Another year, another frankly lackluster post-WrestleMania period capped off by the 2024 WWE Draft. With Backlash comes the actual start of the WWE season, it almost always ends up that way. The period between WrestleMania and the subsequent premium live event is typically inconsequential, so WWE needs to consider an offseason for that time.
Taking time away from the regularly scheduled programming will give the WWE Draft a lot more meaning, give creatives time to write, give wrestlers time to unwind, and make the product feel more energized when it returns for an actual season premiere. They say absence makes the heart grow fonder. WWE can make its WrestleMania season buzz last longer by giving fans and their employees a little break.
WWE Needs to Consider an Offseason for Inflating Ratings
Look at any great television series; the big ratings come from the special episodes. That means big moments like “Election Night” in HBO’s Succession or, more commonly, premiers and finales. Even live sports like football see certain marquee games get a ratings bump, along with season openers and final games heading into the Playoffs for specific teams.
WWE and especially NXT do have specialized episodes from time to time. They do not have a start or end point, which puts them behind every other show on television.
If WWE had a season premiere and a season finale, not only would they have built-in episodes of importance to fans, but they could also advertise those shows to try and build anticipation. In the lead-up to a season premiere, for example, gives the roster time to sit down with ESPN, Barstool, or any of the wrestling media infrastructure to talk about the year that was and their goals for the upcoming season.
These moments make WrestleMania month chaotic but must-see, but they likely tire out the roster quickly. Having time to continue the press without the training, official fan events, and wrestling could help to keep that energy up while not exhausting the superstars.
Taking a Break Will Help the Company as Much as Its Fans
The most obvious benefit of a WWE offseason is rest for the roster and the road crew. They work excessive hours to keep the content rolling on television and to appear in front of live audiences around the world.
Many talents from literally any era have described the road as challenging. It is undoubtedly draining to perform in such a physical way that often and to record and produce those shows for TV and live audiences.
Injuries are not uncommon in the aftermath of WrestleMania every year. This year, of course, has been challenging for fans and the roster. The offseason would allow them to break from those stresses, even if the work is not done.
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The period after WrestleMania is also often known for its unfortunate roster cuts. An offseason could alleviate this. For one, it gives the writers more time to think of stories that will resonate with audiences and consider all their available talents. It is easy in the aftermath of Mania to focus only on the stars from that show.
Every series has its stars, but new seasons often mean new roles for lesser-known characters or even new characters. Perhaps talent can work with WWE’s growing list of partners to raise their profile or test out a new gimmick.
If there is no path forward, talents worried about their future can begin to appear outside the WWE stricture in ways that could boost their value. It is not ideal for anyone involved, but that time away can offer a fresh start in life after WWE.
The WWE Draft Could Mean More in The Offseason
Perhaps the biggest issue or concern that WWE and all wrestling promotions would have is fulfilling their television contracts. Most shows have time off the air, so the idea that streamers and networks wouldn’t be open to that for wrestling isn’t particularly compelling. However, in the case of WWE, they can quickly fill that time with less intensive programming for their stars.
Some of that comes from the bulk or archival and original content they have produced. The rest can come from a WWE Draft that matches the company’s apparent goals for that structure.
The draft’s usual fare is a trade between a few stars and several NXT call-ups. It does little to change the WWE landscape, and many superstars still need to get officially drafted. Instead, they remain on the show they had been on or become free agents who disappear from television entirely.
What if, instead, WWE made a big deal about who was being draft-protected on a special GM’s roundtable? Or what about WWE running an official combine for a week or two, where NXT talents who previously declared for the draft and the recently announced “Free Agents” try to raise their stock value? I
nclude press conferences with top free agents and a week of draft programming aired in front of a live audience. All of these would be a gamble but could pay off.
WWE tries most years to conjure images and feelings of the NBA or NFL draft, failing each time to get anywhere closer than surface-level parody.
If they made an effort to create attractive free agents, tell actual draft stories about who goes where, all scripted, of course, and have folks end up in NXT or un-rostered at the end, it would give them the feeling they want and make the draft meaningful. They can only have the time to do this if they create an offseason first.
Outside of The WWE Needs to Consider an Offseason Too.
Safe in the pole position, it is downright tragic that the WWE doesn’t take a pause every year. The WWE needs to consider an offseason, thus fixing any number of issues they are facing right now. This month, WWE has faced down burnout or injuries that derail Raw every week. The product lacks clear direction and has thoroughly missable shows, punctuated by the draft.
However, even the alternatives to WWE could benefit from an offseason. Nobody is immune from the injury bug, which only time off the road can heal. Also, the recent popularity of AEW through the NFL Draft shows and podcasts that taking time to meet fans outside the squared circle can pay dividends.
Not every company can take a month off TV or stop running live shows. Also, while television deals must be followed, every other show and live sporting event manages to do it. Wrestling should be able to keep a contract with a streamer or network and have time off. With all the talk of a new era, new ideas are ripe for exploration. This one, which comes up occasionally, should be top of the list.
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