Does the Brand Split Still Apply to WWE House Shows?

It's been exactly one year since WWE separated SmackDown and RAW into two separate brands with [...]

It's been exactly one year since WWE separated SmackDown and RAW into two separate brands with their own rosters last July. Overall, the brand split has worked wonders in terms of developing talent and allowing mid-card underdogs to rise to main event status. But there have also been some downsides, such as plummeting ratings for both shows and lengthy absences of part-time talent, commissioners, general managers, and even titles.

But according to rumors and reports, the brand split may be less and less of an issue going forward, specifically as it pertains to house shows. Basically, this means certain superstars may be allowed to perform on both SmackDown and RAW house shows, regardless of their home brand affiliation.

If this rings familiar, it's pretty close to what we were told about John Cena's widely promoted status as a "Free Agent" leading up to his return from hiatus on the July 4th SmackDown Live- presumably a response to falling ratings for both shows. But despite all the hype, this has yet to translate into an actual appearance by the SmackDown superstar on RAW programming. It appears the WWE may be having second thoughts about this half-cooked storyline, or abandoning the angle as far as Cena is concerned, considering the part-time veteran's busy schedule and possibly limited future with the company.

Then there's the matter of AJ Styles and Kevin Owens surprise Madison Square Garden US title match earlier this month. Coming just days after Cena's return, this unannounced match between two SmackDown superstars shocked fans in a rare instance of a title change taking place outside of a WWE pay-per-view or televised programming. Even moreso because it occurred at a RAW brand house show!

Up Next: WWE Reveals How John Cena Became a Free Agent

However, with the recent news of Seth Rollins appearing on a SmackDown house show as well as reports that Brock Lesnar is rumored to be scheduled for future SmackDown live events, it seems the WWE may be relaxing their policy toward house shows with regard to the brand split.

Rollins faced Jinder Mahal for the WWE Championship in Vancouver on July 1st, and according to rumors, Baron Corbin will challenge Brock Lesnar for the Universal Championship at an upcoming WWE SmackDown live event in Detroit.

There could be more to Lesnar's appearance on a SmackDown event than meets the eye. Whereas the part-timer Universal Champion's absence from WWE television was once the main critique of RAW, could we soon see Lesnar, Rollins, Corbin, or Jinder Mahal take Cena's place as "free agents" working across both brands touring schedules?

While this relaxed policy could be seen as devaluing the brand split, it would build value in both brands' respective titles, as well as a sense of unpredictability as to when and where titles might switch brands, like the Intercontinental and US Championships did as a result of the "superstar shakeup" that took place immediately following this year's WrestleMania.

It's no secret that ratings for both shows have tanked in 2017. RAW hit its lowest viewership of 2017 with just 2.542 million viewers on June 12th, which tied for the lowest rated episode in the show's history. A day later, SmackDown also hit a 2017 low with just 2.072 million viewers.

While the "Superstar Shakeup" episodes of RAW and SmackDown scored vastly improved ratings, "shake"-y execution also showcased WWE's inability to keep things fresh without a substantial roster overhaul. Consider how there were no rules or explanation of how and why certain superstars suddenly just showed up on the opposite brand.

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The WWE has also struggled with poor attendance at PPV events. While there have been a select few inter-promotional matches in the last year, they've been limited to the big four PPVs, such as the Royal Rumble and RAW vs SmackDown Survivor Series. If the divide between RAW and SmackDown continues to blur beyond the limits of house shows, the brand split may not even remain in place until or beyond next year's WrestleMania.

Could we possibly be headed toward an eventual reunification of the WWE product? It's still early too early to tell, but these cracks in the brand-split policy may be a sign of things to come.

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