WWE Brand Split is coming

by goldustismyhero Wed 25 May 2016, 2:17 pm

Seen as the Brand split is official and coming

Whats everyones thoughts?

think it will be good to highlight some under utilized talent

by **Hero** Wed 25 May 2016, 2:18 pm

Just a shame in the past fortnight half the roster has left!

by **Crimey** Wed 25 May 2016, 2:20 pm

I'm expecting Reigns and Cena to be kept separate, one will headline Raw, the other Smackdown. My initial thinking is that Cena will go Smackdown, Reigns will keep Raw as they will want to keep Reigns as their top star and Cena being on Smackdown will get eyes on it immediately.

It'll be interesting to see how strict the brand split is, whether they have multiple titles as well. Then PPVs, will they be exclusive or not?

I'm not even convinced WWE knows yet, based on the recent booking and the news from this.

by Paul Mac 6CW Wed 25 May 2016, 2:33 pm

How many of the NXT stars do you think will benefit from this and get a push to the main roster and will this mean NXT becomes more developmental again or will they have 3 separate brands going forward?

by Samo Wed 25 May 2016, 2:34 pm

I would prefer to see it as the Brand Split of late 2002 onward. Strict rules where if you're on SmackDown we only see you on SmackDown. RAW and Smackdown only PPV's (eventually as I dont think you could have the roster and fill a three hour show just yet, but I could be wrong) and seperate titles. Dont know if they would seperate the Tag Titles again or bring back the Diva's championship. They could do it like the initial WWE Undisputed Championship were they can appear on both shows as long as they are Champions.

I missed when it was a huge deal when someone from the other show appeared on the other, or getting to see two guys fight that we normally wouldnt in the Royal Rumble. Remember how epic the drafts used to be? Genuinely felt like a shake up to begin with.

If SmackDown is going live and they keep the split strict it could be excellent for WWE as a whole. As much as we wish there was, there isnt any real competiton to WWE, so they can make their own now. Exciting times.

by **Hero** Wed 25 May 2016, 2:54 pm

I think with the word of 'distinct' it doesn't mean exclusive to.

by Brilliant_yep Wed 25 May 2016, 3:08 pm

Frak hate the brand split concept.
Really Poopie despise it.

by marty2086 Wed 25 May 2016, 4:44 pm

It all comes down to how its booked, so many things in WWE have the potential to be great but then the booking is all kinds of crap and it becomes a case of why did you bother? WWECW and the Invasion angle spring to mind

If the shows are allowed to have two personalities and images then it may be great, remember when Heyman was in charge of Smackdown?

I think they need to keep the women on one show, likely Smackdown as Ryan Ward would appreciate that, as there isn't the depth to have them across two shows

by Marky Wed 25 May 2016, 5:39 pm

With the Cruiserweight Series coming up, maybe it will lead to a Cruiserweight Division back on Smackdown (we can all dream)

Raw: WWE, US, Women's
Smackdown: IC, Tag, Cruiserweight

Or they allow the WWE and Tag to cover both shows

by Gregers Wed 25 May 2016, 5:43 pm

It's clearly a great idea with the current Roster, smackdown going live is the key wrh this (presumably 3 hours as well)

World and Tag across both shows, women's on raw with ic,us and a light Heavyweight belt on smackdown?

by NickisBHAFC Wed 25 May 2016, 7:17 pm

WWE Title on both shows, along with tag titles and Women's.

US on Raw, IC on smackdown.

Maybe a new belt for each.

by **Dolphin Ziggler** Wed 25 May 2016, 8:35 pm

Not sure how its a great idea or why people get excited by this. If they were doing significantly good writing they'd be putting something amazing out anyway, so why a concept that needs even smarter writing is trusted to be better

by Fernando Wed 25 May 2016, 9:47 pm

Smackdown will be live on Tuesdays in UK
It's expected that there will be 2 world titles.
Rumors suggesting could alternate PPV's except WM/Rumble/Summerslam

by **Dolphin Ziggler** Wed 25 May 2016, 10:11 pm

Ahhh so we're going back in time.

