Vince McMahon knows exactly what he’s doing in giving fans a new and improved WWE. The past few days have been the best this company has had to offer in some time. Better programming, better booking and a buzz that has not been part of the wrestling business since the days of the Attitude Era. If this were baseball, think of it as Babe Ruth hitting a home run to win a World Series game.
Yes, it has been that big.
When the company decided to split its roster and create two promotional brands that will not compete against each other as much as it will produce a better business, we all know McMahon was right in the middle of it all.
He lives for high-stakes change. He lives for the adrenaline rush. Even at 70 years of age, the man who brought us sports entertainment can thrill us all with a move or two – much like a moving chess match.
When you look at the rosters of both Raw and SmackDown Live, there is a definite excitement each bring to the table. And there are some moves you know McMahon had a hand in. These are five of those moves – the ones where Vince’s seal of approval is written all over them.
Roman Reigns to Raw
Make no mistake about this one. Reigns is the “the guy” McMahon wants to captain his ship. As one friend of mine pointed out, the remainder of 2016 and possibly 2017 will be tough on the former Shield member, but he could weather the storm.
I like Reigns, and his work in the most recent pay-per-views and the main events on Raw prove he is an improving talent. How he handles being in the main event picture without getting a title shot will define him as a superstar.
A heel turn wouldn’t hurt him, either.
Braun Strowman to Raw
First, Strowman was supposed to face The Undertaker at WrestleMania 32. Then he was supposed to face Brock Lesnar. Now, as a singles star, what does the creative team have planned for him?
Vince McMahon loves the big, tough wrestler – going back to the theory that bigger is better. Strowman is a squash wrestler at best, where he has not real personality and his gimmick is iffy right now. The Wyatt Family was able to mask many of his green tendencies. This could be a huge bust if McMahon is wrong.
Shane McMahon to Smackdown Live
This move has to pay off. In the ever changing McMahon Family Values theme, can Shane O’Mac change the fortunes of the little brother outfit?
SmackDown’s first show was alright, but nowehere near as solid as Raw’s banner program. Things were a bit rushed, the camera angles were touchy and while Mauro Ranallo is amazing on the mic, David Otunga and JBL will need some time with chemistry.
Shane’s move to Smackdown Live is the perfect foil to Stephanie’s villainous persona. Daddy knew what he was doing when he made his son the heir to making Tuesday nights great again.
Mojo Rawley to SmackDown
If you did not know who Mojo Rawley was, you are going to find out about him real soon.
The former tag team partner of Zach Ryder in NXT was drafted late in the process last Tuesday night and could prove to be one of the better moves WWE makes. Rawley has charisma and talent and could form a formidable combination with his former partner. The fact the company introduced him at the end of the United States title match against Rusev tells me McMahon has plans for him as a singles star.
John Cena and AJ Styles to SmackDown Live
Breaking up The Club was an interesting move in the trio’s infancy in WWE. Styles has become bigger than the company expected in such a short amount of time. Capitalizing on his success on Tuesdays is brilliant.
Cena had no place on Raw given that Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns were drafted to Monday nights. The two can have a final confrontation at SummerSlam before Cena begins his quest for a 16th title run.
At some point in 2016, Cena will once again be part of the world title picture, which may be the last time we see him make a run at becoming the company’s top superstar. The added talent to the rosters prove this is a promotion that is finally moving past Cena as the lead dog.
