DISCUSSION - What can Smackdown do in order to "keep pace" with Raw?

**Heyman** · 12-30-2003, 12:59 AM

DISCUSSION - What can Smackdown do in order to "keep pace" with Raw?

I'll keep this post short and sweet.

As most of us can conclude, Raw is slowly starting to distance itself from Smackdown in terms of fan interest, star power, etc. With stars such as Foley, HBK, Austin, The Rock, Goldberg, Flair, etc. ALL being on Raw, it's pretty clear that Raw has far more 'big names'.

With guys like friggin Hardcore Holly main-eventing on Smackdown right now, it's safe to say that Smackdown is lacking in depth right now.

If YOU were in charge of WWE operations, what would YOU do to maintain parity between Raw and Smackdown?

a)Would you make a concentrated effort to build new stars on Smackdown? (in hopes that one day........in the distant future.......the fans will embrace these new guys).

b)Would you have certain Raw superstars defect to Smackdown to 'even things up?'

c)Would you keep things 'as is' since guys like Edge, Taker, and Angle will be returning within the next half year anyways.

What would YOU do?

**Mr. JL** · 12-30-2003, 01:13 AM

I believe they should leave the Smack Down Roster sit right now. Just keep building Cena, Benoit & Guerrero up. Hell push Holly and see what he can do, people are all assuming that his feud with Brock will be a catastrophe. You know as soon as the feud is done and if the fans aren't impressed, that he'll be thrown down to Velocity. But now the WWE should take some chances with Smack Down because who knows, maybe Holly can find his niche and become a likeable mid carder.

Smack Down Roster in 2004 Looks Good!
Brock Lesnar
Kurt Angle
Undertaker
Big Show
John Cena
Chris Benoit
Edge
Eddie Guerrero

**Heyman** · 12-30-2003, 01:19 AM

Potential Raw spoiler ahead...........read with caution

Personally, I would have liked to have seen Steve Austin head to Smackdown. I was hoping that the board of directors would have said something to the extent of "since Austin lost at SS, he can no longer be on Raw........however, he can head to Smackdown".

Austin, who is a 'big name', would've given Smackdown some much needed star power.

Based on what happened in Baghdad, Austin seemed to be developing a program with Cena (since he stunned him).

It would've been interesting to see some more conflict between Austin and Cena in the following weeks (add to the fact that both Cena and Austin are faces, it would've made the fans think a little).

Since Austin is a face and Lesnar is a heel, perhaps a confrontation between those guys would've been of interest.

**moshingfreak** · 12-30-2003, 02:42 AM

I reckon smackdown are doing a lot of short sharp matches, which allows them to have more matches and promo time. It almost seems that every match is a squash or finished by DQ. That annoys me. So I say they should stick to wrestling basics. RAW also has a lot more experience with guys like Rock, Stone Cold, HHH, Dudleys, Booker etc and not as many new guys. In Smackdown, they only really have Taker, Benoit, and Guerrero, and have a lot more new guys. The new guys probably dont know how to handle the pressures as much as the RAW roster.

So, in conclusion, I think some of the more experienced superstars should be traded from RAW to Smackdown

**Heyman** · 12-30-2003, 03:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moshingwrestlingfreak

So, in conclusion, I think some of the more experienced superstars should be traded from RAW to Smackdown

Think about this.

-Goldberg's contract is up in real life (this can be translated to storylines).

-Smackdown needs star power right now.

-The fans would collectively get an erection of the pans (or a widening of the vagina) upon seeing or even dreaming about a Brock Lesnar vs. Bill Goldberg confrontation/feud.

Smackdown also has more jobbers and 'less established' wrestlers than Raw does. Therefore - the WWE can freely push Goldberg like he was in WCW. Goldberg can be built up PROPERLY, and can then have a title match against Brock Lesnar at Wrestlemania.

Meanwhile - Raw also benefits. With Goldberg gone, it allows for guys like RVD and Jericho to emerge as top faces one day. I'm also guessing that a lot of potential friction will be wiped out with Goldberg's departure (TRiple H came down on Goldberg pretty hard at a recent meeting apparently).

With Triple H and HBK playing a part in booking RAW right now, things could get worse between Triple H and Goldberg when Goldberg comes back.

