Need for identity

[DD84]

In the WWE, there are 3 shows. RAW, Smackdown and ECW are these shows. All of them have one thing in common (besides the facts that Vince owns them and Miz and Morrison wrestle on all 3 shows) the all have the same set. When I first saw it on RAW I thought it was just a RAW thing and liked it, then I saw it on ECW and thought ok, then I didn't see the fist on Smackdown and thought DAMN. I just don't like it, I like it better with 3 diff/ sets. I know it won't happen for many reason, but don't you won't the sets to change? There is no identity to each show, I don't like it.

Your thoughts.

 

[WCW_Sting]

I don't like it either. But my guess is they made them the same for Supershows so people won't watch Smackdown! and see part of the Raw set. I remember seeing the Raw TitanTron on Smackdown! and thinking, "That's so stupid." I think a Supershow is cool for the fans at the show, but it's horrible for TV. It takes away from the reality.

Anyway, that's what I think. I wish that the shows had their own sets, but I can understand them wanting to make the Supershows better on TV.

 

[Phoenix]

I think the main problem is the "new" set is at least double the size of what the previous sets were and they take a good while to put it up and put it down compared to the previous sets - so they're mainly stopping a time consuming effort for fans waiting for the next show.

I do agree though, think they could modify the sets slightly, like instead of the giant WWE logo, they could have the Raw, Smackdown or ECW logo. I can't see it changing for a while until they got something more HD and unique.

But then with superstars showing up on every show, they must be getting confused too!

 

[That's Just Weird]

I think the point was that Smackdown was going to be taped alongside with ECW, and they taped ECW at some point before RAW went on the air a few months ago. I think it was a matter of convenience. They would have to put up one set, finish up the show, take it down then put up another set. They could be totes more efficient if they just kept everything the same.

Also, they wouldn't have to worry about one set looking dull. Smackdown always looked dull compared to RAW and ECW was unwatchable despite what the set looked like.

 

[TheBoyWonder]

The idea of the brands is to have the shows competing against eachother theoretically isn't it?
Well if they all look exactly the same, and nobody can tell the difference when looking at the layout, then whats the point.
It might as well be the same show, with the effort put in on monday nights and friday nights, and zero effort put in on tuesday nights.

 

[Scott Free]

The idea of the brands is to have the shows competing against eachother theoretically isn't it?
Well if they all look exactly the same, and nobody can tell the difference when looking at the layout, then whats the point.
It might as well be the same show, with the effort put in on monday nights and friday nights, and zero effort put in on tuesday nights.

If you look at the shows, there's hardly any difference in the feel of them, when HHH bounces back and forth from Smackdown and RAW, I can't tell the difference, it's the same to me. Identity isn't just about looks, it also has to involve substance, if you give control of a show to let's say, Dusty Rhodes, let him do his thing, supposedly, ECW is Rhodes project, but...he's constantly being tied up by politics and Vince micromanages EVERYTHING, so it comes down to the same product with a different label on. If they did differentiate their brands and let different people dictate the direction they will go, the overall product will improve.

 

[itbewilly]

Another note on the changes of the ECW and Smackdown set's were due primarily because of them going HD .Sure they could have maybe fixed the set's to include the big fist on smackdown or the original ecw brick wall entrance but maybe it caused issues during filming in HD.I remember one of the first HD shows i seen looking funny because the spray on tan stuff that Randy Orton had used turned his skin to an orangeish color.I dont think they made them all the same by choice.They probably designed the most convenient stages they could as fast as they could for the HD launch.

All three of the new stages and titontron's were made to fit the HD setting so like i said thats probably why they look the same.Also the fact that some shows are taped together would also make more sense to have the same sets so you dont have to waste time changing set ups between shows which in most cases are recorded one after the other at the same event.