Apparently WWE is trying to stack Smackdown in order to make it attractive for another network, but can it be saved? USA isn't likely to devote another night to wrestling, and Smackdown is hamstrung by the fact that it's on UPN and even the highest rated show on UPN has extremely shitty ratings. It seems like half the midwest US doesn't even have a UPN affiliate, or if they do, it's a small no-power station you gotta live next to the tower to pick up.

 

I'm thinking that moving Cena and the WWE title to Raw and delaying the decision on a Smackdown champion is somewhat of a safety valve. I think if they can't get a network by the end of the summer, they're gonna pull the plug and have some sort of title-vs-title blowoff.

Wasn't there talk of moving it to Friday nights? That'd kill it dead pretty quick when the main audience is out at that time.

I still think HHH is going there after winning HIAC. In their minds, that's how you save a show.

Is the HIAC match non-title?

 

If Trips wins the title from Batista, it's square one all over again and the build to WrestleMania means jack.

No, HIAC is for the title. I think it's why Cena went to RAW, to clear the way for HHH to go to Smackdown and go over a new crop of babyfaces as champ. In essence, the champs are switching brands, and HHH will be the last draftee. I'd be surprised if that doesn't happen.

A lot of wrestling defies logic. I don't know what HHH winning the title back defies as it greater than logic (if that makes sense).

I agree, and I think I get what you're saying. I just know how they think. I'd say there's a *slim* chance Batista will go over and be the one go to Smackdown, leaving HHH to bury Cena, but I doubt it.

Oh, I have no doubt it will happen, it just seems so unreasonable that someone would step up and stop it. At least when Hogan did this, he had some major history as a draw.

I'm still thinking that John Cena will end up going back to Smackdown as the last pick. It'll be something squirrely.

 

I hope that Raw gets Carlito as well. That'd be fun. Ship Jericho off to Smackdown.

If HHH does go to SD!then that is the last place you want Jericho to be. If you find some perverse pleasure in seeing Jericho suffer, then yes, he should go to SD!. I think with Tripsout of the way on RAW, Jericho may be able to resurrect his stagnant career.

Especially if the rumors are true that he's about to turn heel and feud with John Cena.

You gotta think HHH is chomping at the bit to squash Cena, especially after the pop he got for his first RAW appearance.

 

Besides, they've spent years establishing RAW is HHH. I don't think he wants to change shows.

If Flair doesn't get drafted alongside him, I don't see it happening. HHH would probably rather go without Steph than without his idol and number one bitch Ric. It also makes sense if HHH goes to SD with the belt since it was pretty much made for him per his request because he didn't want to be second to Vince's new project in Brock.

I think Bischoff will trade Ric Flair off to Smackdown just to piss off HHH and then HHH will later follow. There are all sorts of ways they can get around that, but I never would have pegged them moving him if word hadn't leaked that they are trying to make SD a stronger show so they can shop it around.

If they want Smackdown to be the stronger show, they shouldn't consider sending Triple H there. A majority of wrestling fans that are currently following the WWE product seem to have a big resentment towards "The Game."

 

I know if he were to leave Raw I think that the TV would get better. I'm a fan of his in the ring but I'd enjoy the TV shows a lot more if there was less Hunter.

Yes, but in WWE think, it only makes sense to move the greatest wrestler of all time to the show you want to be stronger.