Would You Care If Smackdown Was Cancelled?

[The Brain]

For the past several years Smackdown has become a joke among members of the IWC. It seems that very few people watch Smackdown on a regular basis and the ones that do go out of their way to tell us their only doing it out of boredom. It's almost as if it's embarrassing, even as an admitted wrestling fan part of a pro wrestling forum, to admit you watch Smackdown. Our own Smackdown LD is a virtual ghost town that probably wouldn't exist if not for KB linking his review. It's pretty strange that a WWE wrestling show can't draw an audience from people that visit a wrestling forum on a daily basis.

Truthfully I think there are a lot more people in the IWC that watch Smackdown than care to admit it. I think a lot of people play along with the running joke that nobody watches Smackdown just for the laughs. With that said Smackdown has undoubtedly suffered since the end of the brand extension a few years ago. Even when Raw was clearly the top brand Smackdown did benefit from having its own identity. Once the brand extension ended it basically became a Raw rerun. There was some hope that getting away from the awful Friday time slot and back to the original Thursday would spark an interest again. I don't know that it's made any difference at all. Even though it's been ten months I still forget Smackdown is on Thursday. I can't tell you how many times I realized it was on forty minutes into the show. Even though I'm a life long WWE fan and I still try to watch Smackdown every week I wouldn't mind seeing it go.

Let's take the business side out of this conversation. Forget the network, the sponsors, and the potential profits. Speaking just as a fan that cares only about being entertained by the product on television would you care if Smackdown was canceled? We've all heard the expression less is more and we all know overexposure is not a good thing. From a creative standpoint getting rid of Smackdown could help keep things more fresh and benefit Raw. Of course we could just simply not watch but wrestling is a show with serialized storylines so you don't want to miss too many episodes. So what say you? Now that the brand extension is long gone and Raw has been three hours would you miss Smackdown if it was gone?

 

[klunderbunker]

Not at all.

Smackdown is a show that stopped needing to exist a long time ago. You might get a good match here or there, but most of the time Smackdown is a glorified house show these days. Often times it's just a repeat of the same stuff you saw on Raw (often times with long clips from Raw filling in time instead of fresh wrestling), which I've already seen once that week.

Smackdown served a purpose as the wrestling show for a few years, but now you're getting average length matches of average level with average promos to set them up. There's almost nothing on the show that is worth seeing. It's great for background noise, but there are dozens of other things I could put on for more enjoyment. Smackdown doesn't need to exist and I wouldn't care if it was gone.

 

[King Patrick Star]

I agree with everything The Brain has posted. Smackdown was a good show from 1999 – 2002. Then Smackdown became a great show from 2002 – 2011. From the end of the Brand Extension in 2011, to 2014, I would barely watch Smackdown. I only put it on if there was absolutely nothing else to watch. Then when the WWE Network started, I never bother to even pay attention to Smackdown spoilers. I wouldn’t mind it if Smackdown were to be cancelled, but there are just so many things the WWE could do to improve the show to keep it somewhat interesting.

I have an idea of basing each WWE show on a Championship Title.

Raw – 2 hour live show on Monday featuring the WWE World Heavyweight Championship Title and Main Event talent.
Smackdown – 2 hour live show on Tuesday featuring the Intercontinental Championship Title and mid-card talent.
Total Divas – 2 hour pre-taped show on Wednesday featuring the Divas Championship Title and Divas talent on a half reality show / half Professional Sports Wrestling Entertainment show.
Main Event – 2 hour pre-taped show on Thursday featuring the United States Championship Title and lower card talent.
SuperStars – 2 hour pre-taped show on Friday featuring the WWE World Tag Team Championship Titles and Tag Team talent.

Only the Champions and Championship Titles would be Brand Exclusive, meaning anyone can show up on any show to challenge for any Championship Title. This would give more focus on all the Championships and its respective contenders and not over crowd a one show. Imagine Kevin Owens headlining Smackdown, or John Cena headlining Main Event. Imagine the Brother of Destruction challenging for the WWE World Tag Team Championship Titles on SuperStars or Trish Stratus making a guest appearance on Total Divas. It could work.

 

[WrasslinPittsburgh]

Nope. Not must see TV, and WWE posts the highlights on youtube anyways. If WWE had like a TV title they could use Smackdown as a show where that must defended every week. That could be a way to showcase more of the mid carders. Think HHH said hes open to adding a crusierweight title to NXT. They need something fresh. RAW does everything to hype the PPV's so this is could be easily skipped most of the time. the women also need to close out Smackdown more. alternate each week with the guys.

