BREAKING NEWS: Brand Split Returning

[JimmyMess]

http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/article/smackdown-live-usa-network-july-19?sf26901815=1

A SmackDown shakeup is about to completely reshape all of WWE. Beginning July 19, the second longest-running weekly episodic program in television history, SmackDown, will move from Thursday to Tuesday nights and air LIVE each and every week — for the first time ever — at 8/7 C on USA Network, the exclusive cable home to WWE’s marquee properties.

This bold move will have major ramifications for all of WWE and exemplify the New Era, as both Raw and SmackDown will each feature their own unique rosters and rivalries following an imminent Superstar draft.

"WWE's flagship programs will both leverage the incredible depth of our talent roster, distinct storylines and the unpredictable nature of live TV," WWE Chairman Mr. McMahon said. “This move will undoubtedly build more excitement and deepen engagement with our fans around th█e world.”

With so many explosive competitors emerging from WWE NXT, and top Superstars like John Cena and Seth Rollins returning from injury, WWE’s star-powered roster has never been stronger. Its historic division and the monumental revelation of SmackDown’s shift to a live format each week reflect the excitement and unpredictability of WWE’s New Era.

What awaits SmackDown on its new night, starting this July? Which live shows will claim your favorite Superstars? What will this all mean for the future of sports-entertainment? Stay tuned as WWE prepares to get shaken up like never before.

[Volare]

Woooooooooooooooooooooooow.

[slik]

I'm fine with this.

[Simple Fan]

I like Smackdown going live but don't think they need another brand split. Hope they keep 1 title to.

[JimmyMess]

they will have 1 title... for now.... and then in a couple years they will split them up, like before,

[Volare]

<iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zjPhDn5fm3g?feature=player_detailpage" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Jordan]

Fuck, I don't want a brand split.

[#BROKEN Hasney]

There's so much talent again that this makes sense, just like it made sense to end it when there was a huge lack of talent depth under Big Johnny.

[Simple Fan]

Just hate the whole idea of a brand split. It's not like Smackdown is going to gain anything from long term. Feel like it will hurt this great roster as well. I'd be fine with it if Smackdown became a whole separate promotion all together and had nothing to do with Raw. I'll wait and see but I'm not a big fan of splitting up this roster.

[Arrogance]

Smackdown going live is nifty.

[Jordan]

Just hate the whole idea of a brand split. It's not like Smackdown is going to gain anything from long term. Feel like it will hurt this great roster as well. I'd be fine with it if Smackdown became a whole separate promotion all together and had nothing to do with Raw. I'll wait and see but I'm not a big fan of splitting up this roster.

We agree on something at last!

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

Should let one of the shows be the "workrate" brand for my fellow neckbeards and I. Would be plzd as punch tbh

[slik]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/WWE">@WWE</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/StephMcMahon">@StephMcMahon</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/shanemcmahon">@shanemcmahon</a> theres only 1 man for the job, right <a href="https://twitter.com/Daddy_Michelin">@Daddy_Michelin</a> ? <a href="https://t.co/zdn5JSM8zW">pic.twitter.com/zdn5JSM8zW</a></p>&mdash; Darryl Owen (@KuroShadowLFC) <a href="https://twitter.com/KuroShadowLFC/status/735458360028463104">May 25, 2016</a></blockquote>
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[JimmyMess]

I like LIVE smackdown. that way we don't read the spoilers and then choose not to watch.

[Jordan]

Yes a live Smackdown! is a great plan

[slik]

http://i.imgur.com/AJWbQ.gif

[erickman]

so will tna stay on tues nights or will they move again

[Droford]

Why not live in Thursday? Seems dumb to have it live on Tuesday.

[Rammsteinmad]

I do agree with Simple Fan, but at the same time, there's so many talented guys that never get used, or flounder, or come and go so often it's hard to care. A roster split might give them all a chance to actually get some TV time again.

[Simple Fan]

Probably move again. I'd say back to Wednesday

[Rammsteinmad]

The only real detriment I can think of right now, is the inevitable stigma of Smackdown being the "B show" again.

[VSG]

I am all for this. Please get Paul Heyman in charge again, it's not like Brock does much the whole year long.

[XL]

Cody could have flourished again on SmackDown.

Reckon they'll get an NXT pick in the draft?

[hb2k]

Not only will there be an NXT pick, I expect that roster is getting plunger raped in this thing.

Raw is 3 hours long. And it drags badly. Take half the crew away and you're looking at a 20 minute Darren Young match every week.

[Stickman]

Going live should be good.

I didn't like the brand split the first time around when they had enough talent for the split. Why would I like it now when there is less top end talent? Are we going to go back to 2 world champions? Smackdown will continue to be the B show and Nxt will continue to be the developmental league, so really, what is the point?

[ClockShot]

Triple H finally gonna work on Tuesday?!

[DAMN iNATOR]

I like the brand split returning, my only reservation about it is that instead of choosing someone actually suited to the job, either Shane or Steph will get the GM role and the other will remain on RAW.

Would be pleasantly surprised though if they could get Long or maybe Kurt "Mr." Angle or hell, it'd really be a coup (and I know this is a HUGE reach), but what if they could get Bischoff to come back snd try his hand at running WWE's "blue brand"?

[Mercenary]

R.i.p tag teams though?

[Volare]

Got a feeling the "champions can be on both shows" rule will come back.

[Lock Jaw]

Please note that nowhere does this announcement say that the brand split is returning. It very well could happen, but for now they are just saying that it is going live.

[slik]

This bold move will have major ramifications for all of WWE and exemplify the New Era, as both Raw and SmackDown will each feature their own unique rosters and rivalries following an imminent Superstar draft.

[Lock Jaw]

#ShutItDown

[Gerard]

Attempting to pump some life into a tired product would be an understatement. :nono:

And 5 hours of "wrasslin", or more like 3 hours of gum flapping and 2 hours of "sports entertainment" inside 2 days is retarded, people already think raw is too long at 3 hours.

[Mercenary]

Attempting to pump some life into a tired product would be an understatement. :nono:

And 5 hours of "wrasslin", or more like 3 hours of gum flapping and 2 hours of "sports entertainment" inside 2 days is retarded, people already think raw is too long at 3 hours.


9 once you count nxt and ppvs then 11 on takeover months

[Hanso Amore]

I love the dripping Irony of Zach Ryder fans being against a change that will allow him more TV time.

This is a great move. It frees up smackdown to stop being a holder program for the same 10 people and 5 angles that are run on raw, and opens up the under card.

I understand that some dont like the break as it limits certain people from working together, but there are ways around it. they can kayfabe find ways to move gys between shows if they want to start a program.

[Lock Jaw]

I think RAW should go back down to 2 hours, especially if they are going to have half the roster to fill it with.

A brand split is a good idea in theory, that will allow guys to get over who would otherwise never get that chance.

Worried that even with Smackdown going live, though, that it will quickly revert to being treated as the B-Brand that builds up superstars before they get traded to RAW, RAW squanders them and messes them up bad, and then ships them back to Smackdown after no one cares about them anymore.

[Hanso Amore]

Going live should be good.

I didn't like the brand split the first time around when they had enough talent for the split. Why would I like it now when there is less top end talent? Are we going to go back to 2 world champions? Smackdown will continue to be the B show and Nxt will continue to be the developmental league, so really, what is the point?

I dont agree at all. The roster is way deeper with quality characters and workers now.

NXT is churning out talent faster t han they can handle.

Go back to 2004.

is rene Dupree and Kenzo Suzuki vs the FBI anywhere near as good and Neville/Crews vs Primo and Epico?

The talent is deeper than ever....

Ill admit the star power is lower, but thats because they have buried talent for 10 years and stayed stagnant.

This is a chance to break out again.

Without the original Brand split, John Cena would have never had a shot. He was able to rise up behind Taker, Brock, Angle, Edge, Eddie, Rey, Big Show - but had HBK, HHH, Jericho, Christian, Kane, Orton, Batisita, Goldberg all been on the same show he would have been squeezed out.

There was alot of problems with the old split, but its biggest strength was allowing a chance for more talent to get on TV.

The roster was way thinner in the middle and bottom then, and that wont be a problem now.

[Big Vic]

I wonder if they decide to do this because talent was unhappy and started leaving.

[Simple Fan]

All champions should be on both shows. Their tag division sucks so I hope they don't break any teams up. The only good I could see from this is NXT getting raided for Smackdown. Joe, Nakamura, Aries, and Balor are all to good for NXT and could come up to Smackdown. See Ambrose and Styles as Smackdown guys as well.

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

The only way people will get over is important matches in good programs on television. This splits up shows so that more people will have to be featured who would normally either not work that night or have a meaningless Dark match, superstars or main event which only people watch if they forget to turn off a live stream of wwe network after watching something good.

Roster is deep. You evelvate talent so it's not the same tired matchups. In wrestling it's alot to to with how you present your talent not really about the talent of the superstar. With the right set up you can elevate mid to main. This is the right way to go.

[Heisenberg]

Should let one of the shows be the "workrate" brand for my fellow neckbeards and I. Would be plzd as punch tbh

Workrate Wednesday right after NXT!

[DaveWadding]

Why not live in Thursday? Seems dumb to have it live on Tuesday.

Because then the wrestlers don't have to travel 2 separate times a week?

[DaveWadding]

All champions should be on both shows.

They should have the WHC, the Tag Titles, and the Women's title float between shows. Make the US and IC exclusive to a brand.

[Lock Jaw]

So would tag teams and women float between shows too?

[Bad News Gertner]

Yes! I love when they do drafts!

[Simple Fan]

They should have the WHC, the Tag Titles, and the Women's title float between shows. Make the US and IC exclusive to a brand.

With them announcing the Cruiserweight Classic is for a title I could see them binging back the Cruiserweight Championship and have it be a Smackdown title.

[XL]

Yes! I love when they do drafts!

Recently watched all the old drafts (excluding the month long 2006 draft after the inintial Cena move), great stuff.

Whilst I have reservations over the split, I'm looking forward to the actual draft.

[Theo Dious]

they will have 1 title... for now.... and then in a couple years they will split them up, like before,

LOL it only took a few months last time.

The IC title should be the crown jewel of Smackdown. The current spoilers show how this can be done.

[Sepholio]

AJ Styles vs Randy Orton for the Smackdown title by the end of the year.

[Ruien]

Oh my lord. 3 hours on Monday and 2 on Tuesday. That is a TON of wrestling.

[Jordan]

I wish that WWE would make the US and IC titles a permanent fixture of Raw or Smackdown, and then float the Tag, Women's, and World Heavyweight every week.

[XL]

Oh my lord. 3 hours on Monday and 2 on Tuesday. That is a TON of wrestling.

It really is. PPV weekends will give me three hours to watch on a Monday, around 2 hours 15 minutes for Tuesday, and a further 1.5 hours on Wednesday. Plus NXT on Thursday.

To be fair, I haven't watched SD for months, the fact that SmackDown is going live, and featuring exclusive guys has piqued my interest, so kudos to WWE for that.

[GD]

I am so fucking psyched for this.

[GD]

I just hope that both rosters have their separate belts. There is no way a wrestler like Dean Ambrose or Dolph Ziggler will have the chance to become champion on RAW.

[Damian Rey 2.0]

Problem with 2 belts is one gets deluded and labeled as a second tier title. That's what happened last time.

[GD]

It happened after the brand extension rules were relaxed. I distinctly remember many PPV main events with the championship associated with Smackdown on the line.

[XL]

I hope they don't try to do seperate PPVs at least until they've established strong and deep rosters. They've got a lot of work to do to revive a bunch of people. The solo PPVs "back in the day" often felt really lightweight at times.

[Emperor Smeat]

Feels like Smackdown is going to end up being treated the same as usual after a while except now its going to cost the WWE more money to do the shows since it would be live. Wouldn't be surprised if the USA Network is helping covering costs or threw in some incentives to make this happen now.

Injury crisis or not, the roster is deep enough in quality to make a brand split work and in theory more people should benefit but don't see the WWE being that committed in the long term for Samckdown's benefit.

[Fox]

My initial reaction is to be very much against this idea.

