*MERGED* Anything Smackdown Syfy, Live & Roster Movements General Discussion

[YEDemon]

Edge came to Smackdown right around the time I got really into wrestling. Smackdown was the only show I was able to watch at the time, so Edge quickly became one of my favorite characters, and I've gotten to the point where, at least to me, he is as synonymous with Smackdown as the Undertaker is.

Yes, Edge has feuded with everyone who's currently on Smackdown, but if they are planning on switching Edge over, they probably have plans for a few more switches which will hopefully even out the face/heel ratios on both shows. I'd hate to see this kill the team of Edge and Jericho, but I would rather see Edge on Smackdown than Raw.

 

[martymcfly]

Syfy is more popular than mynetworktv? I was looking around online (so it is perhaps not accurate) but a few different sources stated that mynetworktv is available in 12% more homes than syfy is. So this is kind of a drop.

I would also have to disagree about the original poster's comment about being preempted. I don't recall it happening very often, and if you really wanted to see it, it wasn't hard to find out when it was on and watch or record it then. So I don't personally see the preempting as being much of a make or break it factor.

The 3 hour special editions doesn't put much weight either because historically the 3 hour raws have had so much fluff and filler that they would have been better off cutting it out and sticking with 2. And finally, I don't see live episodes necessarily being a good thing. Or a bad thing.

Now I don't mean to completely disagree with the original poster, perhaps the move will be good, but I don't think the reasons put forth will be the ones that do it.

Frankly, I'm concerned, because while smackdown is the 2nd biggest show, I'm not convinced that moving it to what is arguably a more obscure network might cause many people to lose interest or stop watching broadcasts of smackdown altogether. It's also possible that the discrepancies between those working smackdown and raw will be even greater, and being sent to smackdown from raw may be viewed in the locker room as an even bigger demotion.

Hard to say, I guess in the end it depends on if they can pull big ratings after the switch.

 

[The Scarred One]

Syfy is more popular than mynetworktv? I was looking around online (so it is perhaps not accurate) but a few different sources stated that mynetworktv is available in 12% more homes than syfy is. So this is kind of a drop.

That's true. Considering MyNetworkTV is a broadcast channel, people don't need cable to watch it. There are still some people who don't have cable so they could previously watch SmackDown on free television. But although MyNetworkTV is available in more homes, that doesn't mean it's more popular than SyFy. MyNetworkTV has tried several times to brand itself and failed. Now, they pretty much rely on syndicated programs and movies. The WWE already has a strong relationship with NBC/Universal so the latter can help better promote SmackDown to the masses.

 

[hArdyPUNKmArk]

Yeah I think Edge needed to stay on Smackdown in the first place. He’s a great Smackdown performer, it’s his show. Having another well established star would also help the brand with Taker missing and Mysterio only being able to step into that role occasionally. Punk is there but he’s not as big as Edge yet... Yeah, Edge should be moved back. Looking at the Raw stars they need to put either Jericho or Edge back on Smackdown, either would work fine.

I hope they do move him back, it would be great to eventually see an Edge/Christian feud (everyone wants it at some stage) and on Smackdown they could have a match for the top title. They wouldn’t get that on Raw.

 

[Paradox]

Really this would make no sense, as many have pointed out Edge has nothing to do on Smackdown. He's feuded with every face on Smackdown at least twice. The only person he hasn't feuded with his Christian, and as much as I'd love to see that, it would be stupid for him to jump shows for a single feud. When if they wanted to they could do it sometime headed into next years Mania as an inter-brand match. Also what would that do to the current crop of heels? I don't think Edge would be the top heel on Smackdown. Honestly, I think Edge would fall back, because Punk is IMO the best heel in the company right now. Where on Raw he could have some good feuds with the some of the faces there, and even some heels. I'd love to see a feud between him and Miz, or Sheamus.

I think it would be smarter to put Orton on Smackdown. As he's turning face, and it would separate him from Cena. (Unless they turn Cena heel in the next couple of months.) He would have fresh feuds with Punk, Swagger, Kane. As he's basically run his course on Raw. There really isn't anyone else for him to feud with after his match with Sheamus.

 

[16mikeytot]

Well to answer your questions Smackdown will become as successful on SyFy as wwe wants it to come, by that I mean if wwe really wants Smackdown to succeed then take it off friday nights I mean friday is an absolutely terrible tv night. Smackdown won't become as big as Raw because Raw is Raw and Smackdown is Smackdown it's kind of like ESPN to ESPN2 and Mtv to Mtv2. Although Smackdown is better than Raw most of the time.

