Reason For WWE SmackDown’s Involvement In Raw Title Revealed

A new report has cast light on exactly why a tournament to crown a new WWE World Heavyweight Champion on Raw is using SmackDown stars.

Ahead of the WWE Draft, Triple H announced that whichever brand did not end up with Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns would instead be represented by a new WWE World Heavyweight Champion.

SmackDown kept Reigns so Raw will have the new champion on Monday nights. However, eyebrows were raised when just days after the draft was complete it emerged that SmackDown stars will be a part of the tournament to crown the new champion.

Speaking on Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer has spelled out why WWE is using SmackDown as part of this tournament and it all boils down to tough competition this week for TV ratings with NBA basketball play-offs taking place:

“If people are wondering why the Raw world title is being in a tournament on SmackDown this is the reason. They know left to a normal show right now will do a poor number so they cannot do a normal show this week and AEW knows the same thing.”

The tournament to crown a new WWE World Heavyweight Champion will continue on SmackDown in Knoxville, Tennessee and the brackets for that side of the draw have been revealed. Whoever emerges from Friday’s show successful already knows who they will have to face for the gold at Night of Champions.

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