WWE Brand Split News, Rumors, and Other Tidbits Thread

[Stopspot]

Not enough excitement lad. Gotta start it out with Roman being drafted to Smackdown, then end with him being drafted back to Raw.

Which could be done so much better with a contemporary sports draft system. Shane drafts Roman to Smackdown round one. Then Steph has to make a deal to be able to draft Roman to RAW and so forth.

Could be used to raise people's stock as well depending on order of drafts as well. Like say Owens being drafted second to Smackdown.By default presented as important since the GM went in early to secure him

 

[edge4ever]

Are you saying the IC title cannot be elevated?

Pro tip: Vince treated the WHC as a joke 90% of the time back then, let the old WHC stay dead because there already is a world heavyweight title strapped to Roman Reigns. Either elevate the Intercontinental belt (Which is easy to do), or bring out a brand new belt for Smackdown. Let the old WCW remnant finally sleep

It can be elevated. Hell, you can elevate anything you choose and try to make it work. However, if you take a mid card belt (which it has been since its birth, btw), it won't sit as we'll with everyone, or at least not as well as having a world heavyweight champion. It sounds bigger and makes more sense considering it has always been a the second biggest title next to the WWE title.

Pro tip: I'm well aware of the state of the world title. Despite what you said, it was still always bigger than any mid card belt, even though Vince did belittle it at times. I also really feel it'll be different this time around. Vince seems to be more flexible with creative control as well. Not the same situation. 2 brands. 2 world titles. Makes sense.

I'd rather them bring out a new "world title" for smackdown if anything.

 

[Stopspot]

It can be elevated. Hell, you can elevate anything you choose and try to make it work. However, if you take a mid card belt (which it has been since its birth, btw), it won't sit as we'll with everyone, or at least not as well as having a world heavyweight champion. It sounds bigger and makes more sense considering it has always been a the second biggest title next to the WWE title.

Pro tip: I'm well aware of the state of the world title. Despite what you said, it was still always bigger than any mid card belt, even though Vince did belittle it at times. I also really feel it'll be different this time around. Vince seems to be more flexible with creative control as well. Not the same situation. 2 brands. 2 world titles. Makes sense.

I'd rather them bring out a new "world title" for smackdown if anything.

They already have a world heavyweight champion. His name is Roman Reigns. They should not try and have two world champions. Either the IC title steps up or they bring in something new.

As for fans not accepting the IC title being brought up, it is one of the most beloved titles in WWE history. I don't think there would be any type of commotion, should WWE decide to elevate it.

 

[Tumbas' #1 Fan]

I love that the brand split is coming back and I'm bummed that the draft isn't a Network Special since it's going to be on Raw... bummer.

I do have some concerns. Let's say the rumor of Cena being the face of Smackdown is true. If ratings on Raw start to go down cause of football or what not, Vince will most likely rush to find a way to get Cena on Raw, most likely a fall feud for the World Title if we are sticking with one world title. Also, a part of me jokingly thinks Vince would sabotage Smackdown if it starts getting better ratings with it probably having KO/Cesaro/Cena and it being easier to watch with it being a 2 hour show. That aside.

Could this pin WWE against a wall if they go through another set of injuries like last year?

I would be fine with one World title, one set of tag titles, one Women's championship. Even tho, in my eyes, I think they have more than enough talent to juggle two of each. Scrubbing the others aside, the big argument is: Should they have two world titles? My opinion, I think yes. Cause once the brands are split down the middle. This could be another thing to have the creative teams butting heads to see who can book their world title scene better. This also gives opportunities to Orton/Cena, who most people don't want to see in the world title scene, and also RuRu/Cesaro/Ziggles/etc to become world champ and have main event angles in a world where Ambrose/Reigns/Rollins/Wyatt are going to be in lengthy feuds for the WWE title. This, is also the opportunity for the likes of Breeze/Dango/Ryder to get more angles and chances with the midcard titles while now midcard guys are pushed up to the world title scene.

We could be fine with just one world title but yeah. BTW, I think the IC title is pretty valued right now but I will never see a day where they pretend it's a world title during a brand split. Will always be delegated to being a midcard title no matter what you say. It'd just be the World title feud would get time on both shows.

I was just looking at the rosters and even having two Women championships and two tag champs could be beneficial. Their roster of talent is so big that they have around 11/12 tag teams atm. Women's roster is huge but I think most are out on injuries.

