WWE's RAW Has "Crossed the Line"

In recent weeks, there has been discussion that TNA is the new WCW, overpaid WWE rejects and storylines that are helping to capsize a sinking ship. If that is true then WWE's Monday Night RAW is the new TNA iMPACT! Logically challenged, the same undesirable talent forced fed to the audience at a mind-numbing slow pace.

As ECW and Smackdown chug along with few hiccups and continually deliver on quality programming week in and week out.

RAW seems to be stuck in a creative rut. Granted there have been unforeseen injuries, but that is no excuse for a seasoned television property. Instead of opening the creative toy chest, the staff on Monday nights seems to be content to keep the status quo. Moreover, when they do have something that grabs the audience by the short hairs, instead of letting it progress naturally, the writing/booking staff feel the need to over book the angle.

While admittedly, the business has changed, if the creative staff can recycle the same matches and the same champions time after time, why not pull something else from the past. Tag teams and a renewed focus on the midcard.

A simple business plan for RAW is a necessity. Vince McMahon has a hard enough time promoting new talent without the hassle of having horrible lengthy segments suck the energy out of the live crowd. In addition, realize what talent you have and react accordingly. Tag teams are a tried and true way to create stars, whether they stay that way like the boys from Demolition, Legion of Doom, The Dudley's or separate and go on to the spotlight such as Shawn Michaels, both Matt and Jeff Hardy, and Brett Hart. However, time needs to be dedicated to highlight these performers.

I propose this simple TV structure. The first hour of the broadcast, dedicate to the afore mentioned performers. Do not open with a 15-minute promo from a marginal main event talent. Vince needs to realize that while he might not be fan a William Regal's in ring work, many are not fans of Batista's or John Cena's in ring work. He needs to give those fans a reason to watch the show.

In addition, if there is a strong tag team division and mid card battling weekly for the tag titles and IC title respectively, there is a crop of stars that have a relationship with the crowds that can step up incase of injury. Thus, while your current crop of main eventers might discourage some viewers from tuning in, at least they can be assured that other wrestlers will actually be featured on the program. It also makes it easier to track superstars that are gaining and losing viewers, helping the creative staff and Vince McMahon decide which are actually "over" with the overall WWE audience

Now this process can be adapted by all WWE brands, but the RAW brand is the one that struggles to put together a cohesive and entertaining product on a weekly basis.    

As for storylines…. I can fix those but someone is going to have to pay me for that.