 

[shattered dreams]

I kind of doubt it is going to be a blessing. Smackdown already has a dwindling audience, not even doing 2.0s. It would seem entirely possible to see another significant dip in viewership because they are both changing channels and going to cable. If they mixed in a night change as well, the casual fan is going to be pretty confused. I am sure they will put a lot of "strong" stories into getting people to get used to the switch but no one is going to get cable to watch smackdown. As far as quality and freedom, I am not sure. SYFY used to try and get them to run more stories in WWECW that fit the channels style. I doubt SYFY is that happy with nxt2 doing .8s right now either. Who knows, at this rate TNA might catch the B show not by improving much themselves but just by letting smackdown come down to their level. Then again maybe the effort put into the re-launch will draw for smackdown and get some momentum back. When they tried to boost smackdown's falling ratings most recently it worked at first then became even worse when it went back to normal. I could see that happeneing here.

 

[The Holy One]

Even though I still enjoy Smackdown right now, I can say that the move to SyFy will be a much needed improvement. They will be put on a known and sucessful cable channel and like the OP said can have the possiblity of run-off, live, and three hour long episodes. It will be interesting what wrestlers they will add to the show to raise the star power b/c Edge has already been rumored to be one which will be a welcomed addition by me. The WWE already has a great relationship with NBC so they will be able promote Smackdown better in order the gain more viewers. I can't see how this can be a bad thing for Smackdown unless the creative team has a mind deflation.

 

[RatedDashing]

I have a question about Smackdown moving to SyFy.
I have heard the rumours that one or two main eventers from Raw with be moving over to Smackdown and I was just wondering, will this be a part of a storyline which aims to make people tune into why they jumped brands, or will there be an actual draft again?

 

[newc868]

Rumours are rumours but I could easily see Triple H returning to Smackdown instead of Raw. Puts one of the most known and most prominent figures back onto a show that is lacking in main event star power.
Also, I would love to see a Triple H-Taker feud.

On the topic of ths, Smackdown will remain the number 2 show but I think this will help it get somewhat of a boost in ratings for sure. A night change would be uneccessary and be cause for a ratings drop even further - even if I do miss the Thursday night Smackdown... mostly because UK got to watch it before the US I believe.

 

[Million Dollar Dream]

I feel this is a good thing for Smackdown!... In my opinion it was never a good idea to move it to friday nights to begin with.. most people go out on friday nights (movies, dates, the bar, etc.), so in that respect I think smackdown was hurt from moving from the old thursday night show..

I feel that on Syfy smackdown will now not be moved around because of sporting events like it is now.. IF wwe ever changes from PG rating back to PG-13 or TV MA then it'll be easier to accomplish on syfy network rather then MyTV network.

 

[Davi323]

MyNetworkTV may be in a few more households...but other than for Smackdown, does ANYONE watch it? Didn't think so. Now, same question...other than NXT, does anyone watch SyFy? I am willing to bet that far more people watch SyFy. What good is being in 12 percent more homes doing you if nobody is watching? There is a built in lead-in audience with SyFy, and its generally a similar demographic to those that watch Smackdown. Smackdown's ratings will improve, if only because more people are watching whatever airs before Smackdown does than are watching a 15 year old rerun of America's Funniest Home Video or whatever other syndicated bullshit your local MyNetworkTV airs.

It also has the benefit of being available on most digital cable packages in HD. People like things in HD. It doesn't matter to people with basic cable, but damn, for those of us that get HD, it makes a huge difference in viewing experience. With MyNetworkTV, very few parent channels broadcast it in HD. Its usually a digital sub-channel in SD, because SD uses a lot less bandwidth than HD does.

 

[Da Prophet]

Smackdown will never be the number on show in the WWE, it will always be the B-show and second to Raw.Moving to Sci-Fi will give it a bigger fan base and people who will be exposed to it but I don't think anything major will happen.WWE fans watch Raw because it's live and that is the show to be.This is a step up for Smackdown and will bring in fans but nothing huge.

 

[Remy LaCroix]

I don't know whether this is good or bad. I've heard people say that NXT is the highest-rated show on SyFy, and the WWE audience only cares about Raw, so I have a feeling ratings won't go up at all. Besides, I need a cable box thingy from Comcast to watch SyFy and I'm gonna lose my cable next month. I can't afford to buy the box thingy again, so they just lost a viewer, but that's SyFy's fault and partially WWE for choosing to go to a digital channel.

That's just me, I don't know about other people's situations with their cable providers.

