7 Signs WWE’s Brand Split Is Coming To An End

by Jamie Kennedy

1. WWE Have Been Experimenting Away From TV

In theory, fans who attend a Raw house show should only see superstars from the program of the same name. That also goes for SmackDown Live events, because it doesn't make much sense to see anyone from the rival brand on a single-brand show. This summer, WWE have been experimenting with some quiet invasions.

In June, Seth Rollins replaced Shinsuke Nakamura on a non-televised SmackDown show and wrestled Jinder Mahal for the WWE Title. The sole reason Seth gave for his strange one-off appearance was that Daniel Bryan had asked for his help to fill the hole vacated by Nakamura. No mention was given as to what Kurt Angle thought of this.

Over one month later, Brock Lesnar faced Samoa Joe on the 29 July and 12 August SmackDown live events with the Universal Title (y'know, Raw's World Title) on the line. WWE even posted footage of the first match on their YouTube page, and the big SmackDown graphic on the set is visible throughout.

This would never have happened when WWE first launched the latest brand split, but it again hints that the company have relaxed the rules.

-

What other signs do you see that WWE's brand split could be about to end? Let us know down in the comments section below!

Advertisement

Brody King Shockingly Squashes AEW World Champion MJF On Dynamite (AEW News)

8 Wrestlers Who NEED A Big Push After WWE Royal Rumble 2026

Piper Niven Hopeful Of In-Ring Return After Serious Injury Concerns (WWE News)

Contributor

Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.