Heyman's simple, logical approach to booking was certainly refreshing during the post-Attitude Era panic button era. The former ECW foreman kept a cool head, did not succumb to the temptation of 'cheap' ratings and stuck to his philosophy, even when his Raw counterparts were doing everything in their power to erode WWE's image further. While over on Raw TV matches were short and bereft of real action (what's the point of actual wrestling when you can have a thirty minute Triple H promo?), on Smackdown Heyman scaled back the length of backstage segments and promos, allowing more time for, you know, the actual wrestling. Smackdown still had its share of shorter matches during this period (it would be a bit boring if they were all fifteen minute affairs) but the action was usually great. You could usually count on the members of the Smackdown Six to provide a **** match, too (but more on them later). Yes, Smackdown under Heyman was a wrestling fans' wrestling show.
