Given the rash of injured WWE Superstars returning and the influx of talent from NXT, the WWE will pull a 2002 and split its talents into "RAW" and "SmackDown" brands.
The company revealed that starting July 19, "SmackDown" will air live on Tuesday nights and feature its own brand of Superstars, while "RAW" will also have its own roster and storylines. Shane McMahon and Stephanie McMahon will be the face of each division, but there's no word on who will run which show.
"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," the company said in a press release.
Here are a few things we'd like to see from the draft:
1) Pay-per-views stay the same: During the initial brand split in the early to mid 2000s, the WWE put on some terrible brand-only events. To avoid this, the pay-per-views should continue to feature Superstars from both brands all year long except for a few WWE Network random specials.
2) Title picture stays the same: The WWE finally has its titles down to just five and that should remain the same as adding more championships only diminishes the ones they have now and causes an overload. The WWE Champion should float on both shows since that's what they've been doing anyway prior to the split, while the Intercontinental and U.S. and Women's and Tag Team betls should be on separate brands.
3) Better Storylines: Hopefully each brand getting its own writing team will foster some healthy competition and result in some more compelling storylines on each brand.
The Split
Here is our mock roster for each brand. Since Roman Reigns is the reigning champion, he'll be on both shows. Given Shane McMahon recently revamping "RAW" and The Authority being played out on the flagship show, he should run "RAW," while Stephanie is in charge of "SmackDown."
Each brand needs their marquee player, so John Cena will be on "RAW," while AJ Styles is the big name on "SmackDown." "RAW" will also feature the Intercontinental Championship and will be the "home of Women's wrestling" as the only brand to have the Women's Championship -- though "SmackDown" could draft ladies and counter with a Divas Tag Title.
As for "SmackDown,", they'll boast tag team wrestling by having the Tag Team Championships over there. The Blue Brand will also feature the U.S. Championship. Since the Dudley Boyz have run their course, they will once again be separted via the draft and go their own way.
'RAW' Roster
Here is our roster for 'Monday Night Raw'
GM: Shane McMahon
No. 1 Pick: John Cena
Champions: Roman Reigns (World), The Miz (IC) w/ Maryse & Women's (Charlotte)
The rest:
2) Seth Rollins
3) Sheamus
4) Sami Zayn
5) Chris Jericho
6) Cesaro
7) D'von Dudley
8) Sasha Banks
9) Social Outcasts (though WWE could use this opportunity to split them up)
10) Becky Lynch
11) Paige
12) Kane
13) Jack Swagger
14) Kevin Owens
15) Titus O'Neil
16) Natalya
17) Alicia Fox
18) Dana Brooke
19) Emma (when healthy)
20) Summer Rae
21) Tamina
22) Eva Marie
23) Naomi
24) Lana (seprated from Rusev)
25) Nikki Bella (when healthy)
26) Rosa Mendes
27) Sin Cara
28) Brock Lesnar (part-timer)
'SmackDown' Roster
GM: Stephanie McMahon (and eventually Triple H, unless Shane drafts him to be a jerk)
No. 1 Pick: AJ Styles
Champions: Roman Reigns (World), Rusev (U.S.) & The New Day (Tag)
The rest:
2) Randy Orton
3) Dean Ambrose
4) Wyatt Family (drafted seperately)
5) The Club
6) Vaudevillians
7) Kalisto
8) Enzo Amore/Colin Cassady
9) Bully Ray
10) Apollo Crews
11) Big Show
12) Dolph Ziggler
13) Shining Stars
14) The Usos
15) Zack Ryder
16) Fandango & Tyler Breeze
17) Goldust & R-Truth
18) The Ascension
19) Zack Ryder
20) Neville
21) The Undertaker (part-timer)
***Note: There will probably be a few NXT surprises thrown in and the tag teams likely won't be drafted together, but most should end up on "SmackDown" roster.***