 

[Unsold Bacon]

WE.com and the Oklahoma City Ford Center is advertising a television taping for Friday 1st October. This may be a live recording for SmackDown's SyFy debut. In addition, RAW superstars are also advertised for the taping.

I'm not saying. It will be live but if it says a TV taping and RAW is there too. I think It's true. Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't this the first ever live Smackdown?

 

[Nick Black]

To be honest, with my knowledge, I don't know that there has been a live Smackdown. All of them, since it's debut have been taped prior to its showing on Television. I may be wrong, but there have been no live Smackdowns that I know of. It would be nice to see a live one though. The spoilers bug me sometimes, but thats what I get for reading them.

 

[Jack-Hammer]

MyNetworkTV may be in a few more households...but other than for Smackdown, does ANYONE watch it? Didn't think so. Now, same question...other than NXT, does anyone watch SyFy? I am willing to bet that far more people watch SyFy. What good is being in 12 percent more homes doing you if nobody is watching? There is a built in lead-in audience with SyFy, and its generally a similar demographic to those that watch Smackdown. Smackdown's ratings will improve, if only because more people are watching whatever airs before Smackdown does than are watching a 15 year old rerun of America's Funniest Home Video or whatever other syndicated bullshit your local MyNetworkTV airs.

It also has the benefit of being available on most digital cable packages in HD. People like things in HD. It doesn't matter to people with basic cable, but damn, for those of us that get HD, it makes a huge difference in viewing experience. With MyNetworkTV, very few parent channels broadcast it in HD. Its usually a digital sub-channel in SD, because SD uses a lot less bandwidth than HD does.

This is pretty much what I was going to say. Even though MyNetworkTV might be availiable in more homes, I think it's pretty clear that hardly anyone is even watching the channel in and of itself. Aside from Smackdown, its current broadcast line up consists of Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader? The Unit, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, a different movie Thursday nights & something called Smash Cuts. Beginning this fall the network will air Burn Notice, Don't Forget The Lyrics, Monk & Without A Trace. Not exactly a strong line up, particularly when you consider the fact that two of the shows they'll be adding to their line up this Fall are canceled series. Smackdown is consistently the highest drawing show they have and it's not really as if they have much else going for them.

Syfy shows a lot of horror movies, most of them originally produced and some of which are actually pretty good. They also show a lot of their own original series, some of which have pretty devoted followings that've gotten a lot of critical acclaim as well: Being Human, Caprica, Destination Truth, Eureka, the Ghost Hunter franchise, Warehouse 13, etc. In terms of ratings and overall programming, Syfy is simply a stronger channel than MNTV and I think Smackdown does have a chance of increasing its audience. I do think it'd be worth considering to move it to a different night. More people do go out on Friday nights than any other night of the week, so moving to a different night might also help out with the numbers as well.

 

[Ferbian]

I guess it can only be a good thing for Smackdown, as well as WWE. This might actually bring in some good ratings because you can't just read the results, also it could very well spell the future for Smackdown as a permanently live show.

However I'm not sure I like it, I'm a streamer, I watch the shows when they're uploaded on the Internet, and Smackdown is uploaded early Friday due to Australia, so obviously I wouldn't be able to watch Smackdown on Fridays, but rather I would have to wait till it gets uploaded on Saturdays.

However that's just a selfish perspective, I can see this as either a positive beginning, or a positive thing overall for Smackdown, as well as WWE on Syfy.

 

[LitasRevenge79]

How would this change? So smackdown would go to Tuesdays then? That does not seem very likely. The whole concept is to have a show at the beginning of the week, and a show at the end of the week to give viewers a good way to start/end their time. Even give the fact that there is still going to be a season 3 NXT (tentatively), and Superstars. So then Tuesday and Thursdays are still filled, all while taped during Monday/Tuesday shows. This allows the stars on RAW/SD to get their BIG shows done, and do the few road shows, and then get their 3 days off they are allowed. Then get back to their schedule. I can't see them changing to Tuesdays since the SD has been a staple and works better on Friday night, I think they would get EVEN more lost in the shuffle of the ho-hum programming that is saturating tv right now.

 

[Dr.Done]

The creative minds at WWE and Syfy have put their muscly, forward-thinking heads together and reteamed for the joint venture that is Smackdown on Syfy. On Friday, Oct. 1, a new era begins.

In its promotional material, Syfy is already attempting to redefine sports entertainment as we know it. WWE superstars are referred to as "super heroes of wrestling" who will "bring fans...feats of athleticism beyond the reach of mortal men."

