then, once a year there would be a trade deadline similar to that of the NHL and other sports. Not another draft to shake things up again, but trades between brands, and sign "free agents" from those coming up from NXT and returning stars.
That is the other reason I am hoping WWE makes Smackdown! a viable alternative for RAW, NXT. If and when Vince is finished with a RAW v Smackdown! storyline, I am hoping he leaves NXT alone, and doesn't try to add them to the "war" or make them the follow-up opposition. Simply make Smackdown! great again in todays world, RAW will be possibly infused with attention as well, and then use NXT for what it is meant for, and that is a farming system. True, they are a brand. But, they're still the starting point for many performers.

As always, I don't know the ins and outs of this type of stuff. I just think that this is a way to reboost the business. Create your own competition using your own product. TNA and others aren't keeping up, and wrestling seemingly has only ever been great when there has been some form of even level competition. Crockett and WWF (WWE) were the 80's, things got stale as Crockett became Turner's WCW in early 90's, then as WCW got better as did WWE. Now I am not saying direct competition, WCW focused too much on WWE at times and well we all know the reasons and what happened.