2016 is winding up and WWE is already building towards the next year. Here is a look at 6 intriguing match-ups from Raw and SmackDown that could create some great unseen matches in the WWE.
2016 certainly had its ups and downs with the return of the WWE brand split and the draft that followed it. Raw and SmackDown became two separate brands competing for supremacy in a battle of the brands. A little over 6 months into the draft, we would already see Brock Lesnar collide with Randy Orton in a battle of the brands. Later, in one of the best Survivor Series events in recent times, Raw and SmackDown Live would battle once more for supremacy.
Having two different brands and platforms certainly has its positives. We witnessed the new era and the brand split giving way to more stars. Suddenly, the main event wasn’t as crowded as it used to be. This could be said about SmackDown in particular. Superstars who failed to find their place in the main event before are now competing for a shot at the WWE title. Luke Harper and Dolph Ziggler are prime examples for this.
One of the bigger positives results of the brand split would be the opportunity to promote and showcase more larger than life matches. For example, a showdown between current WWE champion AJ Styles and Universal champion Kevin Owens would always be a blockbuster match. The same could be said about pitting most of the Raw superstars against SmackDown superstars. Having said that, here are a few inter-brand ideas that could make fans drool. 2017 could very well be a great year for the WWE. If they would do anyone of these matches at one of the major PPVs like Royal Rumble or Survivor Series, there would certainly be much hype in the air.
Creative could easily add bigger stakes to the matches by letting the winning brand have some big rewards. The first draft pick in the next draft or the main event spot at Wrestlemania are a few suggestions. Brands could even fight for getting the number 30 entrance at Royal Rumble. While some of the below match-ups could use a stipulation of similar nature, some match-ups write a better story themselves organically.
WWE.com
6. Bayley vs Alexa Bliss
We have already seen the four horsewomen lock horns in NXT and over on Raw. Wrestlemania featured a triple threat match between Sasha Banks, Charlotte, and Becky Lynch. One person who would get left out of all this was Bayley. She waited a long time to get called up to the main roster. Despite being on the roster, Bayley is still finding her niche on the main roster.
Alexa Bliss on the other hand, could very well called as the biggest steal of the draft. Immediately following the draft, she would be placed as one of the top contenders for the blue brand. She would win the battle royale to challenge Lynch for the title. Her push finally culminated at Bliss getting a clean win and the Women’s title at TLC. Everything about these two performers contradict each other.
Bayley is the huggable babyface who is the ultimate underdog. As such, she has failed to find the boundaries of her character so far. Bliss on the other hand is a seething, cunning five feet of fury. She is perhaps the best heel wrestler on the entire Women’s division. Yes, that includes Charlotte as well. Her mic work, mannerisms and expressions are compelling and better than anybody else. A showdown between these two is something the WWE universe is yet to witness. Whether that be for the title or for some other reward, there is no lingering question that the match would be spectacular.
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5. Neville vs Kalisto
Kalisto has certainly had a better year than his NXT counterpart. The luchador recently had a great chairs match with Baron Corbin. Moreover, he has held the United States title as well. Neville, on the other hand, would spend much of the year on the bench. He would also suffer an ill-timed ankle injury that certainly derailed any momentum he had created.
With announcement that the Curiserweight division was coming to Raw, a lot of people expected these two to be a part of it. However, despite all that, Kalisto would get drafted to SmackDown. Neville would remain on Raw but would not be a part of the division at all. It still bothers me that why a talented performer like Neville hasn’t been utilized properly by the creative. At the very least, a tag team with Tony Nese would have been a great option.
A match between these two high flyers would be a sight to see. Moreover, this would be something we have not witnessed so far. The former NXT champion is merely a shadow of his NXT self on the main roster. However, it is still not too late to build him as a credible competitor. Kalisto on the other hand has been screaming at creative for better opportunities with phenomenal matches. A match between these two for whatever reasons could fare well for both competitors as well as the fans.
