The Pin is Mightier 12.31.05: Putting the Pieces Back Together

Posted by Ryan K. Boman on 12.31.2005

This week’s column is brought to you by Legos, jigsaw puzzles, and shattered glass.

I officially give up on Smackdown.

After watching another pathetic attempt at entertainment on Friday night, I'm completely convinced now. This show has got to go. Somewhere between sexual harassment and stupid soap operas, I lost interest. I can't stomach an angle featuring Melina suing Batista. The Boogeyman doesn't really tickle my fancy, either. Also, does anyone give a crap about Matt Hardy? This whole thing isn't going anywhere.

I'm begging Vince McMahon: Kill off Smackdown. Kill off the brand extension. It hasn't worked in the past for you, and it never will. You can't keep spreading yourself this thin.

My reasoning for this is simple. Business is down in WWE since they (virtually) split the company in two. The idea that the federation could present two separate programs turned a lot of heads a few years back. I will admit that the brand extension was a revolutionary theory when it was launched, but turned out to be a stinker in the end.

WWE needs to end it all now.

When the folks at Titan Towers had a ridiculous wealth of talent, they could convince me to watch a second show. Smackdown became somewhat of an event at the time. When the Brock Lesnars and Eddie Guerreros dominated the screen, I was a fan of the program. Nowadays, I have to have my handy, dandy Cliff Notes to figure out who some of these guys on the show are. I can understand why a lot of casual fans are confused. Hell, I write about this stuff every week and even I can't keep track of who's on what roster. The titles have been flip-flopped, storylines recycled, and characters appear and disappear with little or no explanation. It's been a confusing few years for the audience.

I honestly believe that it's time to trim the fat when it comes to the WWE roster. End the brand extension and focus on presenting the best talent night after night. Since Smackdown is the poor sick cousin to RAW, then it should be the one to go.

And, who cares, anyway? WWE management obviously doesn't, as they have relegated the Smackdown roster to "B-Team" status. It's almost a joke among wrestling insiders that the show has become the junior varsity of the company. Instead of presenting an inferior product to it's fans, WWE should think about putting together a strong front. Writing new and intriguing storylines, as well as mixing incredible talent, could be the cure to what ails WWE. A RAW roster fortified with the upper echelon talent from Smackdown could be just what the doctor ordered.

Times have been tough when it comes to pay per view buys and house show attendance. The business as a whole has been down. The leader of the industry, World Wrestling Entertainment, stubbornly believes that they can continue to weather the storm and carry to full-time rosters. They can't.

Circle the wagons, Vince. Put your company back together and give us a good show. ONE good show.