Smackdown began its life as what was essentially The Rock's show and it didn't matter what stars were on it because there was always good stories. I mean there was big stars every week. Austin , Rock, HHH, Big Show, Undertaker, Mankind and in later years we got Angle, Lesnar, Edge, Eddie and Cena. So at what point did WWE decide, "MMMM FUCK IT LETS BRUSH THIS SHOW TO ONE SIDE!"?
This article is going to look at what I would do to make Smackdown better again. What I would do to help improve the show and make it better than it currently is.
Step 1 - Make it live
Plain and simple really. Make the show live. Smackdown could thrive if it was live programming just for the fact that they wouldn't have to worry about all the post production nonsense. The show would no doubt bring in a lot more viewers as this would mean that there was almost 100% less chance for spoilers to be posted online. Smackdown could literally be a good live show with just the same amount of interest as RAW if there wasn't so many opportunities for spoilers. A live crowd (gonna cover this in a second) with live action with live entertainment is exactly what RAW gets so why not treat your other show with the same respect?
Step 2 - Stop piping in crowd noises
For those of you who aren't aware, WWE pipes in crowd noises on smackdown. If you aren't aware you are either new to the product or deaf because its clearly obvious. Things such as booing superstars and Feed Me More chants have been piped in in order to make the show and select stars look better. Wanna now how to stop this? PUT ON INTERESTING MATCHES. Smackdown often has matches that are very well put on, however they aren't always from people you would expect. Put some bigger stars in some top matches that run more than 6 minutes at a time. The crowd should be organic. The only people you are fooling is yourselves WWE.
Step 3 - Use Bigger Names to Help Promote
WWE need to start putting bigger names on the shows. For a while we got Bryan and The Shield. That's cool. But lets just point out the elephant in the room shall we. They aren't Cena. WWE's target audience is kids. FACT. John Cena is most kids favourite wrestler. FACT. So why not use Cena on the show? Even if its once a month? Maybe even take him off RAW once a month and just have him appear on Smackdown. Sometimes less is more. Another point that can be made from this is the fact bigger names help establish smaller stars. WWE could be using guys to promote certain superstars. This is something I have suggested they do with NXT as well. Use cross show story lines. I realise its no longer the brand split but they can still run it in the same way.
Step 4 - Make Smackdown About Smackdown
Smackdown, or as I like to call it "The RAW Rewind theatre" has been used as a platform to remind viewers of what happened on RAW. That's fine. Have your commentators remind people what happened. Show a 20 second video. But DO NOT USE IT TO SHOW SEGMENTS FROM RAW! How stupid can you be? I mean if I wanted to watch RAW re-runs id tape the show. Smackdown should be primarily about Smackdown. The show should focus on the stars and the action involved not to show bits of RAW that WWE need re-enforced in storylines This is also because wwe treat fans like they have memories like sieves.
Step 5 - The Staging
I understand that because Smackdown is taped the night after RAW but does that mean we can't change the ring ropes? Does that mean we couldn't have a slightly different entrance way? I miss when WWE had the big fist stage or even the original Smackdown arch ways. The different stage gave it a different dynamic to RAW. Even the lighting had a different feel to it. Its simple but it can change everything. Sometimes a different commentary team can be refreshing as well. Put Regal and Cole on RAW and then put JBL and Cole on Smackdown. Lawler? Go Home.
Step 6 - Titles
Im not saying brand split. Im really not but putting the US title specifically on Smackdown couldn't hurt the title surely? It could bring in a chance to let new stars try for the belt and even give it more TV time. This would leave space for the IC title on RAW that the upper mid-card/lower main event card can challenge for.
While some of these things might actually seem quite trivial its amazing to think that wwe still treats Smackdown like a wasted show. I feel Main Event often gets more promotion than Smackdown does. The B Show used to be great and now its a watered down version of itself. This leads me to my last points but possibly my most controversial points.
Step 7 - Put It Back On Tuesday Nights
Friday Night Smackdown has a ring to it. It just works. However, Tuesday night is currently a better time for WWE to show it. The week is monopolised by wrestling. Monday is RAW, Wednesday is Main Event, Thursday is NXT and Impact and Friday is Smackdown. So why not put Smackdown LIVE on Tuesday and then put a re-run of RAW on the network? More viewers for both shows.
Step 8 - TV14
Yep I said it. Smackdown could be the adult wrestling show. It could be the edgy product. Smackdown could literally be the hard hitting, foul mouthed blast to the past that most internet fans complain about missing. Think about it, the edgier show will bring in more, older viewers who may have moved away from the product since the TV-PG change. Hell if needs be put the show on later. 9-11pm. This could result in more personalised moments in feuds and could even feature, wait for it, BAD LANGUAGE!?! I know its a mad idea right? The language could be censored on RAW if they decide to show a clip from smackdown and chair shots (as usual) could be edited so we don't see the contact on the re-run.
So you tell me, what do you think. Is it possible to make Smackdown more than a "B" show? Let me know your thoughts by leaving a comment or on twitter.
Twitter - @LevellerLOW
Twitter - @LevellerLOW
Thanks for reading.
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