WWE Raw will usher in a new era during this week’s episode following Backlash 2023 which appeared to be a huge success. It took place at Coliseo de Puerto Rico José Miguel Agrelot in San Juan, Puerto Rico, this past weekend where the WWE Superstars had some fun time before they finally return to the USA for a regular TV episode. Starting with tonight, the brand split will also be effective as separate rosters will be active for Raw and Smackdown.
The picks for WWE Raw and Smackdown during the Draft 2023 will start appearing from this week onward, possibly ending the cross-brand appearances. There are also chances that brand-specific PPVs might also resurface, moving forward. With that, chances will also be there for the WWE creative to offer us some fresh feud in these newly designed rosters.
WWE Smackdown: Top Championship Feud Revealed For Post Draft 2023 Season
From tonight onward, Smackdown Women’s Champion Rhea Ripley will start appearing on the WWE Raw brand alongside fellow Judgment Day members – Finn Balor, Damian Priest, and Dominik Mysterio since they’re picked during Draft as a unit for the Monday night show. This pick will reportedly offer us a mega feud over the Women’s Championship.
WWE Raw: Spoiler On Multi-Time Champion’s Return On May 8 Episode
WWE Raw – Becky Lynch vs. Rhea Ripley planned for future
In the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer gave updates regarding WWE putting Rhea Ripley and Becky Lynch on the same brand as they will eventually battle for the WWE Raw Women’s Title. This rivalry is said to be one of the few ready-made feuds via Draft that WWE has to offer to us,
“The single women’s title picture really looks like Ripley as champion against Lynch.”
Since Rhea Ripley joining WWE Raw could leave a void on the Smackdown brand, the source also reflected the following about the scenario of the blue brand.
Apparently, the blue brand “lacks depth, but they could split up one of the teams and put Rodriguez and Morgan in a babyface slot. Stratus is obviously part-time and groomed for a program with Lynch this summer. That would leave Ripley as a dominant champion without an opponent unless Baszler & Rousey get the titles, which was the plan at one point, and those two get moved into the top babyface singles slot.”
It should also be noted that the current WWE Raw Women’s Champion Bianca Belair was moved to the Smackdown brand during the Draft and hence, chances are high that she might swap her title with Rhea’s in due course.