We are only just beginning to rebuild the WWE roster and solidify characters as "superstars." But it's going to take more time before we have the kind of roster depth of quality that we had when the first brand split occurred. By separating the roster, I fear that the product as a whole will lose the momentum that they were just starting to rebuild.

My point I guess is just this: the WWE struggles on a weekly basis to put out one quality product per week, with a mediocre step-child being produced as a far second. I don't have faith in them to be able to properly produce TWO quality products per week.


On the other hand, I also have a strong feeling that there is more to this sudden announcement and idea than meets the eye. If the rumors of dissension backstage are true, perhaps Shane McMahon will be given one show, and Stephanie/Triple H will be given the other show, in the ultimate battle to see who will take over the WWE when Vince dies. That, and he probably just gets off on watching his kids fight over his legacy.

[XL]

I'm sure there's lots to the decision.

I'm already infinitely more interested in SD than I have in months. Same for a bunch of people I would imagine.

Whilst the rosters aren't all that deep right now they do have Cena, Orton, Wyatt, Harper, Rowan, Strowman, Neville, Alicia Fox, Emma, Naomi, Nikki Bella, Sasha, Tamina, Big Show, Henry, Kane, Konnor, and Ryback (maybe) waiting in the wings.

Plus there are over 40 superstars on the NXT roster currently, and the "development brand" is becoming increasingly "top heavy", especially with guys on contracts better than the usual development rate; at some point WWE will want to cash-in on the likes of Finn Balor, Samoa Joe, Shinsuke Nakamura, Austin Aries, etc.

[Corkscrewed]

This sounds intriguing, but like everyone else, I'm concerned that they'll just botch it, based on past results.


They can't even handle however many storylines they currently have across RAW and SD. Now they have to double that. Unless they're hiring more writers, I feel like they'll just have more filler and nowhere near double the storylines.

[Simple Fan]

Hope they don't have separate PPVs. Feel like the PPvs should be more of a super show with both rosters.

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

They could have a network special for the show that doesn't get a PPV that month to make it all relevant. There was nothing worse than having nothing doing for a month on either Raw and Smackdown when the other brand had a PPV on the way.

It could go either way. They aren't in the era of 40 dollar per ppvs. Separate PPVs was a tough sell in that sense.

[Damian Rey 2.0]

I actually like them having their own ppvs. It gives feuds a longer time to burn and the big 4 can be the Superbowl shows.

Imagine Cena avid Owens having the same feud but spreading the 3 matches out over 6 months instead of 3 due to having to wait an extra month.

I agree that it'll take time to build up the shows to that point so maybe you don't have brand exclusive shows until after the Rumble or even Mania.

[Cool King]

I have waited for this moment for a long time.

I think Vince & Co. have learned from their mistakes from the brand split's dying days and have decided to give the brand split another shot. It's been said before but this has already gained my interest in SmackDown, with it being live and having it's own roster soon.

So many guys will get a chance to at least be on TV with a brand split in place and they'll be so much more variety for us to watch, which I'm really looking forward to, as even though I've just started getting back into everything after a nine month absence, there's already a few guys of sick of seeing.

[Emperor Smeat]

According to the Observer, TNA is going to end up as the biggest loser with this decision since Impact will end up going head-to-head against Smackdown for at least 1 hour on Tuesdays.

They have no leverage to move while every other day possible in the week won't really improve things or already has tough competition guaranteed.

[Emperor Smeat]

Also according to the Observer, WWE is currently preparing another major talent raid to help fill out the rosters, NXT itself might be ending as a unique brand due to the mass callups planned to be happening, World (Big Gold Belt) is likely coming back, and a safe bet Reigns and Cena will be the main stars of each brand.

In terms of wrestlers possibly getting more time off now that the rosters would be split, Observer hinted the opposite might happen with more house shows being planned to happen.

[Cool King]

I can see Cena being the main guy on SmackDown, as his in-ring career slowly dwindles down.

[DAMN iNATOR]

Excited for the return of the WWE Draft.

I'd be more than happy, if live coverage on TV isn't done, to provide such here in up-to-the-second updates, or just throw up something for those who don't catch it on TV, and if there's a supplemental online bit, I could include that as well, if demand for such merits it.

[The MAC]

Will go down exactly the same as before.

[Disturbed316]

Interesting, might actually start watching Smackdown again. There should only be one Heavyweight title though.

[The MAC]

make smackdown into WCW NITRO - have bischoff run it. HE could feud with flair for power then the NWO can do a run in...er....walk in...er..limp in..erm...phone it in like they used to do

[Tom Guycott]

I do agree with Simple Fan, but at the same time, there's so many talented guys that never get used, or flounder, or come and go so often it's hard to care. A roster split might give them all a chance to actually get some TV time again.

That was the initial idea behind the initial brand split the first time... the problem became the idea of "we need to feature the popular people everywhere!" instead of getting exposure to the underexposed, so it just became the same as it ever was and defeated the purpose of splitting the roster.

Same idea as having what is now 3 hours of RAW as opposed to the one hour it started at a couple decades ago. You'd think there'd be whole matches of underutilized talent, but instead, it is 8 segments of the main featured storyline instead of only 5 from a 2 hour RAW, and a shit ton of commercials to finish padding the time.

Basically, this is a great idea until it eventually and inevitably breaks down again. The question is how soon.

[DAMN iNATOR]

make smackdown into WCW NITRO - have bischoff run it. HE could feud with flair for power then the NWO can do a run in...er....walk in...er..limp in..erm...phone it in like they used to do

You had me until you started with the stuff that was all done leading up to the original split.

[broverboard]

I'm pretty excited for this. If Smackdown is getting more of a focus and a more prominent position on TV I hope that makes enough money to be able to cut Raw down to two hours.

I'd like Raw to have a focus on the US & Women's championship, with Smackdown being the place for the tag titles, a returning Cruiserweight division and led by the Intercontinental championship. I'd also like to see the Royal Rumble, Summerslam and Wrestlemania as the only cross-brand mega shows, with the other PPV's being for a particular brand and more network exclusives.

I've got a feeling Bray Wyatt will benefit massively from this.

[Ruien]

I'm all for the WHC returning on Smackdown. Roman Reigns can hog the WWE Title on Raw, and now finally guys like AJ Styles, Cesaro etc can be World Champions as it should be.

No no no no. We are finally getting back into a position where everyone is not a forner WWE or World champ. Keep it to 1 title where it actually means something if you won it at some point.

[VSG]

Ugh.. Don't kill NXT for this.

[slik]

Also according to the Observer, WWE is currently preparing another major talent raid to help fill out the rosters, NXT itself might be ending as a unique brand due to the mass callups planned to be happening, World (Big Gold Belt) is likely coming back, and a safe bet Reigns and Cena will be the main stars of each brand.

In terms of wrestlers possibly getting more time off now that the rosters would be split, Observer hinted the opposite might happen with more house shows being planned to happen.

What does that mean!?

[BigCrippyZ]

No no no no. We are finally getting back into a position where everyone is not a forner WWE or World champ. Keep it to 1 title where it actually means something if you won it at some point.

This, 1000x this. Not everyone is world champion material. In fact, there should only be maybe 10-12 guys max (probably less actually) at that main event world champ level. Just enough guys to have varying world title feuds, #1 contender feuds and upper card "blood" main event feuds of guys who can easily move from upper card semi-main to main event.

[BigCrippyZ]

They can't even handle however many storylines they currently have across RAW and SD. Now they have to double that. Unless they're hiring more writers, I feel like they'll just have more filler and nowhere near double the storylines.

This is also true. The idea that the brand split will improve or make the writing and under performing talent better is an illogical fallacy.

[Stickman]

No no no no. We are finally getting back into a position where everyone is not a forner WWE or World champ. Keep it to 1 title where it actually means something if you won it at some point.

Completely agree. Guys like Swagger and Ziggler are former champs, these guys are not main eventers and never were yet somehow they have world championships. There should be one title and the champ goes to both shows. Use the US and IC titles as the brand championships, that not only elevates those titles but keeps people away from the real championship. If they really feel the need for a lower card title bring back the Euro and Tv or Cruiserweigt titles. Two world championships not only sounds stupid, but it dilutes the top stars.

[Emperor Smeat]

What does that mean!?

Possibly no more live specials or ppvs in general. Being rumored they are dropping NXT house shows after mid-June.

Also rumored to be going back as a pure developmental thing like it was before it got huge. TV/Network wise, still will be shown till at least the current tv contracts end.

[Simple Fan]

What does that mean!?

Probably going to raid the NXT roster so NXT is truly a developmental promotion. I'm fine with it as I think most the top guys in NXT don't belong there.

[slik]

Possibly no more live specials or ppvs in general. Being rumored they are dropping NXT house shows after mid-June.

Also rumored to be going back as a pure developmental thing like it was before it got huge. TV/Network wise, still will be shown till at least the current tv contracts end.

Noooooooooooooo

NXT was the best wrestling experience on my life as a fan in Dallas for WM weekend. It's so much better than RAW/Smackdown often. Nooooooooooooo

[#1-norm-fan]

Brand split is an awesome idea. Just keep one champion though, for fuck's sake.

World champ goes between brands, IC Title signifies Raw supremacy, US Title signifies Smackdown supremacy. All is well. No need for this two world title BS.

[#1-norm-fan]

No more live specials or PPVs? I assume that doesn't include the big 4.

[Simple Fan]

Think that's only NXT. HHH had cryptic tweet saying the next Takeover might be it's last.

[#1-norm-fan]

Oh. Didn't read the post that was in response to.

Well in that case, I hope they don't do two specials a month to cover both brands now. Having to stretch feuds for 2 months instead of running through everything as quickly as possible would serve them well.

[Big Vic]

This is also true. The idea that the brand split will improve or make the writing and under performing talent better is an illogical fallacy.
I heard they have 12 writers now, six for each brand is enough. This will help the story because instead of having to produce 5 hours of a story each week you only have to produce 2 or 3.

Imagine having to write a Game of thrones episode that was 5 hours each week.

[BigCrippyZ]

I heard they have 12 writers now, six for each brand is enough. This will help the story because instead of having to produce 5 hours of a story each week you only have to produce 2 or 3.

Imagine having to write a Game of thrones episode that was 5 hours.

That's great in theory sure. It doesn't guarantee an improvement in quality though for either or both shows, just that one show MIGHT be better than the other.

Not to mention the fact that one show (cough, Raw, cough, cough) will always be seen as the "premier" show by most people, including fans, talent, Vince, office, backstage, etc. Even if Smackdown actually ends up being better than Raw in quality content, Raw's been around longer, has the more established brand, is more iconic, etc. A brand split isn't going to change that, let alone all the other flaws in WWE's writing, creative, booking, production, content, etc. This is just a way for Vince and everyone to feel better about the product and distract the fans from the fact that nothings really going to change or improve. Same company, same folks in charge, more of the same.

[Big Vic]

They might book SD! Stronger during Football season.

[Sepholio]

They might book SD! Stronger during Football season.

Not a bad idea.

[Heisenberg]

RAW could have Sting as GM, hell bent on sabotaging Seth Rollins(for ending his career) and his quest for getting the Championship he never lost. It would allow Roman to be a full fledged heel and earn his keep with the fans.

[slik]

GM Sting ONLY!

[Nicky Fives]

The problem with keeping the one title is that the champion (Roman Reigns) will be a focus on both shows..... likely a segment and a match on Raw, then likely the same on Smackdown.... Better to have that second title to keep Reigns confined to Raw, and it can make being drafted to Smackdown more important as lesser talent can say "I want to get drafted to Smackdown, so I can enter the battle royal/tournament/clusterfuck match to become the new champion"

[Nicky Fives]

And NXT should be left as is, minus the likes of Roode/Aries/Joe/Balor/etc. to be drafted up to the main roster.....

[Lock Jaw]

Might just be acknowledging that after they take all the top talent from NXT it isn't going to be the same product. So it will probably take a step back for awhile until they start building up a bunch of new guys again. Will probably resemble early days of the brand.

[Schlomey]

Im sure its been mentioned or complained about by someone within the pages of this thread but I don't have time to read all of your garbage (prounced Gar-bodge)

I"m excited for it but I really hate that it is Tuesdays because of the 3 hour Raw the night before I don't know if I could do 2 more hours the next day and then 1 hour the following day for NXT...it's a lot for the aging fan to digest.

