There are discussions about a possible Brand Split within WWE

[RammerJammer]

Backstage News On WWE Brand Split Returning

The Raw / Smackdown brand split could potentially be returning.

PWInsider are reporting that there has been backstage talk on the idea for a few weeks now. At this stage, there’s no specifics on what was discussed or when the idea would come to fruition. However, with the recent return of Shane McMahon, fans are speculating that the angle could come in the wake of WrestleMania season.

The timing of Smackdown’s January move to USA Network is also a factor in this. WWE had promised a revitalised brand, but so far, Smackdown has been pretty much the same old show. A brand split would really add to its value.

But that doesn’t mean the split is definitely going to happen. A big concern for WWE has to be the talent roster, which while very skilled, isn’t quite as star packed as what WWE had a decade ago.

Adding to the speculation about the split was a recent Ticketmaster posting about Raw versus WWE. However, that was a typo, and the people who place the listings would have had no indication of creative plans in that direction.

It is very much a case of wait and see. A new brand split could be interesting, but whether it can be successfully implemented is a whole other question.

Excuse the Meltzing but

 

[sid the kid]

Will fail because WWE doesn't know how to do it.

 

[Lord Scion]

If it puts some life into Smackdown and halves the amount of shows talent has to work then go for it.

If they're going to treat it like they did during its latter years then

 

[Silkk]

 

[mrken12]

It needs to happen.

 

[Fellatio]

No more 3 hours then

 

[sid the kid]

No more 3 hours then

3 hours will always exist. It's not WWE's choice.

 

[Ill Lou Malnati]

Awful idea, because it's one they only stuck with for the first two years or so and Raw was always the favored brand. The idea of two world champs is horrible. If they do this, the WWE title needs to be above everything and then the US & IC belts become brand-exclusive. Just like it was for the first few weeks they had the split.

Also, make the tag belts exclusive to one brand and something like the Divas or a Cruiserweight title exclusive to the other.

 

[mrken12]

3 hours will always exist. It's not WWE's choice.

If ratings get into the 1's, they won't have a choice but to ditch the 3 hours.

 

[sid the kid]

If ratings get into the 1's, they won't have a choice but to ditch the 3 hours.

But that'll never happen so no need for stupid hypotheticals.

 

[mrken12]

But that'll never happen

Yes it can. Easily. Ratings at one point this year were reaching 1996 numbers. Post Wrestlemania Season WWE goes into cruise control and that's when ratings keep plummeting. Last week's Raw was one of the most eventful in a long time and they got a 2.73 which was considered something to be proud of.

Will fail because WWE doesn't know how to do it.

They've done it before effectively. Even last year, they had simultaneous tours and still managed to put together an entertaining show even with many people missing.

 

[sid the kid]

Yes it can. Easily. Ratings at one point this year were reaching 1996 numbers. Post Wrestlemania Season WWE goes into cruise control and that's when ratings keep plummeting. Last week's Raw was one of the most eventful in a long time and they got a 2.73 which was considered something to be proud of.

Every hour of Raw still eclipses 3 million viewers. They'll need at least 10-15 years before they can erode that down to 1 million.

Don't be stupid.

 

[Kill Dat Noize]

 

[RammerJammer]

If it puts some life into Smackdown and halves the amount of shows talent has to work then go for it.

If they're going to treat it like they did during its latter years then

This is really the only reason I'm in favor of it. Because I think SmackDown needs a breath of fresh air, but they have to strictly enforce it like it was from 2002-2005 (excluding the single brand PPVs)

 

[mrken12]

Every hour of Raw still eclipses 3 million viewers. They'll need at least 10-15 years before they can erode that down to 1 million.

Except the third hour always has a drastic drop and last week had one of the biggest drops in the history of the 3 hour Raw format.

Who said anything about it declining to 1 million? With so many people upset about Roman being in the spotlight and Cena being MIA, I expect some drastic declines in the post-Wrestlemania season.

2/22 Raw TV Ratings post-PPV, plus historical hourly drop -

WWE Raw TV Ratings Tracking

February 22: Raw scored a 2.73 rating, up 10 percent from a 2.48 rating last week leading into Fast Lane.

Raw’s three highest-rated shows of the year:

• Jan. 25: 2.93 rating post-Rumble
• Feb. 22: 2.73 rating post-Fast Lane/Shane McMahon Return
• Feb. 8: 2.65 rating for Daniel Bryan Retirement Raw

– Raw’s three hours averaged 3.884 million viewers, up 12 percent from last week’s show leading into Fast Lane.

It was the second-most viewers of the year behind post-Royal Rumble Raw and edged out Daniel Bryan’s Retirement show. Both of these shows had a similar issue – big third-hour decline.

• First Hour: 4.201 million viewers for an hour featuring an uninterrupted 30-minute opening segment.
• Second Hour: 4.055 million viewers.
• Third Hour: 3.396 million viewers, a loss of about 650,000 viewers (16.3 percent decline) from the second hour.

It was the largest drop in viewers from the second to third hour in the history of three-hour Raws dating back to July 2012.