As noted earlier, WWE was seemed hell-bent on bringing back the TV ratings to a stable state. Vince McMahon specifically goes mad whenever the viewership comes down. This time around, both WWE Raw and Smackdown Live dealt with the same problem throughout the post-Wrestlemania season. As a result, NBC Universal (USA Network) and Fox Sports created pressure to the WWE officials.
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According to Dave Meltzer on Wrestling Observer Radio, has been facing outside pressure from NBCU and Fox to bring the ratings up. Both the Networks will not be happy especially considering the move of Smackdown to the FOX Network which needs more attention. Also, both the platforms are paying huge money to WWE and wants the ratings to go upwards by any means. Vince McMahon had to do something to ensure the demand of the host platforms wanting more stars on the show.
So he introduced the new wild card rule to the WWE Universe over on WWE Raw. Using this, superstars from WWE Raw and Smackdown can change brands on a weekly basis but not more than four. Here’s what WWE.com had to offer around the wild card rule stakes that could change the game in WWE. Additionally, they already hinted to see superstars from Raw to invade Smackdown, last night,
“Last night on Raw, Mr. McMahon dropped a bombshell by announcing the Wild Card Rule, which will allow no more than four Superstars from SmackDown LIVE to appear on Raw each week and four Raw Superstars on SmackDown LIVE, without facing any punishment. Will, any of the red brand’s stars take advantage of the new rule? Who could they mix it up with on the blue brand? Find out on SmackDown LIVE, tonight at 8/7 C on USA Network!”
Over on WWE Raw, we several Smackdown superstars to appear which was the reason why Vince McMahon announced such a rule. WWE Champion Kofi Kingston, Roman Reigns, Daniel Bryan, Elias, and Lars Sullivan were amongst the names who crossed brands. So we expected the vice-versa of the rule as Smackdown went on the air, last night. Our thoughts turned out to be true when Sami Zayn, The Usos, The Miz and AJ Styles showed up on Smackdown. The same tradition will be intact courtesy of the wild card rule.
