4 Ways to Build a Stronger WWE

The WWE has been struggling for several months now and it's been in need of serious repair as wrestlers get injured, fired, suspended or quit the WWE. The majority of these things seem to relate to the WWE's problem with its Wellness Policy and accusations by the media and former wrestlers over rampant drug use. As the WWE loses performers, it really needs to start to repair and heal its product.

Here are 4 ways in which it can do so:

1) Combine the rosters into 1 show/brand

This one has seemed to make sense for a while and starts to make more sense as the WWE suspends, fires and loses more of its wrestlers. Just keeping up with the 5 hours of wrestling (sometimes 6 or more if there's a PPV) through the week can be tough. In combining the rosters of Raw, Smackdown and ECW, you get all of the talent together to use, can improve the tag team division(s) and withstand the losses of any wrestlers who quit or get suspended. While the drafts and trades are always interesting to watch, combining the rosters will only make WWE stronger.

2) Have just one tag team title for WWE

The WWE tag team divisions have been rather weak lately. When you look at Raw it is basically Cade & Murdoch, Kendrick and London and then World's Greatest Team. After that it is whichever singles wrestlers might form an alliance. On Smackdown you have Deuce & Domino, MVP and Matt Hardy (who won't be a tag team forever), Major Brothers and then Jesse & Festus (who haven't really been in the ring for Smackdown). Combining it to have just one title, you could make the tag division look stronger. If the 3 brands don't merge, then at least it makes for better Pay Per View matches between all the teams going for the 1 tag title.

3) Inject the rosters with some fresh new talent

There's been news and rumors of signings and wrestler comebacks. Some new wrestlers should be worked into the mix beyond Cody Rhodes and Jesse and Festus. The WWE creative team should be able to do a lot more with gimmicks and characters, it just needs to start introducing them, rather then stretching the available rosters thin. As mentioned before the returns of guys like Bobby Lashley, Shawn Michaels and even Chris Jericho will also go a long way to keep fans cheering and entertained. The returns of HHH, Mysterio and Undertaker have already lent credibility to this concept.

4) Reshape and polish the Wellness Program/Policy

This one will most likely happen after WWE has faced Congress, or right before. WWE wants to cooperate with the US Government, because that is the last thing a company needs, the government on its case. WWE is a business that wants to stay in business, so it will take all the appropriate measures. This will not only make the WWE more respected by its fans, but also silence the critics. The Rock had an interesting comment in a recent interview saying that any wrestler who is discovered to have been using drugs should immediately be kicked out of WWE. Rock also said that wrestlers should focus on selling their face, rather than muscles. In other words, craft the character to entertain the fans rather than relying on looking like a superhuman. Expect to see WWE's Wellness Policy re-shaped within the next few weeks or months.

The WWE isn't in any danger of folding right now, as it still manages to pack fans into arenas for the shows. It still sells Pay Per Views and merchandise and gets decent TV ratings. Scandals and controversies will always come and go for major companies. At this time which has seemed dark for WWE, it's only going to help build a bigger, better and stronger brand than before if WWE learns from the issues and finds ways to rebuild.

What other things would you do to help make the WWE stronger?

Commentary on Suspensions

The news that 10 wrestlers have been suspended for violating WWE's Wellness Program hits the WWE hard, but you can't really defend them on this one. There may be more suspensions to come as well. WWE is taking action, however you would believe these suspensions could have and should have been done weeks ago. It makes it look as if WWE was being a bit sly and waiting until after the Summerslam Pay Per View (which involved a few of the names on the "rumored" lists). If Randy Orton is amongst those who was suspended (which we will probably know come Monday Night Raw) then he was headlining the main event match at Summerslam. Mr. Kennedy, also one of the rumored names, was part of a Triple Threat title match. Makes you wonder. The only reason to be suspicious, is the fact that WWE will be facing Congress come later this September. While forthright with their letter to Congress and providing records, they also realize they better make sure all t's are crossed and i's are dotted before even setting foot at the Congressional hearings.

