DISCUSSION - Smackdown should become the modern day "Sunday Night Heat"

**Heyman** · 08-08-2004, 01:15 AM

DISCUSSION - Smackdown should become the modern day "Sunday Night Heat"

What up.

A lot of posters on here seem to think that I, Heyman, hate Smackdown. This is not true!

In short - I have just reconciled to the "fact" that the WWE will ALWAYS favor Raw over Smackdown. A higher preference will always go to Raw. Think about it.

1) Why have all of Triple H, The Rock, Jericho, Benoit, Matt Hardy, Edge, etc. been moved to Raw ever since the birth of the roster split?

2) Why were guys like Big Show, RVD, and Booker T moved to Smackdown, AFTER being made to look "medicore" on Raw?

3) Why is John Bradshaw Layfield WWE Champion?

So you see? - I don't dislike the Smackdown product. I just dislike the way that the WWE uses the Smackdown product. They CLEARLY make it play second fiddle to Raw.

A year and a half ago, Smackdown was going strong. You had Angle and Lesnar at the top, with a solid mid card composing of Edge, Guerrero, Benoit, Cena, Matt Hardy, Big Show, and Taker.

What now?

The point I'm TRYING to make, is that the WWE will always want Raw to be the better show. Think about why guys like Maven, Val Venis, Scott Steiner, Rodney Mack, etc. haven't been moved to Smackdown.....and re-packed, etc.

-Think about why Benoit defected after the Royal Rumble.

-Think about how Benjamin and Edge were moved to Raw.....while their "watered down" and "buried" counter-parts (Booker T and RVD), were moved to Smackdown.

-Why did Raw have the 'Diva' search and not Smackdown? (with ratings on Smackdown in decline, don't you think that something like this would have been better on SD?......especially where the women on that show aren't WRESTLERS anyways?).

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Lately - people have been talking about how much 'better' Smackdown has been of late. While I don't neccessarily disagree with that, I still remain negative.

If past history is of any indication, then what's stopping the WWE from moving a guy like John Cena or Kurt Angle to Raw in the near future?.......once Smackdown starts out-rating Raw? (or atleast gaining more parity with it)

Remember folks - It's the WWE that 'looks down' upon Smackdown......it's not me!

Smackdown is basically what "Sunday Night Heat" was a few years ago.......but is this neccessarily a 'bad' thing?

Ideally - the WWE would treat Raw and Smackdown equally.....but we all know that for whatever reason, WWE management does not see it this way.

Why not do the following?:

1) End the roster split (unify the World titles, tag titles, and US/IC titles), and make Smackdown a clear cut 'B' program (kind of what like Sunday Night Heat was a few years ago).

2) Have 30-35% of the wrestlers in the WWE (i.e. every single 'big name') wrestle on Raw. The other 65-70%, wrestle on Smackdown. This way, the WWE can 'stack' Raw and always ensure that a top quality show is put on. At the same time however - all of the 'big names' will get adequate TV time (since only 30-35% of the wrestlers will be on Raw). This way - you can have your Triple H, HBK, Taker, Cena, Guerrero, Benoit, Orton, Jericho, all on Raw.

3) As far as Smackdown is concerned, an entire hour and a half can be devoted to the 'other' 65-70% of wrestlers. Here's the catch though.

a) Atleast two "main-eventers" that are currently feuding with one another (that are Raw regulars)....will also fight on Smackdown (atleast make a TV appearance....whether it be cutting a promo with one another.....or involved in a match). That way - people will still want to watch Smackdown. Whatever is the HOTTEST feud on Raw at that time......will also get that alloted "15-20 minutes" on Smackdown. The other 1:40, will be for the 'lesser known' wrestlers.

4) Every two months, things will be changed slightly: Whoever has been 'dominating' on Smackdown, will appear on Raw. On the other hand, some guys who were wrestling on Raw for two months, will go to Smackdown (and help 'put over' other guys). If this happens, things can stay fresh. New guys can still get 'over', while the guys who were on Raw (who would now fight on Smackdown for 2 months) will become draws on Smackdown. The guys who move to Raw on the other hand, get respect from the fans (since the fans will now associate anyone being on Raw as 'special').

5) Everyone on Raw gets a PPV match. One or two feuds from Smackdown get a PPV. HOWEVER - Because the PPV's will mainly be used to end (or prolong) feuds from RAW, more "PPV quality" matches can be shown on Smackdown....with the 'lesser names'. This achieves 2 things.

a) Another reason for fans to 'tune in' to Smackdown.

b) 'Lesser named' wrestlers can prove themselves more to the fans with these "PPV quality like" matches.

My "idea" of this may be difficult to understand upon reading it (it's a bit overwhelming), and so I'll try and illustrate a bit better.

