(More than just lulz with adorable livestock? Source: @SashaBanksWWE twitter)
Sasha Banks, in an interview with Sam Roberts prior to Hell in a Cell, said she initially wanted to go to Smackdown for the opportunity to wrestle with different opponents. She's also dropped the occasional amusing tweet hinting that she still does. Her possible preference aside, she and Charlotte should be separated for the long term after locking horns consistently for a little over a year. Whether The Boss moves or not, her presence will be a factor in other roster switches.
(Bayley's connection with kids and the fact she retained at WrestleMania indicates she will probably stay on Team Red. Source: WWE.com)
Bayley, like Orton and Lesnar is a safe bet champion going into a roster split. She will probably stay on RAW, especially since the red women's title is named the Raw Women's Championship. The even slower burn on a Sasha Banks’ heel turn leaves it up in the air who her main protagonists will be. Keeping her and Sasha together sets the stage for the epic women's feud of 2017, but booking over the last few weeks indicates roster balance among the women may take precedence.
(The Lasskicker gives Ellsworth a definite WrestleMania moment with a forthcoming Bexsploder. Source:WWE.com)
Bayley, Banks and Charlotte Flair already had more established star power on the main roster before the brand split. The fourth of the Horsewomen, Becky Lynch won over fans more organically on her arrival, as her persona was still developing when she was called up with her peers. Becky is the anchor of Smackdown Live and her roster mates are all enjoying breakout years in popularity and achievement in the ring.
Trending upward in WWE's view has not cemented star power and only a twitter hashtag blitz of #giveSDwomenachance got the six-pack challenge title match onto the main show at WrestleMania. This is a strong indication that WWE will want to balance out the glitz factor and have Banks go to Smackdown. A heel Boss mad at the world would set the stage for a great rivalry with Lynch. Early 2016 gave us great matches between them leading up to WrestleMania and whether it is personal or for the title.
(Lynch and Banks locking horns at the TLC 2015 Kickoff show. Source: BeckLynchSource.com)
One tantalizing idea for a move not involving Banks is Charlotte. This seems unlikely to me given her status as the top female heel in the game as well as the fact she is still on the 3-hour flagship show, RAW. An enraged Charlotte Flair compelled by her ego to conquer two brand championships would start that first Smackdown after the draft with a bang for sure.
(A feud with Charlotte has helped both Bayley and Sasha Banks get over, even in defeat. She could do the same for many on Smackdown. Source: WWE.com)
Matchups with current champ Naomi, as well as Mickie James, Natalya, etc. open up good booking possibilities. Plus, in the drive for advertising revenue it's important to note that Sasha Banks has been front and center the most out of the RAW women in various ad campaigns from Muscle and Fitness features to DiGiorno to reading "The Night Before Christmas" to throngs of children at Kennywood Park in Pittsburgh.
It all depends on how much more WWE's creative team feel they can get out of a Bayley/Charlotte rivalry. The Queen, like her dad, doesn't lose much but feuding with her has gotten her opponents over and looking formidable – even in defeat. Given Smackdown's women are recently hitting their stride, she can do for them what she's done for others since NXT.
(Should one of RAW’s Big 3 go blue, Bliss could still have maximum impact on Raw. Naomi's star power would hinge on booking. Source: WWE.com)
For every star that moves, one will have to take her place. Alexa Bliss is still Smackdown's top female heel, but she could expand Bayley's rogue’s gallery on the thin RAW women's roster. More foes and another championship to go for would make her a solid choice should Banks or Flair head to Team Blue.
Beyond the wrestlers discussed above, the benefit of switching brands hinges more on booking philosophy. Naomi and Carmella can still capitalize on their emerging popularity if booked with the same opportunities they were given on Smackdown. Nia Jax may find a shorter road to her first world title as the new monster heel if she left Raw. Veterans Natalya and Mickie James could still enjoy their respective career renaissances on either show as long as WWE remembers fans still care about them.
Then there's the final big question . . .
(Source: WWE Network)
What if Asuka gets drafted? Current NXT titleholders have been called up before and the writing is on the wall her reign will probably end before the fall. It staggers the imagination, doesn't it? Just a little something to think about before Monday comes. . .
Next time in Glitter and Slam we will examine the fallout from said impending draft, so hit me up on twitter: @weskozalla and hit up Ace Masters and Wrestlementary here: @WrestlementaryT
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