I think that EAW is at a great point with a lot of fresh talent that have been killing it. The mid-card scene across all the shows is really solid right now, and I think that presents a problem for some of the newer guys. I know that the development shows in EAW’s history have had issues with consistency, and that’s why there’s a general sour taste when you look at how Turbo and Neo crashed and died with not a single memorable moment to remember, even though the rosters were once stacked with some of the greatest superstars we now have in the EAW.
 
So back to the problem with newer guys, when the mid-card scenes are as stacked as they are, the one mid-card championship on each show ends up being contested for by almost 8-10 people on each show, which leaves a lot of the guys with nothing to do, and the newer guys end up having to sit there and pay dues for long amounts of time as they build themselves up and establish a reputation in this e-fed. The only problem is that the newer guys don’t end up with that much exposure and this comes from a personal perspective too; I remember joining some e-feds and floundering for months because the line of contenderships were backed up with guys who have been there longer and perhaps deserve it more.
 
I really think that EAW could benefit from a proper NXT/developmental type show, where newer guys instead of getting thrown into the main shows with nothing solid to do for months on end, can instead get a chance to flourish and shine on a developmental show. There’s lots of solid hands on the main shows right now that just don’t have much to do because of how much talent that’s already vying for the limited amount of opportunities there are.
 
I pitched this to DDD a while ago, but I was advised to make a public forum about this to see what the community thinks. An EAW NXT type show would probably be even more hype than what Turbo/Neo were. I want to address some of the concerns I thought of when talking this out with people.
 
> What if it dies like Turbo/Neo?
I would gladly helm this developmental show and I understand the biggest issue with Turbo/Neo was consistency. I know that I myself have a reputation of taking hiatuses but I guarantee those were two very valid reasons and as of now, I’m not going anywhere.
 
> People wouldn’t want to get stuck on a developmental show.
Correct, so the answer to this would be to make a mandatory waiting period for some of the newer guys, say about 2-3 months on the show, and then they would have the option to get called up.
 
> Who would choose to stay on the developmental show?
Well if you think about it, if there’s a guy who’s been killing it on the developmental show, looking primed to become champion or have a major feud, why would they choose going up to the main roster only to get stuck in a holding pattern with nothing to do? I’m sure people would rather have a full run in the developmental show, raise their stock to the max, and THEN get called up the way things go in the WWE for example with top developmental show guys.


> What if the roster’s too thin?
There’s lots of people joining every day, as well as alts being created by existing members. A roster wouldn’t be too hard to establish.
 
I think that if given the opportunity for the show to exist, it can be amazing for the EAW as a whole and boost morale with the newer guys, and instead of new guys being used as filler/getting stuck in a holding pattern, we can see some epic rises in the developmental show.
 

Just let me know what everyone thinks!

Yeah I think EAW could do with a developmental show. I think like 15 new people signed up in the last month, and they're just being thrown into matches with each other. A developmental show would be good for not only them but for the other shows as well. We don't want the writer's having to worry about how they're going to fit the new people in their show each week, and have them stress because they'll have a lot more to write etc. And of course there's no promises that these new people that sign up will be sticking around either. We often see that new people fade away a couple of weeks after they sign up, but throwing them into a developmental show would be a good idea. Having it like NXT is great too, and if it's run like that it gives the newer people a chance to shine, and it would make call ups a big deal. Hell, call ups on live shows as surprises would make for awesome moments too. 

But anyway, yes I am all for the idea.

I agree with this. It helps alivate a few issues we have (particularly the new guy coming in for a week, getting a bit of a push, and then disappearing quicker than he came in.). Also this is a great idea for guys to flesh out their characters ( it's one thing to think it up its another to write promos and speak as that character) 


If this gets approved and you need help writing matches let me know

I personally see no issue if you want to do it, and I agree, more or less, that for newer talents, it can be intimidating when put up against a pro, and I think we see a lot of times when we get new signees, they are just thrown into a debut match with other newbies, and a lot of them fall off from there. Like you get 3 people to sign up, you put them in a triple threat match, and chances are, only 1 will stay and not for that long because of how steep the learning curve becomes. So a development program is a good way to get people into knowing how it works, and I really do think its hard for a newbie to get the core "storyline" experience efeds have to offer because the writers are juggling so many people at one time, it might be good for them for someone to take them off their hands, and then let the main show writers evaluate their progress and decide where they should go based on ideas via storylines instead of randomly shuffling them into random places. So for one thing, its less work for the head writers to juggle more people, and 2, its a good idea to have someone dedicated to work with the new people to show them how it ropes so they just don't get frustrated and leave so quickly because of how they are barely used on the top show. 

