I really like the concept of ECW being a developmental ground for some of the younger WWE talent, but one of it's biggest problems is that once someone is deemed "ready", they're hauled off to Raw or Smackdown to become main eventers or midcarders (the CM Punks, Jack Swaggers, Sheamuses and Kofis of the world).

The roster overturns so much there that the show never really retains any sense of identity and the guys that they have there now (Christian, Shelton, Yoshi, Regal's Roundtable) just aren't really connecting with TV viewers the same way as when the show just started. Until this changes, ratings may just continue to plummet.
thanks