“Darn it, the CW Network picked up Smackdown!�

Bronco

“Darn it, the CW Network picked up Smackdown!�

It wasn’t a surprise. The new CW Network, a merger of the much maligned WB and UPN Networks, announced on Wednesday that WWE’s Smackdown will be apart of their fall line up. Had the CW Network passed on Smackdown and its depleted talent roster, perhaps it would have been a wake up call to World Wrestling Entertainment.

If you think about it, it made perfect sense for the CW Network to make Smackdown apart of their fall line up. The production costs are much lower for the network than to produce a sitcom, action adventure, or drama. Smackdown services as two hours of programming on Friday evenings when a lot of their target audience is out on the town.

In my humble opinion, had CW Network passed on Smackdown, it would have been a wake up call. Its obvious WWE favors Raw as the flagship show. Always has, and simply, always will. Raw is live, has the better talent roster, and seems to always have a McMahon presence to give it that important feel to the show.

Had the CW Network passed on Smackdown, WWE would have likely been forced to end the brand split. I know what you are thinking, yes, McMahon would have tried desperately to move Smackdown to another network including the USA Network. However, after asking around, I don’t believe USA was interested in another wrestling show - thus, the reason they aren’t picking up ECW.

The booking on Smackdown leaves so much to be desired. Has any promotion booked a champion more poorly than WWE has booked Rey Mysterio Jr. as the Smackdown brand champion? He looks more like a joke than a champion. Are you excited to see Mysterio vs. JBL on Sunday, apparently not, judging by our web site poll.

In the wake of the passing of Eddy Guerrero, the suspension of Randy Orton, the injuries that are hampering superstars like Mysterio, Angle, and Batista, what has WWE done to strengthen to Smackdown roster? Zilch, nada. There is talk Super Crazy could be moved to Raw. Psicosis and Simon Dean could be moved to ECW. Nunzio is likely moving to ECW. Smackdown’ newest addition? A midget!

What happened to the annual draft lottery? Why not shake up the rosters? Remember when we were sold on the idea that talent could benefit by two separate brands, and yet, Smackdown and Raw still serve as vehicles for McMahon’s hand picked favorites. I like JBL as a heel, but does his promos have to be so long, repetitive and predictable?

Had the CW Network passed on Smackdown, perhaps the talent could have been split up between Raw and ECW. Remember folks, WWE is bringing back former ECW talents, but once again WWE is watering down the rosters to form a third brand. I have always been a huge ECW fan, but I don’t have the confidence in WWE management to produce a quality ECW product, with or without Paul Heyman. Remember, Stephanie (who hates Heyman) is still head of WWE creative.

Had the CW Network passed on Smackdown, at least there was a chance WWE would have been forced to eliminate Smackdown brand exclusive pay-per-views, which are rarely any good. What are the chances Judgment Day will be a hit? Do I have to remind people its The Undertaker vs. “not good enough for European crowds� Great Khali on Sunday? If WWE doesn’t care about Smackdown, why should we?