The Invasion Is Dead

In April of 2002, following the the Invasion storyline (which involved talent from the absorbed ECW and WCW rosters interacting in WWF storylines), WWE was faced with an overabundance of good wrestlers. The decision was made to split the rosters into the two shows, which came to be known as the WWE brand extension.

I hated this idea when it was first introduced, but it was tolerable as there was enough talent to produce two competent shows. This is no longer the case. Therefore, I propose that the RAW and SMACKDOWN rosters are once again combined, having the full roster wrestle and engage in storylines on both shows, as was the case during the Attitude Era.

The complete roster of kept wrestlers would look something like this (ignoring Divas):

RAW wrestlers kept: Carlito, Charlie Haas, Chris Masters, Edge, Jeff Hardy, John Cena, Johnny Nitro, JTG, Kenny, Randy Orton, Ric Flair, Shad, Shawn Michaels, Shelton Benjamin, Stone Cold, Super Crazy, Triple H, and Umaga.

RAW wrestlers cut (i.e.: 90s hold-outs and gimmicks gone wrong): Eugene, Hacksaw Jim Duggan, Lance Cade, Robbie McAllister, Rory McAllister, The Great Khali, Trevor Murdoch, Val Venis, Viscera

SMACKDOWN wrestlers kept: Batista, Brian Kendrick, Chris Benoit, Finlay, Gregory Helms, JBL, Kane, Matt Hardy, The Miz, Mr. Kennedy, MVP, Paul London, Rey Mysterio, Shannon Moore, Undertaker

SMACKDOWN wrestlers cut: Boogeyman, Chavo Guerrero, Daivari, Funaki, Jamie Noble, Jimmy Wang Yang, King Booker, Mark Henry, Scotty 2 Hotty, William Regal

When the higher powers that be at WWE imagined their "overabundance of talent," I doubt they envisioned Daivari and Funaki taking on Eugene and Val Venis. With this roster combination in place, the WWE would smartly rid itself of all extra baggage and set itself up for some great matches. Imagine having HBK, HHH, Benoit, and Taker all on the same roster. Consider the possibilities in the Intercontinental division with Jeff Hardy, Shelton Benjamin, Johnny Nitro, Carlito, Matt Hardy, and Gregory Helms all battling one another. And finally, think about the opportunity this would provide the WWE to create, for the first time in a decade, a Tag Team division worth talking about. They could have the Hardy Boys, Team Rated RKO, DX, Kane and Taker, and Cryme Tyme all fighting for the gold. Truly this would be worth watching.

One question remains...what to do with ECW? I suggest keeping it as its own brand, but making a number of cuts there as well, and re-instituting the hardcore image which made it so popular in the first place.

ECW wrestlers kept: Balls Mahoney, CM Punk, Hardcore Holly, Kevin Thorn, RVD, Sabu, Sandman, Tazz, Tommy Dreamer

ECW wrestlers cut: Elijah Burke, Little Guido, Matt Striker, Mike Knox, Snitsky, Stevie Richards

ECW wrestlers moved to the main roster: Bobby Lashley, Marcus Cor Von (to team with MVP)

Main roster wrestlers moved to ECW: Super Crazy, The Miz

Finally, it is obvious to me that Paul Heyman needs to be begged back in order to run ECW properly. Also, it may be time for Vince to begin to step aside, letting Shane take the reins. From what I understand, Shane is top writer and one of the strongest creative forces in the WWE. It may take a change of leadership to restore the WWE to where it was before the split was instituted.

Maybe I'm an optimist, but I'm encouraged by WWE's decision to combine its individual RAW and SMACKDOWN magazines into one publication. Magazines one day, brands the next...