9 Vital Ways To Save WWE SmackDown

1. Feature A WWE World Heavyweight Title Change

if this was five or six years ago, I don't know if this would be the number one way to revitalize SmackDown. For one, there were two "world titles" in the WWE, though most everyone recognized the WWE Championship as the top prize over the World Heavyweight Championship. The main difference is the rate at which the main title changes possession. Take 2009 for example - the WWE Championship changed hands ten different times that calendar year, with six different superstars holding the title at some point (plus a reign by the icon that is Vacant). No title can claim to be a premier symbol of excellence when it's being thrown around like that. To the WWE's credit, the company noticed the error of its ways and they have since taken several steps to bring prestige back to their crowned jewel. This started in late 2013 when they combined the two major titles into one and rechristened it the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. Since that time, there have been only five different men to hold that title. With the WWE realizing the importance of longer title reigns, what better way to establish the show as must-see than to have your most important title switch hands on it? In the long history of SmackDown, that has only happened three times: once in 1999 within the first months of the show airing weekly, once in 2003 and once more in 2007. A WWE World Heavyweight Championship match in which a new champ is crowned would really set the bar for what can be expected on the show going forward. Once again, this all comes down to how motivated the WWE is to making SmackDown an important production. With the official announcement that SmackDown will be moving to the USA Network in the States beginning January 7, 2016, it will be interesting to see just how long the brand refresh lasts. We know WWE has plans to improve the SmackDown product come 2016, but exactly how much effort will be put in and for how long is uncertain. With RAW ratings down and with the WWE Network smartly featuring more and more exclusive, must-see content, the role of SmackDown in the land of WWE continues to become less clear. There will be some life breathed into the television program upon the re-launch on USA Network come January 7, but only time will tell if this is just WWE's latest attempt at lipstick on a pig or a permanent upgrade to the company's second biggest show.