"This wrestler will lose their heat if they're not on TV"

[EoE: Well There's Your Problem]

Now I'm not saying this isn't completely disproven, because The Shining Stars will probably validate the theory perfectly sometime down the line (if they have any heat to lose), but I found it fascinating how Sasha Banks (first appearance outside of Main Event/Superstars in two months) and Bray Wyatt (first appearance period in two months) were way over with their appearances tonight despite not being featured on RAW at all since April and having been subject to very mixed booking in their main roster runs.

It probably says more about those two particular talents or the fans having better memories than we or the company give them credit for than it does anything else, I guess.

[Deleted]

I think it varies really. Though not the best examples to argue against the idea I don't think - Bray's been heavily pushed for ages and hasn't been gone all that long really, while Sasha's overness to begin with basically came about on an entirely meta level over her not really being used in any prominent way so more of the same isn't terribly likely to hurt her.

[Oh Cry Me a Screwball]

It depends on how well they are established. The Wyatts have been a force for years. Sasha has a good following after a great run on NXT. They have built their fanbase and they will be remembered if they are gone for a bit.

On the other hand, the Lucha Dragons had a really hot debut at a post-Mania Raw and had the momentum for a few weeks, and then they were off television until WWE needed six teams for Elimination Chamber. And even after a brutal Salida del Sol off a ladder and a US title run for Kalisto, they've never had the same momentum that they had after their debut. They needed to be on TV in the weeks after Mania to keep it going.

[Final Countdown Jones]

It depends wildly on the performer; Wyatt and Sasha are both established, and when they aren't around people are waiting for them to be around. The anticipation is key; guys come back from injuries to thunderous cheers when they're missed and already over, but it takes being established and over to get there. The gamble with Sasha was whether or not she's actually in that position for good or if only the internet die-hards are going to give a shit. Thankfully that didn't turn out to be the case, but I do understand the concern.

[Super Duper Dragunov]

The Usos will still have plenty of heat when they come back

[The Dark Order Inferno]

It depends on the performer and where they are in their push, Cena would have died as a performer had they taken him off TV as his rapper character was gaining momentum but it doesn't matter now, people know who he is and what they'll get when he comes out.

[Magic knows Black Lives Matter]

Jun 21, 2016 3:59:54 GMT -5 Oh Cry Me a Screwball said:

It depends on how well they are established. The Wyatts have been a force for years. Sasha has a good following after a great run on NXT. They have built their fanbase and they will be remembered if they are gone for a bit.

On the other hand, the Lucha Dragons had a really hot debut at a post-Mania Raw and had the momentum for a few weeks, and then they were off television until WWE needed six teams for Elimination Chamber. And even after a brutal Salida del Sol off a ladder and a US title run for Kalisto, they've never had the same momentum that they had after their debut. They needed to be on TV in the weeks after Mania to keep it going.

Yeppers. It's all about how established the character is. If you're established, it's actually a good thing that you aren't on TV every week because you become a special attraction and the time off makes people miss you. Especially if you are an act that has been overexposed and are stale. If you are just getting started, getting taken off TV after a few weeks might as well be a death sentence.