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We are officially done with the 2019 edition of the WWE Draft, as both RAW and SmackDown went head to head to choose Superstars for their respective rosters. Taking place right after the two shows received a huge makeover, this move looks to be a solid step toward an overall improved product in the coming months.
One of the draft's biggest talking points was how it would bring an end to the Wild Card Rule. Introduced by Vince McMahon in early May, after the Superstar Shakeup, the Wild Card Rule was supposed to allow up to four Superstars to appear on the opposing brand's show on any given night. While the intention was to let top Superstars appear on both brands, the rule soon began to affect the entire purpose of the brand split.
Having two separate rosters gave opportunities to many younger talents to showcase themselves on live TV, but with the Wild Card Rule in effect, it was common to see established players like Shane McMahon, Roman Reigns, and many others appear on both shows. This led to fewer opportunities for the rest of the roster.
While the Wild Card Rule has officially ended, there are still a few areas on WWE programming which suggest otherwise. In this article, let's take a look at four signs that indicate that the Wild Card Rule hasn't ended completely.
#4. The 24/7 Championship scene
The entire purpose of the 24/7 Championship is to ensure lighthearted chaos among the otherwise serious programming. Ever since the title was first introduced in May by Mick Foley, we have witnessed some hilarious antics courtesy of Superstars like R-Truth, Carmella, Drake Maverick, and others.
The recent draft saw the current 24-7 Champion, R-Truth, moving over to RAW, while his partner-in-crime, Carmella, was drafted to the Blue brand. Now, the biggest question that comes to mind is: with R-Truth on RAW, does it make 24/7 Championship RAW exclusive? If the 24/7 Champion appears on SmackDown, the whole title scene could ultimately make the draft look meaningless.
A simple way to fix this would be to have some title changes on social media, where a SmackDown Superstar can pin the champion and vice-versa. This would allow the title to keep shifting brands.
#3. The Women's Tag Championships to be defended on both brands
In a case quite similar to that of the 24/7 Championship, the Women's Tag Team Titles face the same issue of not being brand specific. Ever since their introduction, the Women's Tag Team Championships have been hailed as titles that could be defended on every WWE show including RAW, SmackDown, or even NXT.
In the recently concluded draft, the current Women's Tag Champs, The Kabuki Warriors, were drafted to the Red brand. The commentators were quick to mention that the championship would still be defended on both RAW and SmackDown, but if the duo lose their titles, RAW would have exclusive rights over Asuka and Kairi Sane.
This, in some way, makes them temporary "free agents" until they lose their titles. Any future Women's Tag Team Champions would be granted the opportunity to appear on both brands. While this could lead to some interesting storylines, there are chances that it might again bring back the Wild Card Rule.
With a relatively smaller Women's Division, one can't criticize this idea, but only time will tell whether this effects brand exclusivity. Do you think this was the correct way to deal with the Women's Tag Team Championships after the draft?
#2 Rey Mysterio involved in a feud with SmackDown's Brock Lesnar
While the 2019 edition of the WWE Draft didn't have many surprises, one of them was Rey Mysterio being drafted to RAW. The reason? Brock Lesnar!
Lesnar's vicious assault on Rey Mysterio and his son Dominic ultimately led to the arrival of former UFC Champion Cain Velasquez. Velasquez has debuted in WWE to begin a second chapter with fellow UFC alum and current WWE Champion Brock Lesnar. The two are set to face off at the upcoming Crown Jewel pay-per-view with Lesnar's WWE Championship on the line.
While the WWE Universe eagerly waits to see who will win this bout, the question that arises is whether there would be any pay-off for Mysterio and Dominic? Let's just assume Lesnar manages to defeat Velasquez at Crown Jewel. What happens then? Being the greatest underdog in WWE history, it's tough to believe that Mysterio won't take a stand and try to vanquish 'The Beast' sans Velasquez.
Another issue is with Cain Velasquez. While the UFC star wasn't part of the WWE Draft, he has been appearing on both RAW and SmackDown since his arrival in WWE. The company is making every possible effort to keep the shows separate, even supplying each show with different commentators and backstage announcers. Having the #1 contender for the WWE Championship appear on both shows doesn't do the brand split any favors.
#1 Bray Wyatt competing for a RAW exclusive title
Moving on to the biggest and most controversial feud on WWE TV, 'The Fiend' Bray Wyatt is set to challenge Universal Champion Seth Rollins for his title at Crown Jewel.
What started as the hottest Universal Title feud ever soon resulted in massive fan backlash, due to the controversial Hell in a Cell finish. The recently concluded draft saw SmackDown use a first round selection to bag Bray Wyatt, leading many to believe that the rivalry between he and Rollins had concluded. This was not the case, however, as WWE announced a Universal Championship rematch between the two at the upcoming Saudi Arabian show.
There are several problems with this. First, a SmackDown Superstar competing for a RAW exclusive title immediately after the draft does not give the message that the Wild Card Rule is over. Second, what would happen if Wyatt manages to win the Universal Championship? Will he change brands and come back to RAW only a couple of weeks after SmackDown used a first round pick to acquire him?
WWE has also advertised a massive Steel Cage match between The Fiend and Seth Rollins on the RAW following Crown Jewel, which further raises doubts about the state of the Wild Card Rule. Hopefully, WWE will soon get things back to normal as the two rosters settle in.
What are your thoughts on the 2019 draft and the ending of the Wild Card Rule? Let us know in the comments section below.
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