10 Signs WWE's Brand Split Just Isn't Working

10. There's Not Enough To Distinguish Between Both Shows

Credit where credit is due, WWE have tried to add a whole host of little differences to help distinguish between Monday Night Raw and SmackDown Live. For example, the Raw announce desk is now permanently placed beside the entrance ramp, whereas the SmackDown version still sits at ringside.

Other contrasts come when analysing the way both brands shoot matches. Raw favours a much more standard WWE approach, whilst on SmackDown the company have added some new camera angles to try and spice things up. Sadly, none of these differences are really enough to create a clear split between both major shows.

Programming still often begins the same way. One wrestler or an authority figure enters the ring to cut a promo. Then, after that opening segment, we get a few matches and more of the same. Whilst it seems crass to criticise WWE for what can be expected during a wrestling show, there's little to tell Raw and SmackDown apart even post-Draft.

Unfortunately, the latter is still coming across as a less-important variation on the flagship. Making that even more tragic, there are different stars on each show. WWE have to find a way to make that work for them; the actual wrestlers themselves should be what offers a clear parallel.