QUESTION - Should RAW & Smackdown have more discernible identities just as NXT does?

[Heyman]

QUESTION - Should RAW & Smackdown have more discernible identities just as NXT does?

Converting ECW into NXT was one of the BEST things that the WWE could have done in my opinion. For years now, I have been saying that ECW needed to be "about something"...and couldn't be just a show that was "WWE light." Due to the PG label, it was also impossible for the WWE to push ECW in the way that many 'oldschool' ECW'ers wanted (i.e. extreme rules, more violence, etc.). I'm really happy that the WWE has finally given NXT an identiy (i.e. a show that is geared towards showcasing future talents of this company, and is now OPEN about that). Unlike ECW, there is now an EXPECTATION that wrestlers on this show will eventually graduate to either RAW or Smackdown. Long story short: I am very happy with the WWE's decision to convert ECW into NXT. The show now has a 'discernible identity', and is very unique in its own way. It's no longer just "WWE light" that pretends to be an actual competitive brand (when in reality, it never was).

So with that in mind, do you think Smackdown and RAW should do the same thing as NXT? (i.e. be a show that is ABOUT something....and is completely and utterly discernible in its own way).

Now obviously, RAW and Smackdown are already discernible in their own way as we speak. However - do you think the WWE can do MORE to make this distinction?....without it being at the expense of the other brand? (So for example - completely stacking one of RAW or Smackdown with Cena, Batista, HHH, Orton, Undertaker, Edge, Jericho, HBK, etc., could completely ruin the other show). What if Smackdown became about completely catering to Smarks? For example - Guys like Jericho, CM Punk, Shelton Benjamin, Yoshi, etc., etc., could all work on Smackdown. This of course, is just an example (may not even be a good one). Anyway - what do you guys think? Should RAW & Smackdown have more discernible identities just as NXT now does? If so - how could they go about doing it?

[HBPunk]

QUESTION - Should RAW & Smackdown have more discernible identities just as NXT does?What if Smackdown became about completely catering to Smarks? For example - Guys like Jericho, CM Punk, Shelton Benjamin, Yoshi, etc., etc.

SmarkDown?

[Heyman]

SmarkDown?

Haha - Not a bad nickname!

In all seriousness though, as much as I'd love to see a pure WRESTLING show (i.e. more catered towards Smarks perhaps) there simply wouldn't be enough of a market for it.

[HBPunk]

Haha - Not a bad nickname!

In all seriousness though, as much as I'd love to see a pure WRESTLING show (i.e. more catered towards Smarks perhaps) there simply wouldn't be enough of a market for it.

I think Smackdown holds its own as a proper show, Raw will always be number 1 in Vince's eyes which is fine, but Smackdown is solid and very well liked by many people. I think 'if i aint broke, dont fix it' really

[Kalyx triaD]

I've posted a thread (or two?) about this very subject, that RAW and SmackDown! need to employ several exclusive elements so it doesn't seem like we're watching 'the other half of the show' later in the week.

My past ideas seem kinda wacky now but I'm all for it.

[Heyman]

The thing that annoys me, and has always annoyed me, is the fact that promising talent from Smackdown is almost always drafted away to RAW (and hence - giving the show no real continuity). Furthermore - guys that are usually drafted to Smackdown are simply guys that RAW has no room for at the main-event level (i.e. Jeff Hardy was drafted to Smackdown since the WWE wanted him to be champ but were unwilling to make him champ on RAW).

Seriously - will anyone be shocked (shocked!) when Drew McIntyre gets drafted to RAW in the next draft?

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

Well, I think Smackdown already has an identity of their own. Though there is always room for improvement.

[Heyman]

I've posted a thread (or two?) about this very subject, that RAW and SmackDown! need to employ several exclusive elements so it doesn't seem like we're watching 'the other half of the show' later in the week.

My past ideas seem kinda wacky now but I'm all for it.

Definitely agree about the need to employ several exclusive elements.

