Backstage Update On The Future Of WWE's Brand Split
What does the upcoming Tag Team Title unification match mean for WWE's split Raw/SmackDown rosters?
The ongoing storyline between RK-Bro and The Usos should not be taken as an indication that the WWE brand split is coming to an end.
This is according to Dave Meltzer, who writes in the latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter that WWE does not currently plan on merging its Raw and SmackDown rosters. While such plans aren't often set in stone in WWE and Vince McMahon is prone to changing his mind, as of right now, the brand split is to remain intact.
WrestleMania Backlash 2022 (8 May) is due to host a Tag Team Title unification bout between RK-Bro (the Raw Tag Team Champions) and The Usos (their SmackDown counterparts). The winners will leave with both straps. This, plus Roman Reigns recently unifying the WWE and Universal Championships to become Undisputed WWE Universal Champion, has contributed to speculation on the brand split's future.
Pre-WrestleMania 38 reports suggested that although Brock Lesnar vs. Roman Reigns was billed as a unification bout, WWE would likely find a way to split its top championships between Raw and SmackDown again in the aftermath. How they will accomplish this remains unclear three weeks later.
WWE's brand split has existed in its current form since 2016, with an annual draft and frequent roster trades reshuffling the talent pool as and when required.