So personally, I think its a great idea for newbies and the main writers alike if someone is willing to take the helm and work with them on this. Every head writer should consider this as essentially 1-2 less matches a week to worry about as a means to not include people, and for the people that can't be used every week, why not send some pros to work on the development to shake up some newbies. Don't know if titles will be a thing. Personally, wouldn't recommend it, but yeah. I think if it had some features to it, not NXT per say, but more like like a concept with an overall goal to really push them like its a game show, I think it would be a great and unique experience.

I think if you do this there should be some sort of way for guys to jump onto the main roster early if it seems like they're ready. Take me for example, I've only been here for about 3-4 months and I'm already in a good spot. Granted I had the benefit of having a character in mind and a pretty good idea of how to execute it after a match or two and this isn't my first time e-fedding. But I understand that a lot of people only have an idea of what their character would be and would benefit from having time to develop it with interesting angles instead of being thrown to the wolves and finding themselves unmotivated. 

I guess my point is, though it may be a huge benefit to some people it may just hold others back to keep them off the main shows for 2-3 months. I fully support the idea but there should be some scouting to decide what will be best for each person.

I say go for it brotha. If you want to do it for the fed then more power to you. I support you wanting to bring a developmental show back to EAW. It'll help a whole lot of people getting booked and get their feet wet in EAW. Also I would suggest getting a co writer to help you out as well that you would want to work with and make things run a whole lot smoother than just having the entire workload on your shoulders alone.

I'd honestly love it.

It's a great idea, I'm all in for it (H).

Seriously, I'm all in for it like Nobi.

I am absolutely down for this, Stark. I agree with everything that you and the rest who posted in this thread said, that many new talents are under utilised and they always leave quicker than they came. It's just that I believe there would be one tiny problem:

How would the cycle of placing the sign-up in a brand work? With the way it works right now, it goes in a cycle between the three main brands, but how would this work if there were a Developmental show? Are new talents automatically placed into this new developmental show?

Anyways, I just generally think this is a great idea. Also, I am willing to be co-writer or backup writer for this show, Stark, as I know one man shows are a heavy load to take.

The biggest problem with Turbo/NEO wasn't it's lack consistency. Granted that was a problem but the biggest problem was that we just overcomplicated things. The 3 win system to get a main brand contract worked perfectly. It ensured that you would have to be in EAW for about a month before you even made a main roster debut. It weeded out the ones who weren't serious and it kept the main shows from being cluttered (which in my opinion they definitely are now). Turbo started failing once for some reason, we abandoned that system. NEO failed because it had no system like that. We tried to make NEO into an NXT. NEO had things that the people could fight for, it had it's own supershows, it was too overcomplicated.

The only way a developmental show can work in e-feds is if the concept is kept extremely simple like the original Turbo blueprint was.

If it's like that I'm 100% for it. Otherwise don't bother because it'll eventually end up failing.

I think it's a good idea.  I do think there would have to be some sort of caveat to it in order to get people interested in it, if not maybe establish it as a sort of a mandatory vetting process for new signees to go through.  I think the key to making it a success is not singling particular people out and saying 'you go to this place because we have no use for you right now.'  It could be disheartening.  However, if used for the expressed intent of vetting all signups it could be quite the asset.  It could help weed out people who sign up and immediately disappear when it comes promo time, and if it were strictly a message board entity, it could save the graphics guys the headache of rendering a new roster picture for someone who doesn't stick around.

I'm projecting my own thoughts and ideas of course, but I do believe it's a good idea that could spawn opportunity and other good ideas that might help the newcomers get acclimated.

I legit can't express how interested I am in this. The interest is too strong. 

All in for this, if this is going to happen sooner rather then later I would reco that possibly 24/7 BR winner can become the first champion for the brand? No offense to the younger guys but just like Stark said a lot of guys in multi man matches on FPV or brand super-shows normally don't have a shot at winning usually just try there best at promoing and hope they move up (that's how I felt when I first joined.) But for the call ups, I think it you should be called up if your good enough not just because of time you have been down in "developmental"

I like the idea, it will be interesting to see how it plays out when it happens or if it happens.

