They cannot completely prevent injuries from happening to major stars (except for if they severely limit Nia Jax). They also cannot, as much as they would like to, control the crowd’s reaction to superstars.
Even though there are several factors out of their hands, there are things they could do to slightly improve the product or make current matches mean more. Here are six suggestions to do so.
#6: Limit the number of constant rematches between wrestlers on TV
There was a point in 2018 where it seemed Elias and Finn Balor wrestled on every Raw in one month. The same happened between Elias and Bobby Roode.
Balor and Corbin wrestled at two PPVs and almost every show between them. If WWE wants us to turn in to the shows on a weekly basis, they need to provide fresh matchups or at least present the same feud in a different light.
Have a backstage interview or vignette involving the two engaged in a feud. I’m not saying only have them face each other once or twice, I’m just proposing to switch it up.
Have them engage in a tag match or film battling promos. Part of the reason some fans have tuned out regarding Raw is the constant rehashing of the same match with the same two wrestlers.
#5: Stop relying on matches with too many roll-up finishes
Another suggestion along the same line is to stop relying on roll-ups leading to wins in matches. It’s a useful finish when a feud or match deems it necessary, but Raw or Smackdown often features at least two or three matches per episode that end with a roll up.Like the altering of matches/encounters in a potential feud, a show with the same finish in multiple matches is boring.
It’s also a little lazy to keep resorting to that finish. It should only really be used for an underdog to get a win on a favorite or a win to set up a potential title match.
It doesn’t need to happen three times in one episode of Raw or Smackdown. It should also only be used to make an overconfident heel look foolish once in a while. If WWE wants to improve the product in subtle ways, these are two easy remedies to some of the shows that have been stale in 2018.
#4: Give Finn Balor a midcard title run at the very least
This is probably something die-hard fans have clamored for. It’s apparent that Finn will likely not be given another run with either the WWE Championship or Universal Title in the near future.
Those in charge of WWE view Finn as too small and not believable as a threat to bigger wrestlers like Roman Reigns, Brock Lesnar and Braun Strowman. And while that might be true on the surface, look what embracing Daniel Bryan as champion did for the company.
It left fans with a good taste in their mouths and offered hope to other wrestlers who don’t necessarily fit the mold of ‘prototypical WWE Superstar’. Finn is clearly over with the crowd and is a reliable, dependable performer.
His match with AJ Styles at last year’s TLC PPV helped save that show after a number of superstars had to sit out due to an outbreak of viral meningitis. Giving Finn at least a run with the IC or US title will quiet down the portion of the crowd who has clamored for Balor to ‘get another shot in the main event’.
It would also provide the mid-card on either show with a guy who is going to bring it against whoever challenges him. I’m not saying Seth Rollins hasn’t already done this, but just that he’s obviously headed for bigger things down the line in 2019.
If they need another wrestler to help carry either show if a part-timer is the main champion, then Balor is more than capable of carrying the mid-card as a champion. This might happen more so when Triple H takes over even more control backstage, but when that happens is up in the air.
Balor’s message of acceptance for everyone is also something WWE could build upon for more positive publicity in the future. Giving women more chances is a good start towards progressing things and putting across a message similar to what Balor does will only help the WWE’s public image.
#3: Have the Andre Battle Royal winner get more than just a trophy
Winning a battle royal at Wrestlemania is great for whoever wins, but after they’re done carrying around the trophy for the few weeks after Wrestlemania, it’s pointless. Former winners Cesaro, the Big Show and Mojo Rawley didn’t get a big push or do anything notable after winning the battle royal.
Sure it’s a great way to get as many wrestlers onto the biggest PPV of the year, but not having a meaningful prize (at least in my eyes) doesn’t make people care about it as much as WWE may want us to.
The same can be said for this year’s women’s battle royal at Wrestlemania. Sure, Naomi won it, but it was more of a consolation prize rather than an opportunity earned because of her winning.
That’s what a win in either of those battle royals should be - a win leading to a future opportunity. Since the Royal Rumble matches lead to future main title shots at Wrestlemania, have the winner of either battle royal either get a future IC or US title shot for the men.
