10 Predictions For WWE's Brand Split 2016

9. Smackdown Will Return To Its Early-2000's Glory

WWE Draft 2
WWE.com

Remember how great Smackdown was during the early-to-mid 2000’s? It was awesome.

For a while, WWE funnelled most of its most compelling in-ring performers onto the blue show. Edge, Rey Mysterio, Eddie Guerrero, Kurt Angle, and a whole lot more flourished while Raw floundered, and helped create a thrilling wrestling-centic show away from the Monday flagship.

Smackdown needs its identity back, pure and simple. The USA Network are unhappy with the ratings, and while Smackdown (like Raw) has improved noticeably since WrestleMania, it still carries an unfortunate reputation as a skippable “Raw Lite” show rather than a true alternative.

WWE need to give viewers more reasons to tune in to Smackdown. They have to shed the “second show” stigma by crafting great Smackdown-exclusive storylines that’ll keep viewers coming back for more, and they can take a big step towards that by building a great roster on draft day: July 11th.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for six years and is currently WhatCulture's Senior Wrestling Reporter. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.