Why Making Smackdown Live Won't Help the WWE & 5 Choices That Would Be Better

Smackdown is the "B show" when it comes to the WWE. It has always been this way.

Now the WWE is seemingly trying to change that by making Smackdown a live show in order to see how it does.

The idea is ridiculous and, to be honest, it will backfire. To have two wrestling shows back to back with nothing on Friday leading towards a PPV event is a terrible idea.

I'm glad that the WWE wants to change it's view on Smackdown and give the blue brand it's much deserved due, but there are better ways to do it.

Keeping Smackdown on Friday would be the best option, but that doesn't mean the show can't have a little innovation. 

Technical Wrestling

Most people who are reading this article probably read the spoilers for Smackdown every week. This means that no matter how compelling a story may be, unless it has CM Punk, the Rock, or Steve Austin, it probably won't be as interesting.  

There is just something about watching a live TV show and knowing that anything can happen. Smackdown will never have that going for it.

That's fine.

Instead of trying to beat Raw at it's own game, why not go in a different direction? Or as Paul Heyman once said "Accentuate the positives, hide the negatives."

One of the positives could be technical wrestling. Put in the guys who might lack charisma but have talent in the ring. Put on 60 minute iron man matches every once in a while. Do a submission contest.

You know why? Because no spoiler can give you a play-by-play of the match. Sure you know who wins, but you don't know how they got there.

Placing more wrestling in the program would not only soothe the wrestling purists, but it would also make it harder for someone to read the spoilers and pass on the program.

Breeding Ground for the Youth

Speaking of Paul Heyman, I have to bring up the ECW. No, not Paul's ECW but the WWE's.

Yes, it was terrible from a viewpoint of those that were hoping to see more of the original. However it was a breeding ground for new talent.

Bobby Lashley, CM Punk, John Morrison were three guys that made their bones on ECW. Not all of them lasted, but it was a chance to see new and different talent that wasn't made to order a la carte. Instead, it gave a distinct flavor to each and every show.

The WWE needs this. They need to create an idea that sending young guys to work against veterans on television might help them. The WWE might even find a few diamonds in the rough if not some already polished gems.

However, they have to give these guys the chance to make it, no matter how small the chance may be.

Giving It an Indy Feel

I'm not saying that the WWE should try to imitate Ring of Honor or any other organization out there.

What I am saying is that in the indies, you see a plethora of characters. It's almost a patchwork of talent with each wrestler being a part of a jigsaw puzzle that doesn't look like it should fit together, but actually does.

The WWE should do their version of this, but not on Raw because they need that show to run smoothly and with the WWE style and brand behind it.  

However, they don't need to worry about that for two shows. In fact this line of thinking would take away from Smackdown because it usually means that one is going to be compared to the other and be considered inferior.

That is why they should make the two shows completely different. They should give Smackdown a WWE Indy feeling if that is possible. The WWE was able to take ECW and make the Attitude Era. Why not do the same with Smackdown now?

Cruiserweights, but Smaller

I realize that when I say cruiserweights, most of you think of someone who is about 200 pounds—guys like Chris Jericho or Daniel Bryan.  

But I'm thinking smaller—about 175 pounds.

I realize that this is a bit shocking, but I think it works. It's not crazy to believe that small guys could have insane matches at speeds that would leave most people shocked.  

More importantly they would be relatable. I don't even mean as a character but build-wise.

Truth time. How many of us look like Triple H? Sheamus? Maybe even CM Punk?

The truth is that even the great, but "small", Shawn Michaels is 6'1" inch and weighs about 225 pounds. In contrast, most American males are 5'9" inches and about 190 pounds, even with the United States' obesity problems. 

This means that most guys don't have what it takes in Vince McMahon's eyes to be wrestlers.

Now imagine a weight class that not only had fun matches, but that had guys who looked like you and me. They may be a little more muscular and, maybe in some cases, better looking. But it wouldn't be inconceivable to believe that one day, you could be in their place.

That ability to connect to a wider audience, coupled with the added thought that you don't have to be a giant to make it in the WWE, might make Smackdown a little more appealing. 

Tag Teams

Raw will always be about the individual wrestler and whatever story they happen to be a part of. This is fine, and in fact it works.

However, if Smackdown is going to be a show about technical wrestling, then it should be the home of tag team wrestling.

In truth, though tag teams feud with each other at times, the true entertainment in watching them comes from the chemistry between the two partners. Yes, it's great to see four separate guys conflict with one another. But with tag teams, it has more to do with getting to see the two parts of a whole interact, work together, and inevitably split apart.

Plus the WWE tag team division sucks right now. If they relegated tag teams to one show and made it part of the Smackdown brand then it would give people another reason to tune in.

Your Thoughts

I still believe that the WWE is making a mistake by letting Smackdown go live. It is great that they are trying to help their show on the Sci-Fi network, but without a Friday show, it will hurt their PPV bottom line, and in turn, the WWE will lose fans.

At least that is what I think. Let me know if you feel differently.