Just how will the move affect both parties? Well, science fiction aficionados are already known to be adrenaline junkies.

And WWE has had its fair share of supernaturally enhanced characters over the years-Undertaker being the best known and longest lasting of the bunch.

 

[LitasRevenge79]

Hopefully WWE can use this move to their advantage and so far they seem to be on the right track, this next Tues. August 24, they've got Cody Rhodes on that Warehouse 13. With all the series on that channel, there is lots of potential for crossovers to use WWE stars to help cross-sell the show. Just like with RAW on USA, we've seen Mickey James, and John Cena, and Big Show on various USA shows. Then with the cross to SyFy, more people won't have to worry about pre-emptions for football. I don't know about most of you, but I live in Kansas, and last Friday (8/13) Smackdown was shown for the first 14 minutes, then they cut to a Chiefs preseason football game. If any of you know about Chiefs football, you know that they suck and its not worth broadcasting ANY of their games, and that pushed the broadcast of SD to 11 pm for me, which sucks and screwed up my taping schedule. Anyhow, even the move to SyFy will make for better quality on the HD since the MyNetwork is crappy reception and the HD channel for it doesn't work in bad weather. So I can only see better things coming for it with this move. And if possible rumors are correct, I've seen where possibly rumors of either HHH or Edge coming to SD would draw in WAY more viewers again, because in my opinion SD lost TOO many of their power players to RAW all due to them competing with TNA when they tried to do Monday nights. Thank fully TNA folded and went back to Thursdays, and now we can hopefully get some more star power back on Friday nights.

 

[martymcfly]

It seems like a lot of folks are arguing that syfy is a better network because of the shows that each network offers. But I don't think that's a valid argument. Do you really choose to watch or not watch wrestling because of the other shows on that network? People list the crappy lineup on mynetworktv outside of wrestling, but obviously you still watched smackdown so I don't see the logic in that argument.

Either you're a wrestling fan or you aren't, or you're a smackdown fan, or you aren't. Where in the channel lineup it appears isn't going to change that. Whether or not you get to watch it in HDTV isn't going to change that. The only thing that this change does is make the show available in fewer households which means that some smackdown fans will be left out. That means in the end, whether or not this is a good change is whether the loss in potential homes is offset by the slim demographic consisting of people who watch syfy but are not wrestling fans, but once the change occurs, they happen to leave the channel on some night and suddenly become regular viewers of smackdown.

 

[King_of_Swing1520]

hopefully it will move to thursdays and stop being on fridays. what i dont understand is why its not on usa like raw is. all the stations you mentioned and syfy arnt very watched. usa however is a very popular station.

 

[The 1-2-3 Killam]

I really don't see this move increasing the shows ratings at all. A LOT of people don't even get the SyFy channel. I have always been surprised by main stream TV network's lack of interest in pro wrestling.

-It's a yearly show. They draw ratings 12 months of the year instead of 3 or 4
-It gets better ratings than the majority of programs
-It draws huge amounts of cash for everybody involved

I realize that pro wrestling has a negative rep to it right now, and family friendship channels like ABC and NBC won't have anything to do with it. But don't the ratings speak for themselves? Who cares if people don't like pro wrestling? Who cares if it "makes you look uncivilized"? If you have one of the highest rated shows on network TV, what else matters? USA has Raw, and it's the best show they've ever had if I am remembering correctly. Why wouldn't they want Smackdown? What do they have going on on Friday nights that Smackdown wouldn't overshadow in its first week? It just amazes me that huge networks would jump at the chance to have consistent yearly ratings...

That being said, Smackdown won't go anywhere on SyFy. It could actually kill the product. At this point, I already only watch the episodes online on Hulu or WWE.com... Smackdown vs. Raw 2012 might end up just being WWE 2012...

 

[Dhays9]

I feel that this move may hurt and help the Smackdown! brand at the same time.

I feel it will help Smackdown! in fact that a bigger audience will be able to watch the show as I remember certain dish services such as direcTV for example do not show the current network Samckdown! is on. However, they do show the SyFy channel and therefore a wrestling audience who cannot not watch Smackdown! but want to can now watch the product.

However, in my view switching to SyFy may hurt an audience, mainly the audience of young adults and teenagers, for the fact they may be fans of wrestling or want to watch it but see that it is on the SyFy channel. Which, if the people I know that are between the ages of 15~20/21 they would immediatly say no for the fact that "SyFy is only for nerds" or "I'm too cool to watch SyFy."