Rankings

[mojmass]

You actually talk like you believe pro wrestling is a sport it's more like a movie industry and it's based on being unfair and illegitimacy so isn't it obvious it will kill us to see an honest match and it will RUIN the BUSINESS. as if it hasn't already.

[King Patrick]

Great topic for discussion. First, let’s answer your questions.

So the question is should there be some sort of ranking system as in boxing?
Sort of.

Would a ranking system work? Why or why not?
Nes and Yo. Yes, because it would take away the questions “Who’s next??” and “Why is he next??” No, because it’s not a real sport.

Should there be a formal number one contender and should it be earned based on their winning streak?
There should be a formal number one contender and it should be earned based on their winning streak.

Should wins and losses matter?
Wins and loses should matter.

Should streaks matter?
Streaks should matter and not just at WrestleMania.

Now, topics like this always point me back to my idea of the WWE Elite 8.

http://forums.wrestlezone.com/showthread.php?t=126223

Just to sum it up really fast, it’s pretty much a ranking system based on fan voting. Top 8 get placed into a month long tournament to determine the number one contender for that month’s PPV. Numbers 9 – 16 are placed in a similar tournament for the # 1 contenders spot for the Mid-Card Championship, and # 17 through the bottom of the list are placed in a tournament for the Tag Titles. See the link for details.

So, in conclusion, a ranking system would work, if it’s not based on actual wins and losses and streaks and such. It would work if it was based on nothing but social media voting, much like everything else these days.

[FlairFan2003]

Guys, this isnt boxing, or tennis, there are no seedings like the NBA playoffs or March Madness, IT IS A SOAP OPERA!

Just like in prime time TV where shows have re occuring characters, characters that are not a part of the weekly landscape but who make limited appearances, usually for special storyline arcs or major plot changes. This is especially evident on crime dramas. Law & Order always had a couple of defense attorneys who made periodic appearances, people who represented a much tougher challenge than normal for the prosecuting DA. CSI had the Miniature Killer, the one villain they couldnt catch. Currently Criminal Minds has The Replicator, a serial killer they are tracking all over the country but who seems to be stalking the FBI team as well. Daytime soaps have always had them, recurring characters usually brought in once a year to advance the biggest storyline going on.

This is exactly what wrestling does. This was especially true back when there were multiple high profile companies in existance. Hall & Nash didnt quietly debut in WCW in 1996, working their way up the ladder of contention. Hulk Hogan didnt arrive two years earlier promising to win his way into title contention. Ric Flair's WCW Title belt was paraded all over WWE TV for a month before he ever appeared when he debuted as "The Real Worlds Champion". Once he arrived he immediately was main eventing vs Piper & Hogan.

These things are done to generate a buzz, an interest in the product that didnt exist before. You can argue that it may not seem fair to the guys already there, I would argue that by increasing interest in the product everyone benefits. A lot of guys got a great chance to be seen by fans who dont watch WWE weekly at last year's WrestleMania, a super event built almost entirely around two semi retired 45 year olds and an ex wrestler who made his success as a Hollywood actor. Take those guys off the show and watch the buy rates plummet.

Even without another major company, returning stars are pushed hard and fast. HBK got a monster push in 2002, as did Hogan & Flair. HBK & Flair stayed and contributed for several years, but even with Hogan WWE got what it wanted, better numbers, more money, which they got by pushing him to the top ASAP when he returned.

Besides, even if there was a contrived Top 10 List of title contenders, WWE would just manipulate it to put the talent they want in the matches they want. WCW did this years ago, even using it as a plot device when Terry Funk returned and immediately wanted a title shot, only to be told he had to work his way up the Top 10, it wouldnt be right for him to get a title shot over ranked contenders when he just came back. Funk of course responded by pile driving Ric Flair through a wooden table (wrestling's first big "table spot"), which of course helped him get that title shot a lot quicker.

[StoneColdSavage]

If this was a real sport, I would base contendership on win-loss records alone. However, only full time members of the roster would be contenders, so guys like Rock would never get a shot at the title unless it was a special attraction match. Champions would be allowed to give special challenges to others if they so want, but only if the current number one contender allows it as well or already got his shot and lost.