I figured since the old thread was a year old and 13 pages long, and since Wrestlemania(the ending of the "Wrestling Season") happened, what better time to start a new WWE thread than with the kick off of the new season and a new lottery. So does anyone have any lottery predictions. Farooq is now gone so I expect Bradshaw to get an overhaul and a singles push. I would like to see them unify the WWE and World belts and have one champion that goes between shows and also let "The Sherriff" go back and forth. I expect them to mix some of the talent to try and persuade people to watch both shows. I would expect to see Stephanie and/or Shane back in some on air role. I just hope they don't split up the cruisers too much and I hope they don't split up the Divas that can actually work a match and put them in with the ones that can't wrestle for squat. Edit-- If any of the admins think we should be using the old 3.0 thread just merge this one back in. Here is the link for reference. http://bbs.clutchfans.net/showthread.php?s=&threadid=53228
Steve Austin likes working Raw than Smackdown! because it is live. I am sure Austin has some pull. He should stick to Raw.
I don't expect him to work both shows every night but if they gave him the opportunity to work storylines occasionally on both. Maybe an angle on RAW then after that one is over maybe he has a problem with someone on Smackdown and he moves over there to take care of it. That would be a benefit for WWE becaus eof his automatic star appeal. If people kne whe was going to be on Raw they would watch, if they knew he was going to be on Smackdown they would watch. Ultimately you could hope a few of the brand faithful would see something they liked other than Austin and they would start watching both shows. the purpose of the lottery, besides to even out the rosters with Goldberg and Lesnar leaving, and Angle's uncertain status, is to get viewers loyal to one brand to watch both shows.
This is a desperate reach, imo. Don't get me wrong, I will watch, but wrestling has gone downhill. I believe the wwe was getting better ratings when wcw was owned by Turner. I don't think it has anything to do with the reality shows either.
no direct competition is surely having an effect sure ratings might push improvement in WWE, but nowhere as much as competition...... this has greatly reduced the talent pool..... they no longer have other companies wrestlers to steal and try to match
When the WFF vs WCW thing was happening alot of new idea were being thrown around. It was during this time we were seeing people flying off of a steel cage and being thrown thrown a table. Jumping of ladders and smashing through tables. Now....they are doing the same things....but we have already seen this stuff being done. I dont watch the wrestling any more because nothing ever changes. Who didnt want to see Stone Cold go up and challenge Goldberg?Who didnt want HHH to take of Lesnar? If Kane is going to fight Undertaker....just get on with it! Dont built it up for 5 months! Its just way to structured now. Now you know when a challenger come out are sure to say "I will take you on at.....the next Pay Per View". I stop watching when I know what is going to happen....
It's not good right now. Smackdown -Renee Dupree, HHH, Mark Jindrak RAW - Shelton Benjamin, Nidia, and Rhyno.
Ok, this is one weird lottery, according to 411**********, they said the stipulations for the lotttery. Again, kinda weird.
Trades are still open 'til midnight. Wonder if they'll finalize the rosters on the WWE website tonight. No on-air SmackDown replacement GM yet either. Stephanie or Shane? Those ECW revival rumors look to have some credibility now. Overall, entertaining show. I really like it when they crossover the brands, gives it a special feeling. Raw did get raped though. I hate Edge and Rhyno. They should've just did Angle for Triple H straight up, or at least get Cena.
STATEMENT FROM MR. MCMAHON Earlier tonight, Paul Heyman - the former General Manager of SmackDown! - was drafted by RAW and subsequently quit. Therefore, due to the absence of a GM on SmackDown!, I have extended the trading deadline to 9 p.m. ET Tuesday, at which time a new GM of SmackDown! will be announced, and that new GM of SmackDown! will in fact announce all trades. Thank you.
With ANgle's neck a major concern that would still be a horrible trade for RAW. Also I am glad someone posted that 411 article. I was almost positive I heard them say they were each getting 12 picks but it ended up being 12 total picks. HHH going to smackdown will actually be ok. Stephanie will most likely be back as GM and they can do some reconciliation angle or have her still pissed from the things he did to her in the past. I like Edge and I can see him getting involved in the Jericho-Christian-Trish triangle, maybe include Matt Hardy in ther and you have a pretty good set of plyaers for tag teams and singles matches. Nidia switching shows was pretty much a given because she can actually wrestle and none of the Divas on smackdown can. They tipped the RVD pick by having him lose the title. IT might have been more intersting to have him keep it and then have Booker get another partner or have Raw trade someone for the title. Strangely I liked the end of show brawl and if they decided to do some sort of rogue group angle it could be fun. They could add a star( can you say Goldberg. Even though he issupposedly gone his bio conspicuously remains on their website, and Lesnar's is nowhere to be found. Hmmm...) to such a group and try to take over.
Rob Van Dam is a great addition to Smackdown because his wrestling style is very similiar to Rey Mysterio's style and this might setup a tag team or a rivalry in the future.
As a SOF (Smackdown-Only Fan) I'm pretty disheartened by Triple H heading to Thursdays. I'd have much, MUCH preferred Michaels, but Michaels match against Benoit in Canada should be superhot. HBK is still hated there for the Montreal Incident, and Benoit, of course, is Bret Hart's boy... Triple H, what a drag. He just put over Benoit, so now he can justify not getting pinned for another couple of years at least. As a sworn Eddie Guerrero mark, that sure pisses me off. If HHH can be used to elevate Eddie or Cena, fine. With Angle in bad shape and Lesnar gone, the show needed a new #1 heel. But it DOESN'T need a new (incredibly played-out) champ. I guess HHH/Eddie could be a decent feud, but HHH has been worthless on the mic since before the Katie Vick debacle and not much better in the ring until his Mania match, where he just happened to work with 2 of the best wrestlers ever. Oh well. I hope they at least add Misterio to the mix. HHH has never liked RVD, though, so I doubt he'll sniff the main event.
Well, I hear Trips just got traded back to Raw in exchange for Booker T and the Dudz. My Smackdown is safe! Looks like Angle is the new Smackdown GM. Awesome. Goofy heel Angle is the shizzle.
** SMACKDOWN SPOILER ALERT ** CRAP!!! Apparently, Trips is back on Raw in a trade for Dudz and Booker going to SD. Angle as the new GM on SD, really interesting, like to see where this is going to go
