WWE: Smackdown Live 21 - The Shane O'Mac Show

[Shoalzie]

If they do a post-Mania shakeup, they'll do some jerky thing like swap Bryan for Rollins or Balor.

Bryan to me seems like the ideal Smackdown work-rate wrestler. Give me a show with Bryan, AJ, Nakamura, Owens, Zayn, Joe, Rollins and Balor and throw in Miz with the IC. Have that group of guys fight for the WWE and IC titles and keep the Usos as the anchor of the tag division. That would be a great brand.

 

[M.C.G. 31]

I think Styles to Raw is more likely than Bryan.

 

[Deen]

I think Styles to Raw is more likely than Bryan.

But he built Smackdown with his bare hands.

 

[dahrougem2]

If they do a post-Mania shakeup, they'll do some jerky thing like swap Bryan for Rollins or Balor.

Bryan to me seems like the ideal Smackdown work-rate wrestler. Give me a show with Bryan, AJ, Nakamura, Owens, Zayn, Joe, Rollins and Balor and throw in Miz with the IC. Have that group of guys fight for the WWE and IC titles and keep the Usos as the anchor of the tag division. That would be a great brand.

So you'd be swapping out Joe, Rollins, Balor, and Miz from Raw in exchange for who? I assume Orton, Roode, Jinder, and one of Corbin/Ziggler?

 

[The Gongshow]

I really want AJ to stay on SD but there isn't much to do for him. Sadly he'll be sent to RAW to make Roman look strong.

I don't get the whole Monday Night Rollins then send him to SD

Send Joe, Revival, Balor over to SD
Send AJ, Orton, a tag team thats not New Day or Usos to RAW

 

[M.C.G. 31]

What I'd like for the shakeup:

To Smackdown (from Raw): Ambrose, Balor, Rollins, Miz, Cass, The Club, The Revival, James or Bliss
To Raw (from Smackdown): Styles, Corbin, Ziggler, Kanellis (both), Orton, Dillinger, Fashion Police, Benjamin & Gable (maybe, see below), Becky, Carmella

To Smackdown (from NXT): Andrade Cien Almas & Zelina Vega
To Raw (from NXT): Authors of Pain, No Way Jose

I also want Sasha going to Smackdown and Becky to Raw, but Sasha/Bayley is going to happen and Smackdown is already getting Asuka.

The way I see it:

Styles moving from Smackdown will be a big loss, so sending Rollins along with Balor and Ambrose will keep the brand afloat and draw good audiences for their live events along with Nakamura as Bryan isn't likely to work those.

Roman and Styles will keep the Raw brand afloat headlining (or co-headlining) the live events along with Strowman, Joe, Cesaro, Sheamus, Wyatt, The Hardyz and Orton for the male roster.

Smackdown gets a big boost to their upper mid-card picture adding Miz and Almas, while Cass can be the "big guy" of the brand. Miz can also resume a possible Bryan program, and it's a "safe" program for Bryan to work as he slowly gets back into in-ring competition as a singles competitor.

Raw fills out their cards (for TV and live events) with Corbin, Ziggler, Dillinger and Kanellis when he comes back. Raw also loses two tag teams (one being The Club for obvious reasons to Smackdown with Balor), but gets a fresh one in The Fashion Police to eat TV time with their backstage segments instead of being relegated to WWE.com segments, but most importantly, they add a new, monster tag team in The Authors of Pain (I didn't send The Bludgeon Brothers to Raw for this reason). AOP vs. Sheamus/Cesaro would be sick. Raw really does need a better, more legit tag division though, so you can even make the case for sending Benjamin and Gable to Raw now that they're lost in the shuffle on Smackdown again. You can't send The New Day or Usos away imo.

Bliss or Mickie is just to fluff up the SD women's roster. That division belongs to Asuka and Charlotte for the year, but I did want to send Sasha to Smackdown so she can have a program with Asuka. Becky needs a reset and is just lost on Smackdown, being shuffled behind Charlotte, Natalya and now Asuka coming in.

