BRAND EXTENSION/DRAFT Thread: Keep It All Here
- Thread starter DJ Kyo
- Start date
HamSwissman
Occasional Pre-Show
Preach it, my brother! If anything, the roster split has held down many wrestlers, as any championship they have won has been watered-down. For instance, Jack Swagger was World Champion. Remember? Nobody else does. How did this elevate him? I guaran-damn-tee you that an Intercontinental Title run with a combined roster and much fewer belts would serve this purpose MUCH better. Combine some belts, get the tag division going again, drop some pointless PPVs and let's get this shit on the road. Exiting time to be a fan (been a LONG time since I've said that).
I was a little confused by the announcement. If what I'm gathering by what HHH said, then this could eventually lead to the end of the brand extension. If it is, then well, I'm not sure how to feel about that, a little indifferent maybe.
on one hand, will WWE merge the two titles? Not to mention it could mean a much more hectic work schedule for a lot of the superstars if they have pull in an extra match a week. A much more heavy work load could prove to be more damaging with the extra travel from going back and forth between the two shows. Then, you can only imagine how much more people would complain if they had to see guys like Cena twice a week? People will grow tired much fast of seeing certain superstars even more frequently, its just how people are.
On the upside however, it will create a lot more opportunity to give more time for storylines to expand on them leading up to a PPV and possibly add more depth and even create more compelling storylines for a lot of the under-card with more T.V time. You then also have even more options for a variety mixture of new feuds which could freshen things up.
I know some have been clamoring for the brand extension to end for sometime. I still think it serves its purpose by dividing up the roster and given each brand their own exclusive superstars and own storylines. Not to mention Smackdown has become a lot of in ring oriented over the last while. If the brand extension does end, will Smackdown just become another Raw? Dominated by in ring segments and more focused of the storylines and angles,while the in ring quality suffers too make more air time for these segments.
If they do it right then it could be a beautiful thing. Then again if I have to watch Cena open up and close both Raw and Smackdown every week then I would call that a huge blunder on WWE's part(not that I hate Cena). I also wouldn't really care if they chose not to go this route as the brand extension gives time for other superstars. Some who might be a little crowded on Raw and overshadowed by some of the bigger storylines have the option of eventually being moved over to Smackdown to flourish more. That's just my two cents on the whole situation. That's how I see it.
on one hand, will WWE merge the two titles? Not to mention it could mean a much more hectic work schedule for a lot of the superstars if they have pull in an extra match a week. A much more heavy work load could prove to be more damaging with the extra travel from going back and forth between the two shows. Then, you can only imagine how much more people would complain if they had to see guys like Cena twice a week? People will grow tired much fast of seeing certain superstars even more frequently, its just how people are.
On the upside however, it will create a lot more opportunity to give more time for storylines to expand on them leading up to a PPV and possibly add more depth and even create more compelling storylines for a lot of the under-card with more T.V time. You then also have even more options for a variety mixture of new feuds which could freshen things up.
I know some have been clamoring for the brand extension to end for sometime. I still think it serves its purpose by dividing up the roster and given each brand their own exclusive superstars and own storylines. Not to mention Smackdown has become a lot of in ring oriented over the last while. If the brand extension does end, will Smackdown just become another Raw? Dominated by in ring segments and more focused of the storylines and angles,while the in ring quality suffers too make more air time for these segments.
If they do it right then it could be a beautiful thing. Then again if I have to watch Cena open up and close both Raw and Smackdown every week then I would call that a huge blunder on WWE's part(not that I hate Cena). I also wouldn't really care if they chose not to go this route as the brand extension gives time for other superstars. Some who might be a little crowded on Raw and overshadowed by some of the bigger storylines have the option of eventually being moved over to Smackdown to flourish more. That's just my two cents on the whole situation. That's how I see it.
Dysturbed
Under the radar
It seems to me like a modification of the extension and not an end to it. As of tonight at least there is still a structure where we know who we will likely get on the rotation for each show based on who is assigned to which roster yet others may and can appear but not definitely. Next week and the following ones will provide a better idea of how things will be run. With the modified extension people buying tickets to Raw will know what they're getting and that they may see the likes of Orton, Henry, etc. Without it they're not as sure of who they will see. Depending on the fan that can be a good thing (the unpredictability factor) or a bad thing (figuring that if there would flat out be no extension that they absolutely should see certain people).
