How to Save WWE

That's no secret. WWE Shares today closed at $14.37. The Walt Disney Company is nearly double that value, and this is an off year for the Mouse and his friends. Superstars from all three WWE brands are injured. There have been staff reductions to save cost. Now the rosters of the entertainers themselves are being trimmed. Even developmental territories have been reduced to a single federation, Florida Championship Wrestling. Where is the new talent? Where are the viewers? WWE is having trouble developing new talent fast enough to keep up with veteran injuries. Writers are scrambling and coming up with less than engaging storylines for three segregated brands. The end result is what you have today.

Let's analyze. There are 35 Superstars in WWE Raw, four of which are "on air talent". Raw has the WWE Champion, Randy Orton, the United States Champion, Kofi Kingston, one half of the Unified WWE Tag Team Champions, Big Show, and the Divas Champion, Mickie James. Over on WWE SmackDown, there are 34 Superstars, four of which are "on air talent". SmackDown has the World Heavyweight Champion, Jeff Hardy, the Intercontinental Champion, Rey Mysterio, the Women's Champion, Michelle McCool, and the other half of the Unified WWE Tag Team Champions, Chris Jericho. ECW has 23 Superstars, including four "on air talents" and ECW Champion, Christian. There are also seven referees for those of you scoring at home.

Did you lose count?

WWE has 80 full-time athletes, 12 "on air talents", 7 officials, 9 championship titles, 3 weekly "flagship" television programs/brands, and two weekly clip shows. Add to that the house shows that never get aired and you can begin to see how easily writers can become weary and storylines can become stale. When you include the constant travel, public appearances, trying to squeeze in some vacations, rehabilitation, family time, and maybe even some sleep every now and then, it's easy to see how the sports entertainers are physically, mentally, and emotionally taxed.

Here is a solution. Simplify the product.

Imagine a single product, World Wrestling Entertainment, with two flagship weekly programs to carry the storylines that build to the pay-per-views. The weekly clip shows can continue. ECW as a brand would be eliminated altogether. Don't cry, the other shows have used WWE's version of "extreme" matches anyway. If you want blood, you can have a One Night Stand PPV.

Now WWE writers and bookers have access to the full roster of 80 wrestlers from which to create storylines and struggles for the belts. Speaking of belts, more consolidation needs to take place. Instead of 9 WWE championsips, there would be only a World Heavyweight Championship, a World Tag Team Championship, a Women's World Championship, and a Cruiserweight Championship. That's four titles in case you lost count. Now, wrestlers will have something to shoot for. Mid-card talent can try to climb the ranks. Actual tag teams can develop (can you name more than Cryme Time and Legacy right now?) and challenge for the title. We could see real competition with the smaller athletes for the Cruiserweight, even incorporating more Lucha Libre athletes into the shows. The on-air talent can be reduced, or rotated to give them some time away.

With the full WWE roster to choose from, writers should have an easier job coming up with original ideas that will get people to buy the WWE Pay-Per-Views, attend the live shows, and watch the television programs religiously. Your favorite superstar might be on SmackDown this week. Maybe he's on WWE Raw. Not only do writers get a break, but the athletes themselves can have a breather. This should help keep the top superstars healthier while the up-and-coming talents continue to develop in the mid-cards and the developmental territory in Florida. No need to try to push guys who aren't ready and no need to overwork the veterans just because they have no one to replace them.

What do you think?

I see this as a good thing for the company. As a wrestling fan, I believe this is the best entertainment choice. Think of WCW in its prime. Even with two live shows every week, things stayed fresh, new storylines developed and new talent was able to rise. All mistakes aside (ex. don't have "unstoppable" wrestlers beat all your top guys in just a few weeks because there is nowhere to go from there), this can work at least as well as WCW did, but I believe it can be so much better. Focus on one good product and the money will follow. One solid product is to be desired over 3 so-so products. WWE, I believe you can do it. Make the right decision and consolidate before your audience falls off to nothing and run off to MMA and TNA. They are gunning for your target audience, regardless of public posturing.

And hey, if that doesn't work out, you can always have Randy Orton kick me in the skull and let Shawn Michaels superkick my wife and children on live TV. That always seems to draw a reaction from viewers.

Editor's Note: The ideas presented above are intellectual property of The Mick and are shared here for the sole purpose of stimulating growth in WWE for the benefit of the fans and shareholders. Ideas remain the property of The Mick, even if some tragic "accident" or skull punt-related injuries should befall him. WWE creative and executive members are encouraged to contact The Mick for additional assistance.