10 Serious Problems With WWE Right Now
1. Not Enough Talent To Sustain The Brand Split
While Raw's ratings are still above the USA Network's average, the network wasn't so happy with Smackdown's numbers. The program moved to USA in January, but WWE didn't do anything to make it more than the b-show it had been for years, and ratings were stale.
When USA told WWE they needed to boost Smackdown's performance, the company decided to reinstitute the brand split. If Smackdown had its own roster and storylines, surely more fans would have reason to watch it.
While Smackdown's ratings have gone up since the split, WWE on the whole has been weaker - and that could have real consequences for both brands. Smackdown has a severe lack of main event talent, forcing AJ Styles and Dean Ambrose's feud to continue longer than it should. Raw, meanwhile, was missing a top babyface when Finn Balor was hurt, forcing a Seth Rollins babyface turn that's been a flop so far.
The issues don't just affect the main event scene. Before the brand split, WWE was developing healthy tag team and women's division. Splitting each one in half has made them weaker (especially the tag team divisions). All in all, the company simply wasn't ready for the split.