One idea that I mentioned in the past, was making one show completely oldschool and the other show completely new school. Although this idea is very risky, I think it would be interesting to see nonetheless:

One of the shows could compose of:

Triple H, HBK, Orton, Cena, Undertaker, Edge, Jericho, Batista, Kane, Big Show, Christian, Matt Hardy, William Regal, Fit Finlay, Shelton Benjamin, Goldust, Rey Mysterio, R-Truth, Mark Henry, etc., etc.

The other show could consist of:

CM Punk, Drew McIntyre, Sheamus, Dolph Ziggler, Rhodes, Dibiase, The Miz, Morrison, Kofi Kingston, Swagger, Ryder, Hawkins, Santino, Evan Bourne, MVP, Cryme Tyme, Mike Knox, Great Khali, etc.

On the surface, it would appear that the show composed of the old schools stars would annihilate the other show, but maybe that wouldn't be the case. Who knows. I probably wouldn't go through with an idea like that due to the risk involved, but it would be interesting to see how it panned out.

[HBPunk]

The thing that annoys me, and has always annoyed me, is the fact that promising talent from Smackdown is almost always drafted away to RAW (and hence - giving the show no real continuity). Furthermore - guys that are usually drafted to Smackdown are simply guys that RAW has no room for at the main-event level (i.e. Jeff Hardy was drafted to Smackdown since the WWE wanted him to be champ but were unwilling to make him champ on RAW).

Seriously - will anyone be shocked (shocked!) when Drew McIntyre gets drafted to RAW in the next draft?

SOOOOO TRUE, Cena came over at his most popular, Carlito too when he was getting big. I see Drew coming to Raw to cover HBK's absence and going against HHH

[thedamndest]

By getting rid of ECW the product is already stronger just because there is one less title. Arguably right now there is a distinction between the two shows - one has guest hosts, the other does not. Beyond that the only change I would make to the shows would be to unify the Women's and Diva's belts and make them like the tag belts. That is the best compromise of not taking too much PPV time on tag or women, but still keeping viable competition on both shows.

[Nicky Fives]

I'd like to Raw be centered more as the PG-13 stuff, where as Smackdown could be PG or G or whatever rating that will let them swear a little and bleed..... the rosters can stay the same, but Smackdown would just have edgier storylines and it presented more for an adult audience (i.e. no more Superman-Cena crap, just great wrestling)

[Heyman]

By getting rid of ECW the product is already stronger just because there is one less title. Arguably right now there is a distinction between the two shows - one has guest hosts, the other does not. Beyond that the only change I would make to the shows would be to unify the Women's and Diva's belts and make them like the tag belts. That is the best compromise of not taking too much PPV time on tag or women, but still keeping viable competition on both shows.

I like that idea a lot.

[Heyman]

I'd like to Raw be centered more as the PG-13 stuff, where as Smackdown could be PG or G or whatever rating that will let them swear a little and bleed..... the rosters can stay the same, but Smackdown would just have edgier storylines and it presented more for an adult audience (i.e. no more Superman-Cena crap, just great wrestling)

I like the idea of that as well.

I'm not sure what the current demographic trends are for the WWE, but I wonder if there would be enough of an adult market out there....to justify an entire show being catered towards a more mature audience.

[el bobbo]

Raw needs to add a designated hitter to bat for the pitcher's spot.

But seriously, they shouldn't be much different. They should be like the NL and AL in Major League Baseball. The NL relies on strategy, skill, and speed more (Smackdown) while the AL relies more on power (Raw). Not to say that these elements aren't present in each league/brand.

[Mr. C]

RAW:
Bret Hart, Carlito, Chavo Guerrero, Chris Masters, Christian, Curt Hawkins, Drew McIntyre, Fit Finlay, Jerry Lawler, Joey Styles, John Cena, Mark Henry, MVP, Primo, Randy Orton, R-Truth, The Big Show, The Miz, Triple-H, William Regal, Yoshi Tatsu, Zack Ryder

SmackDown:
Batista, Chris Jericho, Cody Rhodes, Cryme Tyme, Dolph Ziggler, Edge, Evan Bourne, Goldust, Jack Swagger, John Morrison, Kane, Kofi Kingston, Matt Hardy, Matt Striker, Mike Knox, Rey Mysterio, Santino Marella, Shawn Michaels, Sheamus, Shelton Benjamin, Ted DiBiase, The Great Khali, The Straight Edge Society, The Undertaker, Theodore Long, Todd Grisham

Beyond that, the only changes I’d make to the shows would be to have two General Managers for RAW (Hart) and SmackDown (Long) and unify the Divas and Women’s belts. Put the divas on SmackDown and leave the models on RAW. You might even bring some credibility back to the Women’s belt. It would be cool to have Beth Phoenix, Gail Kim, Melina, Michelle McCool, and Mickie James all on one show.

