What can smackdown do to save itself?

Twist of Boston

Now that smackdown has become a clear cut #3 promotion behinde ECW and RAW what do you think they need to do?

Personaly I think Smackdown needs some star power but Its obvious that WWE isnt going to throw them a bone from Raw. As much as I love King Booker he isn't drawing enough to keep the Smackdown brand looking credible. Pushing guys like Kennedy and Burchill (when he returns) in a Invasion fued (its smackdown vs raw time...its going to happen >.>) and giving them afew wins over big names like Cena and HBK could boost there stock abit in the wrestling world.

Mrs Teddy

Well yeah, the show is obviously lacking in the maineventers department and the creative for smackdown is pathetic but the show isnt exactly dying. IMO, if he returns, there is one man that could single handedly change smackdown, even though he doenst deserve to be on the "C" show, Chris Jericho would be a fine choice. As much as I would <3 for him to go to RAW and wupp Cena's arse, a guy like Chris Jericho would help smackdown. And with Benoit hopefully returning in the near future.. A Jericho vs Benoit feud for the belt would make me gizz and a feud like that would draw some of the older fans back who have gone off smackdown.

But if the Jericho idea doesnt work out, the wwe are still going to have to bring in some fresh faces to smackdown. What ever happened to Kane coming to smackdown and winning the world title? Theres plenty of guys lying around being wasted that could be thrown into a mainevent feud straight away. Bobby Lashely is being pushed into things way to fast in he's noticeably uncomfortable.

Smackdown needs to be put over as WWE's "wrestling show", the show's storylines/angles are pathetic but the wrestling matches that take place under the brand are the best in the company. Bring back Benoit into the world title scene.. and bring in some shocker like Jericho.. and you've got me hooked and prolly the majority of the Canadian fan base hooked again.

BigDaveBatista

Right, here it is. First off, Jericho in to fued with Kennedy, get him over. Then, Kennedy, Lashley, Jericho, Taker and Booker, we have a decent, and more to the point, very over and exciting heavyweight division. Get one more tag team, which will set up good matches, even culminating in a TLC match? Reuniting the Hardy's is a must for SD! At this moment in time.

Push the Cruiserweights. Simple as, there exciting and IMO would draw big time.

Get Batista over, or, as he is unhappy, make the switch for a more exciting star that would be over, EG. Batista to Raw, and maybe Masters to SD! I think he could become a credible heavyweight still, and maybe even get over Orton.

I think this would help them immensley.

Ajax

As much as it kills me to say it, Smackdown needs Cena. He would bring over quite a fan base and he has a much needed main event status. Also it would be a good draw to have either him or Batista turn heel and have them fued, maybe even over the title.
Or like Enigma said, have a big name like Jericho return.

KenTheKiller

Well, there are several things.

Bring back y2J. The enigma 44 Said it best. If Benoit vs Jericho for the WOrld TItle occured we would all be gizzing on our keyboards. The point is both are excellent wrestlers, and Jericho has one of the best levels of charisma/mic skills ever. And in a way, Smackdown NEEDS Jericho.

Continue to push young talent. The pop, Kennedy and Lashley get at live events are amazing for not being world champions or former world champions. But WWE Needs to take it slow. I know they want Lashley to be their savior but..... He may end up a lesner. And of Course KENNEDY! is a huge star but I prefer him upper mid card for now.

Continue to push divisions. IF you look at SD! now, they have a decent-Almostgood tag team division. They are putting the Cruiserweight champ in a feud. The US Champion is in a near main event feud. They have a cruiserweight feud (Rey/Chavo) They have a upper mid card Finlay Batista, and of course Lashley and Booker. They have all bases covered. Just need more crerativity.

flamesoffury

1. bring back NWO (Hall, Nash, Hogan) and put them on Smackdown. DX is the powerhouse of RAW and NWO could be the powerhouse of Smackdown. Have each faction take out people to send a message to the locker room that nobody can beat DX or NWO blah blah.. than DX will start a little controversy with NWO and this could set up DX v NWO at survivor series (inter promotional). Think about it, NWO will draw ratings. Wrestling wise, it will be average at best (ala dx) but ratings wise, this is up there with hogan v rock and rock v austin.

2. returns of certain superstars. Chris benoit = needs to be used properly.. ie, in the world title race. Undertaker = needs to be on semi weekly instead of once every 3 months. Kurt Angle = should be on semi weekly due to his health status. The Rock = it's his show, enough said.

3. Have a better creative team for smackdown because they can barely compare to what Raw had. Raw has been sucking lately, creative wise but it is still better than Smackdown.

NWOOO-Joe!

Well in general i think SD has been good this year, it may not have the same entertainment vaule as RAW but the matches are top quality each week and i like the fact they seem to focus more on the wrestling that the promo aspect of wrestling. The Taker/Angle match was top class and is an example of what can be done with little build up but great superstars, The benoit/Booker series of matches were great as well and the London/Kendrick-MNM matches were very good as well and entertaining. I think thats its downfall though that its lack of real charismatic wrestlers during SD puts people off it and when they watch they have nothing to keep them excited and hanging on to keep watching the product. They need a Jericho or Cena to give them that boost because i think they can put on top uqality matches

WackoJako

Smackdown needs a very over baby face wrestler. Batista was that guy but he just looked bad since coming back so now he's out of the title picture for now anyways. Rey Mysterio, may or may not be leaving soon but either way I don't see him getting a title push anytime soon. Undertaker is just plain old and isn't around enough. Lashley is way too young to be getting this title push but as I said SD lacks face contenders. I say send over John Cena, or if you don't wanna send him over give them Carlito. He's a real over face atm and he's not really doing shito n Raw. Also Smackdown needs to quit having all the new characters on their show, it's boring when you get about 5 squash matches a show. Miz, Vito, Terkay, Burke, MVP, and a whole bunch of thers.

Griff0rd

TNA Moderator

To be honest the main reason I watch Smackdown is Kennedy. They don't need to push Lashley for the world title at this point. Maybe a Taker Booker match would be better, and have Lashley and Kennedy feud now. Upon his return Benoit push for the WHC.

I think the clearest thing of all needed for Smackdown is needing to push what they have the most abundance of... the cruisers. They need to develope them and allow them to do their thing, much like the X Divisioners of TNA. The "dumbed down" style of WWE is what limits the cruisers... you take that away and let them do what they know how to do and do well, problem solved. You'll have a lot more backing them and the stagnant feel that they currently have will change.

Also the nWo idea would be great, but the problem is that Hall has made it clear that he would not be interested in doing house shows, and without that backing at Live events, you're not going to have as much following at your televised events. You would need someone who can be fully committed to the company and you won't find that with Hall, Nash, or Waltman.

Also a better timeslot would not hurt. Friday nights the majority of people are out and about with that being the "weeekend" If it was a Thursday night timeslot like it was before, the brand would be in a much better place IMO.

Prakhar

i think SD is dead.they need star power & the divas.Also fire teddy long. he lacks imagination. Jbl is good . they need to do sumthing on the cruiserwt front. how come helms never has a title match?taker & khali should make more appearances