Is Smackdown's undercard built up well enough?

[Unknown]

I opened one on Raw so I felt it was only fitting to open one on SD. The answer to this plain and simple is no. The current feud for the US title is a prime example of that. While on Raw we have two stars on the rise headed into a feud for the title without yet going one on one for the belt, SD has two guys one with a beyond stale gimmick (not his fault as WWE should have left him the way they had him around Survivor Series of last year) and the other one who isn't ready to be feuding for the belt and needs to drop his gimmick. The US title to me right about now lost all of the credibility it had the second they had Eddie drop it to Big Show who never defended the belt and then Show dropping it to Cena who has since then gotten very stale and his matches are barely watchable anymore. Cena and Dupree have had ok matches thus far but it seems as if the two really don't mesh in the ring and look rather uncomfortable in the ring. Right now the US title is being built like they used to build the European title. What options are there? Well, SD has guys like Orlando Jordan, Mark Jindrak, Charlie Haas, Rikishi, Renee Dupree, and Rico. All of which would make a more than excellent US title division but two are stuck in a makeshift tag team act that was entertaining at first but has now lost all of its appeal and the rest are just either gimmickless or aren't being used right. I hate to continue to plug my thread but if I were the WWE I would model Smackdown's midcard somewhat like my "Reshuffling the Deck" thread. Each of these guys would have a gimmick and would look credible enough to carry the US title. Another thing I would like to build up would be the US title itself. To me it looks like a toy. It's a big flag in the middle and the belt is shaped very weird. To me, they should have either used the old WCW design or they could have easily of made it like the IC title (not the exact look) in that they could of had a picture of the United states on the center plate and on all of the other plates. They could have colored the United States pictures a grayish color or a black. This would make a belt that looked like something that you wanted to have on your waist rather than having a big US flag on the thing which IMO makes the belt look odd and toyish.

As for the cruiserweight division, where do I start? The division has been killed. The title has switched hands three times in three weeks. The only thing saving the belt is the fact that the Guerrero's have an entertaining angle going with it which could end up resulting in something like the Kid and myself said which would be a superstar or the whole division taking the belt away from the two and bringing some credibility back to it causing the focus to be back on the superstars once again. This division can be saved if the WWE would do the right thing. This could be an asset to SD if they let it be. The only talent I could see the WWE needing to complete the division would be Juventeud Guerrera. Other than him and a few guys that have either been released or quit (Spanky, Ultimo Dragon, etc.) the WWE doesnt need any help in the talent department.

My question is if you think Smackdown's undercard can be salvaged? What moves would you make to change its condition?

[The Pez]

Here's what I would do with the ENTIRE SmackDown! Roster....

Akio - Cruiserweight Division.....he kicked ass in WCW's, so why not WWE's? Oh, that's right, because they have a 60 something year old man parading around with the Cruiserweight Title.

Big Show - Assuming he comes back to SD!, he desperately needs to be in the main event slot....regardless of how crappy he is, he's better than Bradshaw!

Billy Gunn - He'd be a great US title challenger. I say get rid of the Assman gimmick though....start with something new. Granted, they tried that with The One, but it never caught on.

Billy Kidman - Get him in the ****ing cruiserweight division! He's stuck on Velcoity while Jacqueline is getting a shot at the Cruiserweight title? Give me a break!

Booker T - Give the man a main event spot! He proved he could main event back in WCW, so he can most definately make it in the main event on SD!.

Bubba Ray Dudley - Keep him just the way he is. Personally, I like the current gimmick.

Charlie Haas - Keep the current storyline, but DO something with it!!!! Perhaps, if they break up, push him in the US title hunt.

Chavo Guerrero - Keep him in the Cruiserweight division. 'Nuff said.

Chavo Classic - Get rid of him! He reminds me of when Al Wilson was appearing on a weekly basis.

D-Von Dudley - See Bubba Ray Dudley.

Danny Basham - Get rid of the stupid S&M gimmick. He kicked ass as Damja in OVW. I say bring back that gimmick and push him in the midcard.

Doug Basham - Get rid of S&M gimmick. Not sure what to do with him. Perhaps bring back "The Machine". Maybe a feud with Danny.

Eddie Guerrero - Keep him as champ, just give him some worthy competitors.

Funaki - Cruiserweight division....either that, or announcer....just for kicks.

Hardcore Holly - Challenge for US title....maybe even get rid of the "Hardcore" gimmick.

Jacqueline - Get her back to Raw!

Jamie Noble - Repackage and challenge for Cruiserweight title.

John Cena - Freshen up the gimmick. Gaurenteed, he'd be better without it!

John Bradshaw Layfeild - Get him out of the main event and into the US title hunt.

Johnny Stamboli - Get rid of FBI gimmick. Perhaps ship over to Raw.

Mark Jindrak - Team with Jordan

Mordecai - Head to Raw. SD! doesn't need 2 non-selling guys.

Nunzio - Drop the name and the gimmick. Challenge for Cruiserweight title.

Orlando Jordan - Team up with Jindrak

Paul London - Cruiserweight title!

Rene Dupree - Drop french gimmick. Perhaps win US title.

Rey Mysterio - Stay in cruiser division.

Rico - See Charlie Haas

Rikishi - Drop the damn dancing gimmick! Become a force like Show has tried to be.

RVD - Main event

Sakoda - Send to Raw

Scotty 2 Hotty - Fire!

Shannon Moore - Cruiser division

Spike Dudley - Cruiser division

Undertaker - Keep on truckin.....just sell a bit.


