Chicago Sun-Times: WWE set to take its show on the road

Have you been to a WWE live event lately? If not, don't worry-- you're not alone. House-show attendance has dropped steadily the last few years, and the trend has turned from concerning to disastrous.

The WWE announced its earnings last week, and attendance at events is way below normal for this time of year with no change in sight. This means a big hit to the revenue of the company, and that means things need to change.

Attendance for television events still is OK, but fans know for the price of admission not only do they get three hours of wrestling matches, they also get backstage segments, the Titan Tron, a top- shelf sound system and a Fourth of July quality fireworks display. At regular house shows (wrestling's bread and butter just 25 years ago), however, fans get the no-frills version--ring, ref, wrestlers. No fancy TV screen, no light shows, no backstage confrontations--and if you show up looking for a title change, you have not been paying much attention over the last decade or so.

So the WWE bosses have decided to try to change all this, and will do so by bringing out the big guns--the McMahons. On upcoming house shows, you will see the likes of Vince, Stephanie and maybe Shane take control and give the event the feel of a TV show being played out rather than just nine matches with no real story line.

Will it work? Who knows. But at least the WWE is taking steps to improve its product for the fans.

HEARD AROUND THE RING: Shawn Michaels was told he was not needed for "Raw" last Monday night; there is no word if this was punishment for publicly calling the WWE decision to give HBK and Ric Flair just 16 minutes for their "Bad Blood" match "b.s." ... Kevin Nash also was given Monday night off, and some are wondering if the company has plans for the big man now that his program with HHH is over. ... Sting did, in fact, make his return to the ring on Wednesday night, and he did it by helping Jeff Jarrett defeat the team of AJ Styles and Sean (X-Pac) Waltman. ... Some are pushing Mick Foley to consider returning for one more match with HHH to be held at "SummerSlam." ... For the second straight week, Goldberg's "Raw" match drew the highest ratings of the show.

HOTLINE: I will tell you the inside word on how and when the masks will come off for both Kane and Mr. America, plus much more on the hotline: (900) 990-SLAM ($2 per minute).