WWE Would Be Smart to Run with Kevin Nash's Retirement Match Idea

The officials in charge of boosting WWE Network viewership need to send Kevin Nash a thank-you card. The Hall of Famer just dropped a first-rate idea into their laps.

The streaming service's hallmark is exclusive live content. When that material feeds on fan nostalgia, it pulls in fans who may not follow the product religiously anymore. Nash recently tossed out a proposal for a show and match that would do just that.

On Tuesday, Nash took to Twitter to explain how he would like to wrap up his career:

"

Would love to do a real retirement match. With a build up on the Network training, like a 24/7 HBO deal. WWE put me out of my misery

— Kevin Nash (@RealKevinNash) May 26, 2015"

That's an idea WWE has to consider. While the match itself isn't likely to be a stunner, the buildup, the novelty and the hype surrounding it would make it well worth the investment.

Detractors will point to the fact that Nash is 55 years old and hasn't wrestled for WWE since the 2014 Royal Rumble, when he stayed in the ring for just over 30 seconds. His last sustained bit of WWE action came back in 2011 in a bout against Triple H that earned many a stinging review.

As Jason Powell wrote for ProWrestling.net, "There were plenty of stretches where the live crowd was quiet and left waiting for something to happen."

At the same time, there were plenty of moments when the fans were on their feet. Nash didn't look ancient here, and next time around he wouldn't be hampered by the silly on-a-pole gimmick.

WWE wouldn't be entering this arrangement expecting a barnburner, though. This would be a bout powered by hoopla and dressed up with bells and whistles.

The real appeal of Nash's idea is in what would happen before the battle. Cameras following the big guy around, capturing his highs and lows as he trains for an in-ring return, equals good TV. There is certain to be high drama here.

HBO Sports' 24/7, which Nash refers to in his tweet, is a slickly produced series that shines a light on the personal stories of boxers before they face off in the ring.

It allows newer fans to get to know the fighters. It provides depth to the bout by showing us the struggles that occur behind the scenes.

The success of WWE: Behind the Curtain on ESPN proves that this format translates to pro wrestling. In that hour-long special, Xavier Woods and Adam Rose were more interesting than they had been during their entire WWE careers. Seeing who they were and how hard they worked off-camera made them more human—and more importantly, more engaging.

Plugging in a guy with as big a personality as Nash into that same slot will equal ratings gold.

Even fans who dislike him are likely to tune in. They may be doing so just to see if he stumbles, but the subscriber numbers don't distinguish a curious audience from one gleeful at potential failure. 

There's an easy narrative to build on here. Pick a young, emerging star for Nash to face. Portray Nash as a man looking to prove himself one last time, as a wrestler seeking closure.

Then follow him around. That's where this pre-match special has the most potential.

The controversial star is sure to have many a startling opinion to share. The team in charge of editing the profane language out of this thing would be busy, but what's left after that process promises to be must-see.

Nash would then get a proper swan song. In turn, WWE would get an engrossing addition to its network programming. That's a trade well worth making.