Reminder: I'm stupid and I have fond memories on what some people call the worst era of WWE where it was Cena vs. everybody for the WWE title and Batista/Edge/Taker for the World title. I feel bad for whoever read this cause I'm an incoherent mess who just wanted to say something in this thread.

 

[Stopspot]

I love that the brand split is coming back and I'm bummed that the draft isn't a Network Special since it's going to be on Raw... bummer.

I do have some concerns. Let's say the rumor of Cena being the face of Smackdown is true. If ratings on Raw start to go down cause of football or what not, Vince will most likely rush to find a way to get Cena on Raw, most likely a fall feud for the World Title if we are sticking with one world title. Also, a part of me jokingly thinks Vince would sabotage Smackdown if it starts getting better ratings with it probably having KO/Cesaro/Cena and it being easier to watch with it being a 2 hour show. That aside.

Could this pin WWE against a wall if they go through another set of injuries like last year?

I would be fine with one World title, one set of tag titles, one Women's championship. Even tho, in my eyes, I think they have more than enough talent to juggle two of each. Scrubbing the others aside, the big argument is: Should they have two world titles? My opinion, I think yes. Cause once the brands are split down the middle. This could be another thing to have the creative teams butting heads to see who can book their world title scene better. This also gives opportunities to Orton/Cena, who most people don't want to see in the world title scene, and also RuRu/Cesaro/Ziggles/etc to become world champ and have main event angles in a world where Ambrose/Reigns/Rollins/Wyatt are going to be in lengthy feuds for the WWE title. This, is also the opportunity for the likes of Breeze/Dango/Ryder to get more angles and chances with the midcard titles while now midcard guys are pushed up to the world title scene.

We could be fine with just one world title but yeah. BTW, I think the IC title is pretty valued right now but I will never see a day where they pretend it's a world title during a brand split. Will always be delegated to being a midcard title no matter what you say. It'd just be the World title feud would get time on both shows.

I was just looking at the rosters and even having two Women championships and two tag champs could be beneficial. Their roster of talent is so big that they have around 11/12 tag teams atm. Women's roster is huge but I think most are out on injuries.

Reminder: I'm stupid and I have fond memories on what some people call the worst era of WWE where it was Cena vs. everybody for the WWE title and Batista/Edge/Taker for the World title. I feel bad for whoever read this cause I'm an incoherent mess who just wanted to say something in this thread.

Only thing I really disagree on is two women's champions. The womens roster is not deep enough to handle two titles.

 

[edge4ever]

They already have a world heavyweight champion. His name is Roman Reigns. They should not try and have two world champions. Either the IC title steps up or they bring in something new.

As for fans not accepting the IC title being brought up, it is one of the most beloved titles in WWE history. I don't think there would be any type of commotion, should WWE decide to elevate it.

They already have a mid card champion as well, his name is the miz. Why do they need 2 mid card titles? Same logic, yet everyone thinks it's fine to have both the US and IC title, which I'm fine with as well, but we don't apply the same logic with the world title.

Have the WWE title and another world championship. Gives guys the chance to actually be a world champion, shows true brand split, and allows 2 top dogs. I don't get how, if this is handled properly, this isn't a good idea.

Also, the IC title is beloved, just as the US title is loved. That doesn't mean that they can simply decide to come out on smackdown and say "hey everyone, idk if you know this... But yeah... The mid card IC title that you all know and love... Well, it's now a world title.. So get use to it." I think that sounds dumb. It's one thing to put more emphasis on the mid card and it's championships, but it's another thing to make either of them a world title. It's been a fantastic mid card title since its birth and changing it makes no fucking sense.

 

[Stopspot]

They already have a mid card champion as well, his name is the miz. Why do they need 2 mid card titles? Same logic, yet everyone thinks it's fine to have both the US and IC title, which I'm fine with as well, but we don't apply the same logic with the world title.

Have the WWE title and another world championship. Gives guys the chance to actually be a world champion, shows true brand split, and allows 2 top dogs. I don't get how, if this is handled properly, this isn't a good idea.

