Wrestling fans who have been following SmackDown Live meticulously already know about the storyline going on between Shane McMahon and Kevin Owens. McMahon defended his family against Owens, only to be suspended by General Manager Daniel Bryan during this week’s episode of SmackDown.
Announcement Made By Daniel Bryan
As the story goes, Daniel Bryan received a phone call from none other than Vince McMahon, asking him to announce in the ring that Shane is suspended indefinitely. Needless to say, the WWE is laying some serious groundwork for the Kevin Owens and Shane McMahon rivalry.
Vince McMahon Returns to SmackDown Live
Following his punishment of his own son, WWE also made an announcement that Vince McMahon will appear on SmackDown Live next week. The last time Vince was seen on SmackDown was more than four years ago, so this is certainly a special occasion for the blue brand. Of course, the appearance of the chairman will also encourage many wrestling fans to tune in next week.
Rumors of Serious Problems with SmackDown Live
Shane McMahon being suspended indefinitely is a good storyline, which could certainly be one of the main reasons why the brand has decided to continue with it.
Over the past couple of weeks, there have been strong rumors that SmackDown Live is in serious trouble. Rumors seemed to be confirmed with actual proof though, as last week’s episode of SmackDown Live notably had many empty seats in the arena. Ever since Jinder Mahal took the title, interest in the blue brand has dwindled considerably. Of course, the problems should not only be attributed to Jinder Mahal, because he is not a bad wrestler. It should be attributed to the WWE focusing on one specific market and upsetting their core fans at the same time.
Rebuilding the Brand
With problems appearing rampant in SmackDown Live, it is rumored that WWE officials are going to rebuild the brand around three people: specifically, Shane McMahon, AJ Styles, and Shinsuke Nakamura. The return of Vince is also expected to draw more people to the brand and fill those empty seats again.
My Take on Things
While the storyline with Shane McMahon and Kevin Owens is certainly interesting, it does not touch the surface of the problems SmackDown is facing. At the end of the day, it is vital for the brand to start listening to fans, instead of pushing their own agenda. There is always room to try something new, but do not push your own agenda on the entire roster. The only thing this will do is cost you fans and following.
What do you think about the suspension of Shane McMahon and the return of Vince McMahon to SmackDown Live? Do you think the ailing brand can be repaired by finally listening to what fans want? Or do you think the title reign of Jinder Mahal has damaged the brand beyond repair? Let us know your thoughts and opinions in the comment section below!