The Future of Smackdown

[TLC]

I am very confident about Smackdown's future. They have gotten a few guys in the draft that could do big things. Christian is the biggest superstar they got. He is so over its not even funny. He needs Smackdown to become and not lost in the shuffle. On Smackdown he will be able to become possibly the face of the brand just like he was in ECW. I can just imagine the matches and feuds he can have with people like CM Punk, Rey Mysterio, Jack Swagger and so on.

As other posters have mentioned Smackdown has been the show for the younger guys for the past couple of years and especially last year with the amazing feud of Hardy and Punk. I have complete faith in the roster they have, the only thing I feel is letting them down is that they don't have that true main eventer on the roster but hopefully Big Show can help them out.

 

[gd]

Seems like virtually the exact same thing that happened a year ago. Raw got the majority of main event guys while Smackdown was seemingly left with nothing. However, guys like Hardy and Punk were able to shine with the void in the main event level at the time. For a few weeks after the draft, Smackdown was by far the better show and had a lot more excitment surronding it.

I see the same happening this year. Swagger isn't really threatened to get lost in the shuffle with Punk and McIntrye the only other two "major" heels. With Taker likely taking his summer vacation, Rey's knees virtually imploding, and MVP continuing to suck, the oppurtunity should be there for Christian in the main event. Guys like JTG and maybe even Cody Rhodes could potentially pick up some wins. I like it a lot.

 

[Big Nick Dudley]

Just from comparing the two rosters, my first thought is that Smackdown got dumped on. But, in all reality, it seems they are doing something different over there.

Raw has almost all of the established main event guys right now, with the exception of CM Punk. Big Show has been in a tag team, and hasn't held a world's title in a long, long time. The Undertaker is out for quite some time, so I'm not counting him just yet (even though he will most definitely be back). Batista is basically on Raw, and is more than likely done with the company after the next PPV. Christians a big name, but hasn't held the WWE or WHC. Kane hasn't been a serious contender in years. Mysterio is a huge name in professional wrestling, but his WHC days are over (I think). Swagger is the champ now, but his name isn't on the level of the top 5 or 7 guys on Raw (yet).

Maybe I'm alone in this, but I think Smackdown is being treated like the B-show. Raw has always been the bigger show, but the WWE tried to keep the talent level somewhat close. Does that mean I don't like it? No. Actually, it might be rather refreshing.

This will give guys like Christian, CM Punk, and Swagger the chance to carry a show. Guys like McIntyre, Kofi, Ziggler, and Cody Rhodes are going get an opportunity to be solid mid carders, while possibly flirting with the main even scene (in a triple threat, fatal fourway type of match). Also, any one of these guys will have the opportunity to feud with The Undertaker when he returns, and even losing a feud with Taker is better than not having a feud with him at all.

I like it. I am happy to see how the talent has been split up. IMO, It's something new, even though some of you might not see it that way. WWE seems to be treating Smackdown as the B-show, and they probably are. But I don't think WWE is as concerned with Smackdown competing with Raw as they are having Smackdown produce bigger stars who can someday have success on Raw. They moved a lot of younger, lesser-known names to Smackdown, and sent Jericho, Edge and (basically) Batista to Raw. I'm actually excited to see how Smackdown does this year.

 

[Isaac Kaye]

I actually like the way the draft has finished up. The only pick that confused me was shipping Jericho to Raw - but I guess it obvious they want him to work the midcard for a little while until the shoot him into the ME again.

The way things have worked out I'm guessing they are planning a long title reign for Swagger, which I would like. I'm not sure he has fully grown into the role of a champion yet, but he's got the skills to do it over time. This draft really shows how much confidence they have in the guy. They haven't overloaded the midcard either, so you can have people like Kingston, Christian, Rhodes, Ziggler, Kane and Hardy making it nice and competitive.

I think we might see McIntyre pushed into the ME very soon and maybe Punk as well. This will almost definitely mean MVP will make it into the title picture sooner rather than later. There's no other babyfaces in the ME, and I think he's the obvious choice.

RAW is loaded with big names and I'd rather they battled it out amongst themselves rather than restricting the rise of some of the more talented guys who are now on Smackdown.

Should be interesting!

 

[FunKay the Inevitable]

It's offering an alternative. The show has a bunch of characters who can grow (much like Punk, Hardy and others did last year) and challenge for the belt. Even Swagger for example isn't a cemented main eventer and having him go over guys like Show and even Kane will set him up nicely before he eventually fueds with the likes of Christian and Kofi. Even with Punk, Taker and Mysterio, it's likely we could see some intersting main event fueds forming. Guys like Ziggler and McIntyre are growing while the other former champions (Mysterio, Punk, Kane and Show) all have relevance. Vince see's SD! as the perfect place to grow his new crop of stars before harvesting them.

 

[Gooner]

IMO, SD! is in safe hands. This gives Raw the space to expose those familiar faces and keep TNA on its toes.

SD! has left the younger and less established stars space to grow and more exposure on TV.

The Women's Championship - Michelle McCool, Beth Phoenix and Gail Kim. This gives us three believable champions and leaves Kelly Kelly, Tiffany and Layla to give these women credibility. Vickie Guerrero will also have a large part to play, no pun intended.

The IC Championship - This division, IMO, has the best prospect. Ziggler, MVP, Masters, Christian, Kofi and Cody Rhodes can give not only McIntyre but the IC the credibility it has lost.

The WHC - The Undertaker will probably have a part to play when he returns to action. But in the mean time Swagger, Big Show, Mysterio and Punk will dominate the main event the majority of the time.

However, I feel the next few months will rest on the shoulders of one group. The Straight -Edge Society. They can fill the void and compete on every level from the women's division all the way to the world title picture. I feel that this Mystery Member should form a tag-team with Gallows, Serena should begin to compete and they should recruit one more member (maybe Rhodes or Masters) that will diversify the IC division while Punk goes for the WHC.

It would be a combination of the RTC and The McMahon-Helmsley, in that they try to influence behaviour and are involved in every level of competition.

If SD! turns out the way I hope it will, it will remain the more all round better show.

 

[LitasRevenge79]

I really do think the reason why you have EVERYONE on RAW now is a direct firing back to TNA. I'm kinda sad that Edge and Christian aren't together. I'm a bit shocked that they didn't carry the Swagger/Orton feud and put him on SD. Now you also have Batista saying he won't leave WWE now possibly? I mean come on.... You know Vince probably buttered him up with some sweet deal, and did get him that #1 contender to sweeten the pot. I'm kinda sad they didn't at least leave Y2J on SD to have some beef with Christian. Those 2 have had great chemistry before. I'm kinda scared to see what Fridays will be now. Not that I'm sad with Taker, Kane, and CM Punk, and Christian. But there's practically NO ONE on SD now. One can only hope that people will slowly transition over maybe in between times. I do like Big Show, but really, that's about the only other big player they scored big with. You can't really expect the same few people to carry the show over and over again. Then you risk running into the old TNA thing where you had/have 50+ peeps and only like the same 3-4 people are being used for like 4 feuds etc.