I personally favor things being modified like they may have been as of tonight then flat out ending it completely but understand why many others feel differently.
I personally favor things being modified like they may have been as of tonight then flat out ending it completely but understand why many others feel differently.
haven't they always been able to compete on both shows?
But yeah, they should definitely focus on more on the tag team division. And I think the biggest problem there is creating more credible teams.
I was never really feeling it with Airboom, to be honest. Felt like Kofi and Evan were just put together like that cus they were already fan favorites and didn't have anything to do. It'd be nice to see the Kings of Wrestling as they would be instant threats, or maybe even a Celtic Connection with Sheamus and Drew. Always felt they could have great chemistry as a tag team; now if only Smackdown wasn't gasping for Main Eventers...
But yeah, they should definitely focus on more on the tag team division. And I think the biggest problem there is creating more credible teams.
I was never really feeling it with Airboom, to be honest. Felt like Kofi and Evan were just put together like that cus they were already fan favorites and didn't have anything to do. It'd be nice to see the Kings of Wrestling as they would be instant threats, or maybe even a Celtic Connection with Sheamus and Drew. Always felt they could have great chemistry as a tag team; now if only Smackdown wasn't gasping for Main Eventers...
CanYouDigIt98
Occasional Pre-Show
I think they could but this should open a door right open for wwe creative team . i think that a british allience between Drew And Sheamus And Wade alot like the harts when they wrestled for canada vs the usa . the could get a good angle from it i think . i also think that they should open a door for morrison to get noticed a little more by working with another high flyer such as sin cara .
slice_of_life
Pre-Show Stalwart
Having both rosters on each show doesn't necessarily mean decreased work for midcarders, they would now have two nights to work all of the talent in exactly the same way they have now. Getting rid of smackdown all together would hurt midcarders.
Having the two brands separate hurts potential for story lines. And besides, the WWE could really use to trim off some of the fat. Sorry certain guys would be out of jobs, but its business. McGuillicutty, Otunga, Slater, the list goes on and on. They have damaged these guys beyond character adjustment improvement.
Smackdown has been irrelevant for a long time now. Who is worthwhile on that show? Orton mainly. After that the list gets really thin.
Having the two brands separate hurts potential for story lines. And besides, the WWE could really use to trim off some of the fat. Sorry certain guys would be out of jobs, but its business. McGuillicutty, Otunga, Slater, the list goes on and on. They have damaged these guys beyond character adjustment improvement.
Smackdown has been irrelevant for a long time now. Who is worthwhile on that show? Orton mainly. After that the list gets really thin.
Dysturbed
Under the radar
The thing is that even when WWE "trims the fat" they always have more people in developmental waiting to debut and then sign more people so they will always have "fat" that they will at least occasionally find room for, and not just on the non televised shows. Like many of you, I miss when everyone on the roster had a defined purpose, even if they were rarely used. While someone like Otunga for example isn't well liked, giving him some sort of gimmick, whether it be the A-List one or something else would probably be a good idea. It often just takes something simple to get people to tolerate certain wrestlers or better yet, actually take a liking to them, even like them. I remember in WCW when a lot of people didn't care for Norman Smiley then something as simple as The Big Wiggle got people to care at least a little more. That has happened in other cases in various feds.
the merge is awesome!!! the idea of the titles being unified, still think thats a horrible idea. its good the way its going, cause what next? ic and us titles will be merged? the more titles there are the less emphasis there is on just 1 or 2 guys, its 4 guys, 6 with the tag champs.
also now i expect more guys to get more to get airtime now that the shows are merged.
also now i expect more guys to get more to get airtime now that the shows are merged.
outerhaven
New Member
It's most likely a 'test' to see what ratings are going to be like, that's why the Title situation hasn't been addressed as they have technically not ended the brand split, it's just that now, no one is just exclusive to one show.
If the ratings are a success, then they will most likely merge the World/WWE and IC/US Titles together.
That is why they stated for the 'foreseeable future', as in until we decide to go back to it being exclusive if it flops.
