10 Reasons Why RAW Is Quickly Becoming WWE's B-Show
What's SmackDown doing that might allow them to usurp RAW?
Since January 1993, Monday Night RAW has served as WWE's flagship television show.
RAW became required viewing before long, supplanting Superstars and Wrestling Challenge as the company's premier program. When SmackDown debuted in 1999, it was treated much like RAW at first, but after a few years, it became clear that RAW was still WWE’s golden child. In 2017, however, RAW may now be the incumbent fending off opposition, much like Superstars in the early 90s.
Last July, WWE implemented its second-ever brand extension in which with half the roster was made exclusive to RAW and the other half, SmackDown. This coincided with SmackDown moving to Tuesday nights (on the USA Network) and finally airing live.
Months that followed saw SmackDown ratings improve while RAW’s steadily declined. The combination, along with other reasons, has left RAW struggling to maintain its position as WWE's A-show.
Of course there’s a long
way to go until Vince McMahon and other senior WWE leaders admit to that, but for now, let’s take a closer look at how SmackDown could be slowly usurping RAW as WWE's premier program…
10. Vince McMahon's Fingerprints Aren't As Obvious On SmackDown
As the flagship show for decades, Monday Night RAW remains the primary focus of WWE CEO Vince McMahon which, in 2017, actually benefits SmackDown. McMahon remains the final editor on all things WWE, but recently Brian James (Road Dogg) has reportedly been tasked with heading up SmackDown while VKM focuses on RAW.
At least for the first six months following WWE's 2016 brand split, SmackDown had a much different feel to it, especially in comparison to RAW. It wasn't WCW-to-WWF different, but given the parity that had existed throughout all WWE programming since its purchase of WCW in 2001, the change was noticeable. And welcome.
While the novelty of SmackDown Live! may have worn off in recent months, the show did a nice job in separating itself, again at least initially, from the negative connotations RAW had acquired in recent years. This is to say the Tuesday night show didn't feel like it was covered in Vince McMahon's fingerprints.
Thirty years ago, that would've been a problem, but at nearly 72 years old, McMahon's ability to connect with the audience is seriously lacking.