9. Smackdown Would Benefit From Re-branding Into 'WCW Friday Night Nitro'
When Smackdown first launched on UPN in 1999 it was a huge deal. WWE presented the broadcast on the same level that they presented Raw, the show became defined by The Rock who declared it "The Rock's Show". Smackdown was at its absolute best in 2003. The main feud of that year was Brock Lesnar vs Kurt Angle and it all went down exclusively on the Smackdown brand. The supporting cast also exclusive to Smackdown included Chris Benoit, Eddie Guerrero, John Cena and The Big Show. It was a must see show. Fast forward to 2013 and Smackdown is an after thought for WWE. It is now on the Sy Fy Channel, and serves as a supporting show to Raw. WWE has failed to make Smackdown a 'must see' show in 2013, there are no stars who appear exclusively on the broadcast, and it all comes off as 'Raw Lite'. The wrestling quality is at times very good, but the Friday night slot could be used so much better in selling storylines and developing talent. Dramatic ratings drops are proof that WWE needs to do something to revitalize their second main broadcast. A full on relaunch of WCW Nitro could be the answer. WWE needs to do something to make Friday a must watch wrestling night again, the key is to give the show something unique and differentiate it from the same stuff you can see on Raw. A full on re-brand to make Smackdown a new 'WCW Friday Night Nitro' would do this. Old fans would come back for nostalgia and new fans would be intrigued at this new version of a legendary classic. The World Title and WWE's former WCW talents (i.e, Big Show, Mysterio) along with new talents could become exclusive to the show. All of a sudden fans would have a reason to not miss Friday night wrestling. The likes of The Undertaker have demonstrated the value of nostalgia, it is an irony that sometimes it is a classic gimmick which can best refresh a brand. The return of WCW Nitro and WWE Raw in the same week will be exciting. Smackdown is stale, somthing needs shaking up. Nitro is the solution.