As if you've noticed, ratings have neither increased nor decreased dramatically for RAW over the past two months and SmackDown I believe is on the decline or not pulling in ratings as expected, so we'll just have to all sit and watch it unfold.
So many questions unanswered, but if you're always trying to find those answers, you're not going to enjoy the next couple of weeks.
If the ratings are a success, then they will most likely merge the World/WWE and IC/US Titles together.
That is why they stated for the 'foreseeable future', as in until we decide to go back to it being exclusive if it flops.
As if you've noticed, ratings have neither increased nor decreased dramatically for RAW over the past two months and SmackDown I believe is on the decline or not pulling in ratings as expected, so we'll just have to all sit and watch it unfold.
So many questions unanswered, but if you're always trying to find those answers, you're not going to enjoy the next couple of weeks.
I'm just going to point out the stupidity right here in bold.
The tag team does need more teams if it were to be considered revamping. But the WWE needs to bring in real tag-teams and not thrown together make-shift teams that we have seen after the Hart Dynasty ended. Drew and Sheamus are not Brittish, Drew is Scottish and Sheamus is Irish. I thought those to made it painfully obvious with their gimmicks and their ring attire. However, if WWE wanted to get a English tag-team together I am sure the British invasion is going to be free as soon as TNA are done with them.
JaylisJayP
Getting Noticed By Management
My thoughts are it makes no difference that they have more stars on RAW if they can't come up with more than 1 compelling storyline at a time. The matchups have to mean something for 90% of wrestling fans to care about watching them.
I'm excited for the possibility of the brand extension ending, especially since there are so few top stars left in the company right now who can sell a PPV by themselves. But even with these Punk/Nash/HHH "swerves," the show is still so damn predictable. And I never thought I'd say this but Orton is one of the worst characters on TV right now. He's absolutely atrocious as a face.
I'm excited for the possibility of the brand extension ending, especially since there are so few top stars left in the company right now who can sell a PPV by themselves. But even with these Punk/Nash/HHH "swerves," the show is still so damn predictable. And I never thought I'd say this but Orton is one of the worst characters on TV right now. He's absolutely atrocious as a face.
ECW Sandman
Getting Noticed By Management
I thought the whole purpose of the extension was to get ALL The wrestlers on a show to showcase there talent if they get rid of the brand extension you know it's going to be like the 80's all over again and what I mean by that is John Cena will be the only world champion hence Hulk Hogan and all the other wrestlers will have to take a back seat to Johnny boy because he's the damn poster boy of the WWE. granted he works his ass off for the WWE he does all the media blitz and everything but Jesus he doesn't need to be the champion ALL the time or in the main event ALL THE TIME That's what i like about the Brand Extension if you don't want to see John Cena on RAW you can watch Smack Down and not worry about seeing that yabba dabba bitch you can see guys who can ACTUALLY WRESTLE so I say Hell No to the damn Brand Extension and just keep it how it is now if it's not broke then don't fix it.
JaylisJayP
Getting Noticed By Management
That "hurting the midcard" argument is total bull. The midcard was STRONGER when there wasn't a brand extension.
You know how a midcarder gets to be a star...by actually wrestling and having programs with the top stars, not other crappy midcarders. Dolph Ziggler got his first real chance at anything tonight by looking good against Randy Orton. But Randy Orton is the ONLY top star on Smackdown, so any other midcarder is currently doomed to be a midcarder for a long time on that show...and creative does nothing with these guys so there's very little reason to care about their matches. With the brand extension done (if it is...at least on RAW), then they can work some other angles and bring some other midcarders up to face more stars...or have them part of a new stable (NWO is being thrown around again).
You know how a midcarder gets to be a star...by actually wrestling and having programs with the top stars, not other crappy midcarders. Dolph Ziggler got his first real chance at anything tonight by looking good against Randy Orton. But Randy Orton is the ONLY top star on Smackdown, so any other midcarder is currently doomed to be a midcarder for a long time on that show...and creative does nothing with these guys so there's very little reason to care about their matches. With the brand extension done (if it is...at least on RAW), then they can work some other angles and bring some other midcarders up to face more stars...or have them part of a new stable (NWO is being thrown around again).