Comments?

[Blackstar]

Smackdown? Hmm. Such a puzzle these days isn't it. I remember the days when I was a regular poster on IOW forums and we continually were posting about how great Smackdown was and how RAW could be salvaged. The main focus was that Smackdown was great because it was focusing on wrestling. It allowed the talent to show what they could do and week after week we had a great show. RAW on the other hand was struck down with bad gimmicks, rotten storylines and too much focus on entertainment.
Now Raw has found the correct balance it is Smackdown that is struggling. I have one suggestion that I think could improve Smackdown immensly - bring back Paul Heyman. Let him take over the show for six months. I guarantee it would improve. I know Vince will never do this but I live in hope.

[12]

Shua I know your comments are what a lot of people think about Smackdown at the moment but realistcly if the WWE will do that what is left for Smackdown?

I calculate 12 wrestlers that according to you...will be gimmickless. (Including Cena, Moor and London) Now all these superstars could get new gimmicks but can we really see the SD writing team coming up with 12 brand new gimmicks that are watchable and entertaining.
I would keep the FBI together and puch them in the tag-title scene.They could also join Noble back up with Nuzio (they are cousins) and the push the Bull in the US title scene while the cruisers fight for the tag straps.
I agree with some of your idea, Rikishi needs to go back to his "bad man" gimmick of his Austin running over days. Turn him heel and give him a push.
Jindrak really has no reason to be teamed with Jordan. Jindrak has a strong gimmick and a good manager behind him. He is doing good for someone his age. If they give him a bit of time he will make the step up to the US title hunt.
I would also keep Holly and Gunn together for now, they aren't really going anywhere as singles competitors so togther they can just add some substance to the lacking tag-team division.
I would like to see the Bashams go back to their OVW gimmicks I have heard good things about them and am intrested to see if they could make it in the WWE.
Akio and Sakoda are needed in the Tag-team divison.
As for most of the others I agree, the WWE should really use the crusierweights, London Kidman etc
but i disagree that any talent should be sent over to Raw or fired, there is a place for all the Talent on SD but and they can't affod to lose anyone. I think they just need to get everone into the right slot.

[Mac Daddy]

I disagree w/ Shua about Chavo Classic. I was almost reduced to tears when he compared Mr. Classic with Al Wilson.


Al Wilson served no purpose whatsoever, and he wasn't funny or could he act (One of the reasons why I actually believed he and Torrie Wilson were related). He was just some ugly, old dude who was screwing around with the delicious, Dawn Marie. Not to mention he was the center of Smackdown's poor excuse for an equivalent to the hot Trish/Victoria feud that was going on Raw. I'm a Christian, but I thanked God when Al Wilson finally died.


Chavo Classic on the other hand is charismatic. He's always making me laugh backstage and when someone kicks the **** out of him for his constant interference. He's part of the reason why I enjoy Chavo Guerrero so much. I loved the fact that the WWE invested so much time in a partnership, even though it was in the cruiserweight division. I detest the WWE's ****ting on the cruiserweight title, which has recently meant, giving Chavo C. the title, but he is entertaining and after his reign (hopefully his last), I'd love for him to stick around and continue entertaining us on Thursday nights.

[12]

I disagree w/ Shua about Chavo Classic. I was almost reduced to tears when he compared Mr. Classic with Al Wilson.


Al Wilson served no purpose whatsoever, and he wasn't funny or could he act (One of the reasons why I actually believed he and Torrie Wilson were related). He was just some ugly, old dude who was screwing around with the delicious, Dawn Marie. Not to mention he was the center of Smackdown's poor excuse for an equivalent to the hot Trish/Victoria feud that was going on Raw. I'm a Christian, but I thanked God when Al Wilson finally died.


Chavo Classic on the other hand is charismatic. He's always making me laugh backstage and when someone kicks the **** out of him for his constant interference. He's part of the reason why I enjoy Chavo Guerrero so much. I loved the fact that the WWE invested so much time in a partnership, even though it was in the cruiserweight division. I detest the WWE's ****ting on the cruiserweight title, which has recently meant, giving Chavo C. the title, but he is entertaining and after his reign (hopefully his last), I'd love for him to stick around and continue entertaining us on Thursday nights.


Agreed, forgot to mention it in my post though.

[Madhatter1]

A few changes in my view


Rikishi- See 2000- He was a force to be reckon with as a heel and is in a dying need of a change from the dancing idiot that he has become again.

Charlie Haas- Heel turn- with the relationship with Miss Jackie and Rico, it's a gold mine waiting to happen. I think with a heel turn, he is automatic U.S. Champ material dare I say a force for the WWE Title.

Kurt Angle- There is nothing to say about his wrestling skills because he like Guerrero is the perfect package. In order to get the GM gimmick over, he needs to challenge RAW, not his "employees." Maybe trade with Bischoff and discuss warfare with his superstars against RAW.

JBL-Good but not main event material- I'll admit, I like the heel turn in Bradshaw but major mistake in push to the main event status. It would have been very interesting to see the fallout from the Kurt Angle Great American Award with JBL and U.S. Champ John Cena (remembering that Cena won the Award and title shot but JBL weaseled his way the no.1 contendership). Bradshaw is slightly more entertaining but isn't main event material.

RVD- For me, it would be back to RAW with him. The one and only reason is that he is that he fits the RAW atmosphere better than SmackDown. I would trade him for Matt Hardy and/or Chris Jericho and push the traded wrestlers to the main event status