BRAND EXTENSION/DRAFT Thread: Keep It All Here

[xoxo French Kiss xoxo]

The brand extension doesn't need to end

The WWE/WHC do not need to be unified

A 60 minute iron match at WM is uncalled for

Sheamus is facing Bryan, Punk is face Jericho at WM28 deal with it

 

[cmjericho]

First off wth?? lol. If they were to do punk and bryan to unite the belts why would Jericho be in the match at all? If anybody why would it not be Sheamus who was the Royal Rumble winner? All Jericho did was win a battle royal because there was no number one contender for the WWE title at the time since that belt didnt have one yet. The only way that would have worked is if it had just been sheamus put into that match. Now it would have to be a fatal 4 way. You cant just tell the rumble winner that he doesnt get his shot at WM because then what was the point? However the idea of having a fatal 4 way to with the 2 champions and 2 challengers would be a great idea. Though it sounds more fit for next year To end the brand extension would most likely mean talent cuts. Also they would have to make Smackdown live again because as long as Raw is live it gives us a reason to watch. And as long as spoilers are out for a taped show the rating swing wouldnt change as much as you would think for smackdown no matter who was on the roster. Maybe more DVR views but nothing to give people a reason to watch. Give WWE a year to slowly move out of the smackdowns being taped and going live then it sounds like a pretty good idea for next year.

 

[joel9684]

I had a look at the new WWE's website. The wrestler are no more Raw's or Smackdown's superstars, but just Superstars. In addition, we have this Team Johnny vs Team Long now.. Undertaker is appearing on Raw, Santino on Smackdown, SuperSmackdown, Raw Supershow, etc.
Is the brand extension coming to an end?

 

[lowandmighty]

I hope so. I say fuck the brand extension. I didn't like it when they first introduced it and I still don't like it now.

The main reason I hate it is because I hate the idea of there being two main champions and two tag team champions. There's one tag team champion now which is a step in the right direction.
It also just starts arguments about who the real champion is the wwe champion? or the world heavyweight champion? and there seems to be differing opinions on it.
I can personally not see any other belt being more prestigious than the wwe championship.

 

[RANSOM]

Lets face it, ever since the invasion/alliance angle wwe hasnt been the same. Everything they have done since then has been a legit hit or miss. Mostly a miss including this brand extension. I know for a fact im not the only one who says to themselves "how do they fuck this up??!!?".

The brand extension needs diversity in which right now its slim to none. If there going to have 2 different brands, they need to keep it that way & they also need to have different aspects, a different feeling, diversity! Make it feel like there really is 2 different brands underneath the wwe umbrella.

I could go on & on but i wont. But it just seems like wwe makes everything so much harder than it needs to be.

 

[karanbest4]

According to Ring Side News, WWE Chairman and CEO Vince (Mr.) McMahon is looking forward into the near future after WrestleMania XXVIII on what the main roster will look like. Most notably, McMahon is looking at who should be moved, and to where.

In just a few short months, the WWE will conduct their annual draft where superstars from both and Raw and SmackDown are “drafted” to the other show to spice things up a bit. According to sources, McMahon is flirting with the idea of drafting one of Raw’s biggest superstars to SmackDown with the idea that it would boost ratings and distribute the wealth.

A couple of the big superstars from Raw he is thinking about drafting over to SmackDown are John Cena and Chris Jericho. Here is the official statement:

Vince McMahon is starting to focus on what the WWE landscape will be after WrestleMania, and he’s got his thought process on the annual draft.

“Vince knows he can keep Raw and Smackdown talent on both shows, since Raw is a Super Show now,” a key WWE insider told us, “so in order to bring up the Smackdown house shows, how could it hurt to have (John) Cena or (Chris) Jericho on Smackdown, and have them appear on Raw and shoot the major angles there?”

Vince has noticed that even though the ratings have remained stagnant on Raw throughout the Rock vs Cena program (and Undertaker vs HHH program as well), the live events for Monday Night Raw have been selling out. “The brand split is pretty much over,” we were told, “everyone appears on Monday nights. Vince wants the wealth spread around a little bit more to improve the bottom line.”



