I think we can all agree that 205 Live has had its fair share of problems.
One champion went AWOL, a number one contender suspended due to a domestic dispute and now, another champion has been released due to an alleged sexual assault. All of this, coupled with the fact the ratings for the show on the WWE Network and the live attendance are quite low, and by quite I mean sometimes laughable, really does beg the question that something needs to change but, what? Well the answer could be quite simple and could end up benefitting everyone.
The simple solution, move the Cruiserweight division to Smackdown. I know it would be easier move it full time to Raw as, you know, they already appear on the show but, Smackdown really is the spiritual home of the WWE incarnation of the Cruiserweights. During the original brand split, a big part of what made Smackdown such a joy to watch was the Cruiserweight Division. They just helped cement Smackdown as the ‘wrestling’ brand compared to Raw’s more entertainment focused output. This is what made the brand split so successful it its first years after its inception, the divide in content, catering for everyone’s needs. Sure, NXT does provide this now but we are really talking from a main roster only standpoint here. Plus, 205 Live’s roster is truly incredible and they deserve a lot more than a second rate show on the WWE Network that hardly anyone watches.
Moving the whole division to Smackdown truly benefits everyone. The Cruiserweights get the exposure they deserve meaning a larger audience will actually get to see their incredible in-ring work. Moving them to a main brand show will also allow for some breakout stars to move away from the division and feature in some higher placed programmes, like Rey Mysterio did. Drew Gulak is a name that springs to mind. He has it all, in-ring talent, an entertaining gimmick/personality and he is great on the mic. Could he progress at the moment with the current 205 format? No, well not easily anyway.
Moving the Cruiserweights to Smackdown will also benefit another division but, this also requires some movement. The Women’s Division, if moved all to Raw is something that also makes total sense. At the moment, as great as the two divisions are, we are really seeing the same matches over, and over and over again. This is fine as they are all talented workers but having them all together would allow for some more freedom in the booking. Also, with the whole division together, a Women’s Tag Team Division could become a reality which would allow for some truly great tag teams to be formed (let’s hear your best ones in the comments below). Having a Tag Division would also give feuds out of the Women’s title picture some purpose. Sasha and Bayley always seem to be teaming up these days, why not give Boss Hugs (it’s what I call them on my WWE TEW game) the chance to be champions together.
But, in all seriousness, something needs to be done with 205 Live. If nothing is then I can really see the show being cancelled with half the talent released and the other half just fed to which ever talent Vince likes that week.