Let's say my idea goes into effect:

So let's say, the following guys are on Raw for 2 months:

-Triple H
-Shawn Michaels
-Chris Benoit
-Eddie Guerrero
-John Cena
-Undertaker
-Randy Orton
-Chris Jericho
-Kurt Angle
-Edge
-Eugene
-John Bradshaw Layfield
-2 women (the women's champ and #1 contender can feud on Raw.....this will serve as a good piss break for the fans in attendance).

Only 14 wrestlers?!?!?!? Remember - Each of these guys are 'main-event' level guys (or will be close to that in the future). All of these guys need plenty of TV time. I think the WWE could achieve that with 14wrestlers in a 2 hour time slot! (editors note - 14 wrestlers is just a 'ball park figure'.....maybe they can add a few more....or drop some).

So let's say.......the hottest feud in the WWE at the time is Triple H and Chris Benoit. They will then get 15 minutes of air time on Smackdown as well (to promote their feud).

On Smackdown?

You'd still have guys like RVD, Booker T, Shelton Benjamin, Christian, Dave Batista, Kane, and Matt Hardy. The fans will still want to see them! (combined with the Triple H/Benoit segment/promo). So let's say - the WWE wants to push a 'new' guy.....like Luther Reigns for instance.

On Smackdown, the WWE can have Luther Reigns get into the 'longest' matches of the show. He can have decent matches with Benjamin, Christian, etc. in a span of a few weeks....and defeat them. He can do the same with Kane and Batista.

He gets hyped bigtime on Smackdown.

Two months later........John Bradshaw Layfield and Eugene appear on Smackdown (fans will consider them to be 'big named' since they were on Raw for the past few months). Subsequently........let's say Luther Reigns and another guy......(Kane?) now move up to Raw.

Reigns, being "the new guy" on Raw, can use that momentum to score some convincing victories on Raw (and at PPV's).

Meanwhile - guys like JBL and Eugene (who have just been sent to Smackdown), can help other guys 'get over'.

As far as the ACTUAL Heat and Velocity is concerned, I'd get rid of them altogether. Show re-runs of the Attitude Era on those timeslots.

No Heat, no velocity. You'd still have your dark matches however (for the loyal fans who actually arrive early to shows).

House Shows - obviously, the line-up will be altered.....but every two months. The 'main-event' guys who are a part of the 'hottest feud' of the company (the ones who appear on both Raw and Smackdown)......only appear on Raw House Shows.

In terms of marketing the House Shows, the WWE does not have to 'market' the fact that they'd be watching the "Smackdown" House Show. Just market it as WWE.

