Buckle Up: What To Do About The Belts

[Next Big Thing]

Originally Posted by Big Vito 22 The only new sort of title I wouldn't mind is a TV Title with the caveat being that it must be defended every Raw, SmackDown, and PPV. It'd be a good way to make somebody into a fighting champion. A guy with good in-ring skills but not as good on the mic would be perfect for that. Of course, the idea of the belt would be better if there weren't so many cross-promotional matches as is. Being able to float between shows could be a privelage for a guy like, say, CM Punk. He could use his obligation to wrestle on both shows as a chance to do extra scouting for building a new SES. Wade Barrett could use the TV Title to do scouting for additions to the Nexus, etc. But since the brands mean nothing more than what nameplate you come out to, the idea wouldn't be very effective at this point.

I thought I was going to get my ass handed to me for that idea. Glad someone agrees.

I don't know about the guy defending it every week on both shows, plus PPVs, especially since Smackdown is taped the night after Raw. That would be kind of rough. Plus house shows and special appearances... Nowinski and Mero would love that shit.

I'd kind of rather see it on Smackdown, since that's the show where guys still get to kind of wrestle.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Originally Posted by Next Big Thing I thought I was going to get my ass handed to me for that idea. Glad someone agrees. I don't know about the guy defending it every week on both shows, plus PPVs, especially since Smackdown is taped the night after Raw. That would be kind of rough. Plus house shows and special appearances... Nowinski and Mero would love that shit. I'd kind of rather see it on Smackdown, since that's the show where guys still get to kind of wrestle.

You'd take the TV Champion off house shows so that they didn't get too burned out.

I like the idea of a TV Title, because, it could be used on so many different levels. A guy holding it would mount credibility, just because it HAD to be defended. If a guy keeps it for five weeks, that means like nineteen defences (five RAW, five SmackDown!, nine PPV). A face could really earn their stripes using it to get themselves over, but it could also serve as a way to get top talent onto both shows (CM Punk using it to "spread his Straight Edge message" would be a fantastic example).

Guys get more exposure with it, they stand out, and with guaranteed title defences each week, that can be a bit of an episodic draw.

The only other title I'd be somewhat interested in seeing added, would be some sort of "Under 30's Championship." A title for young guys to fight over. It'd be...intriguing. Young guys wouldn't be restricted to competing for only that title, but it gives some younger guys a bit of a place-holder until they bypass that green stage. Even some guys challenging for it can get attention because people would be reminding that they are "young." For example, Chris Masters is only like 27, so still has many years left where he is eligible for the title. If people just saw him challenging for it, he wouldn't seem so out of place on the roster, in my opinion.

Have Jack Swagger become the inaugural champ, and have it go from there.

[Next Big Thing]

Originally Posted by Noid You'd take the TV Champion off house shows so that they didn't get too burned out.

Don't hate me... just playing devil's advocate. Wouldn't not being able to work house shows cost him money from a contractual perspective? You'd almost have to bump up his pay on the t.v. shows and that would inevitably lead to bitching and complaining in the locker room.

I like the idea of a under 30's belt, it's just that I fear there are so few guys capable of carrying it or if they are carrying it would anyone actually care? What about some sort of "amateur" title that I go is immediately ineligible for once he challenges for the heavyweight title?