It'll be fun for a while though.

[Big Vic]

I think i might just skip Raw honestly, especially if roman is on it.

[Schlomey]

I'll wait and see which roster gets which guys and check out both for a little while before deciding which to skip...but it's bound to be one of them.....

Hoping to god we get another "smackdown 6" type situation.....

[Mr. Nerfect]

I haven't gone through the whole thread, but I am cautiously optimistic about this. A brand split has been ideal for a long time, but the problem is in how the WWE would handle it. If both shows feel identical, what is going to be the point? I hope they allow Triple H and a team led by Ryan Ward head SmackDown. I also hope RAW drops back down to two hours.

SmackDown going live is a big change in and of itself. This will increase the cost of the show, and while it probably increases what the show makes from USA Network, it's probably going to have a lot more worth in Vince's eyes. Enough worth to warrant him keeping his hands of it? Who knows?

This will help the ratings for SmackDown. I love Mauro Ranallo's commentary, but I've only listened to it twice since the start of the year, and once was because I wanted to hear it specifically. SmackDown has not felt important for a long time. Going live and being the exclusive home of some WWE talent you really want to see is going to drive up that percentage of the hardcore audience. Cesaro would be a good choice to send to SmackDown. And if they send Becky Lynch there, I must be done with RAW altogether.

This will also help talent. There are a lot of guys in similar situations. They're building Rusev up as a monster on a tear. Fans want to see Samoa Joe called up. What's he going to do with "monster on a tear" gone? Now he can be the monster on a tear on the other show. It's inevitable Bayley gets called up at some point. Where does that leave Becky Lynch -- the "other" plucky babyface in the Women's Division? She can be the plucky babyface on the other show.

Guys are overexposed these days -- you see them talk too much, work too much and lose too much. Now you can reduce that exposure by about 50%. You can also keep worn-out programs away from each other to rejuvenate. I don't ever need to see Orton vs. Sheamus again, but now you can make sure it doesn't happen by having them on separate shows.

There are a lot of talent "on the cusp." Kevin Owens is apparently ready for the main event, Sami Zayn is apparently ready for the main event, AJ Styles is apparently ready for the main event, Dean Ambrose is apparently ready for the main event, Bray Wyatt is apparently ready for the main event. "All the WWE needs to do is push them." Well, now, you can ideally push twice as many guys, as there will be parallel spots for guys on the roster.

That being said, they need to put effort into this, or else they will just feel like two watered down WWE shows.

[drave]

If they do away with NXT, they are really dumb. Smackdown! initially will feel a bit TNA-ish with all the former TNA talent most likely to be featured on that show along with current top-tier NXT talent.

That is fine by me, but NXT needs to remain as it is and continue to establish new stars. NXT is also far and away the superior product this entire calendar year. Takeover Dallas was exponentially better than WM.

Love to see this succeed, hopefully it works as most of us hope it will.

[Outsider]

Killing NXT would be incredibly dumb.

It has been the most interesting thing to happen in wrestling since the end of the Monday night wars. It's created stars and helped people get over before appearing on the main roster.

What I hope they do is create a Smackdown product which is more like NXT in feel.

The problem with the brand split when it existed was there were two products which catered for the exact same audience in the exact same ways. If they want to build Smackdown then they should look at making it a product that appeals to different fans rather than just being a slightly less interesting version of RAW.

But I can't help think that what we are seeing is the return of two mediocre shows rather than any move forward.

[Corkscrewed]

The problem with keeping the one title is that the champion (Roman Reigns) will be a focus on both shows..... likely a segment and a match on Raw, then likely the same on Smackdown.... Better to have that second title to keep Reigns confined to Raw, and it can make being drafted to Smackdown more important as lesser talent can say "I want to get drafted to Smackdown, so I can enter the battle royal/tournament/clusterfuck match to become the new champion"



He's been in 1-1.5 segments and 1 match per Raw. I don't mind his taking up a segment and/or match on SD too. Champ should be on both shows. Plenty of time for the rest of SD to develop the other talent.


That's, of course, if they did things right.


I like the idea that WWE/WWE Womens Champion rotate. IC and US are each brand's champions.


I wouldn't even mind two tag titles, given how deep the tag division is currently.

[Mr. Nerfect]

NXT is about developing talent. Triple H's recent strategy has been to sign talent that have already gotten world and television experience and put them in great showings against each other to get the brand over. Sure, it helps Wesley Blake to wrestle Shinsuke Nakamura at an NXT house show, but ultimately there are a lot of guys in NXT that are ready to make money now. Calling them up to a unified roster is just going to get them lost in the shuffle. There's a lot more room for the likes of Joe, Balor, Nakamura, Roode and even Aries with a brand split in place. You can still do what NXT used to do and have main roster talent head down and work special spots on NXT television to keep it hot. Sheamus, Rob Van Dam, Dolph Ziggler and I think even Chris Jericho all made NXT appearances at different points. The talent only need to make one set of tapings and can possibly film a backstage segment, an in-ring promo and then work a match and you're done. Meanwhile guys like Tye Dillinger, Elias Samson, No Way Jose and whoever else you want to debut/use more strongly can get that exposure in front of crowds and hopefully develop into TV-ready talents.

[Mr. Nerfect]

This also helps the women and tag teams. I've already touched on the women, but with one division, you basically have a champion, a challenger and maybe one other side feud and a few girls appearing in corners. Natalya's been the current challenger, so girls like Sasha and Paige (except for that win over Charlotte) had little to do. Now you can have Charlotte working with Nattie on one show, a program between Becky and Emma going on the other, and two more sub-programs going.

The tag team division is weird. I've heard people calling it "strong." The only real teams worth a damn, as far as credibility goes, are The New Day, Gallows & Anderson and maybe The Usos. There's a wide gap between those teams and the guys beneath. Enzo & Cass are over, but they feel too much like they're still trying to find that footing. Having two shows mean you can build a team on SmackDown, build a team on RAW, have your title feud on one of the shows, and ultimately everyone gets more shine.

[Mr. Nerfect]

This is all in theory, mind you.

[Emperor Smeat]

Some more stuff from the Observer recently includes Vince McMahon currently rumored to be getting more hands-on with Smackdown once it goes live which hasn't happened in years. Cena confirmed as the top star for Smackdown and Reigns for RAW. Also already confirmed the WWE has plans in set for the debut of a new World belt and several storylines/feuds already in waiting for the belt.

Similar to the first Draft Lottery, current plan is for the majority (if not all) of the wrestlers to not be told where they will be heading until their actual draft pick announcement during the upcoming RAW draft show.

[James Steele]

I'm optimistic. They even talked about this on a local radio station, so WWE is getting more buzz. The original brand split worked wonderfully for the first 5-6 years. From 2002 through about 2007/2008, it was awesome and still meaningful. The random face-offs at the Rumble or SummerSlam and the "dream matches" you can now incubate for WrestleMania every year. Once they started bleeding over and they did that "RAW SuperShow" shit, it was pointless.

I'd have the 3 "World Titles" (WWE World Heavyweight Champ, Women's World Champ, and World Tag Champs) rotate among the brands. Build it up to where those 3 champions are a big fucking deal. Make the IC title RAW only and the US Title SD! only. The IC/US Champion is the de facto "top dog" on their brand when the WHC isn't there. Then, I'd bring back the Hardcore Championship and European Championship to give the lower card guys something meaningful to fight for and build feuds around. Dean Ambrose going on a long run as the "Hardcore Champion" or Cesaro as the European Champion and building it up to be meaningful. Those undercard titles were pretty good in the Attitude Era for giving those lower card guys something to do. Build up the prestige with an Ambrose or Cesaro and then have them drop them to an up-and-comer who will put on good matches and build storylines where every level of the card matters and has something to fight for.

Shane can say he wants to bring back the title he fought for at WrestleMania years ago. The same title held by the likes of Triple H, Shawn Michaels, Owen Hart, Chris Jericho, British Bulldog, William Regal, Kurt Angle, and Eddie Guerrero! With all the European wrestlers in WWE now, they could easily make it a huge point of pride like the U.S. Title and make a big deal out of it and have it main event a SD! in London.

The Hardcore Championship would be awesome for your more intense guys like Ambrose, Owens, and these other guys who could really go all-out with their acrobatics and innovative moves on the outside. Keep it serious and avoid the gimmicky stuff and overly choreographed brawls in the backstage area. It doesn't have to be a bloodbath every week, but a title that builds up guys who are badasses and get that aura around them.


You can't tell me you wouldn't have the biggest boner since HHH's entrance at WrestleMania this year to this card:

WWE SummerSlam 2016 (4 Hour Main Show, 1 Hour Pre-Show)
World Heavyweight Championship: Roman Reigns (c) vs Brock Lesnar
World Women's Championship: Charlotte (c) vs Sasha Banks
World Tag Team Championship: The New Day (c) vs Enzo & Big Cass
World Heavyweight Title #1 Contender's Match: Chris Jericho vs Sami Zayn
(RAW) Intercontinental Championship: The Miz (c) vs John Cena
(SD!) United States Championship: AJ Styles (c) vs Seth Rollins
Tag Title #1 Contender's Elimination Tornado Tables Match: The Dudley Boys vs The Club
(RAW) Hardcore Championship Tournament Finals: Dean Ambrose vs Kevin Owens
(SD!) European Championship Tournament Finals: Finn Balor vs Cesaro
Women's Title #1 Contender's Match: Bayley vs Paige vs Asuka
Pre-Show Hardcore Championship #1 Contender's Match: Sheamus vs Samoa Joe
Pre-Show European Championship #1 Contender's Match: Rusev vs Dolph Ziggler

That'd be better than WrestleMania and each match would matter.

EDIT: William Regal would make a good GM for SD! if they are going to overhaul NXT.

[Vastardikai]

Dudley Boys vs. The Club just gave me wood.

[Triple A]

Some more stuff from the Observer recently includes Vince McMahon currently rumored to be getting more hands-on with Smackdown once it goes live which hasn't happened in years. Cena confirmed as the top star for Smackdown and Reigns for RAW. Also already confirmed the WWE has plans in set for the debut of a new World belt and several storylines/feuds already in waiting for the belt.

Similar to the first Draft Lottery, current plan is for the majority (if not all) of the wrestlers to not be told where they will be heading until their actual draft pick announcement during the upcoming RAW draft show.

Has a date been set for the draft show? (sry if this has already been mentioned)

[Emperor Smeat]

Current plan is on July 11th according to Bryan Alvarez from F4W.

[Simple Fan]

Dudley Boys vs. The Club just gave me wood.

Gallows turns on Anderson and pulls out a cut.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Cena to SmackDown is a good move, actually. I'd put Cesaro there too, given that he has tremendous chemistry with Cena, and it gives smarks a reason to tune in to the show. If they call up Samoa Joe, and they should, then putting him on the same brand as Cena is desirable. This works, because I want Rusev and Joe on different shows, and I want Cena and Rusev on different shows. Given that you have Rusev as US Champion, this would mean the IC Champion to SmackDown -- so they get The Miz and Maryse. Orton and Cena should remain separate, as should Orton andd Sheamus, and Sheamus and Cena has not been done to death. Sheamus and Cesaro do great work together too.

I'd consider moving AJ Styles and Sasha Banks there too. Just to give them that added nudge of star power and to give people a reason to watch.

If you call up Joe to SmackDown and have Sheamus there too, it's probably best to call up Finn Balor to RAW. You can probably have him run wild with The Club over there. Becky and Finn are close, so why not let them keep hanging out, and it keeps the Irish presence strong on RAW? Sasha is also on SmackDown, so Becky would get a better chance on RAW. Call up Bayley for SmackDown, since her face character is so much different to Sasha's. Paige is then logical for RAW.

If you need another heel lady for SmackDown, why not call up Asuka? To give RAW a big Japanese name, bring up Shinsuke Nakamura to that brand. Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn would be a good fit to continue their feud on RAW, I feel. You don't want to have those four guys from the Fatal 4-Way on the same show anyway.