It's a TERRIBLE idea. The Brand extension is what made WWE balanced and kept everything in order.
I find it comical people want to talk about the same matches and storylines but when people actually criticize it, they defend it. The brand extension is great because it gives fans a variety.
Raw = Entertainment, Star Power.
SmackDown = Wrestling, Basic Storylines.
SmackDown being separate also helps for guys who do not get alot of TV time or sometimes match time.
Now, I don't think they need to go to "war" like back in 2006 but I think WWE dropped the ball. The draft concept is great but they should continue to add the sports aspect interms of brand signings, trades, etc.
I felt SmackDown was at it's best along with WWE back in 2008. Well balanced with Punk on RAW. Jeff Hardy on SmackDown, guys getting their own character like Brian Kendrick and what not. SmackDown is what made that great.
Now, SmackDown is basically Raw Part 2. The greatest gift of SmackDown was not being annoyed with John Cena and the ******ed booking or Guest Hosts of Raw. Your basically taking away the variety of what WWE gave fans.
For example, CM Punk's angle should not be sidelined for Sheamus, Mark Henry, etc. We don't care about that on Mondays. Give us, Raw's product. Then let us watch for SmackDow's product. There is no need to combine both or force us to like both.
If It's not broke, don't fix it.
I find it comical people want to talk about the same matches and storylines but when people actually criticize it, they defend it. The brand extension is great because it gives fans a variety.
Raw = Entertainment, Star Power.
SmackDown = Wrestling, Basic Storylines.
SmackDown being separate also helps for guys who do not get alot of TV time or sometimes match time.
Now, I don't think they need to go to "war" like back in 2006 but I think WWE dropped the ball. The draft concept is great but they should continue to add the sports aspect interms of brand signings, trades, etc.
I felt SmackDown was at it's best along with WWE back in 2008. Well balanced with Punk on RAW. Jeff Hardy on SmackDown, guys getting their own character like Brian Kendrick and what not. SmackDown is what made that great.
Now, SmackDown is basically Raw Part 2. The greatest gift of SmackDown was not being annoyed with John Cena and the ******ed booking or Guest Hosts of Raw. Your basically taking away the variety of what WWE gave fans.
For example, CM Punk's angle should not be sidelined for Sheamus, Mark Henry, etc. We don't care about that on Mondays. Give us, Raw's product. Then let us watch for SmackDow's product. There is no need to combine both or force us to like both.
If It's not broke, don't fix it.
Skairipa Matrix
3 Time Elite Openweight Champion
hell yes the tag team divison needs to make a full come back! the teams id like to see for the tag team divison in wwe would be...
1. Air Boom- they work really good together and there the current tag champs they need to stay a team and get a good size title run!
2. David Otunga & Micheal McGillicutty- despite what people say i like them as a tag team they work good together and i honestly think they could be a pretty good tag team in the division.
3. Kings Of Wrestling- i just cant wait for their debut to happen...do i really need to explain why they need to be in the tag divison?
4. The Usos- see Kings Of Wrestling (Minus the cant wait for their debut thing)
5. Justin Gabriel & Heath Slater- former 3 time tag team champions,make a pretty good team and i dont get why wwe broke them up in the first place!
6. Generation Me- thats right i want those "disrespectful" basterds to end up signed with wwe to help out in the tag team divison there another real team and could have great matches with kofi & evan over the titles!
while i think those 6 teams would be a amazing divison itself i wouldnt mind seeing other possible teams like primo and tito colon,rey and sin cara along with maybe the briscoe brothers if triple h does bring them in from ROH
1. Air Boom- they work really good together and there the current tag champs they need to stay a team and get a good size title run!
2. David Otunga & Micheal McGillicutty- despite what people say i like them as a tag team they work good together and i honestly think they could be a pretty good tag team in the division.
3. Kings Of Wrestling- i just cant wait for their debut to happen...do i really need to explain why they need to be in the tag divison?
4. The Usos- see Kings Of Wrestling (Minus the cant wait for their debut thing)
5. Justin Gabriel & Heath Slater- former 3 time tag team champions,make a pretty good team and i dont get why wwe broke them up in the first place!
