10 Predictions For WWE's Direction After SummerSlam 2016
4. Raw And SmackDown Close Their Borders
Randy Orton and Brock Lesnar’s appearances on Raw and SmackDown respectively last week had fans complaining about the Brand Split’s sanctity. It was argued that by having wrestlers appear on the other shows so early on, WWE were undermining the Split before ever giving it a chance to succeed, with suggestions that this would continue going forward.
The complaints are valid, but Orton’s Raw appearance in particular felt vitally important for the feud, and SummerSlam as a whole. Orton vs. Lesnar had lost some lustre in the wake of Lesnar’s two failed USADA drug tests, and Orton’s invasion was an exciting moment that sent an otherwise lacking episode of Raw off the air on a high note. Lesnar showing up on SmackDown felt like a retread, but such is the nature of WWE’s 50/50 booking.
Both sets of authority figures were understandably furious, with both wrestlers being chased out of the arena by security following their uninvited appearances. Instead of such events continuing ad nauseum throughout the Brand Split, look for Raw and SmackDown to both tighten-up their borders and prevent future invasions.
If WWE are to succeed with the Brand Split then they need to stay serious about keeping the rosters separate: they’ll recognise this, and they won’t want to crucify their biggest move of 2016 without giving it a chance to succeed first.