How Triple H Can Save WWE 205 Live
The first change is one fans have been calling for since the show's inception.
Filming 205 Live after a full episode of SmackDown has been an abject failure, with audiences struggling to muster even a polite murmur for the poor cruiserweights. Granted, reactions have improved with the recent upturn in quality, but for the most part, the show's atmosphere is more like a moon landing than a wrestling show.
There are a couple of options. The first is heading to Full Sail University, but given how quiet that burned out crowd became during last year's NXT tapings, giving them more wrestling may not be the best idea.
Instead, Hunter should consider filming 205 Live before SmackDown. This would be a gamble, as the brand would need to become a big enough draw to ensure fans actually turn up early for the show, but it'd be a vast improvement on the current situation. At least 205 would catch the audience before the expending their enthusiasm, ensuring greater engagement.
Dedicating at least 35-40 minutes to in-ring action makes sense, too. Triple H has already done this in recent weeks, and he'd be wise to continue down that path.
205 Live is in desperate need of an identity, and after failing as 'Little Guy Raw,' it could find a niche as WWE's most wrestling-centric brand. Give fans at least one or two bouts the calibre of Cedric Alexander vs. Mustafa Ali and Roderick Strong vs. Hideo Itami every week, and they'll be happy.
Personnel is an issue, and with just 13 fully active roster members, the Cruiserweight division badly needs some bodies. Calling on the likes of Mark Andrews and Roderick Strong as moonlighters has been the solution so far, but 205 needs a permanent answer. Recruiting these guys on a full-time basis would be a good start, and afterwards, 'The Game' may choose to pluck the likes of Oney Lorcan and Fabian Aichner from developmental: two talented guys who've lost their way at Full Sail.
But these aren't exactly marquee names. Even the division's current stars aren't going to draw big audiences on their own, and thus, 205 Live badly needs some star power. Enter Rey Mysterio.
The former WWE Champion is reportedly looking for a part-time deal, but what bigger name could Hunter possibly throw on 205? Mysterio is a genuine Cruiserweight wrestling pioneer. He spearheaded WCW's own division, and his recent Royal Rumble return generated immense buzz, with the YouTube clip drawing over 12 million views. He's exactly what the show needs to attract greater audience, and who wouldn't want to see him back after his livewire showing on January 28th?
Speaking of star power, how about bringing make one of the few wrestlers whose performances actually made 205 Live worth watching in 2017? Neville's career is gathering dust at the moment. There's a chance he'll never wrestle for the company again, but if the show does succeed in drawing a larger audience (and Triple H treats it with greater importance than Vince), there's a clear roadmap for his return. It'd take some heavy negotiations, though, and probably a big bag of money too.
With a new shooting schedule, wrestling-centric focus, and new roster in-place, the final step is implement the oft-rumoured trios titles. Admittedly, the company already have a lot of belts, but this is something they've never done before. It'd help feed into the Cruiserweights' new identity, and six-man tags are steeped in Lucha Libre history, making this a smart move on several different levels.
WWE already have a handful of readymade teams available. Gran Metalik, Lince Dorado, and Kalisto are Lucha bros, and have teamed up several times over the past few months. A third wheel could easily be added to the Mustafa Ali/Cedric Alexander bromance, and the former 'Zo Train can renew their old alliance (without the corny gimmicks, of course). There's a lot to play with here.
Ultimately, 205 Live needs to cater to fan desires that aren't already satisfied elsewhere on the roster, and that's what ties everything together.
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