[HBPunk]

RAW:
Carlito, Chavo Guerrero, Chris Masters, Christian, Curt Hawkins, Drew McIntyre, Fit Finlay, Jerry Lawler, Joey Styles, John Cena, Low Ki, Mark Henry, MVP, Primo, Randy Orton, R-Truth, The Big Show, The Miz, Triple-H, William Regal, Zack Ryder

SmackDown:
Batista, Chris Jericho, Cody Rhodes, Cryme Tyme, Dolph Ziggler, Edge, Evan Bourne, Goldust, Jack Swagger, John Morrison, Kane, Kofi Kingston, Matt Hardy, Matt Striker, Mike Knox, Rey Mysterio, Santino Marella, Shawn Michaels, Sheamus, Shelton Benjamin, Ted DiBiase, The Great Khali, The Straight Edge Society, The Undertaker, Todd Grisham

Beyond that, the only change I’d make to the shows would be to unify the Divas’ and Women’s belts, but they shouldn’t be much different.

I think somebody likes listing things. Your main idea is a mini draft??

[Emperor Smeat]

I'd leave Smackdown alone since they have their identity compared to RAW or ECW (pre-Talent Initiative storyline). Smackdown has managed what RAW and TNA Impact can't do correctly and that is to give equal time to both wrestling and promos/skits instead of focusing on one over the other.

I believe NXT is working mostly because ever since ECW started the Talent Initiative, the show had been focused on building up new wrestlers/characters (like Yoshi) or improving wrestlers who needed a direction (like Koslov and Ezekiel). Once ECW shut down, WWE kept on using that idea as a way to help build up the new wrestlers and characters on NXT.

[Heyman]

Great comments in this thread. :y:
One other thing I wouldn't mind seeing, is the end of the lottery draft. Make this year the last and final lottery draft. After the draft, the only way someone can be moved to another show is via trade....just as we saw during 2002 (or maybe 2003).

Have two permanent GM's for RAW and Smackdown respectively, and create a real rivarly between the brands. One thing I liked about the brand split initially, was the rivalry. I think that rivalry is an untapped gold mine for the WWE and I would love to see them play up on that (even if RAW and Smackdown for the most part, were engaged in a "cold war").

[DaVe]

They're different enough. Watch Smackdown for good wrestling. Watch Raw for an attempt at entertainment.

[Sovereigntywillpr]

They where much different about 1-2 years into the brand split... with seperate road crews and refs and talent staying on one show for longer (Eddie, Benoit , Angle where on Smackdown for awhile)

I understand this can end up costing more... but being able to do 2 house shows in one night like they did at first can make more money as well, depending on the market(demand).

they had their own PPV's and GM's and the Cold War thing going on. Vince said he wanted to wait before he did a invasion type angle and keep them seperate, it's almost been 10 years,to bad the cold war feel isn't their anymore(I think you need the GM on each show for that, with more trades and stuff.)

It made the big 4 PPVs So much better too, and the Smackdown only PPVs were pretty damn good.

[Juan]

They're different enough. Watch Smackdown for good wrestling. Watch Raw for an attempt at entertainment.

This.

[el bobbo]

They're different enough. Watch Smackdown for good wrestling. Watch Raw for an attempt at entertainment.

"entertainment"

[Outsider]

I don't see why the WWE tries to keep all the shows as PG.

If they cater for different types of fans, they can have a larger fan base.

I have said before, the different shows should have differetn target audiences. Have RAW as a PG Sports Entertainment type show, which will keep the young audience which buys Rey Mysterio masks and John Cena t-shirts.