So, hypothetically, if things did play out like this, your top talent (and superstars to help bolster live event cards for) for each brand end up being:

Raw: Reigns, Styles, Rousey (TV-only, maybe live events? I don't know her contract), Strowman, Joe, Orton, Elias, Wyatt, J. Hardy, Sasha, Cesaro/Sheamus, WOKEN Matt, Authors of Pain, Becky, Corbin, Bayley

Smackdown: Bryan (TV-only, for now...), Rollins, Nakamura, Balor, New Day, Ambrose, Owens, Zayn, Usos, Asuka, Almas, Charlotte, Miz, Bludgeon Brothers, Rusev, Roode

Obviously it won't happen like this because WWE really doesn't seem to like giving Smackdown a fighting chance when it comes to these splits, but I hope it ended up something like this. I think it's a perfect medium where Smackdown has the roster to pull in good live event numbers and have a quality show weekly and can be "the wrestling show" whereas Raw is the good mix of wrestling and characters, and has enough talent to still fill three hours and have a really good live event card.

I don't want to see just a small shake-up though. I'd like to see a decent number of superstars moving around.

Another thought just randomly, I'm not against sending KO and Zayn to Raw (or one of them) and sending Joe to Smackdown, but the only one of those guys in there Joe hasn't worked with since entering the company is Ambrose and Bryan of the top talent on the would-be SD brand.

 

[Paris in Flames]

I just want Rollins and AJ on the same show is that too much to ask

 

[Kimi]

I just want Rollins and AJ on the same show is that too much to ask

Depends on your opinion to shows done in school halls over a decade ago .

 

[Lunatik]

Fans aren't stupid, though. They'd know that as soon as he took one bump that he was cleared and who would be able to NOT cheer knowing he was cleared? At least this way we got the big moment and opening at the start of the show, we had the best, most genuine babyface promo since his retirement speech, AND Owens and Zayn got big heat on him. It was great.


Speaking of which, the reason they announced it: 2.888 million viewers. The most since April 11th, 2017.

To add to this, I am currently watching the replay on SN360 and even knowing he was cleared, there were still some cheers when he first got hit, the place would have exploded if they didn't know first because as you said, it's the first proof he's really cleared. I think until that moment, some believed that it could be a work.

I personally believe he's been medically cleared since Clash of Champions, the WWE won't usually let anyone in the ring during a match unless they are medically cleared because mistakes can happen.

 

[Kimi]

The thing with Bryan is that he was cleared a long time ago by multiple doctors, just not WWE's own. So while they wouldn't clear him to wrestle (out of fear of anything more happening to him), he was still physically fit and healthy. So I think they'd be fine to allow him to ref a single match (actively working around the fact he can't bump).


But there are also levels of 'no contract'. Some guys can be a bit physical and it not be an issue. Bryan is a case of that, he just couldn't bump. This is opposed to Paige who can't touch anyone or be touched at all.

 

[M.C.G. 31]

To add to this, I am currently watching the replay on SN360 and even knowing he was cleared, there were still some cheers when he first got hit, the place would have exploded if they didn't know first because as you said, it's the first proof he's really cleared. I think until that moment, some believed that it could be a work.

I personally believe he's been medically cleared since Clash of Champions, the WWE won't usually let anyone in the ring during a match unless they are medically cleared because mistakes can happen.

I mean, like Kimi said, technically he's been cleared since shortly after he was forced into retirement, to be honest.

It was just WWE's doctors. Bryan told Maroon to send him to any concussion specialists of Maroon's choosing, Maroon did, and Bryan passed everything so Maroon cleared him.

From what I've read, people in the company knew since from Monday. Meltzer was apparently close to pushing out the story on Monday night that Bryan was cleared, but only had confirmation from one source.

 

[Emperoreddy]

Still think the way they did it was perfectly fine. Got great reactions.

 

[Pinkfloyd]

The way they did it is the best choice among the choices they had, imo. I do understand and agree the moment would be bigger if you have KO/Zayn beat him up in that segment but announcing it before hand gave them a ratings bump and I'm sure it sold them a few more tickets at the show.

 

[PeterSidorkiewicz]

The way they did it is the best choice among the choices they had, imo. I do understand and agree the moment would be bigger if you have KO/Zayn beat him up in that segment but announcing it before hand gave them a ratings bump and I'm sure it sold them a few more tickets at the show.

Still seems way too short sighted to me. A few more tickets and a slight ratings bump. Is the WWE that sad now? No wonder no one watches anymore.

Even if you still plan on the tag match at WM. Mystery tag team partner for Shane....out comes Bryan. Imagine that pop and reaction? A TRUE Wrestlemania moment.

Bryan can give his heartfelt speech he just did Tuesday on Smackdown and you’d still get the SAME viewership bump.

Dumb dumb dumb IMO.I feel like a lot of people are just blinded by their happiness that Bryan can wrestle again.

