Should WWE bring back the territory system?

Wrestling! MMA! Boxing!
Post Reply
User avatar
Big Boss Man
Wrestling Mod
Posts: 5385
Joined: Sat Mar 26, 2016 3:12 am

Should WWE bring back the territory system?

Post by Big Boss Man »

As WWE product is stale right now, I was thinking, would they benefit from deactivating a territory type system?. Like back in the day you had the top guy defend his belt and if he lost moved on to the next. Then you had a constant influx of fresh talent. Plus like Taker could be used like Andre to pop business in stagnant areas. It's still kinda loosely in place so you just work with the existing talent out there and it works as a great developmental base too. The next stars might be out there and not even on WWEs radar and in developmental.

Plus you could work with Impact and their partners, ROH, PWG etc and even branch out internationally with New Japan, AAA etc. They are sorta doing it in a way with the UK tournament etc but they could make WWE the global wrestling brand and operate similar to like the NBA, NFL, MLB, NHL with different "teams" or companies under their umbrella. Think the old NWA but on a grander scale. Although the argument against is that it 110% monopolises the industry and say a territory is low on star power makes them look bad but the plus sides outweigh the negatives if they really put thought into it. Any thoughts? Thanks

User avatar
Bandit
Wrestling Mod
Posts: 15510
Joined: Sat Mar 26, 2016 2:17 am
Location: Parts Unknown

Re: Should WWE bring back the territory system?

Post by Bandit »

They basically have.

You can't do regional wrestling anymore because even small indies stream or sell downloads of their shows. So WWE had their UK companies they work with and EVOLVE in the US. And while they don't officially work with PWG, they know that William Regal and Tyson Kidd go to every show to scout wrestlers for NXT and they're okay with that.

User avatar
Big Boss Man
Wrestling Mod
Posts: 5385
Joined: Sat Mar 26, 2016 3:12 am

Re: Should WWE bring back the territory system?

Post by Big Boss Man »

OK thanks. Do you think that change was brought about by Hunter as pre him being in a position of power the WWE was more insular and rarely did you hear about promotions outside of WWE.

User avatar
Bandit
Wrestling Mod
Posts: 15510
Joined: Sat Mar 26, 2016 2:17 am
Location: Parts Unknown

Re: Should WWE bring back the territory system?

Post by Bandit »

Yes. But Vince did briefly think about running a territory system in Europe in 2005, with one company in the UK, one in Italy and one in Germany, but changed his mind. That was why Santino won the IC title in his debut, because he was going to be the champion that toured the 3 promotions like the old NWA champion. And it's funny that his original plan was going to be more of a modern Bruno Sammartino but he didn't get over so they made him like an Italian Borat.

User avatar
Bandit
Wrestling Mod
Posts: 15510
Joined: Sat Mar 26, 2016 2:17 am
Location: Parts Unknown

Re: Should WWE bring back the territory system?

Post by Bandit »

Just read Meltzer say WWE may be setting up a working agreement to make NOAH their Japanese feeder system. But TNA has been working with them too, so this is interesting.

Post Reply