'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
What's the story?
Over the past few weeks, it has been rumored that WWE will be set to revert to their old format of dual brand pay-per-views following this year's WrestleMania. It seems that even though this has been speculated for a while, the WWE roster is yet to be told about these plans.
In case you didn't know...
WWE initially split the roster into two brands back in the summer of 2016 when they also presented the WWE draft. Since then the two brands have only met at the big four pay-per-views as the brand split has meant that both SmackDown and Raw have presented their own exclusive pay-per-view events throughout the year.
It is unknown why WWE has decided to call a halt to the current schedule but it seems that Backlash in May will be the beginning of all main roster pay-per-views being dual branded. A recent email from WWE that was sent out to the WWE Universe today confirmed that WWE's upcoming schedule will change in the coming months and there will no longer be two pay-per-views a month.
The heart of the matter
Even though it seems that the WWE Universe has been aware of this upcoming change for the past few weeks, it seems that according to a report from PWInsider, the actual WWE roster hasn't been informed yet that the two brands will be coming together at least once a month in the future.
WWE have perhaps been trying to keep this upcoming change to themselves, but information that was emailed out to the WWE Universe to confirm tickets for Backlash gave away all of the company's plans for the future, which begs the question as to why they haven't yet told their employees.
What's next?
Elimination Chamber and Fastlane are reported to be the final solo brand pay-per-views for a long time since this change is set to come into place following WrestleMania. There have also been rumors that Backlash could be the place where WWE could present the upcoming WWE draft.
Author's take
It is almost a guarantee now that this is happening in the near future so it seems that WWE may be holding off on telling their roster for their own reasons. It's an interesting turn of events for WWE who were seemingly happy to split the rosters into two brands less than two years ago.
Send us news tips at [email protected]
