Ever since rival promotions WCW and ECW folded in 2001, WWE has not had much competition. Okay, they have TNA Wrestling, but the company is nowhere near the threat WCW once was to WWE (at least not at this time).
So, WWE combated this lack of diversity in the industry by creating the brand split in 2002.
The split created two different brands in Raw and Smackdown. Think of it as the American and National Leagues in baseball. Both similar, but vary at times. Some people love the AL, some love the NL. Same with Raw and Smackdown. Some prefer the bigger stars and greater set of occurrences on Raw, while others favor Smackdown's more in-ring approach.
Entertainment and wrestling do go hand in hand. Hell, it's sports entertainment! However, there comes a time when a product starts to feel a tad bit stale, dry, and everything else in between.
That is the case with the Raw brand (featured on Monday nights for you non-wrestling fans). As wrestling fans know, Raw is WWE's flagship program, also known as the number one show on cable and longest running episodic periodic television show, along with God's gift to green earth according to commentator Michael Cole (he reminds us about 50 times a week).
That means the Raw brand is not only featured prominently more often than not compared to Smackdown and ECW (WWE's “third brand” since 2006 for you newbies), but gets first dibs on all the big stars. I mean look at the roster. You've got Triple H, John Cena, Batista, Randy Orton, and Big Show. That's a lot of star power. Yet, after awhile, fans get tired of seeing the same old stuff.
Yes, WWE has slowly integrated Matt Hardy, The Miz, and United States Champion MVP into the upper-midcard and main event mix. The problem is that Raw is in need of change in a drastic way. The brand needs something that will give them a stiff kick in the manhood and catch fans by surprise in conjunction with making them compelled to watch.
Perhaps, the loss of Shawn Michaels to a much-needed hiatus is the reason I feel like I'm watching the same feuds over and over. Wait, no, I AM watching the same feuds over and over!
Now let us compare Raw, which has had Randy Orton, Batista, Cody Rhodes, John Cena, Big Show, and Ted Dibiase in the main event in some combination of the six aforementioned to Smackdown. Sure, Smackdown has Jeff Hardy and Edge feuding with each other yet again.
The difference is that they, along with most of the Smackdown roster, are making the product compelling as heck with their work in the ring. Look at the blue brand's roster. There are quite a few wrestlers that can work a match in Shelton Benjamin, Charlie Haas, John Morrison, and more.
There are also a number of performers that are showcased as main event threats even with or without the Big God Belt in Edge, Chris Jericho, Umaga, CM Punk, Jeff Hardy, and Rey Mysterio. Since this past draft, Smackdown has mopped the floor with Raw in the ring, giving fans near-pay-per-view quality matches and simple, but effective storylines, that are relatively easy to follow.
That is not to say John Cena or Batista do not know how to work a match. That is saying that Smackdown has a fresher product with younger stars that may not have as much name value as say, Batista, but monster potential, with the ability to put on a good to great match any day of the week. I don't know if I can say the same for Santino, as much as I love his microphone skills.
On Raw, general manager Vickie Guerrero can, at times, dominate the show. She is a great heel, but too much of a good thing can be a bad thing. Smackdown's Teddy Long on the other hand, is utilized in small but effective doses to showcase his authoritative power.
Raw doesn't have to put on 15-20 minute matches every segment. The brand just needs matches with a better work rate and most importantly, fresher feuds. MVP, Miz, and Matt Hardy should be the pillars to Raw's future, in conjunction with future Hall-of-Famers John Cena, Triple H, and Randy Orton.
And would it hurt to give Cody Rhodes and Ted Dibiase more personality?
WWE shouldn't be afraid to interject new contenders on pay-per-views like Judgment Day. It proved to be a learning experience for a then-midcarder John Cena in 2003, who unsuccessfully challenged Brock Lesnar for the WWE Championship at Backlash. I doubt his game was stepped up by accident after that. The man was given a taste of the big time and worked harder to get there and stay at the top.
The main event is not for everyone. Many have failed amidst their big pushes. Talk to Ahmed Johnson, Gene Snisky, and even Ronnie Garvin. They'll tell you that.
For WWE and specifically their Raw brand, it is imperative to occasionally have a guy like Miz challenge for the world championship.
That allows the powers that be to not only gauge the crowd's response to the superstar's ascension, but also watch how that person handles the pressures of a larger role on the brand.
WWE's Smackdown is getting it right with CM Punk, Shelton Benjamin, and John Morrison being perceived on the same level, at times, with the more established talent on the brand.
I know Smackdown is not the flagship show, but WWE can learn a thing or two from that brand. After all, even a passionate wrestling fan like myself can come to this consensus. Lately, my Monday nights have been, for the most part, anything but RAW.
Fred "The F-Bomb" Richani is a writer for BleacherReport.com and 411Mania.com, and has been featured on ProWrestlingTorch.com, LayUpDrill.com, GOOGLE News, and CBSSportsline.com. He is also the host of his own web series FRIDAY NIGHT F-Bomb (Youtube.com/CaddyCads). He currently resides in Freehold, NJ with his family and cat Bella.
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