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PWINSIDER Q&A: SMACKDOWN LIVE, HOGAN VS. BIG SHOW AT MANIA, ECW AND MORE

Answered on 9/8

When WWE airs promos for wrestlers return, and they are (for example) supposed to return/debut face, but don't get the reaction they'd like them to, they turn them heel? Like, again for example, when Triple H returned from his injury in early 2002, he left as heel, but was he supposed to return as a heel? Because the promos they ran of him training and counting down to when he returned, they got a lot of cheering for, and returned as a face. Was that the main plan?

In the case you mentioned, the plan was for Triple H to return as a babyface, as they were positioning him to go against the then-heel Undisputed Champion, Chris Jericho.  When WWE sets up the return of a wrestler, obviously they book it for a heel or face reaction.  In cases where the crowd doesn't react the way WWE wanted them to, they will either a) continue with their plans and ram it down our throats, or b) make a change to their plans. 

Although it is unlikely with the addition of the ECW Brand, do you think that Smackdown would get better ratings if it were live like Raw and ECW are?

While I think Smackdown might get a slight bump in the ratings by being live, I really don't think the change would be substantial.  Obviously, there are some that read spoilers on the Internet and then decide whether they are going to watch or not, but that number is a pretty small when you consider the total viewing audience.  I think Smackdown's main problem is that they are on a horrible night for TV (Friday), are often pre-empted for other events, and have obviously been a second (and sometimes third) priority where WWE Creative is concerned.

With SmackDown! and ECW usually being taped in the same night, do you think there is ever a possibility that both shows would begin to share talent in a full-time basis storyline exchange? I'm not just talking about a 1 time appearance thing like they've been doing with many RAW/SD! wrestlers, but a full-time roster exchange deal between Paul Heyman & Theadore Long where 1-2 SD! wrestlers would appear on ECW each week and 1-2 ECW wrestlers would appear on SD! each week. I think this would be a benefit to both shows because both appear to have thinning main event scenes and ECW doesn't have a tag title or a mid-card title. Also, it would still allow both brands to keep their own identity and run separate house shows. Perhaps Chris Benoit could win the ECW Title, CM Punk could win the US Title, and Sandman & Tommy Dreamer could win the WWE Tag Team titles. This would also bring some prestige to both titles by making them seem more open and title challengers being less predictable. This would also help give "dream matches" on a more frequent basis while still protecting dream matches (with Raw still remaining separate), thus making shows appear less repetitive (I'd personally not have 1 wrestler appear on both ECW & SD! in the same week). What are your thought on this happening like around Survivor Series?

While I don't foresee it happening, I think the idea of a rivalry between ECW and Smackdown would be a great storyline.  All of the wrestlers are there anyway, and some crossover matches might help both shows in gaining interest (and viewers). The only problem is that ECW is a shorter show, so if WWE were to go forward with such a storyline, they'd have to stop presenting Raw performers on the show.  Otherwise, there'd be no time to push the ECW wrestlers and storylines that are expected to draw on the house shows. The idea of an "interbrand" feud has worked in the past (see NWO vs. WCW, numerous New Japan storylines) and if booked properly, could be a lot of fun to watch unfold. 

I was just watching Wrestlemania V and VI from the recently released Wrestlemania Anthology DVD set and I noticed that Demolition's and Dusty Rhodes's intro music was different from their actual intro music that they originally had. I think there's others who have different intro songs, but Demolition and Rhodes really stand out. Why did WWE decide to change some wrestlers intro music?

In almost every case where that happens, it is because WWE's license to use the song has expired, and rather than paying publishing fees and royalties to get the rights to the song again, WWE instead chooses not to use the music. It is a pet peeve for many, but I can understand WWE not wanting to pay royalties to use a song that in all honesty isn't a major draw for people to purchase the DVDs.

With Wrestlemania being in Michigan next year, and with it being 20 years since the classic Hogan/Andre match, do you think there's a possibility of a Hogan vs. Big Show match at Wrestlemania next year?

Actually, during a recent Elite Audio segment, this very topic was discussed.  I would say there is a possibility, since Hogan will need an opponent for the show (should the much hoped for Steve Austin match not come together), and Big Show has always been grateful to Hogan for getting him his first big push in WCW.  Personally, I don't want to see it, since Show has come so far in the last few months in rebuilding his image as a monster, but I could see it as a viable option for WWE. 

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