 

[Emperoreddy]

No, not advertising DB on the card for your biggest show of the year would be dumb

 

[M.C.G. 31]

Yeah, that’s just terrible booking to not advertise Daniel Bryan for Wrestlemania.

This dude wouldn’t have been able to give such a heartfelt speech like he did on Tuesday if he were a surprise partner. We wouldn’t have his awesome “if you fight for your dreams, your dreams will fight for you” line, we wouldn’t have the big heat build on Owens and Zayn, we wouldn’t have that awesome, genuine crowd reaction and seeing the entire crowd point at the Wrestlemania sign and chant it for Daniel Bryan when he said he didn’t know when he would return.

Not everything needs to be a surprise. You guys are forgetting that this DEFINITELY would have leaked online and the cat would have been out of the bag. Meltzer was very close to pushing out the story on MONDAY NIGHT.

 

[Pinkfloyd]

Still seems way too short sighted to me. A few more tickets and a slight ratings bump. Is the WWE that sad now? No wonder no one watches anymore.

Even if you still plan on the tag match at WM. Mystery tag team partner for Shane....out comes Bryan. Imagine that pop and reaction? A TRUE Wrestlemania moment.

Bryan can give his heartfelt speech he just did Tuesday on Smackdown and you’d still get the SAME viewership bump.

Dumb dumb dumb IMO.I feel like a lot of people are just blinded by their happiness that Bryan can wrestle again.

If anything, the way they did it ensures that more people will be watching their programming at least through Wrestlemania. This got pretty major media play for WWE's standards which probably means more eyeballs moving forward than without. Making him a mystery partner with no announcement of him being cleared would mean there would be a significant amount of people who would've missed that moment because they have no reason to expect it. Bryan can't give that heartfelt speech without the announcement. If they decide to not do the announcement and you'd want to have a mystery partner angle, he can't do that promo. And even if you could do the same promo, without the announcement, you don't get that same viewership bump. There is still a legitimate affect with pre-show promotion of obviously big moments. Anecdotal example would be me. Had there not been an announcement, I would not have watched Smackdown at all.

 

[PeterSidorkiewicz]

If anything, the way they did it ensures that more people will be watching their programming at least through Wrestlemania. This got pretty major media play for WWE's standards which probably means more eyeballs moving forward than without. Making him a mystery partner with no announcement of him being cleared would mean there would be a significant amount of people who would've missed that moment because they have no reason to expect it. Bryan can't give that heartfelt speech without the announcement. If they decide to not do the announcement and you'd want to have a mystery partner angle, he can't do that promo. And even if you could do the same promo, without the announcement, you don't get that same viewership bump. There is still a legitimate affect with pre-show promotion of obviously big moments. Anecdotal example would be me. Had there not been an announcement, I would not have watched Smackdown at all.

1. To the bolded, I assume you know what my rebuttal would be to that, right?

2. In regards to the promo, why wouldn't he be able to do the promo? After WM, just promote the promo for Smackdown on Tuesday "Daniel Bryan addresses his clearance from doctors." I am pretty sure people would still be tuning into to hear Bryans first promo back after being cleared, heck, the ratings may even be higher for that SD than this past one.

Anyway, we all have our opinions on here and like I said I am glad people enjoyed how the WWE decided to do something, because it doesn't happen a lot, but for me, I found the entire thing very meh. I am almost bordering on hating how it unfolded, but obviously I am glad he is back and wrestling again.

 

[M.C.G. 31]

We're still not addressing the major elephant in the room that Dave Meltzer was ready to push the story of Daniel Bryan's medical clearance from MONDAY NIGHT. He only had confirmation from ONE source though and decided against it, and WWE pushed the story themselves on the Tuesday afternoon.

Waiting to make him a mystery partner would have been ruined because it would have leaked, and it would have spread everywhere in the two weeks. WWE would have to play catch up and reveal the clearance after everyone knew.

It wouldn't have been the same.

 

[Pinkfloyd]

1. To the bolded, I assume you know what my rebuttal would be to that, right?

2. In regards to the promo, why wouldn't he be able to do the promo? After WM, just promote the promo for Smackdown on Tuesday "Daniel Bryan addresses his clearance from doctors." I am pretty sure people would still be tuning into to hear Bryans first promo back after being cleared, heck, the ratings may even be higher for that SD than this past one.