Scott Diamond wrote:

The biggest problem with Turbo/NEO wasn't it's lack consistency. Granted that was a problem but the biggest problem was that we just overcomplicated things. The 3 win system to get a main brand contract worked perfectly. It ensured that you would have to be in EAW for about a month before you even made a main roster debut. It weeded out the ones who weren't serious and it kept the main shows from being cluttered (which in my opinion they definitely are now). Turbo started failing once for some reason, we abandoned that system. NEO failed because it had no system like that. We tried to make NEO into an NXT. NEO had things that the people could fight for, it had it's own supershows, it was too overcomplicated.

The only way a developmental show can work in e-feds is if the concept is kept extremely simple like the original Turbo blueprint was.

If it's like that I'm 100% for it. Otherwise don't bother because it'll eventually end up failing.

I concur

I like the idea a lot. Maybe if say one person people think is REALLY good then maybe have him do a mini feud with someone on a brand already.  Kind of like what they did with Zayn and Cesaro to see how he would hold up against a main brand guy already.  Idk if this sounds dumb but just an idea if this does go forward.

CM Bank$ wrote:

Scott Diamond wrote:

The biggest problem with Turbo/NEO wasn't it's lack consistency. Granted that was a problem but the biggest problem was that we just overcomplicated things. The 3 win system to get a main brand contract worked perfectly. It ensured that you would have to be in EAW for about a month before you even made a main roster debut. It weeded out the ones who weren't serious and it kept the main shows from being cluttered (which in my opinion they definitely are now). Turbo started failing once for some reason, we abandoned that system. NEO failed because it had no system like that. We tried to make NEO into an NXT. NEO had things that the people could fight for, it had it's own supershows, it was too overcomplicated.

The only way a developmental show can work in e-feds is if the concept is kept extremely simple like the original Turbo blueprint was.

If it's like that I'm 100% for it. Otherwise don't bother because it'll eventually end up failing.

I concur

The 3 win system is also kind of a hazard because it doesn't really solve the fundamental issue, which is giving new guys a substantial time to develop; but that development can happen in an environment (developmental show) where they will thrive and get more time focused on them which both gives the newer guys more to do, while also reducing the stress on the main writers to include so many people, letting them focus on the stuff they already have going on without new random people getting thrown onto their shows. A 2-3 month system may work better because that will guarantee almost every newcomer a proper feud on the d-show at least before they can even think about getting called up, and I think giving the d-show members the option to get called up after that 2-3 month period is the best route; do they think they're ready to go to the main roster? Or would they rather build themselves up on the d-show first and make a name for themselves?

Lucas Johnson wrote:

All in for this, if this is going to happen sooner rather then later I would reco that possibly 24/7 BR winner can become the first champion for the brand? No offense to the younger guys but just like Stark said a lot of guys in multi man matches on FPV or brand super-shows normally don't have a shot at winning usually just try there best at promoing and hope they move up (that's how I felt when I first joined.) But for the call ups, I think it you should be called up if your good enough not just because of time you have been down in "developmental"

As for people good "good enough", I think it's best if you leave that up to the individual themselves to determine after that 2-3 month waiting period. If they think they're ready, they can go up and try their luck; if they don't think they're ready, they can build themselves up in the d-show until they want to go, and by then with the rate of sign ups we have, there'll be somebody ready to replace them on the d-show.

ThePizzaBoy wrote:

I think it's a good idea.  I do think there would have to be some sort of caveat to it in order to get people interested in it, if not maybe establish it as a sort of a mandatory vetting process for new signees to go through.  I think the key to making it a success is not singling particular people out and saying 'you go to this place because we have no use for you right now.'  It could be disheartening.  However, if used for the expressed intent of vetting all signups it could be quite the asset.  It could help weed out people who sign up and immediately disappear when it comes promo time, and if it were strictly a message board entity, it could save the graphics guys the headache of rendering a new roster picture for someone who doesn't stick around.

I'm projecting my own thoughts and ideas of course, but I do believe it's a good idea that could spawn opportunity and other good ideas that might help the newcomers get acclimated.