I'd like those shows. Obviously not complete, but you've got something looking like:

RAW:
Roman Reigns (WWE Champion)
Charlotte (Women's Champion)
The New Day (Tag Team Champions)
Rusev (US Champion)
Randy Orton
Kevin Owens
Sami Zayn
Shinsuke Nakamura
Finn Balor
Luke Gallows
Karl Anderson
Becky Lynch
Paige
Lana

SmackDown:
Roman Reigns (WWE Champion)
Charlotte (Women's Champion)
The New Day (Tag Team Champions
The Miz (IC Champion)
John Cena
AJ Styles
Cesaro
Sheamus
Samoa Joe
Sasha Banks
Bayley
Asuka

That's obviously with a lot of talent left to assign.

[Sepholio]

Kill SD and make NXT the second show~~~

[JimmyMess]

So can we assume that Brock Lesnar will be a part of the actual draft?

[JimmyMess]

but not The Rock

[Simple Fan]

So can we assume that Brock Lesnar will be a part of the actual draft?

but not The Rock

Could be a free agent like Austin was during the first brand split.

[JimmyMess]

oh thats a possibru

[Emperor Smeat]

Observer had a pretty good article about the new Brand Split and the likelihood this could end up failing like every other time the WWE has tried to boost Smackdown's image.

Third time within the past year and a half the WWE has tried to quickly boost Smackdown with the other two failing because the WWE eventually lost interest. Also the WWE running the risk of driving more viewers away if the top two stars (Cena and Reigns) are booked in a similar way.

But this is the crucial point that much of the more excitable commentary has missed – the brand extension/split is a move made out of weakness. Unlike when they first divided the roster in 2002 due to the belief that such differentiation may help attract different audiences, the WWE already has NXT to appease the hardcore audience. Instead, this is simply about better organising the current product to maximise the amount of programming current WWE fans will watch.

The best proof of that is the news in this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter that John Cena will be the face of whichever brand does not have Roman Reigns, likely to stay on Raw. If we were to assume that the WWE’s objective is to create a ‘sports entertainment’ and a ‘wrestling’ brand, this is the worst possible thing they could do as both men anger and annoy the same young male/hardcore fan demographic they want to increase. It would be next to impossible to claim that a Smackdown led by Cena has a different philosophy to pro wrestling than a RAW show led by Reigns.
Implied Cena likely is only going to bring a temporary boost in Smackdown's ratings if bigger changes are not done with the brand.

Also implied this is WWE's final chance to improve things before the next tv contract talks happen in a couple of years.

http://www.f4wonline.com/wwe-news/how-failure-led-wwes-latest-attempt-brand-split-213516

[#1-norm-fan]

Given how great Cena was during the US Title invitational and how he started to grow on the smarks I think they could make Smackdown the "wrestling" brand like it was back in the day and still have Cena as "the man". Cena on the same roster as all the workrate guys is just five star match after five star match waiting to happen.

[slik]

I might actually watch Smackdown instead of copying and pasting spoilers (not counting going to smackdown in a week and a half)

[Simple Fan]

Haven't watched Smackdown since they moved to USA. Think the channel change messed with the DVR and it doesn't record any more.

[drave]

Smackdown! just needs to feature Owen White and they will succeed.

[JimmyMess]

I might actually watch Smackdown instead of copying and pasting spoilers (not counting going to smackdown in a week and a half)

exactly... live smackdown can only help it as a brand that isn't looked down upon as 2nd tier.

I read spoilers and then I don't need to watch.... well i don't really watch that often now... but yeah live is definitely a HUGE positive

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

I might actually watch Smackdown instead of copying and pasting spoilers (not counting going to smackdown in a week and a half)

RIP Owen White.

[BigCrippyZ]

exactly... live smackdown can only help it as a brand that isn't looked down upon as 2nd tier.

I read spoilers and then I don't need to watch.... well i don't really watch that often now... but yeah live is definitely a HUGE positive

And yet none of that will matter when the biggest stars like Rock, Lesnar, Taker only show up and have feuds on Raw. Raw is treated as the flagship show now, it has been treated as the flagship show for the last 14+ years and it will continue to be treated as such because the same folks are still going to be in charge. Maybe not right away, but left with the same folks in charge now, it's only a matter of time.

[JimmyMess]

i just mean it helps... doesn't turn it around overnight, but it does improve it immensely

[XL]

And yet none of that will matter when the biggest stars like Rock, Lesnar, Taker only show up and have feuds on Raw. Raw is treated as the flagship show now, it has been treated as the flagship show for the last 14+ years and it will continue to be treated as such because the same folks are still going to be in charge. Maybe not right away, but left with the same folks in charge now, it's only a matter of time.

The live aspect could help with that though. A Taker return on a Tuesday will be live and not spoiled on the net.

[Simple Fan]

Source: The Wrestling Observer

WWE is planning to have dual-brand episodes of RAW just for the two big PPVs of the year. The dual-branded Monday shows will be for the night after SummerSlam and the night after WrestleMania.

WWE plans to have double announce teams at PPVs, with the RAW and SmackDown announcers calling their own brand’s matches similar to how it worked during the original brand extension.

Wouldn't it make more sense to have both shows be dual branded before big PPVs. That's just going to make Raw feel like the superior show.

[Emperor Smeat]

PWTorch had some new details regarding plans for the Brand Split with the biggest being Kevin Owens as a possible top heel for one of the brands.


Vince's resistance to Owens is starting to break down.

Del Rio wants a heel push, but the big obstacle there is Triple H who holds the firing/rehiring against him.

AJ Styles has really impressed Vince and Triple H.

At the moment, the word internally is that Vince and Dunn will play a heavy role in Smackdown - USA want Dunn there running a show close to the one that's currently working. Ward's input is valued, but his big involvement will come from his familiarity with the brand's NXT talent.

https://www.reddit.com/r/SquaredCircle/comments/4le2cg/some_possible_brand_split_info_from_the_latest/

[Mr. Nerfect]

John Cena & Cesaro as buddies that have no problem scrapping with one another is goodness waiting to happen.

[Mr. Nerfect]

If they have a World Title on each show, it doesn't really make sense to have the Tag Titles or Women's Title floating. I could see them bringing back the World Tag Team Titles and their history to SmackDown, and probably giving them to Enzo & Cass, giving them the big win over The Dudleys, and having The Vaudevillains there to feud with them. Cena has gone on the record saying that he sees big things for Enzo, Cass & The Vaudevillains, so making them a part of the "Cena Show" seems logical enough to me. You can also call up American Alpha and The Revival to that brand and have them have a series of matches to introduce them to people. They'd probably still work NXT at the same time while TM61 get built up and a new heel team is established to go against them, but I guess you could always send The Ascension back too.

As a retort to RAW getting Charlotte and the "WWE Women's Championship", I could see SmackDown responding by introducing a "Women's World Championship." I don't know if you'd do some sort of visual likeness to the World Heavyweight Title, or something along the lines of the classic Women's Title belt, but I could see that being the belt Bayley, Sasha and Asuka fight over.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I'd be fine with something like this for SmackDown:

http://vignette2.wikia.nocookie.net/prowrestling/images/2/2a/WWF_Women's_1985.png/revision/latest?cb=20140919212737

Replace the "Ladies" with "Women's." Or is the term "Ladies" fine? That would make it easier to distinguish between the two champs.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I actually originally wanted the WWE Women's Championship to be one without a traditional strap. It'd sort of be metal the whole way around and clip together. Not sure how doable that would be though.

Maybe they could base a new one on the IWGP Heavyweight Title? That would be pretty sick.

[Simple Fan]

I think Ladies would be fine but feel like all the women should be on Raw due to the extra hour.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I see your reasoning, but I see matches being better protected if you spread the girls out. The WWE has never done depth well. I'd put Asuka, Sasha Banks, Bayley, Naomi, Tamina, Summer Rae and maybe Paige or Natalya on SmackDown. Charlotte, Dana, Becky, Paige or Nattie, Nikki Bella, Alicia Fox and Emma can have RAW.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Worst case scenario: You might have to call up Peyton Royce and her Poison Ivy gimmick quicker or hire a veteran or two. Sign Saraya and have her go against Paige on whatever show that is on, and bring Victoria and Molly Holly as a heel alliance to go against some younger girls on the other show, feeling that they don't get the credit they deserve for being revolutionary women.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Some may not say she's ready, but Carmella provides another face for the SmackDown side of things, cornering Enzo & Cass and providing an occasional partner for Bayley.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Oh, and I guess you could always put Maryse in the ring too. I'd have her on the SmackDown side as well.

[Simple Fan]

I'd be fine with something like this for SmackDown:

http://vignette2.wikia.nocookie.net/prowrestling/images/2/2a/WWF_Women's_1985.png/revision/latest?cb=20140919212737

Replace the "Ladies" with "Women's." Or is the term "Ladies" fine? That would make it easier to distinguish between the two champs.

I do like this idea though. Belt looks similar to the WHC and with a little bit of modernization it could look pretty cool. I'd redo the US title and have it look like the old WCW one to. Also hope the Tag Team titles get a redesign out of this.

[Damian Rey 2.0]

I'd rather they not introduce new dual titles. I hated that back in the day and wouldn't care for it now. I'd prefer the champs either work both shows or one title is exclusive to one brand.

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

The World Title and the Women's Championship should be co-brand with a "traveling NWA champion" motif.

[Simple Fan]

I agree along with the Tag titles. Should redesign them to look more like the WWE WHC and Women's titles so they all look like the WWE's most highly regarded titles.

[Simple Fan]

http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcT-1wDIssQUne6A5ZdOpIJe1wJF-wGHHV_uMxVURPAhoVx8rlP28w

If they redesigned the US title to look similar tho this it would match the classic look of the IC title. I like the idea of the US and IC titles being the top titles restricted to one show and believe the US title is due for a redesign.

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

I actually originally wanted the WWE Women's Championship to be one without a traditional strap. It'd sort of be metal the whole way around and clip together. Not sure how doable that would be though.

Maybe they could base a new one on the IWGP Heavyweight Title? That would be pretty sick.

Don't think it would be doable because you might have had this in mind

<img style="-webkit-user-select: none" src="http://www.geocities.jp/shin1701/Images/worf.jpg">

This is what would be seen...

<img src="http://36.media.tumblr.com/190b6b56fdd4f556d87c6fbbb465dff4/tumblr_n8a9opUsCj1rg89a6o1_500.jpg" class="mainImage" data-bm="64">

[Cool King]

http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcT-1wDIssQUne6A5ZdOpIJe1wJF-wGHHV_uMxVURPAhoVx8rlP28w

If they redesigned the US title to look similar tho this it would match the classic look of the IC title. I like the idea of the US and IC titles being the top titles restricted to one show and believe the US title is due for a redesign.

If they were to redesign the title, now would be a good time to with Rusev being champion.

After the split, Rusev could destroy the current US Title in a fit of rage after losing it, or something along those lines. Doing that would give him some good heat and add to the whole "evil foreigner/anti-American" thing, but also that it would give a reason for the GM of the brand to introduce a new design.

[Simple Fan]

That could work. Have Curtis Axel beat Rusev with the help of The Social Outcast. Rusev being humiliated tips the title in half like a phonebook. New title is given to Axel that looks like the old WCW US title that his dad won. Fathers day is next month so they could mimic what they did with his IC title win.

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

The Social Outcasts are all away filming a movie.

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

Changing a belt design doesn't mean they change how they book it either. It's usually just done to distract how they are booking it.

[Simple Fan]

The Social Outcasts are all away filming a movie.

Miz is IC champ, might as well put the US title on Axel.

[Simple Fan]

Changing a belt design doesn't mean they change how they book it either. It's usually just done to distract how they are booking it.

It should be booked better without being on the same show as the IC title seeing as they have the same contenders and it seemed if you list the IC title match you tried for the US title.

[Simple Fan]

My ideal scenario

Titles on both shows
WWE World Heavyweight Champion
WWE Women's Champion
WWE World Tag Team Champions

I'd redesign the WWE World Tag Team title to look like the WWE and Women's titles.

