8 Ways WWE Can Build Interest In 205 Live

8. Exciting Raw Showcases

Though 205 Live is the Cruiserweight division’s main outlet, Raw has been its parent brand since last year’s revival. The ropes turn purple for a varying period of time every Monday, with 205’s stars hitting the ring to sell main roster audiences on the Tuesday night show, and hopefully leave a strong enough impression to convince them to tune in.

Unfortunately, these showcases aren’t having the desired effect. Raw’s Cruiserweight matches are typically short resthold-fests that do little to further the participants’ angles, and rarely allow them to demonstrate the full range of their abilities. There’s nothing differentiating them from any other lower/mid-level match on the show, which defeats their purpose in the first place.

Instead of mailing it in with Raw’s Cruiserweight content, WWE should be handing them at least 10-12 minutes to produce the night’s most athletically exciting match every week. Brian Kendrick slapping Noam Dar in a headlock isn’t going to sell anyone on 205, but a breathless, all-action six-man tag or singles clash almost certainly would, and while this point ties-in with one of the division’s greatest problems (WWE’s in-ring restrictions), Raw is 205’s biggest advertising platform, and should be maximised.