WWE Needs to Make SmackDown and Main Event Feel More Important

The WWE needs to make SmackDown and Main Event feel more important.

Currently, they have the distinction of being the No. 2 and 3 shows, respectively. SmackDown debuted in 1999, surviving network changes (currently on Syfy) and making a home for itself on Friday nights. Main Event airs on the Ion Channel, which showcases extended matches from top stars.

Unfortunately, their luster is wearing off.

Let’s start with the fairly new Main Event. After eight months, the show brings in great matches. It kicked off with Champion vs. Champion, as WWE champion CM Punk took on World Heavyweight champion Sheamus in the inaugural show in October. The show has since brought title defenses and changes for the Intercontinental and United States Championships.

According to F4WOnline.com, the press release from the Ion Network stated the inaugural Main Event show averaged 1.39 million viewers. Ratings steadily declined since the show began. The Wrestling Observer Newsletter (via TWNPnews.com) reported the show draws a 0.9 rating, consistent throughout its run.

Frankly, the matches aren’t the problem; it’s the placement. These exciting matches happen at the start of the show. Isn’t the main event of a show supposed to close the show on a high note and not kick it off? The buildup should be to the Main Event. The importance is amplified when the placement of the advertised marquee match is last. This programming strategy lures the fans to tune in through the show instead of watching the match and then switching to another channel.

SmackDown is a different story. It feels important, as it has great wrestling matches and an overall story covering the two-hour program. The problem lies with the notoriety, or lack thereof.

Though SmackDown will always be known as the “B-show”, that doesn’t mean it has to feel like it. SmackDown has the matches and stories. All that’s lacking are the “wrestling moments” to bring it up to the level of Raw, if not to another higher dimension.

Take a look at this past week’s SmackDown. The show progressed from The Shield’s one-on-one matches with Team Hell No and Randy Orton. That episode culminated with Daniel Bryan single-handedly taking out The Shield. It was a thrilling display only furthering their feud and closing SmackDown with a great moment.

Overall, the importance of both shows depends on what’s on the line. There doesn’t need to be title changes, but titles on the line on free TV are always a good thing. It brings in more viewers and provides that unpredictability factor wrestling shows need, even if both shows are taped on Tuesdays.

WWE’s SmackDown and Main Event shows need to feel more important. They can be on par with Raw, maybe even better. It’s up to the WWE to stop treating the secondary shows as secondary. Time to make SmackDown and Main Event fulfill their potential as mainstays for WWE free television.