Taker/Jericho

[Damian Rey]

Originally Posted by Hunter Heyman Hindu ...I still think that the WWE have got in backwards. Smackdown should be the place for "peaked out" veterans. RAW should be the place for top-young stars that are on the verge of becoming non-transitional main-eventers / world champions.

Until you mentioned it, I never thought of it that way.

Unfortunately, this will never happen. Atleast not until SmackDown starts getting booked and presented as a viable flagship brand, like Raw is.

[Heyman]

Originally Posted by Damian Rey Until you mentioned it, I never thought of it that way. Unfortunately, this will never happen. Atleast not until SmackDown starts getting booked and presented as a viable flagship brand, like Raw is.

Thanks man.

The way the WWE is set up right now unfortunately (with their shows), it's simply not a model that is condusive to producing new superstars. Think about the past 4-5 years....maybe more.

Which new main-eventers have the WWE created?......main-eventers that are NOT transitional champions at best?

The WWE should be doing whatever they can to get guys like Jeff Hardy, CM Punk, and MVP to the status of Cena-Orton-HHH-Batista. Instead however, they are made to look far inferior to them....and at best, are transitional champs.

[Juan]

Originally Posted by Hunter Heyman Hindu Thanks man. The way the WWE is set up right now unfortunately (with their shows), it's simply not a model that is condusive to producing new superstars. Think about the past 4-5 years....maybe more. Which new main-eventers have the WWE created?......main-eventers that are NOT transitional champions at best? The WWE should be doing whatever they can to get guys like Jeff Hardy, CM Punk, and MVP to the status of Cena-Orton-HHH-Batista. Instead however, they are made to look far inferior to them....and at best, are transitional champs.

I disagree.

WWE seem to be taking their time in grooming the stars of tomorrow. CM Punk, Jeff Hardy, MVP, John Morrison, Matt Hardy and Christian aren't going anywhere anytime soon, so why not take your time? Their time will come.

In the past, guys were in the business for 10+ years before they got the main event push and since there is only one company now, it wouldn't make much sense (business wise) to not push guys like HHH and Cena.

WWE is right in not pushing guys until they're absolutely ready, I mean, we don't want another Bobby Lashley like push.

Also, Raw has always been the flagship show, so why in God's name wouldn't you want your most established stars on it? Raw has always been the A show, so there isn't much sense in changing it now.

Since the brand split, Smackdown has ALWAYS been the show with guys that are on their way to the main event, that's why it's top superstars always get drafted to Raw. It's just how it is, and again, it wouldn't make much sense to change it now, considering Smackdown has probably the best brand for actual wrestling for years now.

ECW is great. I don't know why you would want to change it. Exciting new stars that are getting their chance to show what they can do and prove that they can one day shine on Raw or Smackdown.

I see what you're saying, but it just doesn't make much sense to me.

[Heyman]

[quote=Juan;2504568]

I disagree. WWE seem to be taking their time in grooming the stars of tomorrow. CM Punk, Jeff Hardy, MVP, John Morrison, Matt Hardy and Christian aren't going anywhere anytime soon, so why not take your time? Their time will come.

Since 2005 - Almost the same set of guys have been on top.

In the past, guys were in the business for 10+ years before they got the main event push and since there is only one company now, it wouldn't make much sense (business wise) to not push guys like HHH and Cena.

The past is irrelevant. I don't think I need to remind you as to how the ratings were in the WWE before Austin 3:16 hit.

WWE is right in not pushing guys until they're absolutely ready, I mean, we don't want another Bobby Lashley like push.

True but you can't tell me that a guy like Jeff Hardy hasn't demonstrated his loyalty.

Also, Raw has always been the flagship show, so why in God's name wouldn't you want your most established stars on it? Raw has always been the A show, so there isn't much sense in changing it now.

Perhaps I didn't make myself clear. I DO want the top stars on RAW. However - I do not want stars that are peaked and/or past their prime.

My top 5 guys for RAW: Cena, Orton, Edge, Jeff Hardy, CM Punk, MVP
My top 5 guys for Smackdown: Triple H, Batista, Undertaker, Jericho, Big show

ECW is great. I don't know why you would want to change it. Exciting new stars that are getting their chance to show what they can do and prove that they can one day shine on Raw or Smackdown.

Agreed but there's also a danger of putting too many decent guys on ECW....especially when you consider the fact that almost no one watches ECW. At some point - you have to realize that too much depth on ECW hurts RAW/Smackdown far more than helping ECW (again - since almost no one watches ECW).

I see what you're saying, but it just doesn't make much sense to me.

It makes sense to me that the WWE should be doing whatever they can to create an atmosphere where new stars can be elevated to the main-events....PERMANENTLY....and not be seen as transitional champs. In the current environment, this seems almost impossible (last 4 years have been a reflection of that).


Sorry - my responses here are a bit half assed but I'm feeling lazy.

[Heyman]

Originally Posted by Juan Since the brand split, Smackdown has ALWAYS been the show with guys that are on their way to the main event, that's why it's top superstars always get drafted to Raw. It's just how it is, and again, it wouldn't make much sense to change it now, considering Smackdown has probably the best brand for actual wrestling for years now.

I'd like to comment on this again.

This is one of the biggest reasons why the WWE have difficulty creating legitimate main-event non-transitional superstars.

The up-and-comers get developed on Smackdown, move to RAW, get buried, and then either return to Smackdown as "peaked" wrestlers or continued to get butt-raped on RAW.

If the WWE did the opposite, then they could have their cake and eat it to. RAW could be a place where superstars, with legit main-event potential, could easily be elevated without much of a glass ceiling.

The wrestling industry has always been at its best (or have always prospered the most) when the old generation gives way to the new. 1996 and 2003 were brilliant examples of this (except in the latter case, the WWE ultimately shit the bed....but still).