3 reasons why WWE desperately needs an off season

Monday Night RAW is so underwhelming that WWE itself had to apologise on-air. While it might seem like a neat trick of post-modernist storytelling, what it is, is a harsh truth ringing across the universe for quite some time now. The ebb and flow quality of WWE programming has been a thing for years, and it can't seem to avoid this trend.

Another thing it can't seem to avoid are injuries and health scares, there's like this regularity during the waning months of the year for the company's performers to fall ill. At the same time, it seems like the horrific 2016 injury crisis during the road to WrestleMania might see a repeat this year, with big names set to just about make it on time if at all. In all of this, injuries and sickness come off as something that cannot unfortunately be avoided.

However, there is a solution the company can take into consideration.

One that flies on the very face of the billions thrown their way for programming next year, and the robust build of the ever-growing WWE Network. It makes it seem implausible as such, but it is a solution worth considering if not for monetary reasons, then for qualitative ones. Although it is something no corporate-backed public licensed company will even consider in this day and age (capitalism at its best!).

That solution is for WWE to finally bow to the idea of an off-season, and there are three strong reasons why.

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#3 Gives more time to build a better product

Quality would be a consideration if it weren't all about the money

As aforementioned, WWE and its majority stakeholders could care less about delivering a quality product. It prides itself on having a stable variety of shows for all kinds of audience, enough to bring in the casual viewers, as well as the hardcore fans. Not that any other promotion is breaking into the mainstream, but there is a burgeoning undercurrent of competition that threatens complacency.

Yet they don't care, because it isn't really about being the top dog in the field. For WWE as a giant corporate entity, it is about spending or investing the minimum effort to eke out a maximum profit, that's the capitalist handbook.

So if they did care, then what?

An off season would give enough preparation time for the wrestlers down to the smallest of jobs in the company to prepare for a better product. Having the company tackle the house show circuit (minimally of course) for the better part of half a year, before opening its gates to the actual seasonal programming might just make things better, after all practice makes perfect.

Not only that, but an off-season affords a clear-cut idea of where stories and rivalries will build towards. It makes it that much sharper and smarter, with the occasional readiness of a contingency plan in case something goes off; such as crowd engagement or injuries.

It's a tough one to tackle, but it has its advantages if played right; maximum effort for maximum long profit.

#2 Absence makes the heart grow fonder

Dean Ambrose's return early this year blew the roof off the building, now imagine that for everyone

Ever notice the kind of reaction the return of an injured superstar to active competition gets? It showcases that sometimes fans just need a breather from certain and maybe all the superstars.

WWE's inability to capitalise on the star power of its current roster is simply because of how they force-feed the stars down the viewers' throats. More often than not, a popular star not at their absolute best (since they've been working 3 to 4 times a week) becomes the centerpiece of the show to the point of lethargy.

The company has the greatest roster in wrestling today bar one (maybe New Japan Pro Wrestling) and controversially the best WWE roster of all time in terms of sheer talent. Yet no one reaches the height of popularity a simple part-timer does, because there's something special about seeing them wrestle once a year.

A smart off season idea would be for WWE creative to work out the chinks of some superstars performing on the house show circuit, while the other players show up on TV, then do the reverse the second half of the year.

This way WWE programming will be on showcase for the better part of the whole year, while also allowing some stars to take enough of a break that their returns blow the roof off the building.

#1 Refreshes the roster

It takes a toll on you. Don't try this at home

More than anything, WWE's consideration should skew towards its stars.

WWE honestly does care for its roster in ways, often going against the grain of its competitors to watch their health and prevent any irreversible damage as best as they can.

Yet there is a sense that overworking (especially with the global expansion of the company and the rapidly increasing amounts of programming inside and outside of the ring) is a cause of concern.

If that is the case which it is, then maybe an off-season isn't the worst idea. WWE's talent is what makes the company flow, and if it were to consistently lose the best of the best to injury and health concerns, then maybe that's not the best for longevity. Sure we can marvel at the 50-something part-timers making their way to the ring twice a year at this point in time, but after a while, the well runs dry.

An off-season could bring with it a swell of rain to fill that well with hearty, healthy, and beloved superstars.