Raw
WWE Intercontinental Champion
WWE European Champion

Smackdown!
WWE United States Champion
WWE Cruiserweight Champion

Redesign the US title like I mentioned before. Have the US and IC titles be the most coveted titles on each show. Put the Cruiserweight Title on Smackdown again and have the European Title on Raw as secondary titles.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I'd change the US and Tag Titles too, but I think they like the idea of each belt being so very different to the others for merchandising reasons, which I think is silly, but what are you going to do? I definitely think you could do some sort of re-design with the tag belts and it'll be fine though.

For some reason, I want to see Jack Swagger win the US Title from Rusev, then Darren Young challenges Swagger with Backlund in his corner, but Backlund turns on Young and reveals that he has been a Swagger man all along, and he's going to make Jack Swagger great again. Swagger can start doing the Crossface Chickenwing and and re-design the US Title to be "great again."

[Simple Fan]

I like it, Swagger as the US champ just writes itself. Could also continue the We the People gimmick. Backlund with him would be so much better than Darren Young to.

[Mr. Nerfect]

How Swagger has not won the US Title yet is beyond me.

[Simple Fan]

He was US champion for like a month in 2012. Beat Zach Ryder to win it and lost it the next month to Justin Gabriel.

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

He lost it to Santino Marella.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Oh, of course he did. My bad. I'm usually really good with title histories. I got it cross-wired with the IC Title.

[GD]

My ideal scenario

Titles on both shows
None


Raw
World Heavyweight Champion
WWE Intercontinental Champion
WWE Women's Champion
World Tag Team Champions

Smackdown!
WWE Champion
WWE United States Champion
WWE Cruiserweight Champion of the World
WWE Tag Team Champions

[Tom Guycott]

I'll wait and see which roster gets which guys and check out both for a little while before deciding which to skip...but it's bound to be one of them.....

Hoping to god we get another "smackdown 6" type situation.....

We already did. It was called NXT. Guys who "had no business" getting over to the degree they did simply because they were allowed to breathe and do their own thing. They were supposed to be learning and adapting to the main roster WWE style, but managed to create an environment that was fucking awesome in and of itself.

[DAMN iNATOR]

Don't think it would be doable because you might have had this in mind

<img style="-webkit-user-select: none" src="http://www.geocities.jp/shin1701/Images/worf.jpg">

This is what would be seen...

<img src="http://36.media.tumblr.com/190b6b56fdd4f556d87c6fbbb465dff4/tumblr_n8a9opUsCj1rg89a6o1_500.jpg" class="mainImage" data-bm="64">

Santina was awesome. Hope she gets re-signed and feuds for the new Women's title. :shifty:

[Simple Fan]

With the amount of talent in NXT and the fact that they will have 2 tours I think they could split NXT in to two shows as well. Move Main Event to NXT and have all the experienced and "main event" talent on it with the NXT titles. The other show would just be NXT with younger talent that need more seasoning.

Always bugs me that Main Event is a B-show. NXT Main Event could continue to bring in top Indy talent and keep the work rate vibe that they have going now. NXT would be a lot more about character development and story telling like before they brought in top indy guys.

[DAMN iNATOR]

You don't feel like Main Event and Superstars should be used to showcase talent that would otherwise get no TV time each week? I'm just trying to understand here, because if that's not what you're saying that sure is how it comes off to me.

[Simple Fan]

You can still have Superstars and another show as Raw and Smackdowns B-shows. Just feel like a B-show called Main Event is dumb.

[Locke]

RIP Smackdown Spoilers

[Simple Fan]

You don't feel like Main Event and Superstars should be used to showcase talent that would otherwise get no TV time each week? I'm just trying to understand here, because if that's not what you're saying that sure is how it comes off to me.

You can still have Superstars and another show as Raw and Smackdowns B-shows. Just feel like a B-show called Main Event is dumb.

I'd have Superstars be Raws B-show and bring back Thursday Night Titans to be Smackdowns B-show. Then you would have NXT Main Event and NXT.

[Destor]

The key thing here is SD! going live. This is a much larger investment into the brand so I think this will have a much more enjoyable SD! than the clear B show it has always been in the past

[drave]

Thursday Night TItans. Jesus Satanic Christ, that sounds like some stupid loltna shit.

Let's rename Superstars to Monday Night Matches!

[Simple Fan]

It was actually a WWE show back in the 80s except it was Tuesday Night Titans.

[drave]

And it sounded just as stupid then.

Should be a god damn cartoon show.

[Simple Fan]

I think it would be good for a B-show. A lot better than Velocity, Heat, Metal, Jakked, or any other shows they've had. Cartoon? Thursday Night Titans sounds like a wrestling show to me. Doesn't matter it won't happen, just a thought I had.

[drave]

Thursday Night Tatanka

http://nativetatanka.com/wp-content/uploads/Classic-Tatanka_WWE-Early-90s.jpg

[Mr. Nerfect]

I kind of want them to get rid of Main Event. Some sort of re-branding would be good. Let Mauro and Jerry Lawler be the commentators for it. I do hope the Corey Graves move to the SmackDown announce desk happens. I do like heel King, but it's time to give the show a new aesthetic.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Sasha Banks has a WWE.com video where she says she wants to go to SmackDown. She would be a big asset for them right out of the gate. She's the most over female talent they have, and people might actually tune in to track her career. I think Becky and Bayley are too similar in the sense of their babyface characters to be on the same show, so I'd have Becky on RAW and Bayley on SmackDown with Sasha. Nikki Bella to SmackDown to be with John Cena. Naomi and Tamina to SmackDown as the heel team that forces Bayley & Sasha to team up occasionally? Alicia Fox to RAW. Paige can compliment Becky well and Nattie can round off the female side on SmackDown, although I am keen for a heel turn, so maybe RAW would be better? Dana Brooke can go to RAW and keep working with the veteran girls. Call up Carmella for the SmackDown brand. You can split the women quite effectively.

[Simple Fan]

If the women are split I like your Ladies champion idea if the Women's Champion doesn't travel. Not a big fan of Bayley though. I think that she's ok in the ring I'm just not a big fan of the hugging stuff. Not sure how it will do on the main roster. Think her mic work needs some work as well.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I'm honestly not her biggest fan either, but she moves the merch and people seem to love her. I'd certainly give her a chance somewhere.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I keep going back and forth about the title scheme I'd have. I do like the idea of Roman Reigns, Charlotte and Anderson & Gallows traveling with the belts. I'd have Anderson & Gallows win them at Money in the Bank. You can have Finn Balor as a member of The Club on RAW and AJ Styles as a representative on SmackDown.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Thinking about the draft and RAW still being three long hours, I was thinking last night about the WWE possibly starting with RAW as the established brand, with SmackDown needling guys off. You know, instead of the RAW gets a guy, SmackDown gets a guy system. That might seem like semantics, but when you think about what SmackDown really needs and what they might want there, it makes sense to do it that way.

I've gone over this a few times, I'm sure, but you're basically building it around John Cena right? You should pick a team that helps him along. He's expressed interest in working with guys like Enzo & Cass and The Vaudevillains. That's as good a starting point as any. Cena can give the guys advice backstage and travel with Enzo & Cass and hopefully impart some knowledge.

Does Cena want Nikki Bella on the same show as him? Her future is still up in the air, but her face and body will probably look good on a SmackDown poster. You can move her there too, even if it ends up being a token one. Carmella can come up and join Enzo & Cass. Do they need her? No, but some people learn better when they are on the road in the mix. She can be out of the ring and even still make some NXT shows to keep her progressing in the ring.

I'd still call up Joe for SmackDown. The Cena/Joe stuff could be great. I'd bring over Big Show to be a PPV opponent for Show and to be a spectacle for their house shows. The New Day can come over once they lose the Tag Titles, especially if they are going to have two sets of belts. Enzo & Cass and The New Day jaw-jacking with each other could be great stuff. Eventually you can bring up American Alpha and The Revival to have a series of matches and freshen things up there. Every other team you have can stay on RAW. Well, maybe bring over The Ascension since Ryan Ward might have a more clear idea with what to do with them. They can at least be bodies to put The New Day and Enzo & Cass over.

Neville needs his "Adrian" back and could probably use Ward to rehab him. He's a logical choice to jump over. Tyler Breeze needs some help too. People seem high on the Fandango/Breeze team, but I don't like how they've gone about it. They're a unit I'd break up in the split. Golden Truth too. Goldust can go to SmackDown and also do some producer work, mainly working with Breeze and having an old vet versus cocky young kid feud that can be given some time and be a nice little undercard program over there that can show off what both men have to give.

I can see a case for moving over Owens and Zayn for the big mid-card feud, but I'd leave them on RAW too, especially with Vince being more of a believer in Owens than ever before. This is working under the assumption that he allows Triple H more room on SmackDown. I'd still go with Cesaro heading over, because he's a guy I want to see Ward get his hands on. I can't remember if I've said this, but the only guy I've ever enjoyed Titus O'Neil working with is Sheamus, and he seems like he'd be a good fit for SmackDown since he's so played out. A fresh start for him, and you'd know Triple H would love to get him. I can imagine he and Show having a loose heel alliance too.

Dolph Ziggler arguably needs some rehab. I'm not too moved about where he goes, but on SmackDown he's provide another "former World Champ" they can put on the posters and such along with Cena, The New Day and Nikki Bella. A heel turn to work with Cena at the top?

Kalisto is swimming deep on RAW, but I'd leave him there with Sin Cara to work with The Shining Stars, but a case could be made for him being another mid-card guy for SmackDown to work with Neville, Breeze and whoever they pluck from the Cruiserweight Classic.

I still think Sasha Banks has the fans' eyes enough to flip some people onto watching her if she goes to that brand. Paige has got so little going on over there that she could do with a move there too. Call up Bayley and Asuka and you've got four strong female personalities that can all clash and fight over a hypothetical belt. All the other girls stay on RAW. Maybe think about calling up Adrienne Reese too. There's no reason you cannot bring in some veteran girls and still have some of them work NXT anyway.

You're only going to have like 5 or 6 matches on SmackDown each week anyway. You realistically don't need that deep a roster. You'd probably move over a mid-card champion. Triple H would probably rather have Rusev and Lana, but I personally think The Miz and Maryse would be a better fit. But moving over Rusev and Lana you get a SmackDown that looks like this without taking too many guys off RAW:

John Cena
Dolph Ziggler
Cesaro
Sheamus
Samoa Joe
Big Show
Rusev
Titus O'Neil
Adrian Neville
Goldust
Tyler Breeze
Kalisto

The New Day
Enzo & Cass
The Vaudevillains
The Ascension

Sasha Banks
Paige
Bayley
Asuka
Adrienne Reese
Nikki Bella
Lana
Carmella

[Stickman]

It would be interesting if they did Saturday Night Main Event maybe 3-4 times a year and have that be a crossover show.

[owenbrown]

https://i.ytimg.com/vi/G2ZkL--lFEU/maxresdefault.jpg

[slik]

Throw in Cena and SmackDown will likely have a better roster than RAW if this is true.



http://nodq.com/wwe/466882731.shtml

The following names are currently being advertised for the first live Smackdown on July 19th:

AJ Styles
Dean Ambrose
Chris Jericho
Kevin Owens
Luke Gallows
Karl Anderson

In addition to that, the following names are being advertised for the August 23rd Smackdown brand live event:

AJ Styles
New Day
Cesaro

AJ Styles is advertised for both shows and the belief is that he will be the top heel for the Smackdown and John Cena will be the top babyface.

[XL]

Well there goes my plan.

[Simple Fan]

Would think Owens would be on Raw if Styles is going to be top heel. Although I guess Rollins will be top heel on Raw.

[Jordan]

I want Owens on Raw.

[Simple Fan]

If New Day and The Club are on SD I'd say Raw gets The Wyatts and Social Outcast. Could be big for the Social Outcast if they can get themselves over like New Day did.

[Emperor Smeat]

USA Network and not the WWE ended up being responsible for the decision to make Smackdown a live show starting next month. Originally when they signed up to grab the show from SyFy, they were predicting at least a six month honeymoon before the ratings started to tank but instead it only took about a month or two for it to happen.

