Reforming the National Wrestling Alliance

The once-proud wrestling promotion is under duress as it loses members and potential stars due to--what else--politics. The conclusion of the "Seven Levels of Hate" series for the NWA title went from being a golden opportunity to rebuild the promotion to an outright embarrassment.

I wish I had the money to orchestrate my own hostile takeover because this organization is in dire need of a real one.

So, what would I do as head of the NWA?
First, I'd tell the territorial promoters that "business as usual" and "things have always been done this way" no longer cut it. It was laziness by the territories in the 1980s that led to the company's demise nationally as WCW and the WWF caught the nation's attention during the Monday Night Wars in the mid-to-late 1990s.

Second, a five year plan will be drafted to bring the NWA back to relevance. The best way of reaching this goal is getting a decent cable television deal. Once the company is nationally available, then proper promotion can be done. Frankly, the weekend morning/evening shows need to be brought back because no one needs to think of another copycat program on a weeknight when most people have to work the next morning.

Third, emphasize the athleticism of the wrestlers. Frankly, it's the whole "sports entertainment" aspect from WWE and TNA that now has professional wrestling in its current rut. Distinguishing the former from the latter will win over disillusioned fans who still haven't returned to wrestling since WCW and ECW folded in 2001 and bring new fans into the NWA fold.

What to do with the hierarchical structure?
Currently, there are 30 territories--that's right, thirty of them. This creates way too many headaches and the potential for promoters to have their own self-serving agendas that may harm the NWA.

I would cut the number of territories to six

• Atlantic
• Southeast
• North Central
• South Central
• West
• International

If this still presents a problem, then and only then, will I take the step to combine the remaining territories.

Flagship or no flagship?
That would be another dilemma. Who would become the NWA's flagship promotion? Hollywood was in line to be the flagship until it got kicked out last year. I would forego naming anyone as a flagship promotion and treat everyone equally.

The title structure
Singles

1. World Heavyweight Championship
2. North American Heavyweight Championship (upper midcard)
3. National Heavyweight Championship (lower midcard)
4. World Junior Heavyweight Championship (220 pounds and under)
5. Territory specific titles

Tag Teams

1. World Tag Team Championships (top teams)
2. North American Tag Team Championships (up-and-coming teams)
3. Territory specific titles

Women
This could be a bit tricky given the number of independent women's promotions that could outshine anything that the NWA has to currently offer. The Women's World Championship would remain but serious evaluation would be done to determine whether other titles need to be added.

TV and PPVs
The TV show would at first focus on all of the territories. As the product gets more ingrained in the public's minds, territory-specific show would start airing. When it comes to special events that involve all of the territories, seasonal Clash of the Champions-style showcase events would air every three months. These showcases will serve as a precursor to pay per views. Although Internet pay per views will be used, TV PPVs wouldn't be a factor until Year 5.

Venues
Since the NWA would be starting from scratch, smaller facilities will be used at first while the company eases into major venues. Big venues could be used for the showcase events as the company prepares itself to return to PPV.