Since WWE started the whole “Supershow” idea, the whole idea of a draft is pretty pointless since wrestlers can appear on either show. However, this is only for Raw, as you rarely ever see a Raw superstar on SmackDown. Personally, I believe that SmackDown’s roster could use another big star, most notably a face.

In my opinion, John Cena going back to the show that started it all for him would be the smart business decision by WWE, and I believe they made a huge mistake last year when they did that stupid angle where he was drafted to SmackDown and then back to Raw. Raw will get ratings no matter what; it is the flagship program. SmackDown’s ratings, although decent, could be a lot better, and whether you like it or not, John Cena equals ratings.

Drafting Chris Jericho back to SmackDown makes zero sense, as he is rumored to be leaving WWE again for a couple of months to go on tour with his band, Fozzy. Add based on the fact that Jericho is a heel, he will not draw that many more viewers. Furthermore, his main competitor, CM Punk, is on Raw. It’s just not the right decision.

SOURCE :

http://ulikemedia.com/big-plans-for-the-upcoming-2012-wwe-draft/

 

[Gore Illa]

This is pretty pointless since the Brand Split is over. But if I were WWE, I'd send the Miz and Cena to Smackdown, hopefully with Cena as a heel after beating Rock at WM, and a face Miz. Give Miz some much needed promo time, let him feud with Cena the way the younger guys feuded with heel Rock in 02-03.

Basically this draft should be the thing that saves Miz and Cena from floating into the cesspool of irrelevancy.

Other than that, send a few young guys around for shock value. I think this draft should move Cena/Miz, but also create an atmosphere similar to the NBA/NFL where they bring up guys from FCW on live TV.

Cena/Miz + Mid Carders + Bringing up a few FCW guys should create an interesting show that benefits WWE in the long run. But then again, that makes too much sense so it probably won't happen.

 

[Aquaman6686]

I think they should move CM Punk to SmackDown. Even though he's the WWE Champion, he just isn't getting the attention he deserves on RAW.

 

[JaylisJayP]

Sorry to say it but McMahon is a total idiot if he thinks one star - even Cena - will make any kind of a difference in the ratings on Smackdown. Until they actually invest any amount of time into developing stories and putting in the effort to make it feel like an equal show, they aren't going to get more people to watch.

If they put more resources into developing quality stories, make the show live AND act like it's important by not just having all the big angles/surprises/announcements on Raw, then MAYBE the ratings go up.

Putting a couple stars over there won't make any difference. The stars themselves - just like Randy Orton - would become irrelevent before they do anything to help the show.

 

[d3thRoW]

Don't see how this really qualifies as "Big Plans" for the draft. Essentially nothing changes... It's been said over and over, but what is needed is an official end the the brand split, and unify the world titles. If they continue to treat it like a B show, that's all it will ever be. Improving Smackdown's ratings means moving it off of Friday nights, and making it live. No amount of "shuffling" talent fixes that.

 

[Swarles Barkley]

Cena/Miz + Mid Carders + Bringing up a few FCW guys should create an interesting show that benefits WWE in the long run. But then again, that makes too much sense so it probably won't happen.

For the record, you come off as a self-important dick when you say that "it makes too much sense so it probably won't happen." It might make sense to you, but it doesn't make a lot of business sense, especially the FCW part.

Any FCW guy will come out to a tepid response at best. Not exactly the best way to build a guy for future success. Initial reactions mean a lot, and bringing a guy out that will make the majority of the crowd go "Who!?" is a horrible way to debut.

The draft is fine as it is, and doesn't need tinkering to add FCW guys to the mix. It would make no sense from a money-making perspective.

 

[Fansince1992]

Cena needs to appear on both Shows. Sheamus, Punk , Ziggler , Orton, Big Show, Kane and plenty others have been on both in the same week. WWE probably stop Cena from being on SD because of Cena Haters moaning "he is rammed down our throats" wether we like it or not Cena draws, and Smackdown will always be trailing behind unless they involve Cena more on that show.

 

[WJDwjdWJDwjd]

Actually, it might make a decent difference in ratings. Monday is technically a school night for kids who are in school. Friday is a weekend night. I bet Little Jimmy's Mom and Dad would let him stay up on Friday night to watch John Cena rather than let him stay up on Monday nights until 11pm+. There are some parents who still use the whole bed time thing and don't let their kids stay up late. Move Cena (the biggest fandom among kids who watch WWE) to Smackdown, you could instantly get a ratings boost by the younger population viewers alone. McMahon would be an idiot not to utilize the Supershow gimmick they have going now and keep Cena strictly on Monday nights.

