According to sources, Vince McMahon decided to go forward with this idea after last month's WWE RAW Brand House Show at Madison Square Garden when he heard the crowd react negatively when Triple H couldn't work his scheuled match against Brock Lesnar, due in part to his leg injury. As you may remember, Team Angle filled in that night for Triple H and the show ended up with a Main Event consisted of SmackDown talent. As the story goes however, Vince took the fans acting negatively in a different way, meaning that they were angry because they, the fans, wanted to see an all RAW show only. That was obviously not the case as the fans were booing because Triple H was originally advertised to face Brock Lesnar and didn't in the end. Many are confused as to why Vince McMahon would see it the way he has, as the obvious reason was right in front of his face.
Going back to the Pay Per View split. The McMahon's are said to be prepared to for an initial drop in Pay Per View buys at the beginning of this new system but as you may remember, they expected the same when they enforced the Brand Extension last summer. WWE's general feeling is that if they can build two important, independent brands at the same time then in the long run it will all work out. Many feel that if WWE decides to go with this plan it could be potential suicide for the company. The reason for this is because WWE doesn't simply have enough "top talent" to please the viewing audience to make this new move a success. In addition to that, bonuses for wrestlers could be cut drasticaly as the best the wrestlers can hope for our 8 PPV bonuses a year instead of 12. This would obviously anger talent, causing them to take a big hit to their pockets.
Many are hoping WWE reconsiders this possible idea and figure out another way to improve the company at this point in time.
Credit: Dave Scherer @ 1wrestling.com