Credit: WWE.com
4. Big Cass vs Baron Corbin
Normally, pitting one big man against another wouldn’t be such a great idea. However, that wouldn’t be the case if Cass faced off against Corbin. The WWE universe has never witnessed these two cross paths before. We have seen Big Cass stare down Braun Strowman and it was awesome. Expect the same sparks to fly if these two behemoths ever slugged it out in the ring.
Throw in Enzo’s killer promos and this would be a must watch agenda. Corbin has been making a name for himself on SmackDown. Cass has had his big moments on Raw. Both of them are certified future champions. However, it is their agility and ring presence that would add to this match-up. Big Cass is incredibly agile for someone of his size. The same could be said about Corbin. Corbin has improved his ring game dramatically over the last year.
Pitting these two men in the ring to battle for brand supremacy would be a great idea. Moreover, representing their respective brands would add to their credibility as well. With Enzo and Cass being massively over with the crowd and Corbin being as cocky and arrogant as he is, expect a great match with a clearly defined heel and face.
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3. Cesaro and Sheamus vs The Usos
Cesaro and Sheamus are Raw’s most recent tag team success story. Unable to figure out what to do with these two bruisers, Creative placed them in a best of seven series. Later, the two would be put into a tag team that constantly fought with each other regardless. However, as fate would have it, talent outshines logic. Regardless of how they are booked, Cesaro and Sheamus are just too talented to remain unnoticed. Now that the two of them are on the same page after an entertaining bar fight, they seem poised to capture the gold.
The Usos on the other hand has been one of the go-to tag teams for WWE. They made a heel turn post the draft. This came at a good time for the Usos, whose character was beginning to get stale at the time. Following the heel turn, the Usos have completed altered their attire, moves and mannerism. They have become a vicious and cunning duo that is a legitimate threat to anybody.
We would witness what a match between these two teams was capable of at this year’s Survivor Series. That should be all the reason to have these two teams battle it out to determine who the best tag team in the WWE is. As we said before, Cesaro is just too good that he cannot produce a bad match. He brings out the best in his tag team partner as well as in his foes. With quality competition in the form of the Usos, Raw’s future tag champion could deliver great tag team action.
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2. Finn Balor vs AJ Styles
This could be the ultimate battle for brand supremacy. Without any arguments, these two are the best wrestlers on their respective shows. A match between the two could instantly be the match of the year. One would not expect anything short of a five-star rated match from these two.
Imagine Styles as the WWE champion and a returning Balor as the Universal champion. The two could fight it out to win the main event spot at WrestleMania. There is no one other than Balor to represent Raw. Similarly, Styles is the best person to represent SmackDown. One could come up with a number of possible match-ups across the brands that are exciting. However, nothing would be as great as this. At least, no singles match to be precise.
The two men have a shared history with the Bullet Club in NJPW. Witnessing Balor and Styles in a WWE ring would be any internet wrestling fan’s biggest dream. This match ticks all the points to be a dream match. With high stakes like a Wrestlemania main event position, the match would have all the hype it needs without any storyline feud. Simply imagining these two staring each other down across the ring gives me goosebumps.
Credit: WWE.com
1. The Shield vs The Club
It has been well established that the three brothers of the Shield do not have a problem with each other anymore. Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns can be seen saving each other on Raw on Monday nights. During Survivor Series, they would help their former brethren Dean Ambrose to take out AJ Styles. The spot served as a short Shield reunion. However, for the trio to sport their black tactical gear once more, there needs to be a stronger reason.
This needs to be an all out war that would exceed the boundaries of the brands. For that to work, AJ Styles needs to get back with his buddies and reform the Club as the biggest heel faction in the WWE. The Club could begin by showing up at SmackDown and attacking Dean Ambrose as he faces AJ Styles.
The story-line could follow it up by having Reigns and Rollins try and take out Gallows and Anderson on Raw. This could eventually be built up into an all out war between the factions. Shield Vs The Bullet Club is a match that every pro wrestling fan has dreamed off. Unlike other dream matches (Taker Vs Sting) it’s not too late to pull the trigger on this one. The fact that all the required variables are in the WWE at the moment is good too.
Please WWE, unite the hounds of justice once more and let slip the dogs of war!
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