WWE Raw and WWE Smackdown are projected as two separate brands with separate shows and rosters for the shows. But to keep their TV ratings steady, the company often allows the superstars to cross brands and appear on both the shows if and whenever needed. WWE Draft is conducted every year to keep the brand extension intact but then Vince McMahon often tends to mix things up.
The home of WWE Smackdown is not happy with this move and they have already filed complaints about it. Considering the recent crossovers, many believed that the brand exclusiveness may be coming to an end, after all, but negative news would be waiting for those. If you were hoping for WWE to go back to an all-inclusive roster for both red and blue brands, you’d be disappointed.
Entire WWE Raw/Smackdown Schedule Revealed For 2022 Summer
On the latest episode of Wrestling Observer Live, Dave Meltzer stated that both FOX and USA, more notably FOX are displeased with the fact that the superstars are appearing on both WWE Raw and WWE Smackdown. They legit want exclusivity to some of their superstars.
“Both networks kind of want unique rosters. You can do some of that back-and-forth but FOX in particular, really wants, kind of, exclusivity on their guys,” Meltzer noted.
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WWE Smackdown was acquired by FOX in 2019
Since the build of WrestleMania 38, the company has had some of their top and mid-card superstars go back-and-forth between both WWE RAW and WWE SmackDown despite the brand split being intact. But with the recent displeasure expressed by FOX, the feeling is that the talent cross-over may not be lasting much longer, at least going by the recent reports.
Wrestlemania 38 featured the main event over the WWE and Universal Title Unification Match featuring two superstars from WWE Raw and WWE Smackdown brand. Roman Reigns was then crowned as the undisputed champion and he’s now obliged to appear on both the shows.
Following the unification of the WWE and Universal Titles, WWE Raw and WWE Smackdown tag team titles were also likely to be unified at Wrestlemania Backlash 2022 but the plans have since been changed. But then again the main event of the Backlash PLE will feature both the brands’ superstars, together and FOX is seemingly not happy about it.