On a related note, we've reported how the decision for the brand split had a lot to do with the USA Network. USA has been unhappy with the SmackDown ratings and when both sides got together to work on a solution, they came up with the show going live on Tuesday nights. They then realized the show needed an identity if it were to be on the same level as RAW, which led to Vince McMahon coming up with the split.
http://www.wrestlinginc.com/wi/news/2016/0530/612223/wwe-looking-to-make-raw-and-smackdown-equal/

Was rumored for a while USA Network likely was paying the extra money needed to transition the show into a weekly live show but recent sheet reports denied it being the case. Also implied USA Network is at the point they are starting to doubt the value of the current tv contract for their side.

Key to this is that, even though WWE will be adding expenses by going live, USA is not paying more for the increase in costs. It’s the first sign, while hidden from the public, that USA is concerned that the approximately $127 million they pay WWE this year for Raw and Smackdown is not delivering at the level they would like. Given that the key economic driver of the company is not the network but the television rights fees, in the long run, until economic conditions change greatly, ratings are still the most important barometer for the company, and they are consistently falling.

Rumor that has started to float around the net regarding Smackdown is USA Network considering adding an extra hour to Smackdown as a possible option at some point during the new Brand Split era.

[evanbrown]

1 extra hour of Roman Reigns a week sounds good to this owen.

[Simple Fan]

I figured USA would push to have Smackdown 3 hours. Should go ahead and do it when they go live.

[Mr. JL]

I hated the first brand split and I have an even stronger feeling I will hate this one too, probably more.

[Mr. JL]

It's just so fake.

Everyone knows that it is the same company, with the same writers and the same head honcho calling the shots.

It really makes no difference except the company will now spend a ton of money on making SmackDown live and run more house shows/tours (potentially, depending on fan reaction).

If history serves me correct the first brand split brought in significantly lower ratings within weeks of its inception. That was with the inclusion of WWF, WCW and ECW stars all intertwined. Now its just WWE guys with NXT guys, some TNA guys and some indy sauce.

Really the entire concept just limits the feuds and matches potential of the company. Fans miss out on seeing different matchups because of a fake imaginary line in the sand. Who knows what kind of chemistry and star building potential those missed matchups could produce for the company.

If they were smart they would have already developed a 1 and 1A house show team, yet still keep their main draws wholly available on both Raw and SmackDown.

Plus, I think going live on Tuesday is a terrible idea. Way too much wrestling for one fan to take in back to back... especially when you factor in a 3 hour PPV (or Network) on Sunday, 3 hour Raw on Monday and hopefully only a 2 hour SmackDown on Tuesday. 8 hours of wrestling in three days. Nobody has the time to keep up with that besides kids and teenagers. Even so, lets face it. The WWE really does not cater to teenagers anymore with the whole PG aspect.

[Stickman]

It's just so fake.

Everyone knows that it is the same company, with the same writers and the same head honcho calling the shots.

It really makes no difference except the company will now spend a ton of money on making SmackDown live and run more house shows/tours (potentially, depending on fan reaction).

If history serves me correct the first brand split brought in significantly lower ratings within weeks of its inception. That was with the inclusion of WWF, WCW and ECW stars all intertwined. Now its just WWE guys with NXT guys, some TNA guys and some indy sauce.

Really the entire concept just limits the feuds and matches potential of the company. Fans miss out on seeing different matchups because of a fake imaginary line in the sand. Who knows what kind of chemistry and star building potential those missed matchups could produce for the company.

If they were smart they would have already developed a 1 and 1A house show team, yet still keep their main draws wholly available on both Raw and SmackDown.

Plus, I think going live on Tuesday is a terrible idea. Way too much wrestling for one fan to take in back to back... especially when you factor in a 3 hour PPV (or Network) on Sunday, 3 hour Raw on Monday and hopefully only a 2 hour SmackDown on Tuesday. 8 hours of wrestling in three days. Nobody has the time to keep up with that besides kids and teenagers. Even so, lets face it. The WWE really does not cater to teenagers anymore with the whole PG aspect.

I feel like this is a very accurate description. Evryone keeps saying there is so much talent that they need more tv time to shine. Well during the original brand split we had legit stars and it ended up not really keeping our interest, plus the two world titles was stupid. As the Macho Man said, the cream rises to the top, so we don't need more tv time for mid carders to get on tv, we need the talent to step up.

Having two shows is fine, but there is no reason for them to be inclusive. We need the writers to figure out long term booking and we need the wrestlers to to find ways to stand out. If you need Smackdown to get better ratings, how about an advertised world title match, how about a title change? Floodig the shows with Nxt and indy guys isn't going to help, writing is what makes it interesting - or wrestlers given green light to do their thing.

I promise this will be a failure. It may have short term gain, running two house shows may be profitable, going live should help but I really dont know how any buzz sustains itself. They need to build stars, not have a bunch of nobodies being nobodies wrestling nobodies.

[Big Vic]

I agree with everything but I will add that now they will only have to write 2 or 3 hours of storyline a week instead of 5.

[BigCrippyZ]

It's just so fake.

Everyone knows that it is the same company, with the same writers and the same head honcho calling the shots.

It really makes no difference except the company will now spend a ton of money on making SmackDown live and run more house shows/tours (potentially, depending on fan reaction).

If history serves me correct the first brand split brought in significantly lower ratings within weeks of its inception. That was with the inclusion of WWF, WCW and ECW stars all intertwined. Now its just WWE guys with NXT guys, some TNA guys and some indy sauce.

Really the entire concept just limits the feuds and matches potential of the company. Fans miss out on seeing different matchups because of a fake imaginary line in the sand. Who knows what kind of chemistry and star building potential those missed matchups could produce for the company.

If they were smart they would have already developed a 1 and 1A house show team, yet still keep their main draws wholly available on both Raw and SmackDown.

Plus, I think going live on Tuesday is a terrible idea. Way too much wrestling for one fan to take in back to back... especially when you factor in a 3 hour PPV (or Network) on Sunday, 3 hour Raw on Monday and hopefully only a 2 hour SmackDown on Tuesday. 8 hours of wrestling in three days. Nobody has the time to keep up with that besides kids and teenagers. Even so, lets face it. The WWE really does not cater to teenagers anymore with the whole PG aspect.

I feel like this is a very accurate description. Evryone keeps saying there is so much talent that they need more tv time to shine. Well during the original brand split we had legit stars and it ended up not really keeping our interest, plus the two world titles was stupid. As the Macho Man said, the cream rises to the top, so we don't need more tv time for mid carders to get on tv, we need the talent to step up.

Having two shows is fine, but there is no reason for them to be inclusive. We need the writers to figure out long term booking and we need the wrestlers to to find ways to stand out. If you need Smackdown to get better ratings, how about an advertised world title match, how about a title change? Floodig the shows with Nxt and indy guys isn't going to help, writing is what makes it interesting - or wrestlers given green light to do their thing.

I promise this will be a failure. It may have short term gain, running two house shows may be profitable, going live should help but I really dont know how any buzz sustains itself. They need to build stars, not have a bunch of nobodies being nobodies wrestling nobodies.

This times 1,000! :yes:

Don't you know though Stickman? This is magically going to make everything better! :roll:

[hb2k]

If history serves me correct the first brand split brought in significantly lower ratings within weeks of its inception. That was with the inclusion of WWF, WCW and ECW stars all intertwined. Now its just WWE guys with NXT guys, some TNA guys and some indy sauce.

It did lower ratings, but they had a higher ledge to fall from, and the ratings actually did very well for 3 or 4 weeks (and were surprisingly above pre-Mania X8 levels) - but instead of the something new people wanted, it was Austin Vs. Taker and the nWo, with Flair going heel (always a ratings killer).

The idea of freshening the landscape to garner interest isn't a bad one, but the problem with ratings right now is more to do with company mindset than anything. Roman as the anchor babyface with even less support than usual? When ratings and house shows are going down with him on top already? Seth and AJ were both potential huge babyfaces, and they've been turned heel. They can bring in new guys and run some hot angles perhaps, but if it's all within a framework where the lead decision maker can't read an audience or a situation properly, you have to wonder if it's worth it.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Yeah, what baffles me is why they haven't pumped energy into SmackDown already. You'd think that even with this announcement they'd be trying to get people to watch the show. It's been filler each week since the brand split ended in the first place.

I think having a "unique roster" will help them out. If there's only one place to catch John Cena and The New Day, the hardcore audience will. But you're just diluting your product if Vince is still so heavily involved and sabotages the things that are working.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I mean, they could have done a King of the Ring tournament exclusively on SmackDown, or even done a couple of NXT feature weeks. One week have an NXT Title match, with Samoa Joe and Finn Balor fighting to some sort of no contest to sell their Cage Match, the other week could have been the American Alpha/Revival rematch, the next week Asuka can kill Carmella after Enzo & Cass wish her luck in the back or something. Really simple things that hardcore fans might go "Hey, maybe I should actually watch this week."

[Simple Fan]

Didn't King of the Ring take place about this time last year? I'm pretty sure they only brought it back to give the King gimmick to Barrett.

[Mr. Nerfect]

That being said, if things are going the way they are going and the company is dead-set on completely different rosters -- how about making the other major title on SmackDown the WWE Global Heavyweight Championship? I'm not a big fan of bringing the Big Gold Belt back, just because they used it for so long, they slimmed it down, it got held by so many guys, it's been unified with the WWE Title twice now -- just let that remain unified with the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. Bring in a new belt, give it a really swank design and hell, it gives some of the older guys a new goal to work towards.

The WWE/World Heavyweight split worked somewhat the first time around. But "World" sounds bigger than just the company name. Still, the WWE Title carried the prestige. The World Heavyweight Title was the older belt though. They kind of had this balance. I think that is gone now. Swapping the "World" for "Global" is a pretty easy move to make, there has never been a "Global Champion" in WWE, and it allows the "World Championship" to keep its rank.

I know tournaments are the traditional and cool thing, but you're going to be beating a lot of guys that are going to need to help carry that brand going forward. And as Karl Jones from Squared Circle Gazette says, American companies don't do tournaments very well. Would it be obscene to have Shane and Stephanie announce the Global Championship on RAW, tell the fans it has a brand new lineage to coincide with the new era of WWE, and that when RAW and SmackDown split, the WWE Universe will be able to choose which Heavyweight Champion they want to back as the top guy in the industry. Then they announce that due to their recent history and ranking within the company, John Cena vs. AJ Styles at Money in the Bank will decide the first WWE Global Heavyweight Champion. The stakes have been raised, boys.

Give it a design somewhat like this, but with places you can put the logo plates (not my favorite thing they do these days, but still):

http://vignette2.wikia.nocookie.net/psychoandy/images/b/ba/Iwgp4th.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20090928041937

I think AJ Styles needs to win now that he is a heel to justify the turn, but they'd probably give it to Cena. Maybe Shane and Stephanie ban Anderson & Gallows from ringside so as to determine the rightful champion out the gate in order to get around that? Or maybe Gallows & Anderson are attacked backstage by their new rival tag team once they beat The New Day (or have The New Day themselves do it) and Cena goes on to win that way?

You could then theoretically spin the Tag Team Titles off into World Tag Titles on RAW (new belts for Anderson & Gallows) and Global Tag Team Titles on SmackDown. I would have wanted at least some of these guys on RAW, but a SmackDown Six-esque Global Tag Title feud between Cesaro & Sami Zayn, Kevin Owens & Chris Jericho and Alberto Del Rio & Sheamus would be hot shit. Ideally you could get Miz & Morrison in there, but I'm not sure how locked down Morrison is.

You could also bring in a Global Women's Championship, which could be won by Sasha Banks and you build that division around her. Or you move Becky, Nattie, Paige and Asuka to SmackDown and really give it an international vibe. Maybe bring up Adrienne Reese before you embed her in NXT lore?

Just some ideas instead of bringing old belts back. It's supposed to be a "new era" right?

[Mr. Nerfect]

Didn't King of the Ring take place about this time last year? I'm pretty sure they only brought it back to give the King gimmick to Barrett.

About this time. I'm not really for it coming back because they don't really know how to do it, but it was mainly an example of things they could do it help bolster SmackDown.

[Mr. Nerfect]

They could do the Cruiserweight Classic first round matches on WWE television in order to get these guys some exposure and promote the Classic on the Network. If people see these guys tearing it up, they might be more inclined to give it a pop.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I keep having visions of Vince McMahon just buying TNA and bringing over the talent that wants to work for them. Even the heat between Maria and The Bellas could be siphoned over to Total Divas. Cena & Nikki vs. Bennett & Maria could be a match on one of your lesser PPVs.