 

[TootsieBear]

Yes, and no. My younger self will be upset because I watched SmackDown religiously as a kid. But today's SmackDown is a shell of it's former self. Nothing really new in feuds or stories, replays of events from RAW, etc.

WWE is using it only to promote other programs. If WWE wanted viewers to watch SmackDown then give us stars who make the show not only watchable, but unique compared to RAW, its own title, etc. Basically give us SmackDown from the dual brand era.

 

[OYDK]

Man, I haven't watched Smackdown in... must be over 2 years. And I'm not exaggerating either. It has gotten to the point where I don't even read the reviews on here anymore because it really doesn't matter. Do you EVER hear about Smackdown on the "real" show? Never. Does Smackdown advance storylines? Not a clue, but judging from the fact that the show is never mentioned, I'm going to guess no. How often is Brock Lesnar, John Cena, HHH, Randy Orton, etc. on the show? Again very rarely if at all. Smackdown literally doesn't offer anything. It doesn't have particularly good wrestling, it's not conducive to the brand as a whole, no big names ever show up, and the ratings must SUCK. With ROH, NJPW, LU, NXT, and Raw as options, why the heck would I watch Smackdown?

Smackdown stopped mattering years ago, which is damn sad because I used to love Smackdown. Even more than Raw at times. I don't get how WWE could have let that show down so bad. Pathetic really.

 

[Checkmate]

Would I miss Smackdown?

No.

I'm someone who didn't have cable TV until 2009. So, I rarely got to watch RAW except when I was at a friend's house. Smackdown was my access point to the WWE, but even approaching that 2009 mark, it was faltering. Gone were the days of a dedicated brand split with big, meaningful, storylines and developing superstars. As soon as I got to see RAW, Smackdown no longer mattered. I don't think I've sat through an entire episode since.

Perhaps instead of cancelling Smackdown, they could move it to the network in some capacity. A one or two hour show with a couple of matches could be used to develop feuds and give some of the guys that are lower on the card a chance to shine. Yes, this is similar to what Superstars is already, but if they really put a bit of work into it, they could have another network draw on their hands, like NXT.

 

[Jack-Hammer]

I think that WWE's last chance to resurrect SmackDown will be when it moves to the USA Network next year. If they don't try to put it on equal terms to Raw and if they don't air it live, then I don't even see the point of moving it from Syfy in the first place.

Would I miss it? I'd miss it in the sense that there are often good, solid matches there and that it's one more wrestling program gone from television. Is SmackDown "must see" television? Not necessarily though, as I alluded to, that could partially be solved if the show went live. One reason some don't watch it is because they read the spoilers and one reason why I generally enjoy the show is because I avoid reading them. I dunno, it just seems like reading spoilers is another way of fans sabotaging themselves; however, I imagine some would still stick to their guns of not liking the show even if they avoided reading spoilers.

 

[Dagger Dias]

I would miss Smackdown if it ultimately got cancelled. Sure it has devolved now to the point of being little more than Raw recaps and random tag matches, but watching my DVR recording it on the weekend each week is enjoyable and something I look forward to as an opportunity to relax on saturday or sunday after a long week. Smackdown is something to watch when you're bored. It may not be must-see anymore, however it is still worth keeping around. Whether WWE makes Smackdown into a priority again or not, I would definitely be sad to see it go. More than anything it would be missed due to nostalgia for the older content from when it used to be awesome. Smackdown from 2012 onward wouldn't be missed nearly as much.

 

[Navi]

Let's take the business side out of this conversation. Forget the network, the sponsors, and the potential profits. Speaking just as a fan that cares only about being entertained by the product on television would you care if Smackdown was canceled? We've all heard the expression less is more and we all know overexposure is not a good thing. From a creative standpoint getting rid of Smackdown could help keep things more fresh and benefit Raw. Of course we could just simply not watch but wrestling is a show with serialized storylines so you don't want to miss too many episodes. So what say you? Now that the brand extension is long gone and Raw has been three hours would you miss Smackdown if it was gone?

I used to watch Smackdown when it was on Friday nights. Since they changed it here in Canada and put it on Wednesdays, I would rather watch NXT instead, they are on at the same time. And to tell you the truth not really missing it that much.

If the WWE took it seriously enough to put on new matches or start up new feuds, I would take it seriously as well. As it stands it's a two hour repeat of a three hour RAW most weeks. Since I watch RAW, don't need to see it recapped.

