10 Times WWE Didn’t Learn Their Lesson
8. The Failure Of Deep South Wrestling
The Atlanta, Georgia-based Deep South Wrestling served as WWE's secondary developmental territory between 2005 and 2007. Owner Jody Hamilton used his old WCW connections with developmental head honcho John Laurinaitis and pitched DSW as a bespoke operation, conceived entirely as a breeding ground for future WWE talent.
The problem was that it existed in name only. Hamilton hired no TV production equipment. Even if he had, no deal was struck to provide the developmental prospects with crucial broadcast experience. The house show schedule was similarly nonexistent. The league did have a training facility - but barely any wrestling was taught. Head Trainer Bill DeMott instead subjected those in his charge to endless drills and conditioning exercises. The DSW injury list was far lengthier than its list of successful graduates.
DSW imploded in almost record time. In early 2008, WWE had also severed ties with the successful but ailing Ohio Valley league, leaving Florida Championship Wrestling as its sole talent production factory.
FCW, like DSW before it, had no TV deal in place for close to a year. In the five months between securing it, and OVW's closure, the stars of tomorrow received no TV experience whatsoever. The initial shows that were eventually taped were scrapped because maintaining continuity was impossible. Florida was also overstocked to such an extent that, in spring 2008, its sixty-odd trainees had just one ring in which to work and one trainer to work under.
If you ever wondered why 2009-2011 were dismal years in WWE history, just ask Big Johnny.