10 Lessons WWE Can Learn From The First Brand Extension

4. Don't Screw Smackdown

From 2004 until 2011, there were three certainties in life: death, taxes, and Smackdown getting screwed out of all its top talent. Starting with Shelton Benjamin in 2004 and continuing with John Cena and Carlito in 2005, Rey Mysterio and Batista in 2008, MVP and Triple H in 2009, Edge and Chris Jericho in 2010, and Alberto Del Rio in 2011; Smackdown had continually been robbed of its top and upcoming talent, and yet still, the show continued to churn out fantastic shows and made the best of their situation.

This time, it seems like Vince McMahon is going to put extra emphasis on Smackdown, especially with it going live full-time for the first time, but Vince is always quick to change his mind, and by the time the draft lottery rolls around in 2017, he may decide that Smackdown will need to be pilfered once again. Here's hoping that doesn't happen.