New Era

by Brilliant_yep Wed 25 May 2016, 10:13 pm

I don't like it one bit,and I don't know why I seem to be the only one.

by temporary21 Wed 25 May 2016, 10:33 pm

There are two advantages I suppose. The obvious being more midcard guys can be pushed up the roster, and we dont see talented guys get stuck behind a queue. Another weird advantage is that they split up the creative team, so maybe they wont get in eachothers way and the booking might start to make some sense.

Or they could just give us 5 live hours of dodgy booking i guess...

One thing thay have to do I think is put either Rollins or Cena, preferably Rollins on Smackdown with some world title belt. The new smackdown needs a big jump start

by temporary21 Wed 25 May 2016, 10:35 pm

Id hate there to be 2 ppv's a month though. That would feel like oversaturating things.
Alternating of course has the problem that creative needs to be able to keep a storyline bubbling for 2 months instead of one...

by Samo Thu 26 May 2016, 8:32 am

They managed fine back in the day. With Ryan Ward recently being promoted from NXT to SmackDown it makes me confident. SmackDown could be a great show so RAW will need to up its game to not get left in the dust.

by Mr H Thu 26 May 2016, 10:22 am

The only good thing I like about it is when guys from opposing rosters face eachother at the big PPVs.

HBK v Angle at WM21 being a prime example. It automatically gives it a big match feel.

It also means the likes of Joe, Nakamura, Balor, Aries, Roode etc could feature strongly BUT the biggest loser in all of it is arguably the best WRESTLING show out there - NXT.

RIP NXT.

by marty2086 Thu 26 May 2016, 10:25 am

Mr H wrote:The only good thing I like about it is when guys from opposing rosters face eachother at the big PPVs.

HBK v Angle at WM21 being a prime example. It automatically gives it a big match feel.

It also means the likes of Joe, Nakamura, Balor, Aries, Roode etc could feature strongly BUT the biggest loser in all of it is arguably the best WRESTLING show out there - NXT.

RIP NXT.

HHH has tweeted this

TripleH wrote:On June 8th LIVE on @WWENetwork #NXTTakeOver: The End... Where do we go from here?

The End of? Takeover? NXT? An Era?

by The_Enigma Thu 26 May 2016, 10:36 am

Think #NXTTakeOver: The End may just be a play on the Finn vs Joe rivalry before either or both step up to the main rosters in time for the draft.

My only major complaint about any Brand Split is the thought of splitting up the WWE Title. Personally, I think they have only just started to recapture the heritage of the championship and having two major belts strongly dilutes the prestige of the championship belt... After all the likes of Jack Swagger are still considered to have won the 'Big One' and it cheapens multi-time reigns.

I hope there's some cross-over points, either to really build a storyline for one of the bigger events as Mr H rightly pointed out and so they don't needlessly break up a tag-division. Individually, I just don't think it's strong enough to separate into two divisions yet. This is where I suspect it will hurt NXT the most.

If there's one WWE Title, one set Tag-Team Titles and one Women's Title, I will be happy.

by Marky Thu 26 May 2016, 10:42 am

Unless...

Smackdown gets the NXT Tag Team Titles?

by **Dolphin Ziggler** Thu 26 May 2016, 11:45 am

Ryan Ward has been involved with Smackdown before. Need to look at their writers, a few have skipped back and forth between raw Smackdown and NXT. It doesn't seem to make a huge difference

by Samo Thu 26 May 2016, 1:12 pm

Move the IC title to SmackDown and elevate that so its almost on par with the WWE Championship. I wouldnt be totally against a new World Championship, there are so many guys who deserve a shot, who arent getting any younger and theres so big a queue. If you have a belt on par it gives these guys a shot at carrying a live broadcast.

