I know it's been tried before and it failed. Wouldn't it be great if the true traditional wrestling fan could come up with a plan to make it work. Please add your import with revisions and add-on as you see fit. I never liked the fake stuff after being body slammed by my older brother with both his knees imbedded in my gut as a fourth grader. However Bruno Sanmartino (sp) was my favorite performer mostly because he was always the good guy.
Marketing would have to be essential as well as a fanbase to drawl from.
First, as I already mentioned. I know it was tried before and it failed. I believe it was do to not enough interest to make it cost effective. My issue is I love the sport and would love to see it develop to a professional level. In my opinion the MMA is not an option. I was thinking how if I could make something like this work, what would I do to draw more interest to make it cost effective. Here are my delusional thoughts on what might work. If anyone would like to tweak or make changes to this please feel free to do so, but please don’t mess up this thread with cleaver innuendos and off handed comments.
With our sport cancelled due to the Covid-19 virus which included the NCAA tournament, maybe this is a prime-time period to brainstorm a possible solution.
To begin with, I recognize the sport would have to transition from the NCAA ranks to a professional level. I believe a radical change in format may be needed to accomplish this yet not too radical in appearance. My initial thought was to include the three wrestling programs (folk, free style, and Greco) into one program. The sport would continue with periods. Each period would consist of one three-minute segment (Greco, free style, and folk). I truly am not all that familiar with Greco or free style. The wrestler would have to be familiar with all three. Each segment would have a one-minute break between segments. The referee would have to have knowledge of all three as well. Maybe an alternative to this would be to have a specialized referee for each segment.
First major change for folk style would be the wrestlers would start in the bottom positions. Each wrestler would have ninety seconds on top and bottom. If bottom escapes before the ninety seconds, he will be awarded two points and the clock stops. He will then assume the bottom position again and the clock resumes until clock is expired. If the top person rides him out without bottom escapes, he is awarded three points. They would then change positions and a new ninety seconds would begin. Folk style wrestlers would not start in a standing position because both Greco and Free start in that position. A pin would not end the match. Wrestler would receive set point value which would be included at the end of the segment. Those points would be added to the total at the end of the bout. His total point value would be determined at the end of his match and the victor will be determined. The winner of match would earn points to be applied to a team total.
Greco and freestyle periods would be similar with their point value added at the end of their bout.
Teams might be determined by having a wrestling draft. Perhaps initially each event could be sponsored by pay per view with each team sharing the proceeds. This might work until sponsorship could be established. Of course each individual could find sponsors depending on their popularity. Marketing to the area of interest would be crucial.
These thoughts were not well thought out but I believe might get something going in the right direction.
Nova, your comments would be definitely appreciated. So guys, have at it.
Edit: Draft could include international participants to increase viewership.
Marketing would have to be essential as well as a fanbase to drawl from.
First, as I already mentioned. I know it was tried before and it failed. I believe it was do to not enough interest to make it cost effective. My issue is I love the sport and would love to see it develop to a professional level. In my opinion the MMA is not an option. I was thinking how if I could make something like this work, what would I do to draw more interest to make it cost effective. Here are my delusional thoughts on what might work. If anyone would like to tweak or make changes to this please feel free to do so, but please don’t mess up this thread with cleaver innuendos and off handed comments.
With our sport cancelled due to the Covid-19 virus which included the NCAA tournament, maybe this is a prime-time period to brainstorm a possible solution.
To begin with, I recognize the sport would have to transition from the NCAA ranks to a professional level. I believe a radical change in format may be needed to accomplish this yet not too radical in appearance. My initial thought was to include the three wrestling programs (folk, free style, and Greco) into one program. The sport would continue with periods. Each period would consist of one three-minute segment (Greco, free style, and folk). I truly am not all that familiar with Greco or free style. The wrestler would have to be familiar with all three. Each segment would have a one-minute break between segments. The referee would have to have knowledge of all three as well. Maybe an alternative to this would be to have a specialized referee for each segment.
First major change for folk style would be the wrestlers would start in the bottom positions. Each wrestler would have ninety seconds on top and bottom. If bottom escapes before the ninety seconds, he will be awarded two points and the clock stops. He will then assume the bottom position again and the clock resumes until clock is expired. If the top person rides him out without bottom escapes, he is awarded three points. They would then change positions and a new ninety seconds would begin. Folk style wrestlers would not start in a standing position because both Greco and Free start in that position. A pin would not end the match. Wrestler would receive set point value which would be included at the end of the segment. Those points would be added to the total at the end of the bout. His total point value would be determined at the end of his match and the victor will be determined. The winner of match would earn points to be applied to a team total.
Greco and freestyle periods would be similar with their point value added at the end of their bout.
Teams might be determined by having a wrestling draft. Perhaps initially each event could be sponsored by pay per view with each team sharing the proceeds. This might work until sponsorship could be established. Of course each individual could find sponsors depending on their popularity. Marketing to the area of interest would be crucial.
These thoughts were not well thought out but I believe might get something going in the right direction.
Nova, your comments would be definitely appreciated. So guys, have at it.
Edit: Draft could include international participants to increase viewership.
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