08-08-2004, 01:15 AM	#1
Heyman Father of Hinduship Posts: 21,083	DISCUSSION - Smackdown should become the modern day "Sunday Night Heat" DISCUSSION - Smackdown should become the modern day "Sunday Night Heat" What up. A lot of posters on here seem to think that I, Heyman, hate Smackdown. This is not true! In short - I have just reconciled to the "fact" that the WWE will ALWAYS favor Raw over Smackdown. A higher preference will always go to Raw. Think about it. 1) Why have all of Triple H, The Rock, Jericho, Benoit, Matt Hardy, Edge, etc. been moved to Raw ever since the birth of the roster split? 2) Why were guys like Big Show, RVD, and Booker T moved to Smackdown, AFTER being made to look "medicore" on Raw? 3) Why is John Bradshaw Layfield WWE Champion? So you see? - I don't dislike the Smackdown product. I just dislike the way that the WWE uses the Smackdown product. They CLEARLY make it play second fiddle to Raw. A year and a half ago, Smackdown was going strong. You had Angle and Lesnar at the top, with a solid mid card composing of Edge, Guerrero, Benoit, Cena, Matt Hardy, Big Show, and Taker. What now? The point I'm TRYING to make, is that the WWE will always want Raw to be the better show. Think about why guys like Maven, Val Venis, Scott Steiner, Rodney Mack, etc. haven't been moved to Smackdown.....and re-packed, etc. -Think about why Benoit defected after the Royal Rumble. -Think about how Benjamin and Edge were moved to Raw.....while their "watered down" and "buried" counter-parts (Booker T and RVD), were moved to Smackdown. -Why did Raw have the 'Diva' search and not Smackdown? (with ratings on Smackdown in decline, don't you think that something like this would have been better on SD?......especially where the women on that show aren't WRESTLERS anyways?). . . . . Lately - people have been talking about how much 'better' Smackdown has been of late. While I don't neccessarily disagree with that, I still remain negative. If past history is of any indication, then what's stopping the WWE from moving a guy like John Cena or Kurt Angle to Raw in the near future?.......once Smackdown starts out-rating Raw? (or atleast gaining more parity with it) Remember folks - It's the WWE that 'looks down' upon Smackdown......it's not me! Smackdown is basically what "Sunday Night Heat" was a few years ago.......but is this neccessarily a 'bad' thing? Ideally - the WWE would treat Raw and Smackdown equally.....but we all know that for whatever reason, WWE management does not see it this way. Why not do the following?: 1) End the roster split (unify the World titles, tag titles, and US/IC titles), and make Smackdown a clear cut 'B' program (kind of what like Sunday Night Heat was a few years ago). 2) Have 30-35% of the wrestlers in the WWE (i.e. every single 'big name') wrestle on Raw. The other 65-70%, wrestle on Smackdown. This way, the WWE can 'stack' Raw and always ensure that a top quality show is put on. At the same time however - all of the 'big names' will get adequate TV time (since only 30-35% of the wrestlers will be on Raw). This way - you can have your Triple H, HBK, Taker, Cena, Guerrero, Benoit, Orton, Jericho, all on Raw. 3) As far as Smackdown is concerned, an entire hour and a half can be devoted to the 'other' 65-70% of wrestlers. Here's the catch though. a) Atleast two "main-eventers" that are currently feuding with one another (that are Raw regulars)....will also fight on Smackdown (atleast make a TV appearance....whether it be cutting a promo with one another.....or involved in a match). That way - people will still want to watch Smackdown. Whatever is the HOTTEST feud on Raw at that time......will also get that alloted "15-20 minutes" on Smackdown. The other 1:40, will be for the 'lesser known' wrestlers. 4) Every two months, things will be changed slightly: Whoever has been 'dominating' on Smackdown, will appear on Raw. On the other hand, some guys who were wrestling on Raw for two months, will go to Smackdown (and help 'put over' other guys). If this happens, things can stay fresh. New guys can still get 'over', while the guys who were on Raw (who would now fight on Smackdown for 2 months) will become draws on Smackdown. The guys who move to Raw on the other hand, get respect from the fans (since the fans will now associate anyone being on Raw as 'special'). 5) Everyone on Raw gets a PPV match. One or two feuds from Smackdown get a PPV. HOWEVER - Because the PPV's will mainly be used to end (or prolong) feuds from RAW, more "PPV quality" matches can be shown on Smackdown....with the 'lesser names'. This achieves 2 things. a) Another reason for fans to 'tune in' to Smackdown. b) 'Lesser named' wrestlers can prove themselves more to the fans with these "PPV quality like" matches. My "idea" of this may be difficult to understand upon reading it (it's a bit overwhelming), and so I'll try and illustrate a bit better. Let's say my idea goes into effect: So let's say, the following guys are on Raw for 2 months: -Triple H -Shawn Michaels -Chris Benoit -Eddie Guerrero -John Cena -Undertaker -Randy Orton -Chris Jericho -Kurt Angle -Edge -Eugene -John Bradshaw Layfield -2 women (the women's champ and #1 contender can feud on Raw.....this will serve as a good piss break for the fans in attendance). Only 14 wrestlers?!?!?!? Remember - Each of these guys are 'main-event' level guys (or will be close to that in the future). All of these guys need plenty of TV time. I think the WWE could achieve that with 14wrestlers in a 2 hour time slot! (editors note - 14 wrestlers is just a 'ball park figure'.....maybe they can add a few more....or drop some). So let's say.......the hottest feud in the WWE at the time is Triple H and Chris Benoit. They will then get 15 minutes of air time on Smackdown as well (to promote their feud). On Smackdown? You'd still have guys like RVD, Booker T, Shelton Benjamin, Christian, Dave Batista, Kane, and Matt Hardy. The fans will still want to see them! (combined with the Triple H/Benoit segment/promo). So let's say - the WWE wants to push a 'new' guy.....like Luther Reigns for instance. On Smackdown, the WWE can have Luther Reigns get into the 'longest' matches of the show. He can have decent matches with Benjamin, Christian, etc. in a span of a few weeks....and defeat them. He can do the same with Kane and Batista. He gets hyped bigtime on Smackdown. Two months later........John Bradshaw Layfield and Eugene appear on Smackdown (fans will consider them to be 'big named' since they were on Raw for the past few months). Subsequently........let's say Luther Reigns and another guy......(Kane?) now move up to Raw. Reigns, being "the new guy" on Raw, can use that momentum to score some convincing victories on Raw (and at PPV's). Meanwhile - guys like JBL and Eugene (who have just been sent to Smackdown), can help other guys 'get over'. As far as the ACTUAL Heat and Velocity is concerned, I'd get rid of them altogether. Show re-runs of the Attitude Era on those timeslots. No Heat, no velocity. You'd still have your dark matches however (for the loyal fans who actually arrive early to shows). House Shows - obviously, the line-up will be altered.....but every two months. The 'main-event' guys who are a part of the 'hottest feud' of the company (the ones who appear on both Raw and Smackdown)......only appear on Raw House Shows. In terms of marketing the House Shows, the WWE does not have to 'market' the fact that they'd be watching the "Smackdown" House Show. Just market it as WWE.