The mandatory vetting process would be that 2-3 month period, and afterwards it'll be up to the person if they want to get called up. That sounds like the most logical option because it'll test their ability and consistency. Keeping it strictly on the forum is also a great idea, the d-show guys can get their roster pics when they move up to the main roster. It would be strictly for new guys, but IF somebody on the main roster with no direction feels they could benefit from having a run on the d-show, that wouldn't be a bad idea either. Something like what Tyson Kidd did.

Target Smiles wrote:

I think if you do this there should be some sort of way for guys to jump onto the main roster early if it seems like they're ready. Take me for example, I've only been here for about 3-4 months and I'm already in a good spot. Granted I had the benefit of having a character in mind and a pretty good idea of how to execute it after a match or two and this isn't my first time e-fedding. But I understand that a lot of people only have an idea of what their character would be and would benefit from having time to develop it with interesting angles instead of being thrown to the wolves and finding themselves unmotivated. 

I guess my point is, though it may be a huge benefit to some people it may just hold others back to keep them off the main shows for 2-3 months. I fully support the idea but there should be some scouting to decide what will be best for each person.

Not to discredit your success, I do think that the midcarders on Dynasty are getting more time to shine because for the past few months (those 3-4 months where you've risen to quite a prominent spot) the Interwire Championship has been contested for by main eventers. That is the exception obviously as the title will ultimately go back to a newer guy who would benefit much from having it, but I think your situation is the exception. I think back to my own start in the EAW, and I rose up to the New Breed title pretty quickly, but with the roster depth now, I feel like that's harder to do. However, somebody coming in hot and rising up on the d-show, dominating it for a good 2-3 months, THEN getting called up would be great. Also, regardless of how exceptionally great somebody is, EVERYONE goes through that initial lull on the main roster while the writers figure out what to do with them. It wouldn't be fair if some new guys get exception and promoted to the main roster for being better than everybody else; everybody new should go through that initial d-show system, and if someone is really that good? They'll get that Kevin Owens/Finn Balor treatment and either get hot-shotted to the title scene or get called up directly after the 2-3 month period.

Not a bad idea.  I like making it a message board entity, which would simply things for everyone involved.  Maybe one title, but no FPVs or anything like that.  Maybe if the higher ups want it, give the developmental one match on the main FPV cards.  Or maybe not.  Either way, it might be a good way to get the newcomers into shows quickly, but won't be too much of a drain on card space if they're the type of people that sign up and disappear.

Definitely get yourself a co-writer, to stave off the burn out.

Stark wrote:

CM Bank$ wrote:

Scott Diamond wrote:

The biggest problem with Turbo/NEO wasn't it's lack consistency. Granted that was a problem but the biggest problem was that we just overcomplicated things. The 3 win system to get a main brand contract worked perfectly. It ensured that you would have to be in EAW for about a month before you even made a main roster debut. It weeded out the ones who weren't serious and it kept the main shows from being cluttered (which in my opinion they definitely are now). Turbo started failing once for some reason, we abandoned that system. NEO failed because it had no system like that. We tried to make NEO into an NXT. NEO had things that the people could fight for, it had it's own supershows, it was too overcomplicated.

The only way a developmental show can work in e-feds is if the concept is kept extremely simple like the original Turbo blueprint was.

If it's like that I'm 100% for it. Otherwise don't bother because it'll eventually end up failing.

I concur

The 3 win system is also kind of a hazard because it doesn't really solve the fundamental issue, which is giving new guys a substantial time to develop; but that development can happen in an environment (developmental show) where they will thrive and get more time focused on them which both gives the newer guys more to do, while also reducing the stress on the main writers to include so many people, letting them focus on the stuff they already have going on without new random people getting thrown onto their shows. A 2-3 month system may work better because that will guarantee almost every newcomer a proper feud on the d-show at least before they can even think about getting called up, and I think giving the d-show members the option to get called up after that 2-3 month period is the best route; do they think they're ready to go to the main roster? Or would they rather build themselves up on the d-show first and make a name for themselves?

In theory it's a great idea but this is an e-fed, not real professional wrestling. Something like NXT is essential because it helps people with their promos, polish up their ring work and help them get used to how TV works. There's really only one purpose for a developmental show in an e-fed and that's two separate the ones who are serious, from the ones who aren't serious, and you'll be able to tell that within weeks, not months. 

