5 ways in which WWE can improve Smackdown

The same time around last year, Smackdown was leaps and bounds ahead of Monday Night Raw. The blue brand had far more engaging storylines and the edge of the seat battles between their superstars. However, one year later, the tables have turned completely. Smackdown's PPV's have received dismal reviews from fans and critics alike while their weekly television tapings have downright failed to draw in crowds.

The usually much-awaited Hell in a Cell PPV is just around the corner but the WWE Universe don’t have high expectations from the show. In order to once again become a force to be reckoned with, WWE needs to ensure that both their major brands are able to surpass the audience's expectations but doing so will certainly not be a walk in the park.

Here are some of the ways in which Smackdown can regain its lost glory.

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#1 Look beyond Jinder Mahal

Jinder Mahal has been far from impressive

To say that Jinder Mahal has been a lacklustre champion would be a huge understatement. WWE had put the title around his waist to capture a bigger slice of the pie in the Indian market and they have successfully done that in the past few months. But Jinder has consistently failed to deliver even a single decent match as the champ.

This has led to fans losing interest in championship bouts which should otherwise be the most important match of any PPV event. With much more deserving guys wrestlers Bobby Roode, AJ Styles, and Randy Orton on the roster, the Championship should change hands as soon as possible.

I have nothing against Jinder Mahal as he can still be utilised effectively, but not just as the numero uno guy of the blue brand.

#2 Kevin Owens should stay on Smackdown

KO is the future of the WWE

Kevin Owens' recent feud with the McMahons is definitely the best thing to happen to Smackdown in a long time. Kevin Owens is, without a shadow of a doubt, the hottest property in WWE at the moment.

If Owens is the man that finally dethrones the "Modern Day Maharaja" then it would most certainly be gold. Smackdown is already lacking star power on its roster and if Kevin Owens is drafted to Raw, then Smackdown will not be able to recover from the blow anytime soon.

#3 Tag team division should have more to do

Tag team division is underutilised at the moment

The Usos and The New Day gave us a match at Summerslam that will stay in our minds for the foreseeable future. Unfortunately, the match could not find a spot on the main card and was a part of the pre-show.

With many talented teams like Breezango, Colons, Ascension, and the team of Harper and Rowens, on the Smackdown roster, it is baffling to see them being ignored in the tag team title picture. WWE should take a cue from their own RAW's tag team division which has already produced many epic rivalries this year.

Also, if tag teams from NXT like Authors of Pain and Sanity are moved to the main roster soon, then Smackdown will prove to be a much better watch for viewers.

#4 Book mid-card stars properly

Sami Zayn deserves a push as soon as possible

It is baffling to see how some of the mid-card wrestlers are booked on Smackdown. Baron Corbin, Rusev, Dolph Ziggler and Sami Zayn among others are supremely talented and gifted athletes who can deliver 5-star matches on a regular basis, but all of them have been booked extremely poorly on the blue brand.

They are merely used to put other Superstars over or used in filler matches. Sami Zayn was a top star over at NXT and even his rivalry with Kevin Owens on Raw was phenomenal, but the way he is being used right now defies all logic, to say the least.

Thus, if wrestlers like Sami Zayn are involved in more meaningful feuds with top stars then things will take a turn for the better for Smackdown.

#5 Return of Chris Jericho and John Cena

Smackdown is in some desperate need of star power

Chris Jericho is a legend and a is a certainty to get into the Hall of Fame. He is currently on a hiatus from the WWE, but his return to the squared circle is imminent. His return will certainly give Smackdown the much-needed boost.

Also, John Cena was declared as a free agent so that he can move over to Raw in order to put Roman Reigns over. Now as that business is done, whenever John Cena returns next, he should be brought back on Smackdown so that he can feud with the likes of Nakamura, AJ Styles, Kevin Owens and Bobby Roode.

It is high time that WWE realises that a complete overhaul of Smackdown is the need of the hour. They should dedicate all their effort and energy towards making Smackdown great again.