Powell's Blog WWE failing to create interest in Raw, Brock Lesnar missed out on a valuable lesson during his pro wrestling days By Jason Powell May 19, 2008 - 03:22 PM CLICK FOR BIO Email This Article | Printer Friendly Page Send Us News & Results | Back to Main Listing Monday, MAY 19 - 3:22 P.M. -It was a busy weekend for podcasts here on Dot Net. In case you missed it on Saturday, I posted a podcast on Friday night with more Dot Net Exclusive details regarding a conversation I had with Sean "X-Pac" Waltman regarding his stay in rehab and his openness toward returning to WWE in a behind the scenes role. You can listen by clicking here. -I also posted an audio recap of the WWE Judgment Day pay-per-view last night after the show. You can listen to that podcast by clicking here. -I don't understand WWE's approach to promoting Raw these days. As I type this, they have yet to announce a single match for tonight's show. Keep in mind that this is the same company that just gave away a Jeff Hardy vs. MVP match on Sunday's pay-per-view without advertising it first. Do they think that finding out the results of the mostly predictable Judgment Day pay-per-view will be enticing enough to make casual viewers tune in tonight? What about the fans who read the results online at WWE.com? What incentive do they have to watch tonight? Wouldn't it make a lot more sense to have something ready to advertise on Sunday night immediately after the pay-per-view concludes? I realize they're not on the same brand (like that matters anymore), but why didn't they save the Hardy vs. MVP match for tonight and advertise that immediately after the pay-per-view concluded? Surely, that would have given people something to talk about at the office water cooler this morning. Rather, my guess is that most water cooler discussions went something like this: Employee A: "Did you order the show last night?" Employee B: "Nope. Did you?" Employee A: "Nope." Employee B: "What's on Raw tonight?" Employee A: I don't know. They haven't said." End of WWE Discussion. Don't act like you're not impressed by my brilliant playwriting ability. -I get a kick out of the way UFC is marketing Brock Lesnar as a humble guy who is trying to win over the hardcore MMA fans. Or maybe his handlers are trying to market him in this manner. Whatever the case, it's a mistake. Screw the hardcore MMA fans. UFC and/or Lesnar could learn a thing or two from WWE and Floyd Mayweather Jr. in this case. The hardcore MMA fans are going to watch UFC whether Lesnar caters to them or not, just as WWE recognizes that hardcore wrestling fans are going to watch their product whether they cater to them or not. UFC and Lesnar should look at the big picture and focus on the mainstream fans. Brock is a natural heel. He's cocky. He's a bully. He doesn't like the media. It's only a matter of time before the real Brock gets frustrated and shows his true colors anyway. Let the guy be himself. He's a natural heel. UFC has plenty of nice, humble fighters. Tito Ortiz is reportedly on his way out the door, so UFC needs a fighter who creates controversy and makes viewers want to pay to see him get his ass kicked, much like boxing has and WWE recently had with Mayweather. BOOKMARK DOT NET AND ADD US TO YOUR RSS • HELP DOT NET: TAKE OUR ADVERTISER DEMO SURVEY CLICK TO RETURN TO MAIN LISTING OR SELECT A LINK BELOW FROM THIS CATEGORY Powell's Blog Latest Twelve Articles Dot Net Major Announcement: Ad-free version of Dot Net now available! Features include a one-on-one audio interview with former WWE Champion Brock Lesnar, a member exclusive forum, and other enhanced features C.M. Punk, ROH cashing in on Punk and Samoa Joe's success, Brock Lesnar, TNA website, WWE 24/7, Brett Favre Former WWE creative team reveals a possible direction for Vince McMahon's character, more thoughts on C.M. Punk winning the World Title, where does it leave Smackdown Major Dot Net Announcement Coming Soon! WWE Night of Champions and Chris Jerichos' match, Vince McMahon's stage mishap stunt, Ultimate Warrior's return, WALL-E movie Don't be surprised if the ECW tapings don't move to Mondays, WWE Smackdown excitement, new Dot Net blog