 

[vince1990]

The draft is meaningless and pointless. Both stars can go to Raw as they please and every once in a while Raw stars go to to SmackDown. The draft is not needed in the year 2012.

 

[Harthan]

Your source is suspect at the very least.

That said, John Cena to SmackDown would be a good idea if and only if he remains a face following WrestleMania. And an angle as epic as a John Cena heel turn would need to be executed exclusively on Monday Night Raw. The WWE changes my mind every week on what I think they're going to do with Cena post Mania, but as it stands right now I get the feeling that the more likely outcome is for Cena to remain a face, which is probably a good idea since they can almost certainly save that angle for a little while. Anyway, without deviating too far from the point, I could agree with Cena moving to SmackDown as a face. If Cena still appears frequently and in major programs on Raw, it shouldn't adversely affect the ratings there. The WWE would certainly need both Orton and Punk on Raw, however, in an effort to shore up house show sales, which would falter without Cena. Cena is still in great shape and he can certainly handle double duty on the shows and the rougher schedule that it would entail. And it would certainly spike SmackDown's ratings in a big way. I was very excited about SmackDown when Cena was drafted there at the start of this year's draft, only to be immensely let down when he was sent back to Raw. I could very much get into Cena on the blue brand. A change of scenery would help to liven him up somewhat, which would be a decent substitute for the full blown heel turn.

Jericho would be a good complementary move and could probably be accompanied by shifting some of SmackDown's up and coming heel talent to Raw in order to facilitate them rising to the top. Rhodes at the least and possibly Barrett too, though I could get behind them leaving Barrett and letting he and Cena reprise their feud on SmackDown, possibly with Jericho involved, even. I could dig it. Maybe Bryan to Raw as well, to fully explore a feud with Orton and/or Punk.

So, while I find the idea that these plans are set in stone rather absurd based on the disreputable nature of the source, this is definitely a move that could work to really shake up the WWE if they're so inclined and could lead to a lot of awfully exciting things for SmackDown. We'll see if they go through with it.

 

[VinnieSunshine]

The draft has been lackluster the last few years. We used to have GMs select random picks, then the pics were done by RAW vs Smackdown matches with the winning show getting to pick. It always seemed like RAW got the most draft selections this way.

But now that the brand extension is all but over, there doesn't really seem to be a need for the draft to happen anymore.


I have an idea for the draft that I have always wanted to see since the start of FCW being developmental and WWE creating NXT.

In the weeks (or months) leading up to the draft, start showcasing stars in FCW that are ready to make the jump to the main shows. Then you can have matches on RAW and Smackdown (only 1 each show) that can showcase those stars. Maybe even have the GMs (or GM after WM) watching over the matches.

The time the draft comes around...draft the "rookies" that you have been showing off. RAW and Smackdown get new talent and you're able to create new storylines. Then the online draft, the one that never mattered in the first place, could be saved for already established stars to switch shows.

I also think it would help to have "free agents" on RAW and Smackdown and see them visit the different shows.

So how would you improve on the draft to make it interesting again?

 

[Jerichoholic8894]

Everyone is automaticly saying Cena, I think it will be CM Punk. (Not sure how the title picture would pan out with that)

but CM Punk doesn't get any recognition on Raw. Hell he isn't even the main event as WWE Champion. I say trade CM Punk to Smackdown with The Miz. Bring over Daniel Bryan and Wade Barrett to Raw (Build up for Barretts return could be really well done adding the Draft on top of it)

 

[IHW]

Ehh, I have always LOVED Draft night. It was probibly my favorite Raw of the year. But now that Raw is a SuperShow, i do not know how it will be.

I have high expectation for this draft either way. Maybe it is time to "shake things up" for the Draft concept and how they do it.

 

[Jerichoholic8894]

I completley agree with your opinion. Have a few established Free Agents liek when Stone Cold was a Free Agent

If that doesn't happen then i'd say make it like 04 again (When GM's would pick a name out of the ball

 

[NoBloodEra]

That is actually a really good idea, and I am totally on board with it.