Vince could buy them tomorrow and make Slammiversary the big send-off for TNA. Galloway and Lashley now fight to call themselves the last TNA World Heavyweight Champion, The Hardys' Full Metal Mayhem match is now for a shot at the WWE World Title, EC3 vs. Mike Bennett is for a US Title shot, etc.

Don't run an invasion angle. The WWE has bought Impact Wrestling, they are now negotiating to bring its biggest stars in.

* Abyss, as much as I hate to say it, could probably generate some casual fan interest with Kane -- The Monster vs. The Demon, etc.

* Braxton Sutter can beat up The Drifter in NXT and immediately be over. His hot wife can come over and be a centerpiece for drama and also add some depth to the NXT Women's Division.

* Drew McIntyre has re-earned his stripes. If you can't get Lashley, McIntyre could be the last TNA World Champion, which is...something.

* Shaun Ricker can work NXT and be billed as The Rock's prodigy or some shit.

* James Storm; Bobby Roode -- Beer Money. Simple as that. Imagine them going up against Gallows & Anderson.

* Jeff Hardy wins the Full Metal Mayhem match and earns a title opportunity in WWE. If you have the two World Titles, you can use Jeff on SmackDown to work with Cena. I think they'd have interesting chemistry. Eventually you bring in Matt to team with Jeff and be a babyface team for Anderson & Gallows to beat.

* Jessie Godderz can work NXT and do a reality TV prick thing. Weirdly enough, I wouldn't mind seeing him in a team with Adrian Neville, who can take the beatings and then tag out to Godderz who cleans house and sets up for the Red Arrow.

* It'd be great if they could get Lashley. It really, really would.

* Mark Andrews could be a part of NXT and do some cool shit. They don't have anyone Welsh at the moment.

* They should really try and sign Mike Bennett and Maria. Damn.

* I'd personally pass on Robbie E, even though I feel he is better than Zack Ryder. Maybe they could be a goofy tag team or feud over hairstyles or something. Robbie E could be a body in NXT.

* Rockstar Spud is apparently entertaining. I'm sure he could do some funny segments with Regal in NXT. Just have him constantly beaten up until he forms a little buddy tag team with someone. Mojo Rawley? Ugh.

* Trevor Lee has got something about him. I'd start him off in NXT, but if he finds fire he could do something with or against The Hardys.

* Gail Kim could return as "The One Woman Revolution" and call out Steph for not ever giving her a shot. Yeah, I'm sure that would go well for her...

* Jade surely has some sort of value. She'd be like their female Drew McIntyre at that point.

* If you've got Marti Belle, she could help stock up NXT. Put her in a feud with Carmella to see who is more New York.

* You can keep Raquel/Gabi with Jessie in NXT and see if she gets any better.

* Rebel's ass is worth signing. She could be a Total Divas girl and have some sort of presence as a manager for someone on the main roster. A girl for EC3 or Dolph Ziggler?

* Sienna to NXT to help strengthen the division down there.

* Al Snow can head down to NXT where he can help train guys.

* Gregory Helms can potentially become a trainer or producer, or maybe even do some sort of disgrunted heel veteran run with the Cruiserweight Title when they bring that in.

* You probably don't want Reby Sky with a babyface Matt Hardy, but she could do some sort of Total Divas thing and talk about being a mother and married to a dude so much older than her. She can tell a story about how hot The Hardys were in 2000 when she was 14.

* Elijah Burke can replace Corey Graves as NXT's color commentator when Graves gets called up to SmackDown.

* SoCal Val can be a heel valet for a hot act in NXT. Or be that girl for EC3.

If they do plan to make SmackDown three hours to give each show equal weight and they can make another $20 million a year, this would be a good way to set themselves up with talent.

[Stickman]

If Teddy Long is a GM again, I will not watch whatever show he is on.

[GD]

I keep having visions of Vince McMahon just buying TNA and bringing over the talent that wants to work for them. Even the heat between Maria and The Bellas could be siphoned over to Total Divas. Cena & Nikki vs. Bennett & Maria could be a match on one of your lesser PPVs.

Vince could buy them tomorrow and make Slammiversary the big send-off for TNA. Galloway and Lashley now fight to call themselves the last TNA World Heavyweight Champion, The Hardys' Full Metal Mayhem match is now for a shot at the WWE World Title, EC3 vs. Mike Bennett is for a US Title shot, etc.

Don't run an invasion angle. The WWE has bought Impact Wrestling, they are now negotiating to bring its biggest stars in.

* Abyss, as much as I hate to say it, could probably generate some casual fan interest with Kane -- The Monster vs. The Demon, etc.

* Braxton Sutter can beat up The Drifter in NXT and immediately be over. His hot wife can come over and be a centerpiece for drama and also add some depth to the NXT Women's Division.

* Drew McIntyre has re-earned his stripes. If you can't get Lashley, McIntyre could be the last TNA World Champion, which is...something.

* Shaun Ricker can work NXT and be billed as The Rock's prodigy or some shit.

* James Storm; Bobby Roode -- Beer Money. Simple as that. Imagine them going up against Gallows & Anderson.

* Jeff Hardy wins the Full Metal Mayhem match and earns a title opportunity in WWE. If you have the two World Titles, you can use Jeff on SmackDown to work with Cena. I think they'd have interesting chemistry. Eventually you bring in Matt to team with Jeff and be a babyface team for Anderson & Gallows to beat.

* Jessie Godderz can work NXT and do a reality TV prick thing. Weirdly enough, I wouldn't mind seeing him in a team with Adrian Neville, who can take the beatings and then tag out to Godderz who cleans house and sets up for the Red Arrow.

* It'd be great if they could get Lashley. It really, really would.

* Mark Andrews could be a part of NXT and do some cool shit. They don't have anyone Welsh at the moment.

* They should really try and sign Mike Bennett and Maria. Damn.

* I'd personally pass on Robbie E, even though I feel he is better than Zack Ryder. Maybe they could be a goofy tag team or feud over hairstyles or something. Robbie E could be a body in NXT.

* Rockstar Spud is apparently entertaining. I'm sure he could do some funny segments with Regal in NXT. Just have him constantly beaten up until he forms a little buddy tag team with someone. Mojo Rawley? Ugh.

* Trevor Lee has got something about him. I'd start him off in NXT, but if he finds fire he could do something with or against The Hardys.

* Gail Kim could return as "The One Woman Revolution" and call out Steph for not ever giving her a shot. Yeah, I'm sure that would go well for her...

* Jade surely has some sort of value. She'd be like their female Drew McIntyre at that point.

* If you've got Marti Belle, she could help stock up NXT. Put her in a feud with Carmella to see who is more New York.

* You can keep Raquel/Gabi with Jessie in NXT and see if she gets any better.

* Rebel's ass is worth signing. She could be a Total Divas girl and have some sort of presence as a manager for someone on the main roster. A girl for EC3 or Dolph Ziggler?

* Sienna to NXT to help strengthen the division down there.

* Al Snow can head down to NXT where he can help train guys.

* Gregory Helms can potentially become a trainer or producer, or maybe even do some sort of disgrunted heel veteran run with the Cruiserweight Title when they bring that in.

* You probably don't want Reby Sky with a babyface Matt Hardy, but she could do some sort of Total Divas thing and talk about being a mother and married to a dude so much older than her. She can tell a story about how hot The Hardys were in 2000 when she was 14.

* Elijah Burke can replace Corey Graves as NXT's color commentator when Graves gets called up to SmackDown.

* SoCal Val can be a heel valet for a hot act in NXT. Or be that girl for EC3.

If they do plan to make SmackDown three hours to give each show equal weight and they can make another $20 million a year, this would be a good way to set themselves up with talent.

Jesus funkin' Christ, Noid :lol:

[Emperor Smeat]

New Brand Split era might not be strict in terms of rosters since a recent Observer newsletter teased the WWE already has set plans for RAW/Smackdown supershows to be done.

Also some speculation and rumors going around the net tease USA Network wants a 3rd hour for Smackdown, WWE doesn't want it, and most likely wouldn't happen till at least 2018/2019 since that is when the current tv contracts expire.

[Simple Fan]

I'm all for Smackdown being 3 hours. Hope it happens.

[Mr. Nerfect]

There was something weird about the way Shane McMahon said "unique" in regards to the rosters. I could see some sort of shit where, say, Cesaro is exclusive to SmackDown, or Enzo & Cass can only be seen on RAW. Meanwhile, John Cena floats between both shows, because he's a top dawg.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I can totally see the WWE moving Paige over to SmackDown and keeping Del Rio on RAW with Charlotte just to fuck with minds. I might have already said this in the thread somewhere.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I was thinking last night that the WWE might just pull the trigger on a Becky Lynch heel turn at some point in the near future. She works as a babyface, and I adore her, but I can see the WWE losing patience with the plucky, pun-loving babyface. I can see Charlotte and Sasha being the stars of the division on RAW, with Becky and Nattie working a blood feud on SmackDown. And, as I mentioned, Paige will probably be there with those SmackDown girls. Bayley can get called up to whatever show needs her most.

Alternatively, I can just see them having the girls float with them getting more emphasis on SmackDown, and maybe only a filler match on RAW.

[Stickman]

Not sure if this is the best thread for this, but is the wwe reverting back to cheesey 80s/early 90s? I watched Joe vs Finn Baylor, and finn coming out with the paint and crawling to the ring I couldn't help but lose respect. Ifind the entrances onNXT to be really cheesey and I am worried with these guys coming to the main roster for the brandsplit they will bring the cheese with them.
Another example off the top of my head is Enzo and Cass. They have a laaaaame entrance/shtick; it is catchy because it is easy for the crowd to chamt along with but holy cheeseballs batman.

[James Steele]

Finn only does the paint and long intro on PPVs.

[Stickman]

Finn only does the paint and long intro on PPVs.

Was his cage match with Joe a PPV. Also, how could they call him a demon, that is gimmick infringment on Kane.

[Emperor Smeat]

It's from the Balor part of his name being inspired by Irish folklore.

Finn is the normal guy while Balor is the demon side of the character.

[XL]

Enzo and Big Cass' entrance is amazing. So what if it's "cheesey" (I don't think it is ftr) the crowd go mad for it. Y'know who was cheesey? The Rock and he was kind of a big deal.

[James Steele]

Was his cage match with Joe a PPV. Also, how could they call him a demon, that is gimmick infringment on Kane.

Network Special is the same as a PPV nowadays. Have you watched any of his character development?

[Stickman]

Network Special is the same as a PPV nowadays. Have you watched any of his character development?

No, I watch wwe. Very seldomly do I tune into nxt. When I do I feel it's pretty cheesey and forced.

[Mercenary]

Not sure if this is the best thread for this, but is the wwe reverting back to cheesey 80s/early 90s? I watched Joe vs Finn Baylor, and finn coming out with the paint and crawling to the ring I couldn't help but lose respect. Ifind the entrances onNXT to be really cheesey and I am worried with these guys coming to the main roster for the brandsplit they will bring the cheese with them.
Another example off the top of my head is Enzo and Cass. They have a laaaaame entrance/shtick; it is catchy because it is easy for the crowd to chamt along with but holy cheeseballs batman.


http://i.imgur.com/9QQLYmd.gif

[Shadrick]

Enzo and Big Cass' entrance is amazing. So what if it's "cheesey" (I don't think it is ftr) the crowd go mad for it. Y'know who was cheesey? The Rock and he was kind of a big deal.

yup. its all in the charisma and delivery

[drave]

For The End being a PPV or "special" - it was weird they showed it on Hulu on Thursday.

[Sting Fan]

I keep having visions of Vince McMahon just buying TNA and bringing over the talent that wants to work for them. Even the heat between Maria and The Bellas could be siphoned over to Total Divas. Cena & Nikki vs. Bennett & Maria could be a match on one of your lesser PPVs.

Vince could buy them tomorrow and make Slammiversary the big send-off for TNA. Galloway and Lashley now fight to call themselves the last TNA World Heavyweight Champion, The Hardys' Full Metal Mayhem match is now for a shot at the WWE World Title, EC3 vs. Mike Bennett is for a US Title shot, etc.