In regards to NXT, it could be anything. It could just mean the end of Joe vs Balor, or it could mean NXT is moving into SmackDown, or maybe NXT is leaving Full Sail to be taped before SmackDown every week infront of larger, more varied crowds?

Either way im still really excited by this news.

by Kay Fabe Thu 26 May 2016, 2:25 pm

I"m excited by this, I initially wanted an end to the brand split but not because I didn't like it, it was more down to the fsct that there had become absolutely no distinction between the two brands, it was all the same mess.

I'd love to wee SmackDown! become unique again, bring back the Fist, the blue ropes, no ramps, I'd even make the isle diffrrent, maybe having it lead to the ring post rather than face on with the side of the apron.

I'd also like to see RAW being back the red ropes, as subtle a change as it would be it would at leaet give RAW it's own individual feel again, wrestling fans are nostalgic and quite partizan, "team colours" are a big thing, I think this helps with their identity.

I was also a big backer for one World Title again, I felt that was the way forward but again it was more down to the fact that both rosters were so thin and both were appearing on RAW every week anyway, there was no distinction, if we can get a clear distinction once again then I feel it makes sense to give each show their own set of Titles.

RAW - WWE Title, IC Title, Woman's Title, Tag Titles
SmackDown! - World Heavyweight Title, US Title, Cruiserweight Title

I'm on the fence with regards to brand specific PPV's... I agree that those PPV's meant storylines on each brand had time to develop and never had overkill on PPV 3/4 months on the bounce but my worry is fans are so accustomed now to quick conclusions that we can't get a 3 month feud with only one PPV match.

I've not watched SmackDown! for a helluva long time, couldn't tell you the last time I saw it however this could be a real shot in the arm for it.

by **Dolphin Ziggler** Thu 26 May 2016, 3:04 pm

Reigns World Champ on Raw
Cena World Champ on Smackdown!

by marty2086 Thu 26 May 2016, 3:33 pm

Dolphin Ziggler wrote:Reigns World Champ on Raw
Cena World Champ on Smackdown!

by Guest Tue 31 May 2016, 11:59 am

I just don't see what this will achieve. This will just reinforce that Smackdown is the number 2 show and having the whole exclusivity enhances that perception.

There is some positives that most of the roster in some capacity will get some TV exposure, however if the terrible booking continues, it won't improve things. IF and it's a biggie, they get anywhere near the quality the 'Smackdown 6' put on when Heyman was booking, it might be interesting and work.

Do wonder the impact it will have on NXT.

by Samo Tue 31 May 2016, 12:14 pm

Galvatron wrote:I just don't see what this will achieve. This will just reinforce that Smackdown is the number 2 show and having the whole exclusivity enhances that perception.

There is some positives that most of the roster in some capacity will get some TV exposure, however if the terrible booking continues, it won't improve things. IF and it's a biggie, they get anywhere near the quality the 'Smackdown 6' put on when Heyman was booking, it might be interesting and work.

Do wonder the impact it will have on NXT.

I think SmackDown being live will help, alot of people dont bother with SmackDown because they just read the spoilers.

Welcome to the board by the way.

by Adam D Tue 31 May 2016, 12:39 pm

Tazz came up with an interesting idea on his podcast.

He said that Shane and Steph will argue over who gets what show as Raw has the extra hour and therefore "better". then either HHH or Vince comes out and says no one gets the extra hour of Raw and that it will now become NXT for the first our of the show.

So basically, its a brand split with NXT now on US TV as opposed to the Network.

Could work I suppose.

by Ché Guerrero Tue 31 May 2016, 12:51 pm

Would Nxt still be pretaped you think in that scenario or brought on tour with Raw?

by marty2086 Tue 31 May 2016, 2:23 pm

Adam D wrote:Tazz came up with an interesting idea on his podcast.

