RE: What Would You Do?
You reminded me of a post I had been writing a couple months ago. It was about changes I'd make in WWE, as your question asks, and was just about finished with it when my computer froze. I was too pissed to go write it up again, but now I think I'll try it again. I'll put down some basic things now, and perhaps add to it later...
First off, I don't think the brand extension is a horrible disaster. I partially buy into the fact that the ratings would take a hit at first, in order for the brands to develop their own appeal. However, with the unsatisfactory job WWE Creative, including Vince McMahon, are doing, I doubt many people support the brand extension anymore. I still think it could be done, though, if it's "nursed" off of life support. So, if I were to be a booker in WWE, here are a few things I would do. Keep in mind, they are in no particular order.
The Triple Cripple issue must be acknowledged.
Before the writing team can put their heads together, and start making some moves, they need to get their heads out of some @$$es. It's no secret that Triple H has power of some sort backstage. It's a fact he has attended production meetings in the past (although he stopped before winning the Undisputed Title.."coincidentally"), and is not looked upon so highly by the rest of the Raw locker room as some may think. Ever since he returned from the torn quad at Royal Rumble, he hasn't been the same wrestler. In 2000, he was "the man," and I'll tell you I thought he was the top man at the time. But I soured to this by 2001, after all the camera time and exposure he got. Much like The Rock, Triple H got overexposed. But unlike Rock, Triple H couldn't find a way to keep entertaining, because in the ring he was largely carried by his opponent. Guys like Angle, Jericho, Austin, and even Rock (i.e. - Judgment Day Iron Man Match).
It's gotten to the point where Triple H needed Ric Flair to help draw heat for himself. If you noticed, for a time Flair wasn't allowed to say "Woo!" because it actually took heat away from Triple H. Any heat Triple H got was "go away" heat, in my opinion. He's not a top man anymore. Guys like Angle, Lesnar, Benoit, Jericho, Booker T, Rob Van Dam, and dare I say...Edge...can all wrestle circles around him. Aside from that, Triple H has beaten just about everyone on the Raw roster. And in the cases of Rob Van Dam, Chris Jericho, Kane, Scott Steiner, and most recently Booker T, Triple H has buried them. Notice how Steiner, the man who was supposed to draw big money for WWE, was so quickly pushed down? And notice how he was gunning for Triple H? And notice how people were so quick to place blame on Steiner, not Triple H, for the poor feuds? Steiner draws, but Triple H doesn't. Why? Because he wants to do necrophilia angles which, by the way, he was only one of a few in favor of doing. Yet Kane quickly took the on-camera hit for that angle, since he got de-pushed to the midcard, whereas Triple H remained at the top. Notice a pattern yet?
Triple H would much rather have feuds with guys that aren't a threat to his spot.. like Shawn Michaels and Kevin Nash. You know the only one who's beaten Triple H for the Raw Title so far, is HBK? And he then put over Triple H only a month afterward! What kind of business move is that? You could have given it to RVD, Jericho, or Kane at Survivor Series in the Elimination match; three guys who were more than ready to get the belt at the time, and certainly could have used it more than HBK or Triple H. It just doesn't make sense, unless it's that Triple H was protecting himself by giving the belt to his friend for a month, so he could say he dropped it at one time. Now with Nash, it's the same thing.
What I hope WWE does: Let's see if Goldberg can break through this trend, at SummerSlam, and win (CLEAN!! PLEASE!!) over Triple H.
What I would do: I don't know if Goldberg is the best choice for this, but the only other option would be Booker T, who is competing for the IC Title now, suddenly. If Goldberg gets it, I'd feud him with Jericho then, not in June like they're seemingly going to.
To be fair, there are other people who I think have too much stroke. The Undertaker, for all the time he's been around, can sometimes have a bit too much control. One instance is this clause he had in one of his contracts, where he couldn't be PINNED! What the hell kind of clause is that? And why WWE would agree to it, I don't know. His feud with Lesnar last Fall is also a good example. He didn't want Lesnar to pin him in their first match, so he got it to be changed to a draw. This would only delay Lesnar from pinning him for a month anyway, so it was a pretty dumb move by WWE, with Undertaker engineering it. However, at least Taker is helping Jones and feuding with the young blood, like Cena, and newer WWE additions like the FBI (well, Palumbo aside).
Okay, so that aside, let's get down to more positive things:
Shift talent.
Seeing as the Cliq is stuffed on Raw, and taking up the Main Event spot, I don't know that there's much that can be done for the younger guys there, IC Title or not. So what I'd do is take Booker T, RVD, and Jericho, and move them to Smackdown. Sticking them on the primarily wrestling-focused brand -- or the more wrestling-focused brand -- would allow WWE to further utilize their skills. Their charisma would only help to support why they should be Main Eventing on Smackdown, where guys like Angle (the BEST in the industry right now), Benoit, Rhyno, and Lesnar will shine with them in feuds. As for Kane? He's going to have to just rough it on Raw, because I feel he belongs there more. Also, I would want to keep him and Undertaker on separate brands. They could have an amazing feud, but I'd save it for Undertaker's last feud, which is who knows when. A big guy like Kane should be in the Main Event on either brand, though, because he isn't just some stiff. He's got what it takes to make it, all he needs is the proper angle.
Additionally, I'd have Sting come in on Raw. He knows a bunch of those guys well, and would fit right in with them. He can hang with any politics that surface, and hell, a (face) Sting and (heel) Rock feud could be better than Rock-Goldberg. Oh, and speaking of the Rock, he should forever be a heel. He's too good as a heel, and there aren't enough people who can last as a heel like he can. But no more concert b.s., cuz that only seems to hurt his heat overall.