Also, the IC title is beloved, just as the US title is loved. That doesn't mean that they can simply decide to come out on smackdown and say "hey everyone, idk if you know this... But yeah... The mid card IC title that you all know and love... Well, it's now a world title.. So get use to it." I think that sounds dumb. It's one thing to put more emphasis on the mid card and it's championships, but it's another thing to make either of them a world title. It's been a fantastic mid card title since its birth and changing it makes no fucking sense.

The idea of 2 world champions is what I am against. Intercontinental and USA titles existing next to each other works because one is the champion of the united states, ande one is a cross continental champion (south and north america). That's why I don't want two world champions. a world heavyweight and world junior heavyweight champion works because they are different weight classes. But I don't want two world heavyweight titles in the same company. Just seems wrong to me.

As for elevating the IC belt. It would not be done like you described it, with someone saying it is the top belt. It would become one organically. Put the belt in a program around Cena/whoelse will be a top smackdown guy. Let the title get bigger and bigger matches and more organic importance on the brand and boom. main event status on the title. Let it come naturally and the fans will take to it. This works

 

[Cloud]

One world title, two mid belts and an alternate title eg cruiserweight or hardcore would be the way for me. Could have the both the latter on both shows and be a blast having one of them come back. After this cruiserweight tournament, I fully expect that belt is back anyway which would be good. Plus to fill a 3 hour RAW you are going to need some across brand action otherwise RAW is going to struggle.

 

[Rogue]

I want a hard, hard split. Separate, unique rosters for each brand. One of the best factors in the early brand split was that tension that anyone can jump ship. Like when Badass Taker jumped to Raw, or when Guerrero and Benoit jumped to Smackdown. Just great moments.

Only reason I say they keep that archaic draft order, the rosters are determined 'randomly'. And then over the course Steph and Shane can lure talent to jump. Really give us that 'anything can happen!' vibe.

 

[Cloud]

I want a hard, hard split. Separate, unique rosters for each brand. One of the best factors in the early brand split was that tension that anyone can jump ship. Like when Badass Taker jumped to Raw, or when Guerrero and Benoit jumped to Smackdown. Just great moments.

Only reason I say they keep that archaic draft order, the rosters are determined 'randomly'. And then over the course Steph and Shane can lure talent to jump. Really give us that 'anything can happen!' vibe.

I agree with this I just feel one cross-promotional belt of lower talent would help fill out RAW. Unless they really up the Women's division and have that across both brands then we could be alright as we could push that and have that fill the extra time.

 

[edge4ever]

The idea of 2 world champions is what I am against. Intercontinental and USA titles existing next to each other works because one is the champion of the united states, ande one is a cross continental champion (south and north america). That's why I don't want two world champions. a world heavyweight and world junior heavyweight champion works because they are different weight classes. But I don't want two world heavyweight titles in the same company. Just seems wrong to me.

As for elevating the IC belt. It would not be done like you described it, with someone saying it is the top belt. It would become one organically. Put the belt in a program around Cena/whoelse will be a top smackdown guy. Let the title get bigger and bigger matches and more organic importance on the brand and boom. main event status on the title. Let it come naturally and the fans will take to it. This works

I get your mindset. I just have to disagree. I'm not saying that elevating the IC title can't happen as I said earlier, they can make anything work if they force it. Just doesn't seem right comparing the IC title to the WWE WHC... The IC title already sounds like a smaller championship with the name alone. Idk. Agree to disagree.

 

[Thunderlips]

I thought they had 2 titles not so long ago??

Wont it just be like that again?

Why is it a big deal if they did it before?

Confused!!

 

[Krendall]

Could this pin WWE against a wall if they go through another set of injuries like last year?

Of course it could, but that's always a risk wrestling companies take. Really, this is the best argument to build up lower-card talent so if/when the top guy(s) go down it isn't too difficult to slide someone else into the empty slot(s).

 

[Wacokid27]

The "one world title" vs. "separate brand world titles" seems to be the biggest argument about the entire thing (although, I'm interested that the "one women's title" vs. "separate brand women's titles" has been talked about...didn't see that one coming). My opinion about titles is simple: if they're well-written and well-booked (something WWE has shown that it is capable of doing), then it doesn't matter how many titles you have, fans will buy into it. It reminds me of a debate I saw posted here a couple or three years back regarding what makes a "world title" (my position then and now: if I own the title and my fans buy into it as a "world title", then it's a "world title"...that's really all it takes).