He said that Shane and Steph will argue over who gets what show as Raw has the extra hour and therefore "better". then either HHH or Vince comes out and says no one gets the extra hour of Raw and that it will now become NXT for the first our of the show.

So basically, its a brand split with NXT now on US TV as opposed to the Network.

Could work I suppose.

Sounds too complicated and would hurt NXT and its different unique feel plus when they want more time for Raw they'd start cutting NXT and it'd die a slow death then

by Guest Tue 31 May 2016, 8:50 pm

Samo wrote:
Galvatron wrote:I just don't see what this will achieve. This will just reinforce that Smackdown is the number 2 show and having the whole exclusivity enhances that perception.

There is some positives that most of the roster in some capacity will get some TV exposure, however if the terrible booking continues, it won't improve things. IF and it's a biggie, they get anywhere near the quality the 'Smackdown 6' put on when Heyman was booking, it might be interesting and work.

Do wonder the impact it will have on NXT.

I think SmackDown being live will help, alot of people dont bother with SmackDown because they just read the spoilers.

Welcome to the board by the way.

Cheers.

For me it rests on the booking. I don't think the live aspect will enhance it to one end. They need to stop with regurgitating Raw matches.

by NickisBHAFC Tue 31 May 2016, 11:15 pm

I used to love the brand split when I was a kid.

Raw Friday night, mental night with coca cola and treats.

Smackdown Saturday morning before football training.

Those were the days.

by Marky Tue 31 May 2016, 11:29 pm

NickisBHAFC wrote:I used to love the brand split when I was a kid.

Raw Friday night, mental night with coca cola and treats.

Smackdown Saturday morning before football training.

Those were the days.

I wouldn't mind but you were 37 years old at the time Cool

by Kay Fabe Wed 01 Jun 2016, 12:40 am

Marky wrote:
NickisBHAFC wrote:I used to love the brand split when I was a kid.

Raw Friday night, mental night with coca cola and treats.

Smackdown Saturday morning before football training.

Those were the days.

I wouldn't mind but you were 37 years old at the time

Yer never to old to dream of making the first team

by Kay Fabe Wed 01 Jun 2016, 12:42 am

I'm wondering if John Cena is gonna take up that Undertaker role on SmackDown! now.

by NickisBHAFC Wed 01 Jun 2016, 12:47 pm

Marky wrote:
NickisBHAFC wrote:I used to love the brand split when I was a kid.

Raw Friday night, mental night with coca cola and treats.

Smackdown Saturday morning before football training.

Those were the days.

I wouldn't mind but you were 37 years old at the time

Why you being like this!

by XR Tue 07 Jun 2016, 7:43 am

With Smackdown being 2 hours long, NXT should be the first hour of Raw so it can also be 2 hours long.

by marty2086 Tue 07 Jun 2016, 11:02 am

gcBlues wrote:With Smackdown being 2 hours long, NXT should be the first hour of Raw so it can also be 2 hours long.

Why?

by Samo Tue 07 Jun 2016, 11:32 am

marty2086 wrote:
gcBlues wrote:With Smackdown being 2 hours long, NXT should be the first hour of Raw so it can also be 2 hours long.

Why?

Because three hour long RAW's are killing the product. Cutting it back to two hours and giving NXT the extra hour not only helps RAW, but gives NXT more exposure and USA network keep their three hours of wrestling. Win/Win/Win

by marty2086 Tue 07 Jun 2016, 11:43 am

It would kill NXT, instead of being a stand alone brand with its own identity it becomes a bit part of RAW.

Poor booking is killing the product, last nights Raw had nearly an hour of commercials, an hour and a half of promos and 35mins of wrestling over 7 matches with the longest going 10mins.

The guys in NXT set up the ring for their shows, are part of the whole process which is part of the learning process for them. Taking them on the road with Raw also takes them away from the Performance Centre every week which is central to the talents development.

by XR Tue 07 Jun 2016, 12:49 pm

I mean Raw is 2 hours and NXT is 1 hour, so 2 separate shows. NXT would be live from Full Sail.