12-30-2003, 11:15 AM

I say let see what they do because from what i herad sting brother is coming to WWE And there now thinking of getting sting

**The CyNick** · 12-30-2003, 01:14 PM

I dont think Jericho and RVD will ever gety a shot at the top regardless of who leaves RAW.

I agree that the WWE has unbalanced the two shows with Rock, Foley and now Austin all on RAW for consecutive weeks. And at the same time nothing of similar value happened on SD.

However, there hasn't been any proof of ratings increases on RAW due to the appearance of Foley and Rock (we'll se how Austin's returned fared). So really SD is stil ahead in terms of actual viewers, and RAW still continues to pull in a better number in terms of percentage of people who have access to either show.

SD will get a boost with Angle coming back very soon, and in time Taker as well, so maybe everything will even out. And Ive said in another post, I like the idea of Goldberg jumping to SD, so that would also help to even things out.

However, guys like Foley, Rock, Goldberg, and even Austin will not be on the road every week, and thus wont have a real impact on the overall success of their brand. In the end its going to come down to how they push the full time guys. IMO, SD is far superior when it comes to guys who will be on the road week in and week out. They have Angle, Lesnar, Eddie, Cena, Benoit, Taker and Edge who outweigh HHH, Kane, BT, RVD, Jerihco, Orton and HBK (who is a part timer). I mean you could argue one way or the other on which brand has the better workers, but nobody in their right mind could argue SD is far behind. Like I said I would rank the SD as being better.

So yeah right now RAW looks like the place to be (in terms of star power), but thats just until Mania when most of these guys either wont be around, or wont be in a wrestling role, and thus of little or no value. If the SD roster can stay healthy I think they will seem more dominant after Mania.

12-31-2003, 10:20 AM

EASY TO MAKE SMACKDOWN BETTER LESS CW MORE HW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

**moshingfreak** · 12-31-2003, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sexymanalive

EASY TO MAKE SMACKDOWN BETTER LESS CW MORE HW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I dont think we need more HW on Smackdown. They really should bring in more flyers if they want to keep the cruiserweight title going, otherwise, they should just ditch it. However, I for one would miss it.

**Head** · 12-31-2003, 03:34 PM

Yeah, Goldberg going to Smackdown seems like a good idea to me. True he doesn't match up in terms of wrestling ability the the top guys on Smackdown, but he is a really big name with a lot of drawing power, that would help put Smackdown on the map more, so its probably worth it.

**MVP** · 12-31-2003, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Head

Yeah, Goldberg going to Smackdown seems like a good idea to me. True he doesn't match up in terms of wrestling ability the the top guys on Smackdown, but he is a really big name with a lot of drawing power, that would help put Smackdown on the map more, so its probably worth it.

I don't like the idea of Goldberg on SD! because he'd emerge as the top face. Right now Cena and Benoit are the top faces, and I'd really hate to see that sell out steal their thunder. Even though Angle, Taker, and Edge are due back this coming year I still think Goldberg would be overpushed again, and the better talent would falter.

12-30-2003, 12:59 AM	#1
Heyman Father of Hinduship Posts: 21,083	DISCUSSION - What can Smackdown do in order to "keep pace" with Raw? DISCUSSION - What can Smackdown do in order to "keep pace" with Raw? I'll keep this post short and sweet. As most of us can conclude, Raw is slowly starting to distance itself from Smackdown in terms of fan interest, star power, etc. With stars such as Foley, HBK, Austin, The Rock, Goldberg, Flair, etc. ALL being on Raw, it's pretty clear that Raw has far more 'big names'. With guys like friggin Hardcore Holly main-eventing on Smackdown right now, it's safe to say that Smackdown is lacking in depth right now. If YOU were in charge of WWE operations, what would YOU do to maintain parity between Raw and Smackdown? a)Would you make a concentrated effort to build new stars on Smackdown? (in hopes that one day........in the distant future.......the fans will embrace these new guys). b)Would you have certain Raw superstars defect to Smackdown to 'even things up?' c)Would you keep things 'as is' since guys like Edge, Taker, and Angle will be returning within the next half year anyways. What would YOU do?

