maintaining brand divisions

[the wwe champion]

After 2005 Survivor Series the charm of interpromotional brand vs brand fights has died.Superstars go on moving from one brand to the other. The brands had completely changed after the draft month held in 2005. A discipline is supposed to be maintained. Wwe needs to rest the brand wars for a little time just like later 2002 and 2003. Comments....

The One :wave:

[Chavo Classic]

The problem is that following so many cross overs, Big Show's many inter-promotional title defences at the dawn of ECW for example, the matches at Survivor Series have lost their meaning.

If I could think of any one example when a inter-promotional angle has worked well it'd be with Billy and Chuck against 3MW, mostly because it was unexpected.

[Kane Knight]

I don't think they even WANT to maintain them anymore.

[El Fangel]

Speaking of draft lottery, when will the next one be, guesses, I say after Wrestlemania before Backlash myself.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I like it when guys change brands. It gets some excitement back onto programming. Personally, I'd like it if guys became ambassadors for brands, and what-not.

Take The Full Blooded Italians. There is nothing for them on ECW at the moment. When ECW gets a few more tag teams, then they'll have a role, but until then, why not pop Little Guido and Tony Mamaluke onto SmackDown!? They could have an impressive series with Paul London & Brian Kendrick, whilst still remaining a part of the ECW roster. Just have the screen that pops up, showing their names, is of the ECW design.

Jazz is another person not doing anything, that could really be used on RAW to help the Women's Division.

So yeah, don't do drafts or trades as much as interpromotional appearances. Maybe have Michael Cole and Joey Styles swap shows for a night, just make things interesting again.

[Pepsi Man]

So yeah, don't do drafts or trades as much as interpromotional appearances. Maybe have Michael Cole and Joey Styles swap shows for a night, just make things interesting again.
THIS I really don't see as being a good idea.

[Mr. Nerfect]

THIS I really don't see as being a good idea.

I just want to see Joey Styles work with JBL.

[Afterlife]

"With" or "against"?

Also, as much as I hate to promote someone who appreiates Lesnar, TWC is right on the money. The first draft was great, because it was a one-shot draw. The 2nd draft was crap, b/c the draws were all clearly written, and there was no pzazz to it. Dragging it out for 6 weeks didn't help. I think now, with the second coming of ECW, the best play is to switch things around over the next full year to where everything is set up nicely. Once all three shows are balanced and rolling, then flow with it for a good 4 years, then reinstate the draft.

Only after a dry spell does a wet spell have appeal.

[Mr. Nerfect]

"With" or "against"?

Also, as much as I hate to promote someone who appreiates Lesnar, TWC is right on the money. The first draft was great, because it was a one-shot draw. The 2nd draft was crap, b/c the draws were all clearly written, and there was no pzazz to it. Dragging it out for 6 weeks didn't help. I think now, with the second coming of ECW, the best play is to switch things around over the next full year to where everything is set up nicely. Once all three shows are balanced and rolling, then flow with it for a good 4 years, then reinstate the draft.

Only after a dry spell does a wet spell have appeal.

Good point.

Actually do a randomised draft. It'd be quite interesting to see Funaki drafted to RAW, or Jim Ross drafted to SmackDown!. Just things people never thought to see happen.

[Kane Knight]

And with JR on Smackdown, they can redub all his errors.

[St. Jimmy]

And with JR on Smackdown, they can redub all his errors.

A computer powerful enough has yet to be invented for that task. Not to mention if they change Smackdown over to HD? Just take a second, let that soak in.

JR's mug, in HD...






































Are you sterile yet? Cause you should be.

[Afterlife]

Good point.

Actually do a randomised draft. It'd be quite interesting to see Funaki drafted to RAW, or Jim Ross drafted to SmackDown!. Just things people never thought to see happen.

Randomized draft of wrestelers, yes; All other figureheads and staff? No.

Also, When I say "roll with it", I do mean to keep ECW on ECW, RAW on RAW, SD on SD. Otherwise, the thrill of the draft is null and void. I'm sure most ppl understood that, but I wanted to be clear.

[Jeritron]

Its definitely lost its meaning of having two seperate brands, so now the interpromotional matches as Survivor Series and wrestlemania don't have the impact they should. However I dont think they care, and maybe they shouldnt.
They're number one concern is getting people interested in the shows and tuning in period, and if having Taker show up on ECW, or Cena on Smackdown, or King Booker on Raw, then so be it. They're trying anything they can at this point short of ending brand extension alltogether.

Its similar to Major League Baseball. Many traditionalists and fans criticize the use of interleague play, as it takes away from October baseball and impacts the teams during a league season when it doesnt really have any bearing. But the bottom line is it draws money and generates interest at the time and thats really all MLB cares about. Same idea with WWE.

Brand extension is struggling for many reasons. Overuse of interpromotion isn't the biggest concern in my eyes

1. 3 world titles. With 3 world champs nobodys really the top guy, and they only have a handful (if that) of guys to fued with and be challenged by on their show. This makes being "the champ" less credible and not as interesting.

2. Diluting of the rosters. With 3 shows you have a lot of crap floating around. And a lot of talent left with little to draw off in new fueds/teamups and such. The midcard is a mess, and the tag division is a disaster. Theres just not enough to support 3 shows and a lot is lost.

3. Overuse of interpromotion. Since BE is here to deal with, then this comes in as the most visible problem. If you're not gonna end BE and fix the other problems at least curb this one. Stop having Cena appear on Smackdown to wrestle tag matches, Stop having your ECW champ stop focusing on his show and compete in a fued with DX to get buried, etc. Keep the interpromotion for Wrestlemania, Survivor Series and Reunion shows ONLY, the occasionaly exception is alright I suppose. Don't have a champions of champions match unless you're gonna have a champion of champions. And only do it when you have real champions who are believable as equally as dominant and on a level playing field.
Something like HHH vs Brock title for title at WM21 (had Lesnar not walked) would have been an example of a real Champion vs Champion match.