I really don't want it to sound like I'm knocking your idea because I really think a developmental show is a phenomenal idea. I just think you're asking an awful lot of someone to stay on a developmental show for a quarter of a year. At the end of the day no matter how good it's written or received, it's still gonna be a developmental show and for me personally, I don't see enough incentive in an e-fed developmental show to warrant wanting to stay for that long.

I think for your way to work, it would have to be optional. Give them the option of either going straight up to the main roster where they could potentially flounder for a bit or going into the developmental show where they'll be guaranteed to be featured prominently. But stress that if they go into the developmental, it will be for 2 to 3 months. So that if they later complain, they'll have no one to blame but themselves because they made that choice.

I just think the win system works best. Maybe it doesn't have to be 3, you can definitely up it to 5. I just think it needs that structure to work, because so far, it's been the only one that has worked.

Scott Diamond wrote:

Stark wrote:

CM Bank$ wrote:

Scott Diamond wrote:

The biggest problem with Turbo/NEO wasn't it's lack consistency. Granted that was a problem but the biggest problem was that we just overcomplicated things. The 3 win system to get a main brand contract worked perfectly. It ensured that you would have to be in EAW for about a month before you even made a main roster debut. It weeded out the ones who weren't serious and it kept the main shows from being cluttered (which in my opinion they definitely are now). Turbo started failing once for some reason, we abandoned that system. NEO failed because it had no system like that. We tried to make NEO into an NXT. NEO had things that the people could fight for, it had it's own supershows, it was too overcomplicated.

The only way a developmental show can work in e-feds is if the concept is kept extremely simple like the original Turbo blueprint was.

If it's like that I'm 100% for it. Otherwise don't bother because it'll eventually end up failing.

I concur

The 3 win system is also kind of a hazard because it doesn't really solve the fundamental issue, which is giving new guys a substantial time to develop; but that development can happen in an environment (developmental show) where they will thrive and get more time focused on them which both gives the newer guys more to do, while also reducing the stress on the main writers to include so many people, letting them focus on the stuff they already have going on without new random people getting thrown onto their shows. A 2-3 month system may work better because that will guarantee almost every newcomer a proper feud on the d-show at least before they can even think about getting called up, and I think giving the d-show members the option to get called up after that 2-3 month period is the best route; do they think they're ready to go to the main roster? Or would they rather build themselves up on the d-show first and make a name for themselves?

In theory it's a great idea but this is an e-fed, not real professional wrestling. Something like NXT is essential because it helps people with their promos, polish up their ring work and help them get used to how TV works. There's really only one purpose for a developmental show in an e-fed and that's two separate the ones who are serious, from the ones who aren't serious, and you'll be able to tell that within weeks, not months. 

I really don't want it to sound like I'm knocking your idea because I really think a developmental show is a phenomenal idea. I just think you're asking an awful lot of someone to stay on a developmental show for a quarter of a year. At the end of the day no matter how good it's written or received, it's still gonna be a developmental show and for me personally, I don't see enough incentive in an e-fed developmental show to warrant wanting to stay for that long.

I think for your way to work, it would have to be optional. Give them the option of either going straight up to the main roster where they could potentially flounder for a bit or going into the developmental show where they'll be guaranteed to be featured prominently. But stress that if they go into the developmental, it will be for 2 to 3 months. So that if they later complain, they'll have no one to blame but themselves because they made that choice.

I just think the win system works best. Maybe it doesn't have to be 3, you can definitely up it to 5. I just think it needs that structure to work, because so far, it's been the only one that has worked.

I think what it all boils down to is what's more disheartening?: Staying in a quote/unquote 'developmental' brand for 3 months, or not being used on the main card in any constructive way?

Maybe the main issue comes in labeling.  Developmental gives the impression that someone lacks something, and that can be a bit of a slap in the face if you're branded as developmental talent before even getting to show what you're capable of.  Maybe call it a rush brand or even just classify it as an independent brand for EAW to farm from.  People seem to like when there are independent entities in EAW regardless to their measure of long term success.  Maybe pitch 'developmental' as the 'indy alternative'.

I don't know.  I have a million thoughts on the subject and none really mesh with EAW's identity.  I don't think there's much harm in branding something 'developmental'.  It's not like people haven't been sour over being on Voltage instead of Dynasty or Showdown whatever and at the end of the day the only true difference is a color.  People will belly ache when there's nothing to belly ache about.