6. Generation Me- thats right i want those "disrespectful" basterds to end up signed with wwe to help out in the tag team divison there another real team and could have great matches with kofi & evan over the titles!
while i think those 6 teams would be a amazing divison itself i wouldnt mind seeing other possible teams like primo and tito colon,rey and sin cara along with maybe the briscoe brothers if triple h does bring them in from ROH
I like the brand extension and the roster would simply be too big for everyone to get some exposure, which is needed if you're to survive in the WWE. I'm just not sold on one whole brand yet, even though tonight looked great, we all know creative can't keep anything good for too long. Lets just see how long this goes.
Rckstrtmmy
Yabba Dabba Bitch
I don't get why people are saying wrestlers won't get their time if they combined the rosters for good. It would still be the same amount of wrestlers going for the same spots. Except now the lower card wrestlers will have 2 lower cards per week to be a part of instead of one. It would lead to MORE exposure for some, and yes, some would get less but you have to earn your spot. The better superstars will be on TV more. More competition for the TV time would make sure the wrestlers give their all in the ring and the overall product probably could improve considerably.
were missing a key point here everyone:
the revenue that wwe makes from having two separate sets of house shows every week. putting the brands back together could, in one opinion, make from a better televised product and lead to different opportunities.
but with only one total roster, that means, probable roster cuts and only one set of house shows a week, and that means a lot less money for the company.
my money is on the brand separation staying and this being a somewhat temporary thing. at least through football season, and until smackdown moves to another night.
the revenue that wwe makes from having two separate sets of house shows every week. putting the brands back together could, in one opinion, make from a better televised product and lead to different opportunities.
but with only one total roster, that means, probable roster cuts and only one set of house shows a week, and that means a lot less money for the company.
my money is on the brand separation staying and this being a somewhat temporary thing. at least through football season, and until smackdown moves to another night.
Cracka Jack
\_0]
Yes, all of this. Smackdown and Raw having their own distinct rosters, writers, focus, feel, flavor, etc. provides variety for us as fans. Triple H's announcement seems more like a talent exchange than an outright end to the brand extension, though that may be where this is going. I more expect it to be an attempt at getting more exposure for Smackdown guys and thus
better ratings for the show. I personally like the Brand Extension as, like Dizzy says, it gives some guys a shot at TV time and the main event/upper midcard that otherwise wouldn't be given to them. A guy like Punk likely wouldn't have been given any shot above the midcard if not for the brand extension, and the same goes for guys now like Rhodes, Bryan, Morrison, Christian, etc. It's a good thing and should stick around for a while, but this may be the beginning of the end.
Tripleb2k1
Pre-Show Stalwart
They did NOT say brand extention has ended...just both brands used on RAW
TheHitMark-SirJoseOle
A Fan Of Wrestling Not Backstage BS
No, it's not always about "remembering it" but look at it like this, you have to stick true to your roots and for the past decade WWE has not done that very well. The United States And Intercontinental Titles mean jack shit just as the WWE Tag Team Titles do.
I say the brand extension has ran its course, there's a need to get back to the roots while looking forward and that's to return the rosters to one entity, forget this two World Champions bullcrap and the US/IC title should be remerged into one championship. Because as we can see the secondary titles mean shit period.
And just because they remerge the rosters and eliminate the brand extension they can indeed keep SmackDown on the air, hell RAW and SmackDown co-existed with a unified roster prior to the brand split.
In the end I think this can only help the WWE programming more than hurt it, it's time to just emphasize secondary and tag team title divisions and establish a clear line in how the talent is distributed to each division.
Random tag team pairings and the half-asssed booking of titles like the US and IC titles (unless they really are going to do something with it now that Cody has it) has to cease and desist. There's nothing wrong with going back to the essence of what made those titles and WWE (Going all the way back to when it was the (W)WWF) as a whole enjoyable.
Period.
However...that's only if they ARE going to do such a thing, it's a wait and see thing right now, that's all. But if it were to happen I wouldn't have issue with ending the brand extension for good...
Tripleb2k1
Pre-Show Stalwart
I agree with working on Tag Team division but OP failed to listen to what HHH said...RAW & SD superstars will be on raw...didnt say both brands...and it remains to be seen if will be a permanent move