Here's what I'm seeing: for all of our talk about the lack of depth the WWE roster has, they've got a few guys sitting over at NXT who are ready and have proven capable of performing on a national level. Given the idea that a few of our favorites will be Smackdown guys after the split, when we throw Austin Aries, Bobby Roode, Eric Young, Shinsuke Nakamura, Samoa Joe, and/or Finn Balor into the Smackdown mix (or into the Raw mix...I'm easy), the roster doesn't look all that shallow. Am I saying they'll be thrust immediately into a world title picture? No, but they don't need to be. A "Smackdown World Championship" feud between Cena and Styles, Cena and Owens, Owens and Styles, throw Cesaro in there....the booking possibilities are there to get us through the end of the year and the beginning of 2017 without inserting those guys into the feuds for a world title. The same could be done with separate tag titles. The same could be done with separate women's titles (no, there aren't a bunch of former TNA, AAA, etc., women running around NXT, but there seem to be a huge amount of women in the NXT Women's Division that could be promoted considering you don't need a huge storyline to start somebody out, just to keep interest, and there's time to develop that). The reality is that it's all going to come down to how creative the writing staff is willing to be and how well they're willing to write the show. And, in case we haven't noticed lately, while I haven't always agreed with the way things are being written lately (particularly the main event scene), the writing has been much better since Wrestlemania than it has been in a long time.

wk

 

[Stopspot]

The "one world title" vs. "separate brand world titles" seems to be the biggest argument about the entire thing (although, I'm interested that the "one women's title" vs. "separate brand women's titles" has been talked about...didn't see that one coming). My opinion about titles is simple: if they're well-written and well-booked (something WWE has shown that it is capable of doing), then it doesn't matter how many titles you have, fans will buy into it. It reminds me of a debate I saw posted here a couple or three years back regarding what makes a "world title" (my position then and now: if I own the title and my fans buy into it as a "world title", then it's a "world title"...that's really all it takes).

Here's what I'm seeing: for all of our talk about the lack of depth the WWE roster has, they've got a few guys sitting over at NXT who are ready and have proven capable of performing on a national level. Given the idea that a few of our favorites will be Smackdown guys after the split, when we throw Austin Aries, Bobby Roode, Eric Young, Shinsuke Nakamura, Samoa Joe, and/or Finn Balor into the Smackdown mix (or into the Raw mix...I'm easy), the roster doesn't look all that shallow. Am I saying they'll be thrust immediately into a world title picture? No, but they don't need to be. A "Smackdown World Championship" feud between Cena and Styles, Cena and Owens, Owens and Styles, throw Cesaro in there....the booking possibilities are there to get us through the end of the year and the beginning of 2017 without inserting those guys into the feuds for a world title. The same could be done with separate tag titles. The same could be done with separate women's titles (no, there aren't a bunch of former TNA, AAA, etc., women running around NXT, but there seem to be a huge amount of women in the NXT Women's Division that could be promoted considering you don't need a huge storyline to start somebody out, just to keep interest, and there's time to develop that). The reality is that it's all going to come down to how creative the writing staff is willing to be and how well they're willing to write the show. And, in case we haven't noticed lately, while I haven't always agreed with the way things are being written lately (particularly the main event scene), the writing has been much better since Wrestlemania than it has been in a long time.

wk

A few points for discussions sake. The NXT women's division is not deep. That's smoke and mirrors. There are a lot of women signed to the brand, but only two, maybe three are main roster ready. Bayley, Asuka and maybe Carmella (and Carmella was already denied promotion with Cass and Enzo). The remaining women need more polish to various degrees.

the title situation. I have no problem with Smackdown getting a title that is world title level. What I don't want is WWE to insert another "world title" into their universe. To me, it ruins the narrative that comes from WWE on screen presenting itself as taking place in a sports universe (which is what wrestling is. A story in a sports setting). There is not a single sports organisation which has multiple world titles within the same weight class. All in all for me it is about the name of the belt. Having multiple titles called world titles confuses fans. In a storyline it can work, for example Taz's FTW title. Or ROH's downright brilliant story with Lethal and the world TV title in 2015, where Lethal dropped the TV part of the title name because he considered himself and the title above the company's actual world heavyweight title. If/when WWE brings out a new top belt for Smackdown, I hope they have the sense and creativity to name it something else. Be it International, global or just the Smackdown title. Just don't have two world heavyweight titles running around.