Smackdown should be more 'attitude' era, for slightly older fans. These people have a high disposable income due to having jobs/student loans etc but no dependents. This will make them likely to go to shows (notice attendence at shows has fallen in recent years) as well as likely to purchase PPVs and DVDs.

The third show, which would have been ECW, should have been the most adult orentiated. Hardcore wrestling, boobs etc. This could make money through sponorship rather than traditional methods by having adverts for things such as gambling sites and other more adult focused products.

But what do I know? I don't run a successful wrestling empire. I eat too many take-aways instead.

[Mr Amazing]

Don't they already considering Raw does more promos where Smackdown does more wrestling

[Xero]

I don't see why the WWE tries to keep all the shows as PG.

If they cater for different types of fans, they can have a larger fan base.

I have said before, the different shows should have differetn target audiences. Have RAW as a PG Sports Entertainment type show, which will keep the young audience which buys Rey Mysterio masks and John Cena t-shirts.

Smackdown should be more 'attitude' era, for slightly older fans. These people have a high disposable income due to having jobs/student loans etc but no dependents. This will make them likely to go to shows (notice attendence at shows has fallen in recent years) as well as likely to purchase PPVs and DVDs.

The third show, which would have been ECW, should have been the most adult orentiated. Hardcore wrestling, boobs etc. This could make money through sponorship rather than traditional methods by having adverts for things such as gambling sites and other more adult focused products.

But what do I know? I don't run a successful wrestling empire. I eat too many take-aways instead.

This post has been brought to you by Linda for Senate.

[Outsider]

This post has been brought to you by Linda for Senate.

Fuck political career aspirations.

It's the reason I can't start my Hardcore Midget Wrestling/Pornography company.

[Xero]

That's just because you can't find enough midgets into both wrestling and porn.

[Outsider]

That's just because you can't find enough midgets into both wrestling and porn.

Pfft, like hell I can't. Kinky little devils.

[Heyman]

They're different enough. Watch Smackdown for good wrestling. Watch Raw for an attempt at entertainment.

True, but do you think it would serve the WWE better if they made this discrepancy MORE apparent?

For the last few years, ECW was nothing more than a breeding ground for young wrestlers getting their feet wet, going over veteran jobbers, and then priming themselves for positions on either RAW or Smackdown. With the birth of NXT however, this has become FAR more obvious to the general public....and the show now has a discernible identity.

Using your particular example (i.e. watch Smackdown for good wrestling, watch RAW for an attempt at entertainment, etc), why not take that concept, AMPLIFY it, and then openly market the show to the public as such? Maybe give each show it's own slogan:

(i.e. Smackdown - "Where Wrestling isn't just a tag line"; Raw - "Sports Entertainment capital of the world").

(And yes - I realize the above are TERRIBLE slogans and I wouldn't use them in a million years, but the point remains. Why not openly market the show as being that way?......and use unique slogans for each show to market as such?).

[roach21]

What if WWE made certain titles exclusive to one brand? Create a legitimate tag division exclusively on Raw, put the "wrestling" divas on Smackdown and leave the models on Raw for stupid celebrity guest host skits. That way you have the chance to build a legitimate tag division and the women's matches won't be twice as pointless. You might even bring some credibility back to the title belts.

[Heyman]

At one time, I would have suggested devoting an entire show to Cruiserweights and Luchadores, but I don't think it would be feasible now....nor do I think it would draw very well (severe short term risk, with uncertain long term payoff).

Personally, I think it would have been cool to have had....

-Rey Mysterio
-Evan Bourne
-Yoshi
-Jeff Hardy
-Kofi Kingston
-Brian Kendrick
-Paul London
-Chavo Guerrero

etc., etc., etc. all be on one show. Guys from yester year such as Taka, Funaki, Taijiri, Ultimo Dragon, Billy Kidman, etc, could have been better utilized and maximized (while tapping into different audiences).

I don't think it would be feasible (or even advisable) now, but I think it would have caught on back in the day.

[Indifferent Clox]

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