[BigCrippyZ]

MidLFinger, I don't actually disagree with you from a competition/injury/retirement standpoint regarding there being ONE top guy in the co. I think you may have misunderstood my point though.

I was saying that there is no longer a consistent focus on ONE top guy in the show/company. Not that there can't potentially be multiple TOP guys on the roster. In 1999 for example, there was Taker, Rock, HHH, Austin and to a degree Foley & Show. I think it's safe to say that Austin & Rock were the top guys of 1999 and Rock and HHH were the top guys of 2000, because at least one of them was almost always feuding over, chasing, or holding the World title during those respective years.

The purpose of having stables I think, is to give those other potential main eventer's (in 1999, Taker, HHH, Foley, Show) something to do, and maintain their credibility in case something were to happen to the top guy(s), Rock or Austin (i.e., injury, jumping ship, movies, etc.) in 1999 for example or whatever year. If something did happen, another of the potential main eventer's leading another stable could step in their place because they still have the main event credibility as a stable leader and from feuding with another potential main eventer who's leading another stable. Not that every potential main eventer would have to lead a stable but it's a good potential option to have I think. If the stable leader (potential main eventer) can help make or give the rub to other guys in the future, like HBK did in DX for Triple H and Taker did in the Ministry for Edge & Christian, I think that's another great reason to have stables.

I don't agree with you though that stables usually hurt three careers and make one career. I mean, Hogan didn't need a push/boost from the nWo, nor did Taker with the Ministry or HBK with DX. They were already considered main event/world title status guys so it didn't hurt them but it allowed them a fresh storyline and an opportunity to make younger guys. Edge & Christian probably wouldn't have had success had it not been for the Ministry and HHH got a huge boost by being in DX with Shawn.

My ultimate point is they could have kept up their ratings (or at least higher than they are now) had they never purchased WCW or at least not done the brand split. For example, they would never have had to worry about putting the title on JBL if they hadn't had a brand split and instead had ONE World champion. That's where WWE really started to loose me, when they made JBL a World champion. A guy who had never won anything but the hardcore and tag titles at that point suddenly gets thrown into the World title mix and wins. And as far as having ONE champion, they wouldn't have to bury an entire show if there was no brand split and one consistent roster. Not that getting rid of the brand split and consolidating to one roster is ideal since they would have to make some serious roster cuts. I think it would make things more consistent and realistic to have ONE roster and ONE World Champion and result in a better product.