How do you solve this "Roster Depth" problem?

**Tom Guycott** · 06-12-2012, 09:35 PM

I don't understand why people still call for the end of the brand splitting.

It's the best thing they could possibly do... IF THEY STUCK TO WHY THEY DID IT TO BEGIN WITH!

As has been said, having two world champions doesn't neccessarily devalue the position, as having two midcard titles don't devalue those. The problem is that there is that by and large, there is no angle or build around them. There is no WHY to the argument that the champions are the champions.

With that said:

1) I agree that they need to kind of chill out with the champions looking like superheavyweights. Bryan and Punk are good starts to that. The reason why "you won't buy" someone like Cody Rhodes being champion is because of the comparitive landscape. Stop pushing the idea that insanely muscular = ability. More "above average" build guys in that role instead of "jacked up monsters" not only puts over the freakish nature of said jacked up monsters, but makes it easier for someone like Cody to enter a role he has all the tools for.

2) At the same time, someone like Ryback shouldn't be hotshotted to main event level simply because he's impressinve looking. I'm more or less entertained by Skippy, but no matter how much he looks the shit, he has no character, angle, or direction yet other than feed the gladiator squash matches. You already have people up the card, he has plenty of time to come into his own.

3) Give other people something to do. I touched on this in another thread, but angles shouldn't just simply be X vs Y for the next PPV then moving on. Angles can intersect, characters can interact, and something like the U.S. Title scene for example can involve people who aren't even in the hunt for the title just because of their relationships with the current champ, main contenders, former champs, or even valets. Even something as rediculous as having Ryder defend the (unrecognized, like the FTW Title) Internet Championship, it would give Zack and at least one other person some sort of angle, and thus exposure, on TV.

Hell, even the stuff like FCW's Ambrose/Regal need done in WWE. This doesn't even involve a damn title, and it is exactly what I mean by giving someone something to do. It's a guy trying to impress his mentor. Not saying do this angle, just saying it's a good idea to do something along those lines and doesn't HAVE to be about some championship. As long as it gives them ring and promo time, it can help a career or two. Same as with Henning* and Kidd. Shame this wasn't on a show everyone watches.

4) Elevate the Tag and Diva divisions. Yeah, I get it. Girls are piss breaks. I wouldn't think any better of it either if you let it degenerate to all hell. I like Layla being the champ, but as much as I love Layla, as a fan of wrestling, I don't care. Why? Because we haven't gotten any motivation to get behind her as a champion. Hell, the damn Lay-Cool music seems out of place for a bubbly babyface, and they didn't see fit to change it for her return that they had a freakin' year to plan for (my choice would have been the obvious route of Derek & the Dominoes on her return... that opening riff would have helped cause a bigger pop). And, are we to believe that only Layla and Beth are even in the Diva's division? The Tag Division is abound with a bunch of nameless pairs of singles stars who, for the most part, are thrown together. While I understand that often a team's identity can derail a possible single's career (looking at you, JTG), the fact that Primo & Epico are just Primo & Epico kind of bugs me; remember the Rockers? They weren't the team of "Shawn Michaels and Marty Janetty". Bret Hart & Jim Neidhardt didnt earn a reputation as a formidable tag team, it was the goddamn Hart Foundation. The Usos need to do a little more something to differenciate them from the other... almost like early Hardyz, nobody knew which one was which until Matt became more of a "powerhouse" and Jeff jumped off of everything he could climb. Back to point- stop throwing the belts on two random people and invent some teams that can work well together and NAME THEM.

06-12-2012, 09:35 PM	#26
Tom Guycott Wrestling Marks Rejoice! Posts: 10,166	I don't understand why people still call for the end of the brand splitting. It's the best thing they could possibly do... IF THEY STUCK TO WHY THEY DID IT TO BEGIN WITH! As has been said, having two world champions doesn't neccessarily devalue the position, as having two midcard titles don't devalue those. The problem is that there is that by and large, there is no angle or build around them. There is no WHY to the argument that the champions are the champions. With that said: 1) I agree that they need to kind of chill out with the champions looking like superheavyweights. Bryan and Punk are good starts to that. The reason why "you won't buy" someone like Cody Rhodes being champion is because of the comparitive landscape. Stop pushing the idea that insanely muscular = ability. More "above average" build guys in that role instead of "jacked up monsters" not only puts over the freakish nature of said jacked up monsters, but makes it easier for someone like Cody to enter a role he has all the tools for. 2) At the same time, someone like Ryback shouldn't be hotshotted to main event level simply because he's impressinve looking. I'm more or less entertained by Skippy, but no matter how much he looks the shit, he has no character, angle, or direction yet other than feed the gladiator squash matches. You already have people up the card, he has plenty of time to come into his own. 3) Give other people something to do. I touched on this in another thread, but angles shouldn't just simply be X vs Y for the next PPV then moving on. Angles can intersect, characters can interact, and something like the U.S. Title scene for example can involve people who aren't even in the hunt for the title just because of their relationships with the current champ, main contenders, former champs, or even valets. Even something as rediculous as having Ryder defend the (unrecognized, like the FTW Title) Internet Championship, it would give Zack and at least one other person some sort of angle, and thus exposure, on TV. Hell, even the stuff like FCW's Ambrose/Regal need done in WWE. This doesn't even involve a damn title, and it is exactly what I mean by giving someone something to do. It's a guy trying to impress his mentor. Not saying do this angle, just saying it's a good idea to do something along those lines and doesn't HAVE to be about some championship. As long as it gives them ring and promo time, it can help a career or two. Same as with Henning* and Kidd. Shame this wasn't on a show everyone watches. 4) Elevate the Tag and Diva divisions. Yeah, I get it. Girls are piss breaks. I wouldn't think any better of it either if you let it degenerate to all hell. I like Layla being the champ, but as much as I love Layla, as a fan of wrestling, I don't care. Why? Because we haven't gotten any motivation to get behind her as a champion. Hell, the damn Lay-Cool music seems out of place for a bubbly babyface, and they didn't see fit to change it for her return that they had a freakin' year to plan for (my choice would have been the obvious route of Derek & the Dominoes on her return... that opening riff would have helped cause a bigger pop). And, are we to believe that only Layla and Beth are even in the Diva's division? The Tag Division is abound with a bunch of nameless pairs of singles stars who, for the most part, are thrown together. While I understand that often a team's identity can derail a possible single's career (looking at you, JTG), the fact that Primo & Epico are just Primo & Epico kind of bugs me; remember the Rockers? They weren't the team of "Shawn Michaels and Marty Janetty". Bret Hart & Jim Neidhardt didnt earn a reputation as a formidable tag team, it was the goddamn Hart Foundation. The Usos need to do a little more something to differenciate them from the other... almost like early Hardyz, nobody knew which one was which until Matt became more of a "powerhouse" and Jeff jumped off of everything he could climb. Back to point- stop throwing the belts on two random people and invent some teams that can work well together and NAME THEM.