Jim Ross Suggests Competition Will Be A Key Ingredient To Brand Split Success

Legendary announcer Jim Ross knows a thing or two about WWE brand splits since he has been the voice of both the RAW and Smackdown brands. With the news of the WWE going to a brand split in 2016, he voiced his opinion on the topic. JR suggests some healthy competition between RAW and Smackdown will be key to improving the product as a whole.

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JR recalls his experience and says the brand split will force the commentary team (and everyone involved) into some friendly competition:

“I’d suggest the two broadcast teams need to be entirely different as well which could see Michael Cole, JBL and Byron Saxton manning the RAW side while Mauro Ranallo, Jerry Lawler and Cory Graves could do the same on Smackdown. The two separate announce teams would help add a competitive element to the process that could include competition from two, separate creative teams as well and the rosters if the proposed brand split comes to pass as expected. We had competition when King and I handled RAW while Cole and Taz broadcast Smackdown back in the day. It was healthy competition but competition nonetheless and it helped make both teams better. Ditto the writing teams” (Source: JRSBARBQ).

JR also says the brand split will be great for the talent who will try to make their brands better than the other:

“Same goes for the two, separate talent rosters as they will also develop a competitive element especially as Smackdown attempts to narrow the gap between the perception of their show and the flagship of WWE TV, Monday Night RAW” (Source: JRSBARBQ).

I think JR makes some good points here. Fans have criticized Michael Cole, JBL and Byron Saxton on RAW. Maybe with Mauro and the Smackdown crew in a more prominent role it will force the RAW crew to up their game.

Same with the talent. I am sure many of the wrestlers are competitive and don’t want Smackdown for example being thought of as the better brand. I am excited for some competition and maybe it will be best for the product!

Let us know what you think!