Fans expecting to see elongated in-ring promos that set up matches for later in the show get enough of that Monday nights. Why continue the pattern on Thursday nights? With only two hours as opposed to Raw's three, the show should be more focused on delivering a quality in-ring product, leaving the so-called "A" show to tackle the more elaborate promo segments and over-the-top angles and pre-tapes. At its best, during the era in which Paul Heyman had at his disposal the likes of Edge, Rey Mysterio, Kurt Angle, Chris Benoit and Los Guerreros, the show became the most watched program in wrestling thanks to the incredible workrate demonstrated by its top stars. Why not revisit that formula, thus giving fans a true alternative from the talk-heavy show the company produces on Monday nights? The modern WWE roster is one of great diversity from an in-ring perspective. It is arguably the best from top to bottom in the promotion's history. Allowing the Superstars and Divas to show why is exactly what the company needs to do in order to increase visibility and spark interest in the show. It worked 13 years ago and it would almost certainly work now.
Erik Beaston is a freelance pro wrestling writer who likes long walks in the park, dandelions and has not quite figured out that this introduction is not for Match.com. He resides in Parts Unknown, where he hosts weekly cookouts with Kane, The Ultimate Warrior, Papa Shango and The Boogeyman. Be jealous.
