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GARDNER'S KEY MOMENT OF THE WEEK: WWE reshuffles the Bragging Rights PPV line-up Oct 25, 2009 - 1:16:08 PM
Are you enjoying the guest host concept? There is no question that it is hurting the build for WWE's big events. Precious time between Pay-Per-Views is being taken up by comedy skits with Santino Marella, segments designed to get the host over, and the never ending feud between Hornswoggle and Chavo Guerrero. The Bragging Rights Pay-Per-View is the latest casualty.
I like the idea behind Bragging Rights. Heels and faces teaming up for a common cause is unique. That cause being the Raw and Smackdown rivalry reinforces the brand identity of both shows at a time when roster switches occur with alarming regularity. Three weeks is not enough time to sell a completely new Pay-Per-View concept, though.
TNA president Dixie Carter spoke recently about the difficulties of TNA's obligation to produce a Pay-Per-View every month. Certainly a three or four week build-up does not lend itself the pacing of an effective story, and leaves little margin for error when it comes to forward planning. WWE are also suffering from the need to sell shows on a monthly basis.
Monday was the first and last night that the Raw team appeared in the ring together. A story involving dissention in the ranks and eventual reconciliation played out over the course of two hours. In the meantime, segments involving Snoop Dogg arguing with Chavo Guerrero and dancing in the ring with Hornswoggle aired. This isn't an attack on Snoop Dogg, as he was one of the better guest hosts WWE has had, and was one of a few celebrities who didn't act embarrassed to be there. But WWE was already rushing through the Bragging Rights build without having to incorporate numerous comedy segments into the show.
While the deficiencies of the WWE's PPV model have hurt the build for Bragging Rights, there is little that the company can do to change the frequency in the future. WWE is a publicly-traded company, and it would be difficult to explain the long-term benefits of reducing the number of events to stockholders. Additionally, WWE may have commitments to Pay-Per-View companies that they are obligated to fulfill.
What WWE does have is control over the content of their shows. And the booking decision to change Team Smackdown this week is a prime example of poor planning, which has been such a predominant feature of the build for the Bragging Rights PPV. Friday night saw the Smackdown team completely changed, with Drew McIntyre, Eric Escobar, Dolph Ziggler, and Cryme Tyme removed and replaced by Hart Dynasty, Matt Hardy, Finlay, and R-Truth at the last possible moment.
There's no excuse for making such wholesale changes to a PPV event two days in advance. A little forward planning could have avoided such an incident, where any fan who bought Bragging Rights on the basis of Monday's episode of Raw will see completely different participants in the main event.
WWE may be tied to a PPV schedule that is almost unworkable, and this has been exacerbated by the commitment to write segments for the Raw guest host. However a little forward planning could have avoided the farce that took place on Friday night when the PPV main event was completely changed.
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