One very important concept to clear up is the fans saying that if a wrestler is currently injured they can't be suspended. While a wrestler like Edge or Shane Helms might be out of action and not wrestling, that doesn't mean "out of contract". Under contract by WWE, they can still be given random drug tests for the WWE Wellness policy. A wrestler doesn't have to be wrestling to qualify as employed by WWE or to be required to take any drug tests, etc. If drugs are found in a WWE entertainer's system, then they can be suspended, whether injured or not. They can also be suspended for distribution of illegal drugs and for the "use of masking agents and/or diuretics to conceal or obscure the use of prohibited drugs". See outline of the WWE Wellness Program here. (PDF)

Again, the lists of names that have surfaced so far are all speculation, so don't take these names shown to heart or think it's attempts to bash your favorite wrestlers. In time, the names will be given and confirmed by WWE, or it may become obvious based on who we see missing from Smackdown, ECW and Raw. The original speculative list was published by New York Daily News, but it is basically rumors based on wrestlers that are clients of Signature, a prescription drug company.

That said, it's always good to question sources. You'll see WWE rumors and news on various sites, but take it with a grain of salt because you can never be sure what is fact and what is rumor.

For fans wanting more info, here is a collection of links about the suspensions and WWE Wellness Program.

WWE Suspends 10 Performers

WWE has issued a statement today on the corporate section of the WWE.com website saying that it has suspended 10 performers due to violations of the Wellness program:

"WWE® Statement On Performer Suspensions

STAMFORD, Conn., August 30, 2007 - Based on independent information received from investigators from the Albany County, NY D.A.’s office, WWE has today, under the penalty provisions of its wellness policy, issued suspension notices to 10 of its performers for violations. It has been WWE’s practice not to release the names of those who have been suspended, but notice has been sent to all WWE performers that names of anyone who is suspended under the Wellness Policy as of November 1 will be made public."

PostChronicle.com has the following "rumored list" of names:

"The wrestlers that are rumored to be Ken "Mr. Kennedy" Anderson and Chavo Guerrero, Darren "William Regal" Matthews, John "Johnny Nitro" Hennigan, Anthony Carelli, Mike Bucci, Shane Helms, Robert "Booker T" Huffman, Adam "Edge" Copeland, Charles Haas, Jr. and Randy Orton.

The Wrestlers names were first posted on the New York Daily News site and the 10 WWE Suspensions are said to be due to "violations of a policy that tests for steroids and other drugs"." (Source: Postchronicle.com)


A collection of various links about this story is available here.

Linda McMahon in NY Times

Linda McMahon has a great interview with Juston Jones of the New York Times which was published yesterday. In the piece she discusses the WWE's recent business problems, the Benoit tragedy, expansion of WWE into Europe and more. Amongst the current topics she mentions are how WWE plans to focus more on DVD's instead of theater released films. She also discusses UFC Fighting as competition to WWE and if live WWE events should be considered "family fare".

Read the full interview here.

NY Daily News: WWE Spin of Benoit

NY Daily News has a recent article discussing the WWE's quick "spin of the toxicology findings" in Chris Benoit. In the article they have comments from Dr. Gary Wadler who was part of the Anti Doping Agency made the following comments:

"An anabolic steroid is nothing more than a derivative of testosterone," Wadler told the News, adding that he did not lend much credence to the WWE's current drug-testing program – wrestlers with a 10:1 testosterone-to-epitestosterone ratio are not flagged for positive tests – nor the portion of the statement that outlined how Benoit had tested negative for steroids as recently as this past April.

The article also discusses how Nancy Benoit's family was upset at Jim Ross' appearance at the funeral for Nancy and Daniel Benoit. Apparently the family felt it was a media ploy and Jim Ross was never an invited guest.