Smackdown hasn't really mattered in years, and unless they do another brand split, which they won't, it will take a long time for it to matter again.

 

[L@RISANO]

Given I only read Smackdown spoilers and then read KB's SmackDown review, I don't think I would really miss what has become a virtual nothing show with the occasional segment that is of interest but really amounts to nothing...


Also, with RAW at 3 hours, there really is no need for SmackDown at all, lMO, and I feel our viewing experience might well be better if it was done away with altogether.

 

[justinsayne]

Yeah, I'm in the minority here as I actually prefer SD! to RAW. It's not 3 hrs. so it feels like it moves along a lot quicker, it gives me all the important bits from RAW in nice short, quick, easily digestible, packages, & I tend to enjoy most of the matches better as well. There are certainly ways in which it could really be improved, but overall I like the show, & tend to make a point to watch it more so than RAW most weeks. So yes, I would miss SD! if it was canceled.

 

[Anger]

For me the answer is two-fold. As far as SD as it currently exists, I would really not miss it too much, being as I catch maybe one episode a month, if that. My overarching response is that I would care if it were cancelled if WWE actually did something with it again beyond Raw Part 2. To my mind, this is one particular way in which WWE defecates all over its fanbase: they put out subpar programming, knowing it is subpar, and that loyal fans will simply take it as is. I am a longtime and loyal WWE fan, but I do not watch SD much anymore because it is not worth it. And some nights (a lot more lately) Raw is lackluster, at best, on its own. The best WWE program going is NXT, by miles and miles. I watch Raw every week, because some shows will be mediocre now and then, but they still put out a largely good product, poor booking notwithstanding. If SD were once again booked properly and used as a vehicle to push talent that does not get much opportunity on Raw, then I would watch every week as I once did.

 

[Prince Vee]

I certainly will care I reckon. Because you see, you can get a lot of good matches on "wrestling" wise in the SmackDown. Despite losing its plot in the recent years, it seems like WWE are trying to bring back the relevancy to it. Roman Reigns has been the main man and ****SPOILER REMOVED**** And in the recent times many PPV matches have been announced on SD as well. Yeah I know there are no storyline building up in the SD but it seems like happening. All we ought to do is watch and support!

Cheers!!

 

[Navi]

I certainly will care I reckon. Because you see, you can get a lot of good matches on "wrestling" wise in the SmackDown. Despite losing its plot in the recent years, it seems like WWE are trying to bring back the relevancy to it. Roman Reigns has been the main man and ****SPOILER REMOVED**** And in the recent times many PPV matches have been announced on SD as well. Yeah I know there are no storyline building up in the SD but it seems like happening. All we ought to do is watch and support!

Cheers!!

Dude wrap some spoiler tags around part of your post. It hasn't aired yet here in Canada or the US.

And the reason Reigns main events it is because Cena only shows up there once in a blue moon. It's a huge deal when he is on SD, so that ought to tell you something right there.

 

[Greg4WWE]

I would say if the product was better I would miss it. But now I can dvr Raw when I am not home and can watch the entire 3 hours in 20 minutes so why would I be bothered with Smackdown?

For the product as bad as it is, Smackdown is just too much wrestling for me in a week. I watch Raw and that is pretty much it. I may check the Smackdown spoilers and if I see something that i may want to see i will dvr it but I can't remember the last time I sat down and watched a full episode of Smackdown.

Unless WWE improves their stuff, less is more for me.

 

[GeneralKarim]

Not at all really. I was "that" dude a few years back where I would watch literally everything that WWE put out. I remember when Chris Masters had that feud with Curt Hawkins on Superstars and that was actually very nice. Now, after WWE have managed to screw up their product to levels that I didn't even know existed, I can barely stomach Raw.

I'm just looking at every storyline, every superstar, and I can't say I'm really intrigued by anything I see. So, if nothing I see on RAW where the storyline is suppose to go forward, Smackdown is basically, as some of you have already said, a glorified house show. I couldn't care less about the good matches you get there sometimes; I've seen enough, way more than enough good matches to not have to sit through Smackdown to see yet another Ziggler vs anybody "5" star match that will do nothing for either competitor.

With Raw being this long, Smackdown is only really there just so WWE can be on people's minds constantly ( which doesn't seem to help viewership, shocker ). But hey, if some guys can get paid a bit more doing some matches on Smackdown, I'm all for it, make that money. So in that sense I would like for it to stay, cause I aint watching it anyway. Might as well let those guys make some money.