12-30-2003, 01:19 AM	#3
Heyman Father of Hinduship Posts: 21,083	Raw Spoiler........... Potential Raw spoiler ahead...........read with caution Personally, I would have liked to have seen Steve Austin head to Smackdown. I was hoping that the board of directors would have said something to the extent of "since Austin lost at SS, he can no longer be on Raw........however, he can head to Smackdown". Austin, who is a 'big name', would've given Smackdown some much needed star power. Based on what happened in Baghdad, Austin seemed to be developing a program with Cena (since he stunned him). It would've been interesting to see some more conflict between Austin and Cena in the following weeks (add to the fact that both Cena and Austin are faces, it would've made the fans think a little). Since Austin is a face and Lesnar is a heel, perhaps a confrontation between those guys would've been of interest.

12-30-2003, 01:13 AM	#2
Mr. JL Posts: 4,834	I believe they should leave the Smack Down Roster sit right now. Just keep building Cena, Benoit & Guerrero up. Hell push Holly and see what he can do, people are all assuming that his feud with Brock will be a catastrophe. You know as soon as the feud is done and if the fans aren't impressed, that he'll be thrown down to Velocity. But now the WWE should take some chances with Smack Down because who knows, maybe Holly can find his niche and become a likeable mid carder. Smack Down Roster in 2004 Looks Good! Brock Lesnar Kurt Angle Undertaker Big Show John Cena Chris Benoit Edge Eddie Guerrero

12-30-2003, 02:42 AM	#4
moshingfreak Ben E. Hana Posts: 710	I reckon smackdown are doing a lot of short sharp matches, which allows them to have more matches and promo time. It almost seems that every match is a squash or finished by DQ. That annoys me. So I say they should stick to wrestling basics. RAW also has a lot more experience with guys like Rock, Stone Cold, HHH, Dudleys, Booker etc and not as many new guys. In Smackdown, they only really have Taker, Benoit, and Guerrero, and have a lot more new guys. The new guys probably dont know how to handle the pressures as much as the RAW roster. So, in conclusion, I think some of the more experienced superstars should be traded from RAW to Smackdown

12-30-2003, 11:15 AM	#6
sexymanalive Guest Posts: n/a	I say let see what they do because from what i herad sting brother is coming to WWE And there now thinking of getting sting

12-30-2003, 01:14 PM	#7
The CyNick Make the IWC Great Again Posts: 8,922	I dont think Jericho and RVD will ever gety a shot at the top regardless of who leaves RAW. I agree that the WWE has unbalanced the two shows with Rock, Foley and now Austin all on RAW for consecutive weeks. And at the same time nothing of similar value happened on SD. However, there hasn't been any proof of ratings increases on RAW due to the appearance of Foley and Rock (we'll se how Austin's returned fared). So really SD is stil ahead in terms of actual viewers, and RAW still continues to pull in a better number in terms of percentage of people who have access to either show. SD will get a boost with Angle coming back very soon, and in time Taker as well, so maybe everything will even out. And Ive said in another post, I like the idea of Goldberg jumping to SD, so that would also help to even things out. However, guys like Foley, Rock, Goldberg, and even Austin will not be on the road every week, and thus wont have a real impact on the overall success of their brand. In the end its going to come down to how they push the full time guys. IMO, SD is far superior when it comes to guys who will be on the road week in and week out. They have Angle, Lesnar, Eddie, Cena, Benoit, Taker and Edge who outweigh HHH, Kane, BT, RVD, Jerihco, Orton and HBK (who is a part timer). I mean you could argue one way or the other on which brand has the better workers, but nobody in their right mind could argue SD is far behind. Like I said I would rank the SD as being better. So yeah right now RAW looks like the place to be (in terms of star power), but thats just until Mania when most of these guys either wont be around, or wont be in a wrestling role, and thus of little or no value. If the SD roster can stay healthy I think they will seem more dominant after Mania.

12-31-2003, 10:20 AM	#8
sexymanalive Guest Posts: n/a	EASY TO MAKE SMACKDOWN BETTER LESS CW MORE HW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

12-31-2003, 03:34 PM	#10
Head Shocker Posts: 3,124	Yeah, Goldberg going to Smackdown seems like a good idea to me. True he doesn't match up in terms of wrestling ability the the top guys on Smackdown, but he is a really big name with a lot of drawing power, that would help put Smackdown on the map more, so its probably worth it.