The last week has been a transformative one in the wrestling industry. It truly feels like the scene both mainstream and locally is experiencing a boom in interest. From big independent shows to global brands selling huge numbers of tickets. We aren’t even halfway through 2023 and it is shaping up to be one of the most dramatic and newsworthy in recent history.
In the same week the NFL conducted their famous draft, WWE followed suit. Moving Superstars from Raw to SmackDown, SmackDown to Raw and calling up the stars of tomorrow from NXT, the pieces have well and truly moved around the board.
Add in the huge Premium Live Event (PLE), Backlash, this weekend in Puerto Rico and things are beginning to heat up in the usually tepid, post-WrestleMania lull. Andy Spoors is here to look at an evolving WWE, and exactly where we are heading in the next few months.

A refreshing draft

When referee Dan Engler’s hand hit the canvas for the third time inside SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, he brought an end not only to WrestleMania 39, but the hopes of Cody Rhodes finishing his story at the first opportunity.

Exiting the stadium, there seemed to be one question on everyone’s lips. What next? During his historic championship run, Roman Reigns has vanquished all credible and established challengers. There is no one left to mount a believable tilt at the title. So what could WWE do?

Well a couple of things apparently. Announce a new Heavyweight Championship (more on that to come) but also shake things up with a Draft. The company has always played a bit fast and loose with a brand split between Raw and SmackDown, but before Mania those blurred lines became non-existent as Superstars would turn up where they wanted, when they wanted.

This week, the company went big in announcing where Superstars would call home and for the most part, it has injected a much needed dose of freshness. A soft reset and perhaps a chance for some talent that have been struggling and lost in the shuffle to make the most of a new opportunity.

The biggest opportunity arguably comes in the shape of those called up from NXT. It had been a little while since the company’s development brand had seen a large group of Superstars move to the main roster. For a multitude of reasons this has been a long time coming. 18 NXT Superstars in total received a call up, flooding the main roster with new tag teams, some familiar faces and the odd future star.

It also means NXT itself can continue to offer opportunities by filling the gaps those called up have left. The brand still possesses a ridiculous amount of talent, that will no doubt step up to the plate, ready to stand and deliver (pun intended).

For those now on Raw and SmackDown it is time to show why they can be the face of WWE and state their case on why they can dethrone Roman Reigns. With the draft taking effect this Monday, the WWE Universe is ready for some exciting times ahead…   

Putting the world in World Wrestling Entertainment

Speaking of exciting times, Saturday night sees the first PLE after WrestleMania. Rather than running a number of Mania rematches, this year the event emanates from San Juan, Puerto Rico. Notoriously a hotbed of wrestling heritage and home to some very passionate members of the WWE Universe, the crowd in attendance is sure to make a racket.

Presented by none other than global Superstar singer and hometown hero, Bad Bunny, the event card may look a little light on Championship matches, but interestingly doesn’t feature any rematches at all.

The closest we get to a rematch is some six man tag action when WrestleMania main event winners Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn team up with The Usos and Solo Sikoa. The latter trio have felt somewhat cast adrift without the weekly appearance of their tribal chief Roman Reigns. His absence, presumably to make his actual on screen time feel special, has allowed for others to steal the spotlight, but also ramp up tension in The Bloodline.

Elsewhere Bad Bunny faces off against previous friend and fellow Puerto Rican Damien Priest in a San Juan Street Fight. Rumoured to main event the show, this rivalry has had the desired effect as WWE have featured prominently in mainstream media, such is the popularity of Bad Bunny in the music industry. As both men herald from the island, expect the noise levels to hit 11 no matter where they find themselves on the card.

Both women’s Championships will be on the line as Zelina Vega gets a chance to upset the odds when she takes on Rhea Ripley for the SmackDown Championship and Bianca Belair goes head to head with a Superstar ready to show the world what they are capable of, IYO SKY.

Backlash also serves as the first of three consecutive PLEs to be held outside of North America. Later this month the company will head to Saudi Arabia for Night of Champions before rocking up on British soil at the beginning of July for Money In The Bank. It’s an interesting business strategy and one that risks the ire of fans based in their native USA.

Sure, week to week the company tours the width and breadth of America, but it has long been established that the BIG talking points go down at PLEs. It is however more important than ever that WWE satisfies and placates their fans abroad. With AEW selling tens of thousands of tickets for their first event in the UK this week, the once open goal of international fans suddenly finds itself guarded.

Who will hold the heavyweight high?

The final piece in WWE’s new look puzzle, is the introduction of a brand new Heavyweight Championship. Announced by Triple H due to the historic reign by Roman and the need for not only both brands to have a world title, but also give fans a fighting champion too. As compelling as Roman’s title run has been, his absence on a weekly basis serves very few outside of himself at this point. New Superstars are needed to step up to the plate or grab the brass ring. But with a unified title, opportunities are hard to come by.

By introducing a new championship, WWE not only plug that gap, sell more merchandise, but also inject some anticipation into proceedings. The new champion will be crowned later this month in Saudi Arabia just as Roman Reigns passes the 1000 day mark as champion. A juxtaposition and delicious twist of fate that one man will build his legacy in earnest, as one solidifies his. 

Quite who the new champ will be is anyone’s guess at this point. There are familiar faces and safe hands aplenty to carry this new prize, chiefly Seth Rollins, Bobby Lashley or Brock Lesnar. Or WWE could be brave and allow the likes of Shinsuke Nakamura, Riddle or even someone like Johnny Gargano to capture their first world title in the company.

Whether it be a change of scenery, a Superstar shakeup or crowning a new champion, there are plenty of reasons to be excited about WWE in the coming months. The pieces are in place, now it’s time to play the game.

Check out our prediction and reaction to the new WWE Heavyweight Championship right here…