5 Ups & 3 Downs From WWE SmackDown Live! In Newcastle (May 17)

Newcastle Upon Titan

By Michael Hamflett /

WWE

SmackDown Live!'s post-Superstar Shake-up roster looked uncharacteristically stronger than Monday Night Raw's, perhaps due to shrewd analysis from WWE that the USA Network were getting itchy feet about even continuing to air the blue brand when the company's current contract ended.

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They were right to worry.

USA agreed to pay bucketloads for a new Monday Night Raw deal, but SmackDown Live! was no longer part to be part of the arrangement. WWE now have to shop it to the best bidder, but a weekly show ostensibly loaded with star appeal and talent stands a greater chance of helping the company land in a relatively safe television space.

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Furthermore, there are now performers that could be considered genuine 'draws'. A strong (as yet unconfirmed) house show attendance on a Thursday in Newcastle, England certainly implied that at least most of the roster had a certain appeal. Most of them, anyway...