Dot Net Exclusive: WWE title belts, ABC's "Lost" inspired a WWE creative pitch

-WWE has the World Hvt. Title and the World Tag Titles together on the Raw brand, and the WWE Title and the WWE Tag Titles on the Smackdown brand. However, it doesn't sound like that was a motivating factor for the singles titles switching brands. The point about splitting the titles came up when the singles titles move brands the last time, but a former WWE writer says it wasn't considered a big issue. "It was almost a universal shrug," said the source, who noted that the creative forces within the company felt the fans were sophisticated enough to follow along.

-One of the ideas that was pitched for the Vince McMahon stage stunt angle was inspired by ABC's "Lost." The pitch was to use some of the money increments that Vince gave away as part of McMahon's Million Dollar Mania as clues in the whodunnit mystery. The idea was clearly inspired by the "Lost" numbers gimmick of 4, 8, 15, 16, 23, and 42.

Powell's POV: It was more annoying than anything when the titles that shared the same names were on different brands. I'm sure many fans followed along, but I think most people just started referring to the World Tag Titles as the Raw Tag Titles, and the WWE Tag Titles as the Smackdown Tag Titles.

The source I spoke with about the number pitch wasn't sure whether they followed through with the idea, but it was pitched during the creative sessions held before the giveaway. If they did follow through with the idea, then the clues are sailing over my head.

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