8 Ways WWE Can Build Interest In 205 Live

7. Increased Roster Crossover

Neville WWE
WWE

Recent experimentations have seen non-Cruiserweight stars like Titus O’Neil and Sasha Banks make crossover 205 Live appearances, and it has been speculated that WWE will continue using Raw and SmackDown superstars to draw attention to the brand. While they’d probably see more benefit from utilising bigger names than Titus, this is a smart move, provided they show restraint.

Throw too many non-Cruisers on 205 Live, and the division loses its identity. The show is supposed to be all about the lighter weight classes, and flooding it with too much outside talent will dilute that purpose, leaving it feeling more like Raw or SmackDown Lite than it already does. Such wrestlers should be used sparingly, but restricting them to one or two segments a week could help boost the numbers, provided they’re people that the fans want to see.

Greater roster crossover can take a number of other forms, too. There’s no reason why talented stars like Neville and Akira Tozawa can’t mix it up with Raw’s heavyweights from time to time, while bringing Pete Dunne and/or Tyler Bate in for a brief run would likely draw an increased audience too, particularly after their star turn at TakeOver: Chicago.

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Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.