Building The Brand Split

Triple Z gives his take on what SmackDown and RAW need in the upcoming brand split.

Previously on ZWrestleTalk, Dom Bouchard wrote an article about how he would do the WWE Brand Split. This is my own version. I want to cover some facts of how I would handle the upcoming brand split. There is a rumor circulating about WWE increasing to two PPV's a month. That would be horrid. The average fan can't always watch a PPV and to increase the chances to miss two PPV's a month is rough. I wouldn't do the "split" PPV's I think that concept is dull. Just keep RAW and SmackDown on the same PPV's. They need to keep the regular amount of PPVs because "Network Specials" will be coming into play real soon. You also want PPV's to feel special not like an extension of a RAW or SmackDown. WWE wants to different unique rosters for RAW and SmackDown this is how I would do it. 

This is how "my draft" will work. 

2 NXT Wrestlers will get drafted (including women)
RAW will exclusively have the Cruiserweight Championship and the United States Championship. SmackDown will have the Intercontinental Championship, Hardcore Championship exclusively. Both brands will share the WWE World Heavyweight Championship, WWE Women's Championship, and WWE Tag Team Championships. 
Undertaker and Brock Lesnar will be able to appear on both brands. 
Divas will be divided. 
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WWE RAW's Roster

I would keep RAW with its normal parameters: It will be live and air at 8, It will be three hours, and it will be the flagship show. I would have Shane McMahon be GM of RAW. Here is my roster. 

• Seth Rollins- The Man, easy choice as he will be carrying WWE for the next couple of years. In my opinion would be in the World Title picture.
• John Cena- WWE's Guy, Cena will most likely leave WWE soon but he attracts viewers which would help RAW's ratings.
• Kevin Owens- The main event heel on RAW.
• The New Day- Well you need a team that can go toe to toe with the Wyatt's and add comedy.
• Cesaro- He has a bright future it's just now up to WWE to use him. 
• Tyson Kidd- When he returns SmackDown will be overcrowded with mid-card talent and Tyson could compete for the Cruiserweight Championship. 
• Fandango- Could compete for the Cruiserweight Championship on RAW. 
• Primo and Epico-  Gives them a chance to break out. 
• Enzo and Cass- The wildly popular team would be a good edition for RAW.
• Sami Zayn- Wherever Kevin Owens is at expect Sami Zayn to follow 
• Sin Cara- Definite help to the new Cruiserweight division.
• Tyler Breeze- Another addition to the Cruiserweight division.
• Becky Lynch- RAW needs a new face of the Women's division
• Sasha Banks- Another addition to the Women's division
• Nikki Bella- If she returns she has to stay with John Cena. 
• 1st NXT PICK: Bayley- This would make RAW's Women's Division phenomenal.
• Dana Brooke- Reunite her with her NXT foes
• Emma- Continue her success with Dana Brooke
• Summer Rae- Underrated talent.
• Eva Marie- You know? Just deal with it. 
• Neville- Adds mid-card fire power to RAW. 
• 2nd NXT Pick: Finn Bàlor- The dude just has the "It Factor" he can wrestle, he can talk, and has a unique persona.
• The Vaudevillains- RAW needs another solid tag team.
• Mauro Ranallo- What better way to start the new era than to shake everything up? 
• Corey Graves-  RAW needs fresh commentary.
• Baron Corbin- RAW needs another intimidating heel.
• Sheamus- Another good threat. 
• The Ascension- Another solid tag team. 

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SmackDown's Roster

SmackDown would need some changes. SmackDown's time slot on USA should be Tuesdays at 8PM eastern. The show should stay at two hours. The focus would be only on SmackDown nothing would be mentioned about RAW. Unless there was a storyline. SmackDown would build a Hardcore division to make it unique from RAW's Cruiserweight division. 

• Roman Reigns- WWE loves Roman so why not make him the face of SmackDown.
• AJ Styles- Great talent that has a large fan base.
• Randy Orton- A veteran that could help guide SmackDown's roster
• Dean Ambrose- Wildly popular and would help the Hardcore division.
• Wyatt Family- Helps Hardcore division, Tag Team division, and Main Event picture.
• Darren Young- Well they are going to make Darren Young great again?
• Charlotte- The face of SmackDown's women's division.
• Alicia Fox- Will be thrown into the SmackDown shuffle.
• Rosa Mendes- Thrown into the SmackDown shuffle. 
• Lana- Why not? 
• Rusev- SmackDown needs major threats. 
• The Miz and Maryse- SmackDown could always use a dynamic heel duo.
• Titus O'Neil- Time to have him break out on SmackDown.
• The Club- Talented tag team and could easily dominate SmackDown. 
• R-Truth- Adds charisma to the roster. 
• The Uso's- Another tag team needed. 
• The Dudley Boyz- Veterans to add more power to the roster. 
• Chris Jericho-  Adds more power to this roster. 
• Apollo Crews- Fresh, young talent that any roster would be glad to have. 
• Michael Cole- He needs a break. Maybe it's time for him to become a producer. 
• Byron Saxton- Would be great for SmackDown.
• Jerry "The King" Lawler- Shorter show means better commentary for The King. 
• Paige- More to the Women's division on SmackDown.
• Naomi- Add her to the roster.
• Tamina- I don't know what WWE is doing with her… keep her on SmackDown.
• Natalya- Adding more to the Women's division.
• Alberto Del Rio- Gives SmackDown more of an edge. 

Undrafted

• Jack Swagger
• Bo Dallas
• Curtis Axel
• Heath Slater
• Mark Henry
• Big Show
• Kane
• Goldust
• Ryback

Reaction? 

Well do you like my ideas for RAW and SamckDown? Let me know what you think in the comments below! 

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