Here’s Why WWE Reintroduced Relaxed Brand Split

Around one year ago, WWE introduced the “Wildcard Rule”, this infamous new rule allowed select superstars from Raw and SmackDown to appear on other brands.

While the idea, in practise, seemed like it would make for some very exciting match-ups, it only created confusion and drove fans away from the product.

The fact that very few people have fond memories of the brand split make it even more baffling that WWE decided to bring it back. However, with limited rosters at the moment, you can certainly see why they have done it.

Mike Johnson discussed on PWInsider Elite that the idea with the reintroduction of the Wildcard Rule-like Crossover system is that we can create some dream matches that will help with the declining ratings.

This also perhaps explains why WWE is rehashing the Edge and Randy Orton feud, to try and get fans watching Raw again bringing back established stars.

The first of these crossover matches for Raw next week was announced on this show. We now know on the 03/18 episode of Raw that SmackDown’s King Corbin will be coming over to take on WWE Champion Drew McIntyre.

It goes without saying that if WWE wants to entice fans back into watching their programming, more of King Corbin probably isn’t the way to do it.

• Wildcard Rule
• King Corbin
• Drew McIntyre
• wwe

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