 

[kumarjtk]

i also read spoiler and dont watch sd. If they live smackdown then i watch it regularly. My idea to watch sd regularly and gain viewers is make good wrestling matches.
Wwe has hands of good wrestlers. Cesaro, ziggler, owens, neville, ambrose. Give 20 minutes match for them. They make 4 star matches definitely. When u read spoiler then u definitely watch sd. Sd doesnt need promo time or story telling. Also give one nxt match in sd. If they need star power then show any one of their top wrestler in random order.

 

[BuriedByCena]

I don't watch smackdown. I leave it on my tv as background noise. I only tune in to that channel to watch "Aftermath" at 10:00pm with Jackie Redmond/Jimmy Coderas/Nug etc.

My fellow Canadians know what I am talking about. An awesome half hour of them discussing what happened in wwe the past week. Such a great show.

I don't know if the americans get Aftermath, but you should look up some episodes online.

 

[Mighty NorCal]

I would, but only because its wasted opportunity. Just like RAW is.

 

[Mustang Sally]

When Smackdown was first brought to TV, it was a terrific thing for folks who couldn't get enough of folks like The Rock, Triple H, Stephanie and other top of the list performers. We got to see the people without having to concern ourselves too much with storylines. So, if you liked star power, Smackdown was for you. The Rock even called it 'his' show, based on the name.

To me, it was too much of a 'good' thing.

After the A-listers cut down on appearances and the producers tried to incorporate midcard performers with minor storylines......'minor' meaning plotlines that pretty much got resolved the same evening...... many fans turned off to Smackdown.

From there, it was up & down. Some episodes were pretty slickly produced, while others chased their own tails. All we read on this forum was criticism or nonchalance about Smackdown.

Personally, I'll watch an hour or so if I don't feel like doing anything else on a Thursday night. If it's canceled, then it is. I'd rather have them cut Raw down to 2 hours and spice up Smackdown with some of the juicy stuff left over from Raw.

 

[stingray11214]

Since I DVR most shows, if Smackdown died tomorrow, I couldn't care less. Smackdown is nothing more than a joke. With so much out there, why would ANYONE but a WWE mark watch it? Sure, it is good for background noise. But, I would turn to the Indy podcasts if nothing else to watch some entertaining Pro Wrestling while Smackdown is on.

 

[TDFG]

If you missed an episode of Raw, your likely to have missed one or two matches/segments that you want to watch.

You can't say the same for Smackdown. Most weeks we have either a tag-team main-event or a match that has been added on from a crappy dq/interference from earlier in the evening.

I can't remember the last time we had a title change on Smackdown, if it ended tomorrow, it wouldn't be a huge loss.

 

[Hollywood Naitch]

Yes, I would care if SmackDown was cancelled, as I've got alot of fond memories of watching the show growing up, when WWE actually cared about it, and it was treated the same as Raw was.

With the amount of writers they have, and the huge array of talent on offer, its criminal how little effort is put into Smackdown these days. Back in the late 90s, WWE had action packed episodes of both Smackdown and Raw every week, with so many different angles running at once. Compare this to now, when they struggle to make a single hour of Raw "must-see" TV, with dull, boring angles and no character development. With the amount of TV time on offer now there's no reason why they can't write an entertaining Smackdown every week, it's just lazy.

 

[Azane]

I've been hoping Smackdown Gets cancelled for a while, I remember a few years ago when it was like, 30% Raw Rewind, 40% commercials, 30% random squash matches.

I hate hearing about "This happened on Smackdown", and I'm not going to invest 2 more hours of my week in case something happens. The Fact its taped, means nothing ever happens that matters, I think the last time something amazing happened on Smackdown that I remember was April 2010 when Swagger Cashed in MITB.

3 hour raws were the nail in the Coffin for Smackdown for me, it's already tough sitting through so much filler.

I've got a huge vendetta against Smackdown in my mind though, as when the show first came out on UPN, it was a network that wasn't available to our package, and they tried to make the show supercede RAW in most cases, and trying to follow wrestling without Smackdown when it was fresh, was nearly pointless. I almost abandoned watching Wrestling as a late Teen, because half of RAW was devoted to Smackdown highlights. By the time we started getting UPN, Smackdown was down to the B Show, but with the brand split, I could watch both separately and only miss a little bit of the overall storyline.