The women can have a spot in a future Triple Threat match or qualifying match for a title shot. And speaking of qualifying matches, how about giving the winner(s) an immediate slot in the Money in the Bank matches?
It would provide storylines up until the actual MITB PPV and could even have someone challenge the winners for their spots.
The main point is that while the battle royals are good for getting as many people on the card of Wrestlemania, the WWE hasn’t done itself any favors in getting fans invested in the winner.
If we are to treat it as a match worthy of our attention, a bigger reward than just a big trophy needs to be awarded to the winners.
#2:Once the MITB briefcase is cashed in, put it for grabs in the next PPV
I can understand why having this only once a year makes sense. It’s a great novelty PPV that offers hope to someone becoming champion in the near future or at least within a calendar year.
Once it’s cashed in or failed to be cashed in, however, it’s all but forgotten.
While the potential of a major championship for Strowman, Baron Corbin and Damien Sandow existed, it was disappointing when each man failed to take advantage of his briefcase win.
I also understand that every man/woman who wins the briefcase cannot always successfully cash in. But here’s the suggestion.
Once the briefcase is cashed in, whether it is successful or unsuccessful, put a briefcase up for grabs at the next PPV. Of course, this would be dependent upon the time of year and champions at the time.
But one thing is for certain - people care more about the MITB match and Royal Rumble match than almost every other novelty match. Potential world title shots give fans hope and someone to root for/against at each PPV.
Also, having another briefcase in play gives the WWE the chance to 1) call an audible if someone gets in hot water (see Corbin and Reigns drug test) and 2) book themselves out of what might turn into an unwinnable situation.
Seth Rollins cash-in at Wrestlemania 31 saved that main event and show from ending with thunderous boos. Having that audible in their back pocket gives them other options should things not pan out or appear to not end favorably.
If a wrestler gets a DUI and holds the title, you have that wrestler lose via a cash in. If he/she does something stupid backstage or makes moronic comments on social media or in public, use the briefcase. Of course, I’m not saying this is the solution to any and all problems that booking might present. The MITB match is one of the most anticipated matches of the year, so much so that it was given its own PPV.
They could obviously limit it to two matches a year and only do so sparingly. But doing so would keep everyone on their toes rather than having the foregone conclusion of a match between Brock Lesnar and Roman Reigns.
This is what Lucha Underground does with its Gift of the Gods Championship and its a great device in match-making and storytelling. You cannot truly celebrate the win if someone has an immediate title shot of their choosing whenever they want.
Just ask Pentagon Jr. about Season 4 of Lucha Underground. He’ll tell you some tales amidst saying ‘Cero Miedo’ a bunch of times.
#1: Introduce Women’s Tag Team titles
This has been alluded to several times in the past year or two and was even mentioned by Bayley and Sasha Banks on last week’s Raw. It could have been foreshadowing or it could have just been wishful thinking.
But one thing is for certain - the women of WWE need a secondary title to chase if they aren’t in the championship picture. It also gives the wrestler’s who won’t likely win the major women’s titles something to shoot for.
Is Tamina ever really going to be considered a threat as the champion of Raw or Smackdown Probably not. But as a threat as a tag team champion, she could be feared.
It was rumored that WWE would be introducing these titles at Evolution, but nothing came of it. It seemed counterintuitive to the storytelling that had been used.
Naomi and Asuka had become ‘friends’ and a team. Same with Becky and Sasha. WWE also had built in teams like the Riott Squad, the IIconics and Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville.
And of course, Lita and Trish Stratus represented the ‘old guard’ of the previous generation at Evolution. The men have always had a secondary title and tag team titles that they could chase. And while it’s understandable because there have traditionally been more men wrestlers than female wrestlers, its apparent that the times have changed a great deal.
The women have been competing at a much higher level lately and some (Becky Lynch) have even reached near top-level status in WWE regardless of gender. It would also give the top stars of each brand something to shoot for after they depart the title scene. Becky and Charlotte could have used that as another step in their friendship and later bitter feud.
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