Heyman
06-09-2004, 11:50 PM
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QUESTION - Should the WWE employ a "Best of 7 series" format (as we see in the Pros)
I made a thread like this a long time ago (as some of you will probably remember), but I can't find the link to it. It was on the old UBB boards. But anyways - here is what I had in mind.
-Both Raw and Smackdown would have an almost year-long Tournament, in which wrestlers would face one another in a "best-of 7" series (with the winners progressing..........just as we see in the NBA and NHL playoffs).
At Wrestlemania, the winner of the Raw tournament, faces the winner of the Smackdown tournament (in a one match showdown). The winner of the match, gets to be called "The Undisputed World Heavyweight Champion" (and receives a trophy and a 'fake' $1,000,000 dollar check).
The Day after Wrestlemania.........until whenever the tourney starts:
-At this time, GM's from shows can make trades with one another, free-agent signings, etc. This allows both shows to 'mix up the rosters' a bit.....and present the fans with some potentially new match-ups.
-The WWE can also use this time, to introduce new characters...and new OVW talent to help them 'get over' (before the actual tournament starts).
When the Tournament starts:
So every Raw and every Smackdown, we see match-ups.....best of 7. On television, House Shows, and PPV's, wrestlers feud with one another in this 'best of 7' series. Speciality matches (such as cage matches, Hell In A cell matches, ladder matches, etc.) are reserved for PPV events only (otherwise - why else would people order PPV's if they get to see these matches on TV?).
If some series' ends early (i.e. a sweep), that wrestler (who has the next 3 weeks off I guess) can still cut promos, interfere in other matches, etc. (and hence - continue to get TV time). If two guys (who swept their respective opponents in the previous rounds and are slated to face one another) are "free" for a few weeks, they can hype up their up-coming feud.
Some advantages to this idea:
House Show attendance could go up: Since some of these "Best of 7" series matches would take place at House Shows.
Fans would be guaranteed atleast 1, 2, or even 3 quality matches each week: So each week, fans would go in 'knowing what to expect' (in terms of what matches they will be seeing that night).
The WWE can 'vary' as to what will be the best 'match of the night.
For example - let's say that Christian is fighting Edge, while Benjamin is fighting Jericho. One week - the WWE can book the Christian/Edge match to be longer and more exciting (giving that feud the limelight), while giving Benjamin/Jericho 'more time' the next week. In the end - all of the feuds will have looked impressive.
More rivalries: I think this is one thing that the WWE has really lacked in the last few years. We don't really see many rivalries. Other than HBK/Triple H, have we REALLY seen a worthwhile rivalry for the last little while? (Cena/Big Show, Angle/Lesnar, Orton/Foley, is all I can really think of). Back in the WWE's PRIME - they REALLY worked on rivalries.
With a best of 7 seven series format, we can REALLY see some bitter rivalries come into effect. These 'rivalries' can help the fans get even more into the show (especially if a series has gone to game 7!)
The "Sports" part of the Sports-Entertainment is really emphasized:
At a time when the WWE are trying to focus more on the SPORTS part of "Sports Entertainment", this could also fit the bill. Seeing a best of 7 type format (especially during a time when NBA and NHL playoffs start heating up), we may even see new fans start tuning in (many of these fans could be die-hard sports fans....who can relate to the 'Best of 7' format).
Great way to get guys over:
Think about this. If a guy like Triple H fought Rhyno, pehaps Triple H could win in 5 matches (4-1). However - perhaps that ONE hard fought victory on Rhyno's part, can help him get 'over' more.
What if a guy like Renee Dupree took Eddie Guerrero to the limit? (7 matches.......4-3). Yes Guerrero wins and advances, but Dupree gains MEGA credibility.
What if we saw an upset? Big Show defeating Undertaker in 6? Something like that could DEFINITELY re-establish Big Show as a monster heel.
The winner of the "Feed-in Consolation" can become IC or US Champion (Final matches to be held at Wrestlemania).
So basically - whoever loses in the 'main' tournament, gets put into the feed-in consolation on their respective shows. The winner of the feed-in Consolation (on Raw and Smackdown), gets to become the IC or US champ respectively.
All Matches would have meaning:
Since all matches would 'count for something' (and wouldn't just be meaningless).
The "best of 7 thing" can also be applied to other matches.
For example. Let's say the following wrestlers are currently feuding with one another in the "Best of 7" series.
-Shawn Michaels vs. Randy Orton
-Chris Benoit vs. Kane.
-Triple H vs. Shelton Benjamin
Let's say we see a 6 man tag match (HHH/Orton/Kane vs. HBK/Benoit/Benjamin). The team that wins the 6 man tag match, gets '1' victory each (in their respective individual best of 7 series).
Fatal 4 ways/Elimination Chamber matches/Triple threats - HBK vs. Benot vs. Orton vs. Kane --> Whoever gets the victory, gets a victory in their individual series (i.e. if HBK pins someone like KAne during the fatal four way, he'd still get a recorded 'victory' over Orton
in their 'best of 7' series. This same principle can be applied to Elimination Chamber matches, and triple threat matches.
Potential Disadvantages:
What would be the Purpose of the Royal Rumble? Since the 'tournament' Best-of-7 series format would be in effect, the winner of the Royal Rumble couldn't "automatically" become the #1 contender for the World title.
Same matches could get boring: Especially for the first few months of the tournament (when we'd be seeing a LOT more tournament matches), the fans might get tired of seeing the same matches week-in week-out.
On the other hand - watching a Raw or SD might be like watching a PPV (i.e. almost non-stop wrestling, and much less skits/promos, etc.).