From NY Daily News:

The family of Nancy Benoit is infuriated with the WWE for allowing star announcer Jim Ross to attend the memorial service for Nancy and son Daniel in Daytona Beach, Fla. Saturday, according to a source. McMahon did not attend, but Ross did and was the only bold-faced name to stop and talk with reporters outside the Lady of Lourdes Church before the Catholic service. Ross made a point of quashing the steroid rumors.

"This is not a steroid issue. That horse needs to be put in the barn and unsaddled. This was a domestic issue. There's a lot of other criteria that has to be involved in it. I still can't believe it even happened. It's a domestic issue, but more than anything it's a tragedy. This is not a steroid issue. It's a mother and little boy, (they) are dead and that's the bottom line as far as I'm concerned," Ross said Saturday.
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I still find it interesting how media, former superstars and expert doctors want to try to hold any party responsible to the horrible acts which occurred. When it comes down to it, this continues to look like a series of pre-meditated acts committed by 1 person, who made horrific decisions. In terms of Jim Ross, for the family to assume his appearance at the funeral of a colleague and friend was all about media presentation is a bit wrong too. I can understand their position, but feel Jim Ross is one of the most genuine people in the wrestling business today who tells it like it is and has a passion for the sport and its superstars.

WWE the Business

Jim Cramer is/was a financial advisor who's helped make many people rich by advising them on stocks and other investments. He has a hit show on CNBC called "Mad Money" where he rants and raves about the latest in stock picking. Here's a small piece reprinted from Cramer's MAD MONEY Blog back in October of 2006, regarding WWE as a business:

"World Wrestling's (WWE - commentary - Cramer's Take - Rating) not a bad idea here. Let me explain, because I know you would rather be in Apple or IBM, and I can't blame you.

The rap against WWE has to do with flat attendance and a tired product in a digital age. But WWE's taking its show on the road. And even though all anyone cares about is attendance in the U.S., which isn't going up, I think the international business could be huge. That kind of product does play overseas, and WWE's going into 70 markets.

Seven years after this company came public with considerable hoopla, it's now totally ignored, a flatliner with a good dividend that nobody cares about. Yet the company understands the stagnation and is doing something about it: movies, videos, international. I think it's paying you to wait and could be well worth it."

While it may be true that the WWE is becoming a tired product, what is also true is that Vince McMahon is constantly adding new pieces to his company, with the help of his business partner/wife Linda. For example, you have seen the recent movies produced by WWE, in the past several years WWE debuted its 24/7 online service to allow fans to watch matches for $1.49 or so. There are also tons of WWE merchandise including clothes, action figures, CD's and DVD's. All in all, as long as fans stay passionate and WWE keeps expanding its product, it should be a success for Vince.

I have heard speculation that Trump may appear on Monday Night RAW to form a new business partnership with WWE and Vince. This could be huge for the business. Then again, it could be to set up some sort of tag team match. Maybe Stone Cold will return. It could be many things, but when all's said and done, if Vince is running the show and adding new products, along with Trump pumping money into WWE arenas, it will be tough for fans to stay away from this entertainment. Vince could buy up WSX and even TNA if he decided he wanted to really monopolize. It goes to show the power of WWE and the money of the fans.

The Force Behind Vince McMahon?

Vince McMahon continued to flex his ego and muscle on RAW 1.29.07, bragging of his money, power and fame to all of the fans. At one point Vince even called the fans "the little people", but pretended as if he wanted to show some appreciation and thanks back to them for making the WWE the multi-million dollar company it is. Vince has been involved in many controversies over the years including the great steroid scandal he was taken to court for. He has had many failed businesses including the WBF (World Bodybuilding Federation) and the XFL football league which failed in its attempt to compete with the NFL, yet Vince remains one very successful and rich CEO of a million-dollar company which entertains hoards of fans..

A very interesting article here about who may be the real power behind the wheeling and dealing that makes the WWE so strong:

http://animators.digitalmedianet.com/articles/viewarticle.jsp?id=100501