10 Big Mistakes WWE Can't Afford To Make With Survivor Series 2016
6. Raw Whitewashing SmackDown
You’ll struggle to find anybody who can make a convincing case that Raw has been the strongest brand since the 2016 draft. There have been a few throwaway weeks were Raw has objectively produced a more enjoyable show, sure, but for the most part, SmackDown has it trumped on every level.
It hasn’t been reflected in the ratings yet, but SmackDown’s smart, straightforward storytelling and air of importance only highlight Raw’s malaise. The red brand has made next to no progress since the draft, and while its struggles continue, SmackDown has become WWE’s critical darling.
There’s a strong chance that WWE will attempt to rectify this at Survivor Series. SmackDown still carries an unfortunate “B-show” tag thanks to its mediocre ratings, while Raw remains Vince McMahon’s baby. It is, as we’re constantly reminded, the longest running network television show in America, and McMahon will likely do anything to try and restore its credibility.
Whitewashing SmackDown in the elimination matches would be one such way, but this would be a huge mistake. Not only would WWE be showing fans how little they think of the blue brand, but they’d be burying talent, and destroying any notion of parity between brands. SmackDown don’t have to dominate at Survivor Series, but if they don’t snag at least one win, it’d be a huge disservice to their post-draft progress.