WWE Needs to Take a Step Back to Move Forward

I have been watching the WWE since I was seven in 1993.  I own nearly all the WWE PPVs since WrestleMania I, and have watched each one and cataloged each.  So I know just about everything pertaining to those events.  While I pull out an old event, I wonder after viewing it, what made those events click with the entire audience.  With the exception of WrestleMania every year, you may have one or two PPVs that stand out, and the rest fall flat.

Part of the problem is the internet “smarks”, but that can be a different topic for a different time.  The reason PPVs are hit and miss is that there are too many of them.  When I started watching WWE there were only five PPVs (I know shocking to you newer viewers.)  Thus WWE had a lot more time and space to build storylines between PPVs.  Right now the WWE has exploded in PPVs since I first watched from five to fourteen (peaking in 2006 with sixteen).

The reason too many PPVs are a problem is that you are asking fans to drop forty bucks once sometimes twice a month.  Another problem is that you tend to see segmented story lines.  Instead of having a large build up to a match, you have short build ups to feuds and people after seeing the same match three consecutive PPVs the storyline tends to lose its magic.

So what is the solution, I think the WWE needs to look at its schedule and start slashing some PPVs.  I think the magic number is eight.  You have five big ones and three brand exclusive ones.  I would take out No Way Out, Night of Champions, Judgment Day, No Mercy, Armageddon, Cyber Sunday.  Promote the Great American Bash to super PPV status due to its history, give Raw Backlash, SmackDown Unforgiven, and ECW One Night Stand.

Why will this work?  It give the already stressed writing team more time to develop stories, and give McMahon time to evaluate talent to see if the reactions are genuine or just a fad.  It gives the fans $240 a year on PPVs, and they can use Saturday Night’s Main Event for some better use than what it is being used for now.  Will it be implemented, probably not but I wouldn’t be surprised to see a few PPVs over the next five years get the ax