Aspects of the UFC Model That Would Benefit WWE Programming

This is something that has been missing from PPV Sundays since the demise of Sunday Night Heat. In years gone by, the events would be preceded by matches featuring some of the more exciting superstars who had not found a place on the main card.

The idea behind preliminary fights would be to give the audience a taster of what they would be witnessing at the PPV, in order for the company to gain some last minute buys. With the lower buy numbers in the last year or so, it is something the company should at least consider, especially with the onset of the WWE Network.

Preliminary fights would also allow for lower card guys to perform in front of larger crowds, which would go a long way to improving their levels of confidence, which in turn will benefit the performances of the wrestlers.

By broadcasting these matches free before the events, the WWE could also gain some insight into the level of drop off between the potential PPV audience and the actual audience, through an examination of the drop off of viewers between the two.

Greater Emphasis on Styles

Placing a considerably higher level of emphasis on the styles of the fighter can benefit the WWE in a number of ways. By billing matches in terms of a clash of opposing styles, rather than a match between two wrestlers, the level of anticipation for the match itself will become as much a focus of discussion as the results.

Another way in which the programming would benefit from this change comes from the benefit it would have upon the depth of characters. By making a performer weak against submissions, it adds a level to the character that was not there previously, and allows for a direction for the character in a long-term sense, as the audience would follow the performers journey to develop a new style capable of dealing with submissions more effectively.

It would also help with PPV anticipation. If, in the course of a month, you have a performer lose to a high flying superstar, and he is scheduled to face a wrestler with a similar style at the PPV, the audience is left with a doubt as to whether the performer will be able to handle their opponent, having proven themselves vulnerable to the high-flying style style.

Finally, this change would give another role for the mid-card wrestlers who have similar styles to those of main event status, as they can be used to help build up any perceived weakness one of the top guys has against a certain style. This not only provides a taste of the PPV encounter, it also provides an opportunity for the lower card guys to work with the the top performers, which will greatly benefit their ability.

A Dedicated Matchmaker

This could be accomplished by designating that the man in charge of each brand is the only man who has the power to make matches, rather than anyone with a gripe being able to lay out a challenge.

The matchmaker figure would be able to announce all of the upcoming matches for the next big event, which would allow more time for wrestling on the show, rather than rushed segments providing some kind of reason for matches.

It would also take some of the pressure off the creative team, allowing for storylines to be used in moderation, merely to garner interest in upcoming matches, or in order to provide some kind of progression for a character.

Pre- and Post-Fight Press Conferences

This provides a number of interesting benefits

Firstly, post-fight press conferences could be used as a platform from which to announce upcoming bouts, freeing up some of the time on the first Raw and Smackdown of the month for more wrestling, and using less time providing some kind of confrontation that would lead to a grudge match at the next PPV. This would allow for more time for guys who make rare appearances on WWE programming to gain some exposure on television.

Secondly, they could be used in order to further a feud between two performers. In allowing them to voice grievances over decisions, or to state that they “had him beat,” post fight press conferences allow the storylines to progress more naturally, and comment from wrestlers could be used in order to garner interest in future rematches.

Pre-fight press conferences would also benefit in heightening anticipation for a match. Threats made to an opponent, or even the occasional pull apart, would increase the level of intensity of the contests and the setting out of game plans for the match would increase interest as the contest is given a greater sporting context with the use of tactics and strategy.

Finally, question and answer settings like a press conference would allow some of the performers who are weaker at cutting promos a platform from which to speak in a less threatening setting. This would allow them to develop as talkers through increased exposure to interviews, which in turn would greatly influence the standard of promos on the weekly TV shows.

Belt Prestige

This change could prove to be the most important of all listed here if implemented.

If you look at the majority of UFC pay-per-views and more recent shows on Fox, you will notice that a title is often defended in the main event, and presented as such.

While I am not suggesting that the WWE do this exactly, some change has to be made in order to regain the prestige of many of the championships.

The world title matches should, in the majority of cases, be booked in their rightful place at the top of the card. I believe that the way forward would be to book the secondary belts on every second PPV as being the co-main event. This would allow for the upper mid-card wrestlers to gain some experience in a feud at the top of the card, while also taking the confidence of having their names as the marquee for the event.

This could consequently boost the ratings for the weekly programming. If you were to look at an average Raw circa 1998, you would see that there were a number of angles booked that people tuned in to see from the top to the bottom of the card. In bringing a higher level of exposure to the mid card belts, it gives the audience something else to tune in for, and provide a program that contains something for everyone, even if they are not a fan of the performers in the main event picture.

Countdown Videos for Big Main Event Matches

This aspect has been used before on a few occasions to great effect, notably in the match between The Rock and Brock Lesnar at Summerslam 2002, and the Iron Man match between Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels at Wrestlemania 12.

This would allow for the wrestlers to be showcased on television in a way that both heightens anticipation for the upcoming PPV match, but also allows them to be spared in the build up. This sparing of the talent would increase the level of anticipation for the PPV as it would be a chance to see the top guys wrestle, something that can be seen twice a week, every week in some cases.

If used sparingly, this could add a big match feel to an upcoming encounter, and through increasing the importance of the bout, the WWE may also be able to gain an increase in the number of PPV buys.

Preliminary Fights Shown for Free

This is something that has been missing from PPV Sundays since the demise of Sunday Night Heat. In years gone by, the events would be preceded by matches featuring some of the more exciting superstars who had not found a place on the main card.

The idea behind preliminary fights would be to give the audience a taster of what they would be witnessing at the PPV, in order for the company to gain some last minute buys. With the lower buy numbers in the last year or so, it is something the company should at least consider, especially with the onset of the WWE Network.

Preliminary fights would also allow for lower card guys to perform in front of larger crowds, which would go a long way to improving their levels of confidence, which in turn will benefit the performances of the wrestlers.

By broadcasting these matches free before the events, the WWE could also gain some insight into the level of drop off between the potential PPV audience and the actual audience, through an examination of the drop off of viewers between the two.