Smaller rosters

[DrA]

One of the things that began to annoy me after they brought back ECW was the smaller roster sizes. Back when the WWF was at its peak, there were what, 80-90 wrestlers on the roster that were more or less being used on a semi-consistent basis. While the argument may be made that a lot of talented guys were not being used to their full potential, having a larger roster as a whole makes the main event and upper mid card look more credible. Let's say that there are eight guys considered main eventers, and an additional ten to twelve guys that are upper mid carders. That makes the main event seem prestigious, and those in the upper mid card competing for the IC title look like legitimate competitors. Hell, it makes those competing for any title look credible.

Now in this absolute disaster of a product WWE is putting out now, you have three brands, maybe it's four now I don't know, with what, fifteen-twenty actual wrestlers on each brand and about five titles designated to each show. That means that one out of every four wrestler in the WWE has a title pretty much. It makes no sense to me what they are thinking having three separate brands like that, considering their roster size isn't nearly as large as it was in 2002 when they decided to go to two shows.

I miss the old days of there being one main show (RAW is WAR/The War Zone) and the one minor show (Sunday Night Heat). I always hated Smackdown because watching UPN makes me feel like a poor Mexican. I know they will never go back to that format, but it worked. Now they are mass producing WWE shows left and right and they are all horrible.

[BigDaddyCool]

Yeah, I agree. We actually just talked about this a month ago or so. They keep cutting guys here and there too. I mean the cut Boogen today, Scotty Goldman had maybe his 5th match (which aired friday) then he got cut. The will probably be cutting Ryan Braddock, Hackass Jim Dugan, Golddust, Kizarny, Sim Snuka, and Jesse and Festus before May I'm guessing, all with out adding new wrestlers.

[Juan]

WWE is far from a disaster at the moment. Probably the best it's been in like 4 or 5 years.

[Krimzon7]

New Wrestlers? Maybe they plan on bringing up some of their farmed talent. I could be a good thing.

[BigDaddyCool]

Well it is and it isn't. The fact that they have the same matches month after month is getting old. But they are keeping the stories interesting.

[What Would Kevin Do?]

Yeah, I agree. We actually just talked about this a month ago or so. They keep cutting guys here and there too. I mean the cut Boogen today, Scotty Goldman had maybe his 5th match (which aired friday) then he got cut. The will probably be cutting Ryan Braddock, Hackass Jim Dugan, Golddust, Kizarny, Sim Snuka, and Jesse and Festus before May I'm guessing, all with out adding new wrestlers.

But they can't cut Festus, he's one of the best workers they have!!! They should probably cut that Shawn Michaels guy though.

[Juan]

Same matches every month? Are you talking main event matches? If you are, that's a bit of a stretch.

[Jeritron]

WWE is far from a disaster at the moment. Probably the best it's been in like 4 or 5 years.

[BigDaddyCool]

Same matches every month? Are you talking main event matches? If you are, that's a bit of a stretch.

That was hyperbole.

[Jeritron]

Since 2003, WWE has had it's moments and matches every year. There have been some highs, and many lows.
2008 was a very consistently good year for everything. I would say, as a whole, the 2008 year was the best they've had since 2003, by far.

Verdict is out on 2009 but it's going VERY well.

[Mr. Nerfect]

There are plenty of guys in FCW they can bring up. Eric Escobar just dropped the FCW Heavyweight Championship, and has been working dark matches, so I assume that he could get a call up soon. You've also got DH Smith and Drew McIntyre down there, both of whom have been called up before, so could be back at any time. Sheamus O'Shaunessy seems like he's about ready to get called up to ECW to work with Finlay after WrestleMania, too.

Sim Snuka is still under contract, but not being used. While some feel he may be cut soon, I'd like to see him come back and get a crack at working as a mid-card face. Joe Hennig is the current FCW Heavyweight Champion, so when he drops the belt, he could be called up to the roster. Kaval is also experienced and polished enough to get the call up. And at the moment, guys like Kung Fu Naki, Hurricane Helms and Jimmy Wang Yang have trouble getting a spot.

I don't think not having enough talent is the WWE's problem at the moment.

[Hanso Amore]

Dude, 60-90? The WWE has never had that size of roster. They have to always bring in guests to make it through the Royal Rumble.

[Hanso Amore]

The Rosters were smaller before they split too, so I have no idea what you are talking about.

[Jeritron]

Yea, the rosters weren't that large back then

[Fabien Barthez]

One of the things that began to annoy me after they brought back ECW was the smaller roster sizes. Back when the WWF was at its peak, there were what, 80-90 wrestlers on the roster that were more or less being used on a semi-consistent basis. While the argument may be made that a lot of talented guys were not being used to their full potential, having a larger roster as a whole makes the main event and upper mid card look more credible. Let's say that there are eight guys considered main eventers, and an additional ten to twelve guys that are upper mid carders. That makes the main event seem prestigious, and those in the upper mid card competing for the IC title look like legitimate competitors. Hell, it makes those competing for any title look credible.

Now in this absolute disaster of a product WWE is putting out now, you have three brands, maybe it's four now I don't know, with what, fifteen-twenty actual wrestlers on each brand and about five titles designated to each show. That means that one out of every four wrestler in the WWE has a title pretty much. It makes no sense to me what they are thinking having three separate brands like that, considering their roster size isn't nearly as large as it was in 2002 when they decided to go to two shows.

I miss the old days of there being one main show (RAW is WAR/The War Zone) and the one minor show (Sunday Night Heat). I always hated Smackdown because watching UPN makes me feel like a poor Mexican. I know they will never go back to that format, but it worked. Now they are mass producing WWE shows left and right and they are all horrible.

Why don't you just watch some circa 97 Raws and stop talking out of your arse?

[Juan]

I have a feeling this was the kind of reaction DrA was looking for...

[Fabien Barthez]

Well, congratulations. Job well done.

[BigDaddyCool]

You know, they have released 9 wrestlers this year alone, and we are barely into march. There are 11 wrestler on ECW. So yeah.

[Kane Knight]

WWE is far from a disaster at the moment. Probably the best it's been in like 4 or 5 years.

This gets tossed around practically every year these days.

[Jeritron]

Maybe it's gotten better steadily?

[Jeritron]

Maybe some people aren't as cynical?

[Triple Naitch]

When do you think was the last all-time low point for WWE? Where it absolutely could not get worse?

[thedamndest]

HHH having sex with the doll is the first thing that comes to mind.

[Jeritron]

I think it could always get worse. But I think the lowest point was probably somewhere between late 04 and early 06

[Jeritron]

2002 and 2003 had many lows, but the rosters and match quality was up there. It was a time period that seemed bad at the time, but looked good a few years later.

[Jeritron]

Summer of 2004 until fall 2007. Damn

I think things began to really pick up in winter of 2007, and they're still going well.

[Triple Naitch]

HHH having sex with the doll is the first thing that comes to mind.

I'd have to agree. Katie Vick probably couldn't have gotten any worse.