Going back to when McMahon first instituted the “Wild Card Rule,” there were reports from Dave Meltzer on Wrestling Observer Radio stating that both USA and Fox wanted the WWE to end its brand split to boost ratings.
Since then, it’s safe to say McMahon convinced both networks it’s a good idea contrary to what history has shown. The thing is, with the talent so spread out, it’s difficult to create two shows that are competitive. Especially when one has the knack for burying talent like McMahon does.
One way he could’ve convinced them was through the Wild Card rule. Despite the announcers trying to sell it early on, no one took it seriously and it quickly became the laughing stock of most wrestling sites. The WWE soon after stopped mentioning it all together.
Play the wild card
Given its lack of popularity, mainly because fans’ growing frustration with McMahon’s cheap, lazy, and tired gimmicks to get fans attention instead of improving the product, it was the perfect weapon. All he had to do was point at the websites and fan reaction to show why ending the brand split was a bad idea. The fact he was the butt of the joke didn’t matter. In the end, it was selling his product that was important, and Fox signed on for a reported $205 million per year.
While many of us have begged for the split to go away along with the extra championships (seriously, when most of a pay-per-view is about championships, there’s little room for anything else), others that love the idea or never saw when Raw and Smackdown was under one flag endorsed their chosen model.
It’s a gridlock between the fans, but that decision could be taken out of everyone’s hands if ratings slump. To expect otherwise after an extremely poorly executed draft is more wishful thinking than not.
The fact the talent was so unevenly spread, and spread too thin, will become apparent in coming weeks. What’s worse is they have a bevy of talent they’re not using they could push to fill the gaps. Sure, a few got drafted and Paul Heyman loves Buddy Murphy so he’ll get a big push, but there are so many being squandered, sitting around the catering and waiting to be given an opportunity that having a brand split doesn’t make any sense.
To put it into further perspective, the new executive producer of smackdown, Bruce Prichard, is, by many accounts, a McMahon Yes Man. He’s also been in control when Eric Bischoff was supposed to be before his usefulness as a scapegoat was needed.
It’s true that Smackdown improved immediately after Bischoff arrived, so he may have had some input, but it quickly reversed course back to the dated, not-as-entertaining version we’ve been accustomed to.
More of the same
The thing is, like McMahon, Prichard’s smart and knows what he’s doing. It’s just being able to do what’s needed that’s missing. Pushing for changes may have been why Bischoff was never really granted full authority. There are plenty of rumors out there that Heyman wanted Wyatt to win at HIAC but Vince nixed it. He was also high on Cedric Alexander and gave him a push, but McMahon was rumored to dislike him, and said push stopped.
How long before Heyman tugs too hard at his leash and is sent packing? If the ratings drop, we’re going to see some legends come back in the GM roles (something Heyman has already said he’s against). If that doesn’t work, how long before the WWE goes back to its original model that worked then and would work again if given the chance?
Even Vince McMahon will have to listen to somebody at some point.
