RUMORED BRAND SPLIT

Apparently there have been some rumors floating around regarding the WWE "splitting the brands" again. With Shane McMahon returning and there being at least a momentary power struggle story line wise, it isn't hard to see why this rumor exists. Personally, I am on the fence in regards to how I feel about splitting Raw and Smackdown!.

I still remember when the first split occurred. I was a young man, new father, and wrestling was still running strong. The initial brand split was needed in a sense. WWE had won the "Monday Night Wars" and there wasn't any competition to fill the voids left by WCW and even ECW. TNA was in it's infant stages, having PPV shows, instead of a television product including a monthly PPV. Different story for a different time. The split was needed to maintain interest as well as fit all the top quality performers into the mix. Sure, WWE hadn't picked up every WCW and ECW star, but there were enough to make the WWE roster crowded. WWE had even done everything the "right way" during the early days of "brand splitting". There was a draft, and the roster was split in two. And it was an even split in regards to star power and quality shows. They were able to create competition within themselves, and some to most fans had a preference as to which show they preferred. And it wasn't always Raw. Smackdown! was a legit competitor to Raw. To keep it "fresh" the WWE would "shake things up" via the draft now being annual. And it worked too, for a time. After a bit, it became quite apparent that Smackdown! was becoming a feeder show to Raw. A talent develops and gets over with the Smackdown! audience? They ended up on Raw. It is what happened with John Cena. What made that situation worse, is that with the show change came the end of Thuganomics, and the beginning of the Cena we see now.
The past is why I am hesitant to fully embrace this, however there are obviously reasons I would love to see this happen. Preferably, the WWE World Heavyweight Championship would be split into two titles, or a new title would be presented for the other brand. One title would almost make for an easy to predict outcome of the title matches and/or repeated matches for the title. Think of guys like Dolph Ziggler, and others who are over with the audiences, but may never be in the top tier with guys like Brock Lesner. Sure, Seth Rollins is a "smaller" guy, but not everyone can play the sneeky heel, or everyone be the triumphant underdog. Gets repetitive and takes away from guys like Brock Lesner. Look at Big Show, he shouldn't have really put anyone over until this phase of his career. He put too many guys over, and not all of them deserved it or made any sense. Rey Mysterio? Yes. One time ever though. Everyone else should've "earned it" like JBL at No Way Out 2005.

Guess I will have to wait and see, much like with everything in life. Can't wait for Wrestlemania 32 though. Card is shaping up pretty good, and with Vince looking to set another attendance record, I can't wait to see what he has up his sleeve for us. He may not be able to wrestle, but Daniel Bryan has to be involved so we can hear and feel the massive crowd chant YES!