WWE: Why Monday Night Raw Should Always Be Live

It seems like wrestling fans are subject to more than a few spoilers of pre-taped shows and backstage news on upcoming events. It is a refreshing change to watch Monday Night RAW every week, live on television.

Even if there is some predictability to RAW at times, each episode is usually good enough to do one or two unexpected things. Outside of pay-per-views and occasional instances of other shows, RAW is the only live wrestling show on television today.

TNA fans can enjoy their brand's weekly Impact Wrestling, but any major announcements or title changes are announced days or even weeks before they air on TV.

There are similar problems for fans of WWE's Smackdown brand. When title changes take place, they are often relayed to fans on Tuesday night or Wednesday morning, still leaving more than two days before the show itself actually airs.

Viewers of RAW are often spoiled now to having good and exciting live shows, but we were treated (or lack thereof) to a taped RAW when the show went to Mexico for the first time ever. The show was lackluster and anything that happened in the show was known days before airing.

Just like every other show, nothing was unknown. Fans can try all they like to avoid spoilers, but it becomes harder if a major detail occurs.

I know that WWE is a worldwide phenomenon, but straying away from the usual is usually not a good thing. Even the fans from other countries get into a rhythm of what to expect from the wrestling promotion. Altering that status quo is wrong across the board.

What hurts the most about that RAW in Mexico is that the time zones are the same with the rest of North America. That night could have been broadcast live from Mexico, but wasn't.

England has had their events and even had some pay-per-views over the years, but the time difference was hardly an issue back then as much as it is in recent years.

The alterations won't cease. Edge is in Paris now promoting the upcoming WWE '12 video game, as well as a tour through Paris next month. That means that there will be some tweaks to the normal schedules.

There's nothing wrong with satisfying the other countries that care about WWE too, but the company is centered around North America. The NFL wants to expand their fan base out to London annually, but they don't alter the times of games for the benefit of England.

WWE's concessions are inconsistent with other pro sports' efforts to expand their voice throughout the world.

The element of surprise is a part of pro wrestling that has been dying for quite a number of years. RAW is one of the few things keeping that aspect alive. In today's technological world where information is shared almost instantly, live television is the only real way to combat it.

RAW should stay live as much as possible and be very selective of taping episodes, if they ever actually have to do it.