The WWE announced on May 25, Wednesday that the brand extension is going to happen when SmackDown starts airing live on the USA Network in July. According to the latest rumors, the brand extension will keep John Cena and Roman Reigns away from each other as part of a bigger storyline for WrestleMania 33 next year.
After less than five years, the WWE is doing the brand split again due to the prospect of improving its ratings and the support it has from the USA Network. The company also has the highest number of talents on the main roster in its history.
WWE chairman Vince McMahon is very excited about the brand extension and he already has good storyline plans for both Monday Night Raw and SmackDown, Cageside Seats reported. It is also expected that WWE World Heavyweight champion Reigns will be the face of one show and Cena on the other.
Reigns has been groomed by the WWE in the past couple of years as the next face of the company but he has not gotten the full support of the fans. On the other hand, Cena is coming off a shoulder injury and diehard fans would not admit it but they are excited to see him back.
According to Daily Wrestling News, the two superstars are being kept apart because of the plan to have Reigns vs. Cena at WrestleMania 33 in Orlando. However, the current WWE plans are subject to change due to backstage information getting leaked online.
It is also noted that Cena will not be facing A.J. Styles and The Club anytime soon due to the freshness of the feud. Many fans are excited to see a Cena vs. Styles feud but they have to wait for it as WWE will slowly build it up.
Nonetheless, the 15-time WWE champion will be back on the Memorial Day episode of Raw after a five-month absence. It is expected that he will be put in a program with Rusev and the United States championship.
Cena is also advertised to face Alberto Del Rio in live events until the summer. It may be a continuation of their story because Del Rio kayfabe caused the injury to the Cenation leader.
Check out the video below for a rare confrontation between Cena and Reigns.