WWE: Redrafting Raw and SmackDown’s 2016 Brand Split

Credit: WWE.com

29. SmackDown – New Day

This is a big dropoff for the New Day, who are just one month removed from breaking WWE’s tag team title reign record. Their stock has fallen off since WWE have had trouble booking multiple duos at the same time, if they’re not going for the championships. So, we’ve mostly seen Big E, Kofi Kingston, and Xavier Woods hang around Titus O’Neil, who is being used to tease tension within the group.

To go along with that, the No. 29 draft slot is also for New Day’s potential implosion during the Royal Rumble match. With all three entered, it’s possible one of them decides to go rogue and eliminate the other two. This would initiate their separation and potentially lead to a WrestleMania 33 match.

Moreover, there would be three singles stars for SmackDown that would fill out the mid-card and hover the main event scene on Tuesday nights.

30. Raw – Rusev

Rusev had a strong summer of 2016 with his second WWE United States Championship run. Then came Roman Reigns, which thwarted his momentum. John Cena did this in similar fashion at WrestleMania 31.

Since losing his rematch at Hell in a Cell, the Bulgarian Brute has been chasing around Enzo Amore and teaming with Jinder Mahal. It’s not really a recipe for success, especially after being one of WWE’s top heels not so long ago.

After love-filled feuds with Amore and Dolph Ziggler, one has to wonder what WWE has left with Rusev and if his stock can be boosted. By staying on Raw, the chances of this may be slim.