WWE Announces "Transfer Window" For Raw, SmackDown And NXT
Superstar shakeup could see WWE stars join new brands permanently, for what that's worth.
WWE revealed plans for a new "Transfer Window" on Friday's episode of SmackDown. Perhaps bizarrely, Chad Gable was the one who first leaked details on the quasi-superstar shakeup whilst interrupting a puzzled Cody Rhodes right at the top of the show. According to the American Made leader, this venture could result in him joining the blue brand's roster permanently.
However, right now everyone has more questions than answers about how this will all work.
Reigning World Heavyweight Champion and Raw star GUNTHER was spotted speaking with SmackDown GM Nick Aldis behind the scenes later in the night. The pair thanked one another then shared a handshake before Carmelo Hayes walked into view. This suggests that GUNTHER will be part of SmackDown going forwards too.
Fans have already expressed thoughts on what this means for the admittedly easy to dismiss 2024 Draft that happened this past April. There, WWE claimed wrestlers positioned on each major brand would be locked in. Rosters would be ironclad. Apparently not. Major players have darted between Raw, SmackDown and even NXT without much explanation ever since, thus rendering Triple H's latest Draft pretty useless.
This is a problem WWE don't seem keen to fix.
Brand Switches Could Result In Permanent Moves
Gable and GUNTHER could well end up on SmackDown for good, but...will that change the age old problem of WWE bosses losing interest in their own idea after a few weeks/months? Again, the "ironclad" boast from April felt hollow once workers began popping up on opposing shows just because that's what creative fancied doing that particular week.
If Trips is serious about making this "Transfer Window" mean something to fans, then he'll need to honour it for as long as possible - especially into WrestleMania 41 season when plans involving some top stars will surely change frequently. After all, who's going to care about bombshell transfers or even some soft deadline day action if that worker can then appear on another brand anyway?
Exclusivity should be hammered home, but a lot of fans and critics alike already have their doubts about whether it will be or not. Michael Cole did say on SmackDown that both the top red and blue brands are expecting "major changes" in the new year once the Netflix deal kicks in.
Strap in, folks. This will either be a brave and exciting evolution in the Draft process or another false dawn.