WWE, since the very first brand split during the Ruthless Aggression Era, has always tried to sell fans on the idea of SmackDown vs RAW, so much so that we even got a game series out of it. And while, in kayfabe, it’s not always been vital to much, it seems to be a big issue backstage.
Do certain Superstars get preferential treatment based on their name? Are some talents held down simply for one imaginary flaw (something something brass rings) while main eventers can get away with major holes in their game? These are the kind of questions and debates that stir up fans, but how does the actual WWE talent feel?
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Well, according to Ibou on the latest Self Made Sessions, some stars might feel like they’re getting the short end of the stick. Doubly so if they’re working Friday Nights, which has been par for the course for the majority of the brand splits, save for the Bloodline Era.
“What I’ll say is I spoke to some people in WWE about what’s been going on lately. There’s some creative frustration. A lot of times, they’re kind of annoyed about not knowing what their creative is, but more than anything, what has been starting to circulate is the talent understanding the creative difference between RAW and SmackDown. That’s a thing now. Like, there are people that know, ‘Oh, I’m on Fridays? Well, we know what that means,'” said Ibou on Self Made Sessions [32:40-33:20]
This came up after it was jokingly stated that Roman Reigns wouldn’t want to step onto the Blue Brand after highlighting the importance of RAW on Netflix. And considering the promo battle between Reigns and CM Punk on February 2, that seems to be the case.
Roman Reigns and CM Punk belittle the WWE Championship during RAW promo battle
Roman Reigns won the Men’s 2026 Royal Rumble match this year, guaranteeing him a World Championship match of his choosing at WrestleMania 42. The Tribal Chief didn’t take long to give us his answer, revealing on Monday Night RAW last week that he was going after CM Punk.
Before that moment, though, Drew McIntyre and the WWE Championship caught a few pot shots, courtesy of Reigns and Punk. SmackDown’s top dog was seen as the “easy option” and the less tantalizing option despite Drew’s longstanding and brutal rivalries with both men.
By the time the show was over, Reigns vs Punk seemed like the obvious right choice, while Drew McIntyre came off kind of weak. Punk was the New York strip to McIntyre’s Big Mac, which is something that should never be said about the current Undisputed WWE Champion.
Punk did, at least, give his upcoming challenger, Finn Balor, more respect than he gave Drew.
Edited by Greg Bush