Some individual notes...
Triple H - I can't stand him as a face. He's heel4life as well, and not so prominent. Get the strap on someone who can keep up in the ring with younger guys, carry himself (without being accompanied) if need be, and be selfless enough to put over ANYONE..and by "put over" I mean lose to them, and sell. Not oversell, not undersell.. just sell!
Austin - Can be face or heel. I would keep him in a non-wrestling role, not just for the obvious physical ailments, but because he would be similar to Triple H in workrate. He's just over the hill, mostly due to injuries. He's still got more charisma than just about anyone, though. In fact, I'd even go as far as getting rid of Bischoff, and having Austin there as sole GM. He can have runs as a face and heel, depending on what's going on. Though I wouldn't have him heavily involved in storylines either. The wrestler vs. promoter thing is definitely getting stale, if it isn't past stale already.
Ric Flair = Not sure what to do with him. He could be valuable out of the ring, without having to get in the ring and wrestle. But perhaps once in a while, he could wrestle. Make it mean something when he does.
The Rock - when available, he's the best heel they'll probably have for a while. Use him to put over younger talent, and get some wins too against the vets. He's invaluable, because even if he jobs to younger guys, everyone knows Rock is forever solidified as a credible player in the ring. And he still has the drawing power, provided he's in the right spot.
Other ideas - Raw
A DX reformation might be good, short term, but I wouldn't do it because I think it's run its course. Same applies for the nWo. I would focus on building the IC Title up to an extremely credible position, and definitely let the up-and-comers draw confidence and character development from it. Give the IC Champ a World Title shot from time to time, on a PPV. It makes things interesting, especially if the IC Champ were to win some of the time, and become World Champion, which frees the IC belt up for another person and establishes the new World Champion as a guy who has "made it" thanks (in part) to the IC strap.
Direction for Smackdown
Smackdown should have a similar belt, even though the Cruiserweight Title is already there. I think it's less important on Smackdown, due to more developing talent being here, but is still beneficial. It gives those who are not quite ready for the WWE Title something to compete for, if they don't make the requirement for competing in the Cruiserweight division. Anyone who is in the Cruiserweight division should be able to ascend to the WWE Title circle without having to go through the other secondary title, though, because for these guys, the Cruiserweight Title would be that secondary title. So you'd have to build up both secondary titles on Smackdown, maybe even make the Cruiserweight belt a bit more on level with the WWE Title, given the fact that there are some guys who will only be in that division. Also, gotta make sure to keep the number in the Cruiserweight division stable. If one guy (i.e. - Matt Hardy) moves up to the WWE Title division, he should be replaced by someone, preferrably from Japan, or the indies. Never hurts to bring in fresh, quality talent.
I would not have given Lesnar a second title reign so soon. But since he has it, I would take the belt off of him around October, maybe stretch it to Survivor Series, since that's a major PPV. He needs more seasoning, in terms of mic work and developing his persona, before he is given the strap again. I'd put it on Angle, let him have it for a few months, then give it to Benoit after another classic feud between those two. If Lesnar dropped it to Angle at Survivor Series, this would put the start of Benoit's reign at WrestleMania. Then let him run with it, because he deserves the shot to be the top guy. He's right up there with Angle, in terms of wrestling ability, but falls short to Angle in charisma. Angle's just freakishly talented, possessing all the tools to succeed.
I'd get the Cruiserweight Title on Mysterio, once Matt Hardy has had a good length reign. September seems like a good time to switch it up. Then let Mysterio run with it.
Women's Division
I'd have Nidia moved to Raw, to get her involved in the Women's division. I'd possibly move Sable, but not immediately. I also think Stacy Kiebler should go to Smackdown, and Test along with her. He's another young guy that could benefit more from being on Smackdown, even if he isn't the most talented.
Better establish the alignments of the ladies. Who is heel and who is face? There seem to be a bunch of 'tweeners, and that doesn't work for me. I'd set it as:
Faces
Trish Stratus
Jacqueline
Ivory
Lita (when she returns)
Jackie Gayda (when she makes it)
Heels
Jazz
Victoria
Molly (WHY is she in OVW??)
Nidia
Linda Miles (once she makes it)
Ivory and Nidia/Molly could be 'tweeners, if there were any.
Breaking down the division this way, I would have Ivory hold the belt, as she draws well and has the charisma and in-ring skills. When Lita returns, Jazz should win the belt off of Ivory. Jazz would go on to good success, lasting a few months, until Lita was re-established as a strong competitor. Then have Lita win the Women's Title off of Jazz. It doesn't need to be rushed; just build both of them up separately, and then have them build each other up more.
That's how I see things for now. I'd also cut down on the workdays, because the intensity of the schedule can play a part in the number of injuries. Also, there should be better build up to the match. Less matches involving the wrestlers who are directly feuding (i.e. - tag matches), as that should be saved for the PPV more often. Additionally, let's see less Clotheslines and Irish Whips, and more holds and actual wrestling! It works just fine in Japan, and it's actually more inventive and can lead to a better story to be told in the ring. Bigger payoff, in my opinion, and a better way to produce bigger ratings.
By the way, if anyone would want to try "running" a real-life promotion, you should check out the EWR simulator. It's a pretty good sim, and they have a good deal of talent in it, also; independents and WWE. It's late and I'm too lazy to go find the direct like, so just go to google and type in "EW Revenge," and the link should come up. I know, I'm a lazy bastard..but I did take the time to write this up!
