How WWE Are Intentionally Killing Raw To Save SmackDown

It remains to be seen if the strategy will be a success, particularly with another Shake-up likely to bolster SmackDown Live even more than the last one. New Universal Champion Seth Rollins has a job and a half on his hands as the first full-time Champion outside of Roman Reigns' brief 2018 run since Kevin Owens two+ years earlier. The red belt he swung around his head at WrestleMania confirms him as the only safe bet to stay put on Mondays, including many (any?) potential opponents.

Former Champion Brock Lesnar - should he appear at all - seems a lock for SmackDown Live. Braun Strowman and/or Roman Reigns can be 'Monsters' or 'Big Dogs' on there until the 'Beast' rocks up. Becky Lynch will be 'The Man' across both brands until at least one of her titles gets taken. SmackDown's tag league will remain serious and sensational in contrast to the sheer silliness of Raw's doubles division. Reputation - and, as a result, reason to watch - will remain low for Raw whilst SmackDown soars. Temporary for the good of the deal perhaps, but Fox have the show for a minimum of five years and will expect at least their minimum targets to be hit during this time.

The Raw after WrestleMania was no more or less eventful than the SmackDown that followed it, but the two shows could have potentially traded places completely by WrestleMania 36 - not least with the blue brand having four extra days to rest, recuperate and revitalise their talent after the 'Show Of Shows'. And that's just during WrestleMania season - from November and beyond, gone will be the thirst for the flagship, perhaps even as early as this year's Superstar Shake-up. The balance of power is shifting swiftly, if it hasn't done already.