One of WWE's network partners has pitched a point tournament system as means of boosting television ratings ahead of the promotion's return to the road, per Andrew Zarian of the Mat Men podcast.
The company is gearing up to welcome audiences again and is understood to be under pressure to improve ratings on Raw and SmackDown. According to WrestlingNews.co, there's been discourse over more themed events as King of the Ring is soon to return, with Raw Roulette also a probable entry at some point this year.
Zarian has made claims of hearing that a point tournament model has been proposed by a WWE network partner.
The system would see wrestlers getting points based on match incidents, with the winner of the tournament getting a shot at a major title. Zarian claims the pitch suggests that points should be garnered through special moves, wins and various stipulations.
Would Vince McMahon Be Open To This?
Such a system certainly does not sound like something Vince McMahon might go for but the WWE chairman is reported to have acknowledged that the promotion's current product is stale and is likely open to ideas.
It's also worth noting that the Raw Reunion that took place in January came as the result of a suggestion from the USA Network. Vince is pretty keen on pleasing his broadcast partners so, while a point system isn't something he seems like he would want to entertain, he just might do so based on where it's coming from.
As to whether fans would go for such a model is something else altogether. But it would be very different from what's being delivered now so it just might work.