WWE took one of the biggest risks in company history with the 2002 brand split. The original concept started in 2002 when Vince McMahon realized a change was needed. WCW and ECW going out of business created two issues. WWE no longer had competition and needed to create their own form of it with Raw vs SmackDown.
A brand split allowed the company to utilize most of its top names on separate programs. Everything from the concept to the draft to trades to the presentations provided compelling drama. Find out more about what went down behind the scenes with the best backstage stories about the original brand split.
10 WCW Invasion Flopping Inspired Plans
WWE did not have any initial plans about a draft until things went poorly with one of the biggest angles in wrestling history. Fans were ecstatic about the WCW Invasion when Vince McMahon purchased WCW and created the opportunity for the WWE vs WCW storyline.
The execution was so bad that WWE ended the Invasion after five months. Prior plans featured Vince considering having WCW exist on its own with one show and WWE remaining on the other. The end of WCW and ECW led to the talent pool growing deeper. WWE used the brand split to create competition and fit everyone into a show.
9 Paul Heyman Broke Writing Team Rules
Vince McMahon wanted real competition between the employees on Raw and SmackDown following the brand split. The competition in the Monday Night Wars brought out the hunger in everyone who wanted to prove their talent.
Even the writing team was subjected to competition with different staffs writing Raw and SmackDown. Paul Heyman thrived as the lead writer for SmackDown, but he infuriated people on Raw. A memorable moment featured Heyman eavesdropping on a Raw conference call to learn about their plans, trying to gain an advantage for his brand.
8 Originally Planned To Go Years Without Changes
One of the biggest complaints about the brand split was the changes to come for talents on both sides. WWE often switched wrestlers from Raw to SmackDown or vice versa without any meaningful explanation or payoff.
The future drafts would become an annual event where about a dozen wrestlers would move back and forth. Bruce Prichard claimed Vince wanted to go many years without making a single change, but that ended after a few weeks with trades.
7 Vince Would Put Off Smackdown Planning For Raw
The current landscape of the brand split sees SmackDown drawing bigger ratings than Raw due to the Fox television deal in 2021, but this is the first time that’s been the case. Vince McMahon showed no hesitation when prioritizing Raw over SmackDown throughout the years.
The original plan was to make both shows completely equal, but WWE abandoned that relatively early. Returning or debuting legends like Shawn Michaels or Goldberg became part of Raw. The bigger ratings grabs were saved for Monday nights as Vince clearly preferred his original television show creation.
6 The Dudley Boyz Had No Warning Of Splitting Up
The initial brand-split draft featured wrestlers having no idea what to make of their futures. Bruce Prichard revealed that only a handful of the biggest names were told in advance about the show they’d be drafted to.
Vince McMahon wanted authentic reactions from some of the talents they were focusing on. No scenario proved that more than The Dudley Boyz breaking up without being told ahead of time. Bubba and D-Von showed frustration while hugging each other as their natural responses to their upcoming singles runs.
5 Hulk Hogan Won Over The Younger Wrestlers
Hulk Hogan’s incredible WrestleMania 18 performance against The Rock made him a hot property during the start of the brand split. WWE sent Hogan to SmackDown in hopes of using him in a role working with new talents to help them get over.
The prior reputation of Hogan for demanding main event wins was non-existent here. Names like Kurt Angle and Chris Jericho loved working with a shockingly unselfish Hogan. WWE even put Hogan in the WWE Tag Team Championship scene, winning gold with Edge during their makeshift team.
4 Other Were Considered For SmackDown Commentary Role Over Tazz
Tazz started experimenting with broadcasting for WWE when the company needed new voices. The chemistry between Michael Cole and Tazz formed during their time hosting Sunday Night Heat along with the occasional SmackDown work.
An injury to Tazz made him the clear choice to become the color commentator for SmackDown working with Cole. Other names were previously considered for the role with Raven and Ron Simmons having support before Tazz was selected.
3 Chris Jericho Was Livid About Not Knowing Draft Spot
A handful of wrestlers were not eligible for the television side of the draft despite being top names. Triple H and Chris Jericho faced off in a match with the WWE Championship on the line during the original draft episode.
The win for Triple H meant he would work both shows as the champ moving forward before WWE changed those roles a few months later. Jericho was heated about no one telling him about his plans as a top star. The aftermath of the show saw Jericho having to find an internet connection with the remaining names drafted on WWE’s website.
2 Vince Didn't Want Steve Austin In Draft
The strange absence of Steve Austin from the draft made little overall sense. Fellow major names like The Rock and Hulk Hogan were included, but WWE wrote an angle that Austin had a clause where he picked what show he worked for.
Austin ended up signing with Raw to enter a feud with General Manager Ric Flair. It would have made sense for Austin to get picked second after Vince McMahon picked Rock first for SmackDown. Rumors indicate Vince wanted to protect Austin’s ego since he’d want to go first overall.
1 Paul Heyman Pitched Real Trade For Eddie Guerrero
The influence of Paul Heyman behind the scenes played arguably the biggest role in SmackDown becoming an instant success over the first few years. Heyman only wanted a couple of established main eventers like The Undertaker and Kurt Angle.
The rest of the upper card was meant to be saved for a youth movement of new main event talents. Eddie Guerrero was at the top of the list despite being drafted to Raw. Heyman begged for weeks to have a trade before it was approved. SmackDown acquired Eddie and Chris Benoit in exchange for Chris Jericho and The Un-Americans.