Raw General Manager Adam Pearce will once again steer the ship tonight on SmackDown in place of Nick Aldis. Last week, Gunther attacked SmackDown’s GM at the end of the show, setting up Pearce as tonight’s substitute and leaving him with “a ton to address.”
As Your Noble Scribe, it’s my duty to remind you what happened the last time Pearce ran the blue brand. He booked a title match between then-Undisputed WWE Champion Sami Zayn and Cody Rhodes. However, he booked it for Raw, not SmackDown.
At the
time, it struck many as an odd decision. But in reality, it all made perfect sense.
With SummerSlam looming, WWE quickly needed to set up an Undisputed Championship match for the event. It accomplished that by writing Rhodes off with an injury, paving the way for hometown hero CM Punk to step in at Chicago’s Raw and defeat Zayn for the title.
Now, Punk will face Rhodes in a huge title fight at SummerSlam.
Again, reality.
Me? I deal in kayfabe. I judge the characters by their motivations and decisions as though the events unfolding on screen are happening in real life.
Viewed through that lens, Pearce’s decision makes perfect sense. He raided the blue brand to boost Raw’s numbers, likely keeping Netflix happy and, by extension, pleasing his boss, Triple H.
Selfish? Absolutely. Effective? Hell yes.
Which brings us to tonight’s question: what’s the next marquee SmackDown attraction Pearce can poach for Raw?
If I’m Pearce, I’m targeting Baron Corbin vs. Trick Williams for the United States Championship. Corbin returned to WWE last week, blindsiding Carmelo Hayes before turning his attention to Williams. That match feels SummerSlam-bound, so why not bring it and SmackDown’s hottest star, “Trick Willy,” to Raw first?
Just a little armchair GM advice from one bald devil to another.
What say you, Cagesiders? Will Pearce swipe another SmackDown moment for Raw? If so, what should he target next? Share your armchair GM ideas in the comments.
