With the reports this week that NBC Universal has opted not to renew their deal for SmackDown, choosing instead to only re-sign the rights to retain RAW on the USA Network, it has left many wondering what this could mean for WWE’s Brand split.
With RAW staying on the USA Network, a deal that is reportedly worth $240 million – 3x what the the previous deal with NBC Universal was, and the news that SmackDown LIVE will have to find a new home on another network, many have questioned whether or not if WWE will choose to combine the two rosters, putting and end to the brand split. Dave Meltzer was asked on the latest episode of Wrestling Observer Live what he thought the current situation surround WWE’s Television deal means for the members of both rosters going forward. Meltzer responded by saying:
“They don’t have to do anything. I think they won’t end the brand split. If anything the priority on Raw will be even stronger than they are now.”
“Just because it’s going to be the A Show on a much stronger network for viewership than SmackDown will draw when Raw should, in theory, stay the same.”
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(H/T our friends at Ringsidenews.com for the transcriptions.)
