Backstage Info On Upcoming Brand Split & Draft
Source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter
The belief from those within WWE is that on July 19th when Smackdown goes live on USA is that Shane will be the on-screen leader of one of the flagship ship brands and Stephanie the other.
Vince McMahon and Triple H will remain in charge of creative. Head writers Ed Koskey and Ryan Ward will be taking on more power since they will not be constantly having to turn out new ideas.
Yesterday we made a note that the decision had not yet been made about what to do with the Women’s Championship. Word now is that the title could be exclusive to one of the two flagship brands.
Related: Backstage News on WWE Brand Split Plans
While there has been talk of going back to two World Champions it’s said not to be a total lock. The World, Women’s and Tag Team Championship’s futures are still not determined. The general consensus backstage seems to be that the US Championship will wind up on one brand and the IC Championship will be on the other.
The speculated date for the upcoming draft is July 11th but that is also not a lock. There are still people fighting for this to be a hard split while others would like a soft split with top stars allowed to guest on other shows and PPVs.
John Cena is expected to be the face of Smackdown and Roman Reigns the face of RAW. When Brock Lesnar returns he is expected to return on RAW and start his hype going in to SummerSlam.
There are a lot of factors still up in the air but all the big questions will be answered in the coming weeks.
Brock Lesnar
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LAS VEGAS, NV - DECEMBER 30: (R-L) Alistair Overeem delivers a knee strike against Brock Lesnar during the UFC 141 event at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on December 30, 2011 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
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LAS VEGAS - NOVEMBER 15: Brock Lesnar (Top) fights Randy Couture at the UFC 91: Couture v Lesnar at the MGM Garden Arena on November 15, 2008 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images)
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LAS VEGAS - NOVEMBER 15: Brock Lesnar (L) fights Randy Couture at the UFC 91: Couture v Lesnar at the MGM Garden Arena on November 15, 2008 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images)
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LAS VEGAS - NOVEMBER 15: Brock Lesnar (L) squares off against Randy Couture at UFC 91: Couture vs. Lesnar at the MGM Garden Arena on November 15, 2008 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images)
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LAS VEGAS - JULY 11: UFC heavyweight Brock Lesnar wearing the championship heavyweight belt after defeating Frank Mir during their heavyweight title bout during UFC 100 the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino on July 11, 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images)
Lesnar vs Mir
LAS VEGAS - JULY 11: UFC Heavyweights Brock Lesnar (L) battles Frank Mir during their heavyweight title bout during UFC 100 the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino on July 11, 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images)
Brock Lesnar
NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 23: Brock Lesnar in action during his fight against The Undertaker at the WWE SummerSlam 2015 at Barclays Center of Brooklyn on August 23, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by JP Yim/Getty Images)
Brock Lesnar
NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 23: Brock Lesnar and The Undertaker battle it out at the WWE SummerSlam 2015 at Barclays Center of Brooklyn on August 23, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by JP Yim/Getty Images)
Brock Lesnar
NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 23: Brock Lesnar in action during his fight against The Undertaker at the WWE SummerSlam 2015 at Barclays Center of Brooklyn on August 23, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by JP Yim/Getty Images)
Brock Lesnar
NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 23: Brock Lesnar in action during his fight against The Undertaker at the WWE SummerSlam 2015 at Barclays Center of Brooklyn on August 23, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by JP Yim/Getty Images)
Brock Lesnar
NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 23: Brock Lesnar and The Undertaker battle it out at the WWE SummerSlam 2015 at Barclays Center of Brooklyn on August 23, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by JP Yim/Getty Images)
Brock Lesnar
NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 23: Brock Lesnar and The Undertaker battle it out at the WWE SummerSlam 2015 at Barclays Center of Brooklyn on August 23, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by JP Yim/Getty Images)
Brock Lesnar
NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 23: Brock Lesnar enters the ring at the WWE SummerSlam 2015 at Barclays Center of Brooklyn on August 23, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by JP Yim/Getty Images)
Brock Lesnar
NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 23: Brock Lesnar and The Undertaker battle it out at the WWE SummerSlam 2015 at Barclays Center of Brooklyn on August 23, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by JP Yim/Getty Images)