Anyway, we all have our opinions on here and like I said I am glad people enjoyed how the WWE decided to do something, because it doesn't happen a lot, but for me, I found the entire thing very meh. I am almost bordering on hating how it unfolded, but obviously I am glad he is back and wrestling again.

To 1 I don't. To 2, waiting until after Wrestlemania to talk about it and just surprise everyone is not smart when it comes to getting eyes onto the product. Wrestlemania is their biggest show of the year but it doesn't mean that their numbers don't fluctuate when certain things are announced. Bryan's return would absolutely bump up Wrestlemania's numbers. That's important for business.

 

[PeterSidorkiewicz]

To 1 I don't. To 2, waiting until after Wrestlemania to talk about it and just surprise everyone is not smart when it comes to getting eyes onto the product. Wrestlemania is their biggest show of the year but it doesn't mean that their numbers don't fluctuate when certain things are announced. Bryan's return would absolutely bump up Wrestlemania's numbers. That's important for business.

If everything that happens on the show is announced beforehand, why even bother watching until WWE tells you to watch for a specific reason?

If you don't want to miss a moment, then make sure to tune in and watch.

Different philosophies I guess. I am actually going to switch over to your philosophy from now on though, I am done watching unless they announce something beforehand that gives me a reason to watch. No reason to sift through 2-3 hours of crap when IF something interesting is going to happen, they will announce it before the show anyway.

 

[Pinkfloyd]

If everything that happens on the show is announced beforehand, why even bother watching until WWE tells you to watch for a specific reason?

If you don't want to miss a moment, then make sure to tune in and watch.

Different philosophies I guess. I am actually going to switch over to your philosophy from now on though, I am done watching unless they announce something beforehand that gives me a reason to watch. No reason to sift through 2-3 hours of crap when IF something interesting is going to happen, they will announce it before the show anyway.

So your response is a straw man. Gotcha.

 

[PeterSidorkiewicz]

So your response is a straw man. Gotcha.

Can you explain further as to why its a straw man?

My idea of how to handle events in wrestling is actually more of the traditional style in wrestling.

And my comment about not watching anymore wasn't to prove a point or add to an argument, I was actually speaking the truth. I am done watching RAW and Smackdown unless something is advertised that peaks my interest. It's a waste of time and not must see TV. I don't see anything really advertised for RAW tonight or SD tomorrow, so I will not be watching.

 

[AtlantaWhaler]

We're still not addressing the major elephant in the room that Dave Meltzer was ready to push the story of Daniel Bryan's medical clearance from MONDAY NIGHT. He only had confirmation from ONE source though and decided against it, and WWE pushed the story themselves on the Tuesday afternoon.

Waiting to make him a mystery partner would have been ruined because it would have leaked, and it would have spread everywhere in the two weeks. WWE would have to play catch up and reveal the clearance after everyone knew.

It wouldn't have been the same.

But he was already cleared by non-WWE doctors. It was the WWE and their doctors he was waiting on. They could of just "not cleared him" to hide the story.

 

[Pinkfloyd]

Can you explain further as to why its a straw man?

My idea of how to handle events in wrestling is actually more of the traditional style in wrestling.

And my comment about not watching anymore wasn't to prove a point or add to an argument, I was actually speaking the truth. I am done watching RAW and Smackdown unless something is advertised that peaks my interest. It's a waste of time and not must see TV. I don't see anything really advertised for RAW tonight or SD tomorrow, so I will not be watching.

Because not everything is announced beforehand. In fact, it rarely is even in WWE these days when it comes to TV programming rather than simply their standard PPV-special announcing. Some things should be announced beforehand and hyped up as much as possible even if it's on free TV. A standard returning wrestler will get the surprise treatment quite regularly and often times it's spoiled anyway. Daniel Bryan shouldn't be treated as a standard returning wrestler. He's quite possibly the most popular wrestler of his generation and he is a fixture on the programming already with his role. Having him ignore something like that especially when Meltzer was digging and getting somewhere with it is not going to be the most effective way to go. This story was getting out and there wasn't any avoiding it. Their likely best option was to announce it, hype the show, pop a rating, and build hype for his eventual return match. But I can guarantee you that many people watched Smackdown because his clearing was announced beforehand and I'm sure plenty will stay seeing what they did with it and where it's probably headed. I won't be watching Raw live tonight because it doesn't interest me. Smackdown tomorrow I will probably watch on West Coast time when I haven't done it in a very long time. It's because of DB.