The World Title served a purpose during the brand split, it showed us who Smackdown or Raw's champion was, and it was, at times, a bigger deal than the WWE title, especially around 2004-2005. But now that the brand split is essentially over, the World title should be retired, and ADR, RVD and other should be fighting over the Intercontinental title to raise it's credibility, which is sorely needed.
But to say Vince McMahon never gave the World Heavyweight Title its due respect is nonsense. While it wasn't given much respect when it was the WCW title, it was given a lot of respect when it was reintroduced in 2002. Say what you want about him, but Triple H made that title a big deal, a bigger deal than Brock Lesnar made the WWE title. It was the World Heavyweight Title match that ended Wrestlemania 20, remember that.
Not to mention guys like Batista, Edge and the Undertaker, who made the title look like a big deal. It was when WWE made it clear that Raw was the A show while the World Title was on Smackdown that caused the World Title to suffer. Usually, there was an even split of talent. Batista on one show, Cena on the other. Angle on one show, Triple H on the other. And then WWE decided to throw all their top stars onto Raw around 2009, 2010, and Smackdown and the World suffered as a result.
I loved the CM Punk vs. Jeff Hardy feud. But it was CM Punk vs. Jeff Hardy, one upper midcarder, and one underachieving semi-main eventer fighting for a world championship. It made it very clear that Smackdown was the number 2 show, and the World Title was the number 2 title. It was never going to headline Wrestlemania or anything. Raw, meanwhile had Orton vs. Cena, a feud that was a big deal.
So to say that WWE never showed the World Title any respect is flat-out wrong. They showed the title a lot more respect that WCW showed it in 2000. But it should be retired, and the Intercontinental title should be made the number 2.