Don't run an invasion angle. The WWE has bought Impact Wrestling, they are now negotiating to bring its biggest stars in.

* Abyss, as much as I hate to say it, could probably generate some casual fan interest with Kane -- The Monster vs. The Demon, etc.

* Braxton Sutter can beat up The Drifter in NXT and immediately be over. His hot wife can come over and be a centerpiece for drama and also add some depth to the NXT Women's Division.

* Drew McIntyre has re-earned his stripes. If you can't get Lashley, McIntyre could be the last TNA World Champion, which is...something.

* Shaun Ricker can work NXT and be billed as The Rock's prodigy or some shit.

* James Storm; Bobby Roode -- Beer Money. Simple as that. Imagine them going up against Gallows & Anderson.

* Jeff Hardy wins the Full Metal Mayhem match and earns a title opportunity in WWE. If you have the two World Titles, you can use Jeff on SmackDown to work with Cena. I think they'd have interesting chemistry. Eventually you bring in Matt to team with Jeff and be a babyface team for Anderson & Gallows to beat.

* Jessie Godderz can work NXT and do a reality TV prick thing. Weirdly enough, I wouldn't mind seeing him in a team with Adrian Neville, who can take the beatings and then tag out to Godderz who cleans house and sets up for the Red Arrow.

* It'd be great if they could get Lashley. It really, really would.

* Mark Andrews could be a part of NXT and do some cool shit. They don't have anyone Welsh at the moment.

* They should really try and sign Mike Bennett and Maria. Damn.

* I'd personally pass on Robbie E, even though I feel he is better than Zack Ryder. Maybe they could be a goofy tag team or feud over hairstyles or something. Robbie E could be a body in NXT.

* Rockstar Spud is apparently entertaining. I'm sure he could do some funny segments with Regal in NXT. Just have him constantly beaten up until he forms a little buddy tag team with someone. Mojo Rawley? Ugh.

* Trevor Lee has got something about him. I'd start him off in NXT, but if he finds fire he could do something with or against The Hardys.

* Gail Kim could return as "The One Woman Revolution" and call out Steph for not ever giving her a shot. Yeah, I'm sure that would go well for her...

* Jade surely has some sort of value. She'd be like their female Drew McIntyre at that point.

* If you've got Marti Belle, she could help stock up NXT. Put her in a feud with Carmella to see who is more New York.

* You can keep Raquel/Gabi with Jessie in NXT and see if she gets any better.

* Rebel's ass is worth signing. She could be a Total Divas girl and have some sort of presence as a manager for someone on the main roster. A girl for EC3 or Dolph Ziggler?

* Sienna to NXT to help strengthen the division down there.

* Al Snow can head down to NXT where he can help train guys.

* Gregory Helms can potentially become a trainer or producer, or maybe even do some sort of disgrunted heel veteran run with the Cruiserweight Title when they bring that in.

* You probably don't want Reby Sky with a babyface Matt Hardy, but she could do some sort of Total Divas thing and talk about being a mother and married to a dude so much older than her. She can tell a story about how hot The Hardys were in 2000 when she was 14.

* Elijah Burke can replace Corey Graves as NXT's color commentator when Graves gets called up to SmackDown.

* SoCal Val can be a heel valet for a hot act in NXT. Or be that girl for EC3.

If they do plan to make SmackDown three hours to give each show equal weight and they can make another $20 million a year, this would be a good way to set themselves up with talent.

You lost me at Jeff Hardy tbh :/ Any promotion he is in I can take seriously anymore.

[Simple Fan]

Noid booking is great. Got a little carried away there though. Could see Vince wanting the video library and maybe a few top talents. Maybe even bring the X division into NXT.

[Shisen Kopf]

If vince buys out lol TNA, he should have a match between the 4 sided ring and the 6 sided ring. Maybe get owen white to referee.

[GD]

I would love to see the wrestler formerly known as "Derek Bateman" return to the WWE. Would he be treated differently? Luke Gallows wasn't a major player in his previous run but now he is treated like "royalty" and his accomplishments outside of the company are recognized. Would a returning Ethan Carter III get the same treatment? Bubba Ray Dudley was the promotion's heavyweight champion and he was thrown back into the tag division along with D-Von. I still have my fingers crossed for a possible singles run for Bubba after the draft. Maybe a feud with John Cena on Smackdown. He can introduce the WWE audience to his "bully" character. Beat up and bully smaller wrestlers eventually leading to Cena standing up for them against the bully.

[drave]

Bully Ray is the goods. We want Calfzilla.

[drave]

He'd also be a solid heel contender at any level, which they are sorely lacking rn.


really hope Rusev gets another run "at the top". He is great.

[Simple Fan]

I would love to see the wrestler formerly known as "Derek Bateman" return to the WWE. Would he be treated differently? Luke Gallows wasn't a major player in his previous run but now he is treated like "royalty" and his accomplishments outside of the company are recognized. Would a returning Ethan Carter III get the same treatment?

Same here. Would really like to see him done in as the one who sold TNA to Vince. Worked out the deal behind Dixies back and becomes Vince's #1.

[Mr. Nerfect]

EC3 could be a really fun act on WWE TV.

[DAMN iNATOR]

If vince buys out lol TNA, he should have a match between the 4 sided ring and the 6 sided ring. Maybe get owen white to referee.

5-sided ring one-time only gimmick PPV in Washington, D.C. Calk it "Pentagon Punishment".

[Shisen Kopf]

A five sided shape is just a square with downs syndrome

[Mr. Nerfect]

I had the feeling watching RAW that they might do some sort of non-finish in Reigns vs. Rollins to split the titles. :-\

[DAMN iNATOR]

I had the feeling watching RAW that they might do some sort of non-finish in Reigns vs. Rollins to split the titles. :-\

What about having whoever wins MitB being drafted to SD! and in exchange for the briefcase, they're awarded the new world title for the brand? You could then make a 5 or 6 person SD! brand only ladder match for the July PPV while running the title feud leading up to the BattleGround and SummerSlam time frames.

[Mr. Nerfect]

It sort of makes sense, but I'd prefer it if the winner of Money in the Bank was Mr. Money in the Bank, you know?

[Mr. Nerfect]

I've also decided that I want Kevin Owens to win the MITB Ladder Match. I originally thought that it would make sense if Owens and Zayn canceled each other out and Ambrose got it, but I think you can get Ambrose into the main event scene without the briefcase. Owens can win it and keep his feud with Zayn going for a few months.

Eventually Owens cashes in at Hell in a Cell after Roman Reigns & Triple H have been defeated by Seth Rollins & Dean Ambrose. Owens has promised Triple H he'd never cash-in on his Corporate Champ, but after Ambrose pins Reigns at Hell in a Cell, Owens cannot fight the temptation. He beats the piss out of Reigns and Triple H gets back in the ring and asks him what the hell he thinks he's doing. Superkick and Pop-Up Powerbomb to Triple H. Reigns hits a Spear out of nowhere, but Owens kicks out. Reigns goess to grab a steel chair to blast Owens, but Owens hits a Superkick and then a Frog Splash to win his first World Heavyweight Championship in Boston and heads into Survivor Series in Toronto as The Ultimate Prizefighter.

[DAMN iNATOR]

I've also decided that I want Kevin Owens to win the MITB Ladder Match. I originally thought that it would make sense if Owens and Zayn canceled each other out and Ambrose got it, but I think you can get Ambrose into the main event scene without the briefcase. Owens can win it and keep his feud with Zayn going for a few months.

Eventually Owens cashes in at Hell in a Cell after Roman Reigns & Triple H have been defeated by Seth Rollins & Dean Ambrose. Owens has promised Triple H he'd never cash-in on his Corporate Champ, but after Ambrose pins Reigns at Hell in a Cell, Owens cannot fight the temptation. He beats the piss out of Reigns and Triple H gets back in the ring and asks him what the hell he thinks he's doing. Superkick and Pop-Up Powerbomb to Triple H. Reigns hits a Spear out of nowhere, but Owens kicks out. Reigns goess to grab a steel chair to blast Owens, but Owens hits a Superkick and then a Frog Splash to win his first World Heavyweight Championship in Boston and heads into Survivor Series in Toronto as The Ultimate Prizefighter.

MEH

[Emperor Smeat]

WWE might be considering the idea of almost doubling the amount of ppvs done for the new Brand Split era if what Jerry Lawler stated is true.
Jerry “The King” Lawler made his annual appearance at the 38th annual Superman Celebration in Metropolis, Illinois. We got to meet him at his signing booth and he was great as always. He said he loves being on Smackdown and I asked him who he really enjoys watching and he mentioned Kevin Owens as one of his favorites.

The interesting news was what he told my best friend later. He said that they would have two pay-per-view events monthly, one for Raw and one for Smackdown. This would happen except for the big four events (WrestleMania, SummerSlam, the Royal Rumble, and Survivor Series). I can’t imagine how this will work but he told us last year about Smackdown coming to USA, moving to Tuesday, and going live at some point.
http://prowrestling.net/site/2016/06/12/jerry-lawler-tells-fan-there-will-be-two-wwe-pay-per-viewslive-specials-most-months/

[Damian Rey 2.0]

Sounds like overkill. They'd be better served splitting up the remaining 8 or so shows between the two brands.

[erickman]

yeah it should be each brand gets 4 ppv andthen the big 4 not each brand getting a monthly ppv that will be crap.

[#1-norm-fan]

Enzo and Big Cass' entrance is amazing. So what if it's "cheesey" (I don't think it is ftr) the crowd go mad for it. Y'know who was cheesey? The Rock and he was kind of a big deal.

Not to mention Cena. Guy was (and still is at times) about a million times more corny than anything NXT has ever done.

[Rammsteinmad]

When I read that article about two PPV's a month I immediately scoffed thinking it'd be way too much, but then remembered that most of 'em would likely be seen through the Network. So probably not that bad. I mean, yeah, we're already over-saturated with wrestling shows, but at least it's not demanding us to splash out £15 every two weeks, so it could work.

Personally I liked how they did it before, with the brand not having a PPV that month just having a Network special or something.

[GD]

I am in favor of brand exclusive special events with respect to PPV numbers not being a factor anymore. It gives talent more exposure and importance while making the 4 main PPVs seem more special.

[Simple Fan]

I like the idea of having 2 PPV a month. Might bring back some of the old WCW PPVs like Starrcade, Halloween Havok, and Great American Bash. If it's going to bring more live wrestling content to the WWE Network I'm all for it.

[Big Vic]

I'm all for Smackdown being 3 hours. Hope it happens.
nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

[Big Vic]

I like the idea of having 2 PPV a month.
nooooooooooooooooooooo

[Simple Fan]

Why not?

[Emperor Smeat]

According to the Observer, multiple ppvs per month could start as early as this September.

Adding more fuel to this rumor likely being true is Lawler at last year's Superman Celebration event had teased about WWE plans for Smackdown to go live in the near future.

Also might be a big sign of the rumors teasing at the World title (or whatever it will be called on Smackdown) coming back are likely true as well.

[rockman725]

Only way this works is if they legit run Raw & Smackdown as if they were 2 separate entities completely. No intermingle, no champions moving show-to-show, no referencing each other at all. It should be Raw. It should be Smackdown. They need to compete against each other & have 2 separate feels to the show. Otherwise, forget it.

[Simple Fan]

Agree with rockman, I dont even want them to the Raw and Smacdown Rewinds that they used to do. Thats why I don't mind Smackdown going to 3 hours and have a PPV every month, if they want Smackdown to compete with Raw it needs to be 3 hours and treated just as important as Raw but with a different feel.

[Ruien]

You people are insane or completely love wrestling.

[Ruien]

I don't care what they do. Will watch the stuff I like and wnot watch all the crap.

[#1-norm-fan]

I am in favor of brand exclusive special events with respect to PPV numbers not being a factor anymore. It gives talent more exposure and importance while making the 4 main PPVs seem more special.

Over-exposure is kind of a problem already though. I's prefer one PPV every other month for each brand. Forces them to try to stretch out feuds instead of running through everything in a couple months like they did with Cena-Owens. The fewer PPVs there are, the more special each episode of Raw/Smackdown become.