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GUEST EDITORIAL
By Anthony Catalano, PWTorch.com reader
Can we honestly say that we were shocked to learn that the WWE has been posting its lowest ratings since forever? I, for one am not surprised. As a longtime fan, as most of you reading this article are, I am beyond disappointed in the current product the WWE dishes out to us week after week. What keeps us coming back is that slight hope, that tiny chance that things will be better, that Vinny Mac will see the light and give the wrestling fans what they really want. I mean is it really that hard. There are ten year olds out there who can write a better storyline than some of the guys Vince is currently paying. Mind you, I am sure its not easy with backstage politics, a gruesome road schedule, and the recent suspensions to various superstars due to steroids. A string of injuries to some of the major players can also be used as an excuse as to why the product has not skyrocketed in a while. However, what I cannot tolerate, is the constant burial of talent, and the lack of depth in each division or title that the WWE has to offer.
In the 1980s, too many wrestlers were built up as superstars and given pushes; however, they had no talent. Today, too many wrestlers with talent are given no pushes. Two sets of tag team titles with no legitimate tag teams to challenge for them. A Cruiserweight Title with no cruiserweights to challenge for it. I mean a vertically challenged Hornswoggle was given the title. This is ridiculous. While last night's X Division Title match between Jay Lethal and Christopher Daniels practically stole the show, the WWE gives us nothing of the sort. How hard is it to have maybe eight or ten of the best cruiserweights in the world battle it out for the title? I mean, it can't be that hard. Plus it would give fans something to cheer for at house shows.
I mean, now that the title is vacant the creative staff can have a look at really expanding that division. A 16-man tournament with no gimmicks needed, no interference. A pure wrestling tournament for the Cruiserweight Title is greatly needed and would be greatly appreciated by the fans. WWE has a decent base. Jimmy Yang. Shannon Moore. Super Crazzy. Shane Helms once back from injury. Matt Sydal sitting in the minor leagues. Nunzio or Little Guido. That is six guys who can easily have the match of the night against each other. Bring in another four or five guys to round out the division. Another Mexican wrestler, maybe some Japanese talent. Two or three big names from the indy scenes. Plus you still have Davari and Funaki to fill out the list and the ever dependable Chavo Guerrero and Rey Mysterio to put some of the new guys over. Listen, WCW got the cruiserweight division over. And that was WCW. With everything that has been going on with the steroid scandal, it would not hurt to give some of the little guys a shot at some exposure.
Then there is the tag team division - a divisision that has seen all its teams practically beaten by Triple H. I mean, the Smackdown champs lost this week to Undertaker & Kane. Cade & Murdoch got beaten by Triple H. Triple H beat up both Kendrick & London in the middle of the ring and didn't break a sweat. I say, unify the titles, have the titles defended on either show. Not every Raw and every Smackdown, but at least have the tag teams jump from one show to the other. Simple enough right?? Not for the WWE creative. Let us have a look at this division. Cade & Murdoch. London & Kendrick. Highlanders. Deuce & Domino. The Daltons. There is a pretty good team in Ohio Valley of Steve Lewington & Chet the Jet that should be brought up shortly. The Hardys can be put together for some matches, or you can join up some underitilized talent to form a new team. There was talk of putting Hardcore Holly & Cody Rhodes together. Now I know it might not be the best the tag team scene that has ever been, but putting all these groups together gives us fresh matches, new faces, and maybe an actual tag team storyline. Having Cade & Murdoch show up on Smackdown would be different. Or Matt Hardy on Raw. Either way, it is a simple idea that can help strengthen your undercard. Very simple idea. Something I, as well as many wrestling fans, would love to see.
This brings me to my last point. The Main Eventers. What the UFC has done so well, and it is the reason I believe that it continues to gain momentum in the sports entertainment industry, is that the UFC showcases all its talent as stars. Win or lose, the UFC puts over every one of their fighters. Every match is something big, every star is someone who should be taken seriously, every PPV is something you should buy. WWE is the opposite. Having the Great Khali, or Mark Henry, or Triple H come out to destroy one of their stars does nothing in the long run for the company. We know how big and strong Khali is. He doesnt have to beat Jeff Hardy in 3.6 seconds to get himself more over. All it does is devalue Jeff Hardy as the IC Champion. Big Daddy V. Yes he has been with the company for a long time. However, what good is he for ECW when he has beaten all the talent?
We know Triple H is the man. Yes, Triple H is the greatest wrestler of all time. But it's time to build new stars, new main eventers. In Ecw there is... C.M. Punk. That's it. Maybe Elijah Burke with some future potential. On Smackdown we have Batista, Edge, Undertaker, and Khali. Khali stinks, so he doesn't count. Mysterio can't beat any of the big guys. And on Raw we now Orton, Triple H, Cena, and Shawn Michaels. Three shows. Ten main eventers. Two of whom are injured. WWE needs to build from within. It needs more major players. We need new faces in the main event. New faces on PPV. Have more inter-promotional matches.
What WWE needs to do is to find ways to build up all of its stars. Give everyone a good push, or a rub, so the matches mean something. Val Venis, Steven Richards, Carlito, Kenny Dykstra. All underused talent. I want to be able to watch a match and not know who is going to win. WWE needs to bring back the unpredictability factor to its show, in the sense that you never know what can happen, or you never know who is going to show up on Raw or SD. Have some guys return like Jericho, RVD, Big Show, or debut a new stable. Give Randy Orton a bodyguard, or have Carlito start his own group. Either way, a change is needed.
I believe with these three simple ideas, WWE can slowly bring itself back to the good old days when wrestling was at its peak. With TNA expanding to two hours, ROH getting on the PPV market, and the UFC thriving in the business, it makes sense for the WWE to begin to alter some of its habits and maybe give in to the fans for a change. The next PPV is Cyber Sunday, an interactive PPV that gives fans the choice to determine matches. Well Vince, how bout listening to the fans for a while, instead of stroking your ego? I mean it only makes sense seeing as we are the ones you are making yor billions off of.
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