Having nowhere to go, and no big push to receive when they are actually called up to "the big leagues" leaves the FCW Talent stranded with no place to build a character around, but having this draft would really help with storylines and character builds as listed by VinnieSunshine.

For example, if Dean Ambrose or Leo Kruger was the first pick, one of them could have one or two backstage promos each week for about 3-4 weeks bragging to the whole roster how good he is (turning him into somewhat of a heel). This would be somewhat of the same situation Mr.Ziggler was in when he dropped the Nicky and Kerman White's caddy gimmick. He was showing strutting himself around backstage introducing himself to everyone in a cocky manner.

That is just one of the many spin offs that WWE Creative could use to their advantage if they actually adopted this system, great thread!

 

[3:16]

I don't really think that they will send Jericho to Smackdown because he will be on tour in the near future and I don't think that they will send Cena back to Smackdown unless they move Orton to Raw. I think it would be better to start working in the FCW guys to improve and boost the roster.

 

[dashing]

I doubt CM Punk or Jericho will move to Smackdown. It's likely regardless of the outcome of Mania that these two will have a rematch regardless at the following PPV (and probably the one after that). To move one (or both of them) after Mania would be pointless. Sure they do the whole "supershow" thing now which arguably makes it pointless but despite that I can't see it happening. Also as someone has pointed out, Jericho is going on tour soon, there would be no point in moving him.

Anyway some predictions...

Guys from Smackdown who will possibly move to Raw -

Cody Rhodes
Wade Barrett
Daniel Bryan (i think he'll lose his World Title at Mania to Sheamus, their fued hasn't been a strong one so I don't think they'll have a rematch at a PPV, just at the Smackdown after Mania...also I am sure at some point this year he'll have a proper fued with CM Punk...he can't do that whilst on Smackdown)
Randy Orton (MAYBE)

Guys from Raw who will move to Smackdown
John Cena (makes a lot of sense to do this, he can still show up on Raw but it will push the ratings for Smackdown for sure)
Dolph Ziggler (make him a top guy on that show, give him a fued with Sheamus following Mania and in the next few months a lengthy title run)
Santino (can't have two midcard champs on the same brand)
Miz (repackage him as a face by the autumn at latest)

 

[RKOrob]

Miz needs to be a heel title contender this year otherwise he'll fade out of the limelight completely, and I think he should move to Smackdown to become their top heel

 

[komotion]

Just get rid of it. It's largely irrelevant and I can think of two instances where there is evidence of the draft being irrelevant.

First, there was the Cena draft a couple of years back. Drafted to smackdown at start of show, drafted back to raw by end of show. What was the point?

Second, there is the Rock. The man had many accolades on both raw and smackdown. Admittedly smackdown was his home for many years, but he still played a part on both shows just as many of the top card wrestlers do.

The only time the draft makes any sense is when the mid to lower cards are shuffled. Those wrestlers do tend to stick to whichever show they were drafted to. But why make a whole show revolving around the thing when you know that the top names that people are looking for are just going to show up on both shows? I find the whole process very disjointed and in bad need of fixing if they are going to continue to make the "draft" a big part of the WWE universe every year.

 

[TWJC: The Beginning]

Jesus. The brand split is basically over. Smackdown is on what is essentially a smaller market (being on a less seen, less watched network at a worse time and with less brand recognition).

What they're doing now is they are putting the top Smackdown guys on Raw to give them more exposure and experimenting with guys on the undercard of Smackdown because if they fuck up, who cares.

Why the shit would they put their biggest draw on Smackdown? Putting Cena on smackdown is the equivalent of the Rays putting Evan Longoria on the Durham Bulls. Or the Lakers putting Kobe Bryant on their D-League affiliate (not as much of basketball fan). It's a horribly stupid idea. So stupid that I don't believe a smart businessman would ever make it. This crap is completely made up. Much like most other dirtsheet "information" it's simply one person thinking of something he thinks is a good idea and turning it into a "rumor" in the hopes that someone reads it, thinks its a good idea, and it actually happens.

What the fuck? Really, between this garbage "news" and the other one about Rock vs Undertaker I don't know if it's worse that people think that wrestling fans think wrestling is real, or that idiots on here think this "news" is real. Use your brain.