ThePizzaBoy wrote:

Scott Diamond wrote:

Stark wrote:

CM Bank$ wrote:

Scott Diamond wrote:

The biggest problem with Turbo/NEO wasn't it's lack consistency. Granted that was a problem but the biggest problem was that we just overcomplicated things. The 3 win system to get a main brand contract worked perfectly. It ensured that you would have to be in EAW for about a month before you even made a main roster debut. It weeded out the ones who weren't serious and it kept the main shows from being cluttered (which in my opinion they definitely are now). Turbo started failing once for some reason, we abandoned that system. NEO failed because it had no system like that. We tried to make NEO into an NXT. NEO had things that the people could fight for, it had it's own supershows, it was too overcomplicated.

The only way a developmental show can work in e-feds is if the concept is kept extremely simple like the original Turbo blueprint was.

If it's like that I'm 100% for it. Otherwise don't bother because it'll eventually end up failing.

I concur

The 3 win system is also kind of a hazard because it doesn't really solve the fundamental issue, which is giving new guys a substantial time to develop; but that development can happen in an environment (developmental show) where they will thrive and get more time focused on them which both gives the newer guys more to do, while also reducing the stress on the main writers to include so many people, letting them focus on the stuff they already have going on without new random people getting thrown onto their shows. A 2-3 month system may work better because that will guarantee almost every newcomer a proper feud on the d-show at least before they can even think about getting called up, and I think giving the d-show members the option to get called up after that 2-3 month period is the best route; do they think they're ready to go to the main roster? Or would they rather build themselves up on the d-show first and make a name for themselves?

In theory it's a great idea but this is an e-fed, not real professional wrestling. Something like NXT is essential because it helps people with their promos, polish up their ring work and help them get used to how TV works. There's really only one purpose for a developmental show in an e-fed and that's two separate the ones who are serious, from the ones who aren't serious, and you'll be able to tell that within weeks, not months. 

I really don't want it to sound like I'm knocking your idea because I really think a developmental show is a phenomenal idea. I just think you're asking an awful lot of someone to stay on a developmental show for a quarter of a year. At the end of the day no matter how good it's written or received, it's still gonna be a developmental show and for me personally, I don't see enough incentive in an e-fed developmental show to warrant wanting to stay for that long.

I think for your way to work, it would have to be optional. Give them the option of either going straight up to the main roster where they could potentially flounder for a bit or going into the developmental show where they'll be guaranteed to be featured prominently. But stress that if they go into the developmental, it will be for 2 to 3 months. So that if they later complain, they'll have no one to blame but themselves because they made that choice.

I just think the win system works best. Maybe it doesn't have to be 3, you can definitely up it to 5. I just think it needs that structure to work, because so far, it's been the only one that has worked.

I think what it all boils down to is what's more disheartening?: Staying in a quote/unquote 'developmental' brand for 3 months, or not being used on the main card in any constructive way?

Maybe the main issue comes in labeling.  Developmental gives the impression that someone lacks something, and that can be a bit of a slap in the face if you're branded as developmental talent before even getting to show what you're capable of.  Maybe call it a rush brand or even just classify it as an independent brand for EAW to farm from.  People seem to like when there are independent entities in EAW regardless to their measure of long term success.  Maybe pitch 'developmental' as the 'indy alternative'.

I don't know.  I have a million thoughts on the subject and none really mesh with EAW's identity.  I don't think there's much harm in branding something 'developmental'.  It's not like people haven't been sour over being on Voltage instead of Dynasty or Showdown whatever and at the end of the day the only true difference is a color.  People will belly ache when there's nothing to belly ache about.

You're right that the issue does come down to labeling. But then if we try to pitch it as an alternative blah blah blah then the overcomplicating part comes into play. When NEO was first pitched it was far less "developmental" than Turbo was. Like I said a few posts ago NEO had the YLC as well as other awards/prizes and we gave it it's own FPV's/supercards. It was great at the start for about a month because it presented itself as almost a separate company entirely, but pretty soon after that it started to go downhill because there was really no structure to how call-ups worked and people started complaining that it was taking too long.

It doesn't really matter what we pitch it as; if the end goal is to get to one of the 3 main brands, it's gonna be looked at as a developmental show.