And it's not poor booking, don't be so slow. It's the fact they have way too much time to fill, hence why they have a billion replays of one incident and open nearly every raw with a 20 minute promo.

by marty2086 Tue 07 Jun 2016, 1:19 pm

gcBlues wrote:I mean Raw is 2 hours and NXT is 1 hour, so 2 separate shows. NXT would be live from Full Sail.

And it's not poor booking, don't be so slow. It's the fact they have way too much time to fill, hence why they have a billion replays of one incident and open nearly every raw with a 20 minute promo.

So its not poor booking to have a million replays and a load of 5 min matches rather than you know...letting the guys wrestle

You know how much is would cost to transmit two shows from two sites? NXT is filmed is blocks to keep costs down and HHH is on hand for the tapings, that's hardly possible if hes meant to be at Raw? picard

by XR Tue 07 Jun 2016, 1:43 pm

having the replays is not a booking decision, it's a production decision. As for the 5 minute matches, the only time booking is involved would be the finish and reason for the match, again, length of the matches are a production not a creative one.

The writers don't tell the wrestlers how long their matches are, vince and kevin dunn will decide.

With regards to NXT, that's just a throwaway idea. Although does HHH need to be around for Raw? He's not currently on screen...

Fact is, Raw needs to go back to 2 hours. 3 Hours is too long for a wrestling show when you consider that's longer than most PPV's. Hell, have the 1st hour of Raw be the Pre-Show which features 2 matches and an NXT showcase match and then have backstage interviews and whatnot. Leave the 2 hours of the main show for story driven segments and matches.

by Brilliant_yep Tue 07 Jun 2016, 1:46 pm

NXT wouldn't have to be live though.

I saw Damien Lewis in Homeland then Billions straight after and I wasn't too fussed,I don't think I'd feel any differently about Triple H. Plus he's a heel on the main roster and a face on nxt and that's not an issue either.

by Samo Tue 07 Jun 2016, 1:59 pm

Theres no reason to have NXT travel with RAW, or be shown live. The only problem would be needing to break it up for ad breaks which could limit what they could actually show.

by marty2086 Tue 07 Jun 2016, 2:00 pm

gcBlues wrote:having the replays is not a booking decision, it's a production decision. As for the 5 minute matches, the only time booking is involved would be the finish and reason for the match, again, length of the matches are a production not a creative one.

The writers don't tell the wrestlers how long their matches are, vince and kevin dunn will decide.

With regards to NXT, that's just a throwaway idea. Although does HHH need to be around for Raw? He's not currently on screen...

Fact is, Raw needs to go back to 2 hours. 3 Hours is too long for a wrestling show when you consider that's longer than most PPV's. Hell, have the 1st hour of Raw be the Pre-Show which features 2 matches and an NXT showcase match and then have backstage interviews and whatnot. Leave the 2 hours of the main show for story driven segments and matches.

Writers structure the show including timings, this is all needed to know what they have to work with. Head writers have the final say before sending it to Vince for his sign off or changes

HHH is part of the production team now and in charge of the talents so needs to be at all the big shows

NXT to the start of Raw is an idea Tazz put out there and everybody seems to think is a good idea. Its one of the biggest draws for the Network and that's a big loss for it and the company if they move it

by marty2086 Tue 07 Jun 2016, 2:01 pm

Brilliant_yep wrote:NXT wouldn't have to be live though.

I saw Damien Lewis in Homeland then Billions straight after and I wasn't too fussed,I don't think I'd feel any differently about Triple H. Plus he's a heel on the main roster and a face on nxt and that's not an issue either.

Its not about appearing on the show, its about him being a producer for both so needing to be working at both shows

by Brilliant_yep Tue 07 Jun 2016, 2:05 pm

Yeah but NXT wouldn't be live.

You keep facepalming valid points.

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