This isn't an ego-trip. At the moment, WWE is in a bit of a state, both creatively and with the outlook of the company. The thing is, the problems are kinda obvious. WWE doesn't need a huge overhaul. The talent is there, the problems lie with the presentation and booking of said talent.
Lets start with:
The brand split.
We all know that Raw is the main show. However, since Raw went to three hours, Smackdown has become utterly redundant. Nothing ever happens on there. The actual wrestling content on it is pretty darned good, but there are no title changes, no huge developments, nothing. Just the usual tag team main event thrown together by Teddy Long, a few mid-card matches, and that's about it. The Smackdown just before Extreme Rules opened with a promo between 6 guys: Orton, Sheamus, Mark Henry, del Rio, Big Show and jack Swagger. That's a pretty decent looking main event group, even without adding in Dolph Ziggler, or the likes of Kofi, Daniel Bryan, Kane, the Shield, Rey (if he ever gets fit again)...
I'd bring back the brand split. As Raw is three hours, and I can't see that changing any time soon, I'd give Raw a bigger roster to make up for it. Have a roster of around 25 guys for Smackdown, and 35-40 on Raw. Included in this...:
The titles.
I'd unify the world championships, to have one WWE Champion with this title defended on both shows. Have Number 1 contenders matches that take into account recent results. Ryback has lost on every PPV this year, including Mania. Yet this apparently makes him Cena's No 1 contender. Surely the guy who beat him should have that honour?
To make up for the lack of a World Champion on one brand, I'd bring in two new championships. I'd rename the IC and US titles as the Raw Championship and the Smackdown championship, with guys who are near the top levels on each show. The tag belts would be exclusive to Raw, I'd bring back the Cruiserweight title on Smackdown, and stop any of the guys just being used as jobbers. What about the Diva's, I hear you ask? Simple. I'd fire most of them, with the exception of any of them who have uses as valets or managers.
Promos and Commentary
I've chucked these in together, as this is part of a huge problem in WWE. Promo's rarely do what they're supposed to. Promo's now simply exist to tell the world what the problems are with your opponent. Case in point: Curtis Axel / Paul Heyman / Triple H on Raw this week...:
Triple H: makes generic threat to Heyman.
Axel: hey, you want to talk to him, you talk to me first!
Triple H: Shush now, the grown-ups are talking...
Bearing in mind, this is supposed to be Axel's big reinvention, his big moment... and Triple H shoots him down by not acknowledging him as a threat at all. I know Triple H has previous for this, but this was the most recent example. most of Rock's recent promo's did not accept Punk or Cena as a threat (instead, banging on about buying a car from a crackhead, a presidential election campaign that'll never happen), instead of actually promoting what he's there to do.
The commentary is just as bad, especially on Raw. Most of what's happening is now not interesting to Lawler at all, he'd rather make awful jokes, with forced laughter from Cole that ignores whatever is happening in the ring. I'd fire Lawler. Simple as that. I'm a fan of the three man booth, but it needs someone who appreciates wrestling to be an effective babyface commentator. For the next few months, I'd get JR back as a very short term measure, and try-out wrestlers noted for promo skills to try out for the role. Edge, Christian, any one like that to try out. Work out who the best is, and hire them.
The Miz
I'd fire him. On the spot.
). The only issue i have with that is there is only 1 title to go for really. If you're not going after the Raw / Smackdown title, what are you going for?