5 changes WWE could bring to survive competition

Modified Apr 29, 2019 05:30 GMT

Triple H has taken on a hands on role in managing WWE

WWE is going through turbulent times. The growth of AEW has shaken the management team, and they are trying everything in their control to mitigate the risks. Simultaneously, they also need to keep their audience interested and excited with better storylines and gimmicks.

Vince McMahon has successfully run the show for decades, and he can easily survive the competition if he can bring a few changes in WWE. Some of them are simple things while others seem a bit difficult. However, if they can execute the changes successfully, it can provide great leverage to WWE in terms of money, popularity, and viewership. Here are five changes WWE could bring to tackle its opposition.

#5 More independent wrestling promotions join WWE Network

The management team of WWE had asked the WWE Network subscribers what they wanted to watch on the digital platform. After analyzing the responses, they had hinted at working with more independent wrestling promotions to satisfy viewers' needs.

They have a relationship with EVOLVE in the USA and Progress in the UK. They can also try to forge an alliance with Pro Wrestling Guerrilla (PWG), Hustle, and other companies by offering them to display their talent on a weekly basis. This will also help WWE discover newer talents leading to their induction in the WWE Universe.

#4 NXT emerges as the third main brand

Sami Zayn vs. Adrian Neville: NXT Championship Match

There are several reasons why NXT should be made the third main brand of WWE after Raw and SmackDown. Firstly, this move would give NXT wrestlers more confidence and self-esteem as they are regularly asked about the time of their movement to the main roster. Secondly, it will add more attraction as it has young stars and old faces. Thirdly, it has much better storylines as compared to the main roster.

The elevation of NXT as the third main brand can put the focus back on wrestling and less on theatrics. They can have WarGames matches to get a competitive edge.

With competition lurking from AEW and other promotions, WWE can leverage NXT to ward-off rivals. This would mean more fans and money for Vince McMahon.

#3 Conor McGregor joins WWE

Conor McGregor is a champion MMA fighter with a formidable personality and a huge name. It has been observed that UFC fighters bring in a lot of star power and varied fighting styles thus adding to the glitz and glamour of WWE. Ronda Rousey, Brock Lesnar, and others have added significantly to the WWE fan base.

McGregor needs to be goaded by Vince or Triple H so that he can be a swashbuckling entertainer for the company. With the right money and temptations, he would surely think about joining WWE and add further to the company's fortune. The management team must try to negotiate a deal with him such that it becomes a win-win proposition for both of them. WWE showed a lot of maturity in dealing with Brock Lesnar, and the same strategy can be applied in this case.

#2 Triple H becomes WWE Chairman

At 73, Vince McMahon is too old to strategically think about running WWE and competing with other promotions, successfully. The company needs a fresh leader, and Triple H is the ideal candidate to run it.

Being a champion wrestler, he can identify and promote fresh talent in terms of pure wrestling skills. The Game has looked after his wrestlers exceptionally well in NXT, so he can effectively manage the wrestlers on the main roster. At 49, he would have enough time to learn and implement all the best practices to make WWE more successful.

#1 WWE revamps the format of Raw and SmackDown

Both, Raw and SmackDown need a complete makeover. They have become too predictable since they follow the same routine. Raw has recorded the worst viewership in recent past, and SmackDown has also hit new lows in terms of viewership. This needs urgent attention.

The show-opening and show-closing segments have become stale and monotonous. WWE management needs to think an out of the box strategy and come out with a new routine to attract more viewers.

They can start SmackDown with a match instead of a 15-minute promo. The superstars of both brands can fight each other to entice fans. NXT stars can also fight once in a fortnight under the two brands.

WWE can change the Raw set once in a while so that it becomes more entertaining to watch. Addition of fresh stars in the main event of Raw can be a refreshing change for the audience. Raw also needs better storylines and gimmicks while SmackDown needs to feature matches with more specifications.

All the above changes can bring in more audience and increase their fan base. This would also help them draw more money and fight any competition with niche wrestling promotions.

Edited by Anirban Banerjee