What do you think? Could something like this work in the future?
QUESTION - Should the WWE employ a "Best of 7 series" format (as we see in the Pros)
I made a thread like this a long time ago (as some of you will probably remember), but I can't find the link to it. It was on the old UBB boards. But anyways - here is what I had in mind.
-Both Raw and Smackdown would have an almost year-long Tournament, in which wrestlers would face one another in a "best-of 7" series (with the winners progressing..........just as we see in the NBA and NHL playoffs).
At Wrestlemania, the winner of the Raw tournament, faces the winner of the Smackdown tournament (in a one match showdown). The winner of the match, gets to be called "The Undisputed World Heavyweight Champion" (and receives a trophy and a 'fake' $1,000,000 dollar check).
The Day after Wrestlemania.........until whenever the tourney starts:
-At this time, GM's from shows can make trades with one another, free-agent signings, etc. This allows both shows to 'mix up the rosters' a bit.....and present the fans with some potentially new match-ups.
-The WWE can also use this time, to introduce new characters...and new OVW talent to help them 'get over' (before the actual tournament starts).
When the Tournament starts:
So every Raw and every Smackdown, we see match-ups.....best of 7. On television, House Shows, and PPV's, wrestlers feud with one another in this 'best of 7' series. Speciality matches (such as cage matches, Hell In A cell matches, ladder matches, etc.) are reserved for PPV events only (otherwise - why else would people order PPV's if they get to see these matches on TV?).
If some series' ends early (i.e. a sweep), that wrestler (who has the next 3 weeks off I guess) can still cut promos, interfere in other matches, etc. (and hence - continue to get TV time). If two guys (who swept their respective opponents in the previous rounds and are slated to face one another) are "free" for a few weeks, they can hype up their up-coming feud.
Some advantages to this idea:
House Show attendance could go up: Since some of these "Best of 7" series matches would take place at House Shows.
Fans would be guaranteed atleast 1, 2, or even 3 quality matches each week: So each week, fans would go in 'knowing what to expect' (in terms of what matches they will be seeing that night).
The WWE can 'vary' as to what will be the best 'match of the night.
For example - let's say that Christian is fighting Edge, while Benjamin is fighting Jericho. One week - the WWE can book the Christian/Edge match to be longer and more exciting (giving that feud the limelight), while giving Benjamin/Jericho 'more time' the next week. In the end - all of the feuds will have looked impressive.
More rivalries: I think this is one thing that the WWE has really lacked in the last few years. We don't really see many rivalries. Other than HBK/Triple H, have we REALLY seen a worthwhile rivalry for the last little while? (Cena/Big Show, Angle/Lesnar, Orton/Foley, is all I can really think of). Back in the WWE's PRIME - they REALLY worked on rivalries.
With a best of 7 seven series format, we can REALLY see some bitter rivalries come into effect. These 'rivalries' can help the fans get even more into the show (especially if a series has gone to game 7!)
The "Sports" part of the Sports-Entertainment is really emphasized:
At a time when the WWE are trying to focus more on the SPORTS part of "Sports Entertainment", this could also fit the bill. Seeing a best of 7 type format (especially during a time when NBA and NHL playoffs start heating up), we may even see new fans start tuning in (many of these fans could be die-hard sports fans....who can relate to the 'Best of 7' format).
Great way to get guys over:
Think about this. If a guy like Triple H fought Rhyno, pehaps Triple H could win in 5 matches (4-1). However - perhaps that ONE hard fought victory on Rhyno's part, can help him get 'over' more.
What if a guy like Renee Dupree took Eddie Guerrero to the limit? (7 matches.......4-3). Yes Guerrero wins and advances, but Dupree gains MEGA credibility.
What if we saw an upset? Big Show defeating Undertaker in 6? Something like that could DEFINITELY re-establish Big Show as a monster heel.
The winner of the "Feed-in Consolation" can become IC or US Champion (Final matches to be held at Wrestlemania).
So basically - whoever loses in the 'main' tournament, gets put into the feed-in consolation on their respective shows. The winner of the feed-in Consolation (on Raw and Smackdown), gets to become the IC or US champ respectively.
All Matches would have meaning:
Since all matches would 'count for something' (and wouldn't just be meaningless).
The "best of 7 thing" can also be applied to other matches.
For example. Let's say the following wrestlers are currently feuding with one another in the "Best of 7" series.
-Shawn Michaels vs. Randy Orton
-Chris Benoit vs. Kane.
-Triple H vs. Shelton Benjamin
Let's say we see a 6 man tag match (HHH/Orton/Kane vs. HBK/Benoit/Benjamin). The team that wins the 6 man tag match, gets '1' victory each (in their respective individual best of 7 series).
Fatal 4 ways/Elimination Chamber matches/Triple threats - HBK vs. Benot vs. Orton vs. Kane --> Whoever gets the victory, gets a victory in their individual series (i.e. if HBK pins someone like KAne during the fatal four way, he'd still get a recorded 'victory' over Orton
in their 'best of 7' series. This same principle can be applied to Elimination Chamber matches, and triple threat matches.
Potential Disadvantages:
What would be the Purpose of the Royal Rumble? Since the 'tournament' Best-of-7 series format would be in effect, the winner of the Royal Rumble couldn't "automatically" become the #1 contender for the World title.
Same matches could get boring: Especially for the first few months of the tournament (when we'd be seeing a LOT more tournament matches), the fans might get tired of seeing the same matches week-in week-out.
On the other hand - watching a Raw or SD might be like watching a PPV (i.e. almost non-stop wrestling, and much less skits/promos, etc.).
What do you think? Could something like this work in the future?