Why Endorsing Indy Promotions Could Help Ensure WWE's Longevity

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The bargain that yields mutual satisfaction is the only one that is apt to be repeated. - B. C. Forbes (Forbes Magazine)

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Mr. Forbes certainly makes a good point, doesn't he? When two people, companies or entities work together for the mutual benefit of both sides, it can only make things better.

This is a life lesson some people very high up in WWE could take to heart. For many years, WWE has operated with a policy which can be simplified to "We do not acknowledge the world of wrestling outside our own ring."

WWE does not totally ignore the fact that wrestling exists outside of WWE, but the number of times I have heard the actual name of another active promotion on WWE television over the past decade can probably be counted on one hand.

CM Punk has notably mentioned promotions like New Japan Pro Wrestling and Ring of Honor, but he hasn't in a long time, and neither have the announcers.

Perhaps WWE thinks that if we know there is another source of wrestling, we will jump ship to those promotions and no longer cheer for WWE. I do not think that would actually happen.

This fear is not unfounded. WWE came close to being a thing of the past when WCW was at its peak during the Monday night wars, and they knew it.

When Vince McMahon was finally able to buy up ECW and WCW, he effectively turned pro wrestling in the United States into a monopoly. In fact, they had so little competition that they had to fabricate it within their own company by separating the brands.

In the last decade, we have seen upstarts like Chikara, ROH, TNA and even smaller promotions like PCW, POWW and Pro Wrestling NOAH start to make waves in the business.

It is no secret that some of WWE's current top stars were big names on the Indy circuit before coming to WWE and showing the world that you can succeed without a family connection.

Many new stars who are being moved up from FCW are also well known by fans of independent wrestling.

Damien Sandow, Seth Rollins, Antonio Cesaro and Kassius Ohno are just a few of the guys WWE snatched up from smaller promotions and put under contract.

What I think WWE needs to do is not only accept that there are other companies out there, but begin endorsing them and promoting them through their website, social media outlets and even on their television shows.

I realize this sounds like an impossible thing to ask of WWE, but allow me to outline why I think it would actually be the best possible thing WWE could do.

Exposing New Faces to Fans

WWE may have their own training system in Florida Championship Wrestling, but they still need to rely heavily on the Indy scene to produce their future talents.

By occasionally featuring some Indy wrestlers on the weekly shows, it would allow fans to get mini-previews of some of the stars they may be seeing more of in the future as well as fans of those Indy promotions to see people they are familiar with on live TV.

WWE regularly employs jobbers who are locals to lose to guys like Ryback and Brodus Clay, so we know that WWE knows how to contact these wrestlers. Why not use them for other things, too?

Let's say that each week WWE features one match with Indy stars from the area they are touring in. This could even be featured on Superstars or NXT to not take away time from the main storylines.

If this happened, then the Indy promotions would get more exposure, WWE can test how fans respond to certain talents they may be considering, and WWE gets a better image by coming off as a company that wants to help a smaller company succeed.

Combine Fanbases

Pro wrestling fans usually like WWE or TNA the most, but there is a portion of the audience who only watches Indy wrestling.

By having WWE promote and help these Indy promotions gain some bigger audiences, it could help to bring those Indy fans over to WWE again.

Over the years, some fans have been jaded by certain changes WWE has made to their product, but unless they check back once in awhile, they will never know if those changes made things better or worse.

I know WWE already has the most fans of any promotion, but no one can deny that getting more would be great for the company.

Featuring Past Stars Without Rehiring Them

WWE has more former employees than it has current employees, and many of them are still out there wrestling to make a living.

Many fans miss their favorites and would love the chance to see them in WWE again, even if it was just once or twice.

By forming deals with Indy promotions, WWE could bring in some people who fans would recognize and cheer occasionally without having to actually sign them to deals.

This would allow those wrestlers to get more exposure to show fans they are still around, and it would create a more welcome environment in the locker room.

Guys like Shelton Benjamin would be welcomed back to WWE once in awhile with open arms by fans due to his high level of talent and athletic ability.

Better Paydays for Indy Stars

It is no secret that unless you are in WWE or TNA, you will not be making a lot of money as a wrestler. Many Indy wrestlers will work shows for free early in their careers just to get in front of the fans.

If WWE were to throw these Indy stars a decent check during these random appearances, then it would make being in the business more appealing.

WWE can afford to give these guys more than they would earn in a month for one appearance, and that alone would motivate wrestlers to work hard to be the ones WWE wants to feature when they come to town.

Some of these men and women barely make gas money when they wrestle, but WWE could give them an extra boost of enthusiasm by padding their wallets a bit.

I realize this type of thing is nearly impossible to hope for, but I can still hope. Thanks for reading, and please feel free to share your thoughts below.