The Booking Move WWE Needs to Revive Struggling SmackDown

WWE SmackDown could use all the help it can get ahead of its rumored return to three hours starting Jan. 2, per WrestleVotes on X.

The blue brand's quality has been inconsistent for the better part of 2025, but it struggled particularly in the first half when it was three hours long each week. Although the two-hour format has strengthened the show, SmackDown isn't without its fair share of flaws at the moment.

Chief among them is the general sense of stagnancy on the show from week to week, particularly with the roster and storylines.

A full-fledged draft isn't necessary when there has been zero indication in recent years that WWE is capable of doing a draft properly and making it interesting. Furthermore, several Superstars have quietly shifted shows this year without much official explanation (LA Knight, Sami Zayn, Jimmy Uso, etc.).

Rather, it would make more sense for SmackDown to actually use who is already there and enlist a few new names to freshen things up.

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Ilja Dragunov and his weekly open challenges have been a recurring highlight on Friday nights since he resurfaced and captured the United States Championship, but the roster depth has been dire otherwise.

Damian Priest and Aleister Black are both immensely talented but are in desperate need of something different after feuding with each other for nearly five months. Jacob Fatu was well on his way to being a worthy addition to the main event scene until he was sidelined last month, resorting to Cody Rhodes and Drew McIntyre resuming their rivalry over the Undisputed WWE Championship.

The MFTs have had minimal character development, and WWE seems to have given up on showcasing the tag team division since SummerSlam. A major overhaul is necessary if SmackDown is going to survive as a three-hour program, however long it lasts next year.

How WWE Can Make the Most of Current SmackDown Roster

The blue brand could have an exciting roster if more effort is put more spotlighting certain stars.

In 2002, SmackDown largely revolved around an elite group of six wrestlers who carried the show with their many in-ring interactions. The "SmackDown Six" as they were called consisted of Kurt Angle, Chris Benoit, Eddie Guerrero, Rey Mysterio, Edge and Chavo Guerrero, and they were responsible for giving the show the clear edge over Raw for a solid stretch of time.

SmackDown would greatly benefit from doing something similar with its current competitors.

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On the men's side, WWE should continue focusing on the likes of Dragunov, Priest, Black, Sami Zayn, Cody Rhodes and Drew McIntyre, but there are a handful of others who could and should be slotted higher on the card.

Carmelo Hayes was put in a prime position to excel when he was called up to SmackDown as the first overall draft pick while still in NXT last year. The follow-up was less than stellar, and his never-ending angle with The Miz hasn't done much to boost his stock.

Overcoming The A-Lister and setting his sights back on championship gold would be a significant step in the right direction for Hayes, along with completing his babyface turn and embracing the audience more regularly.

Rey Fenix and Santos Escobar should also be in line for renewed pushes after being booked aimlessly throughout 2025. The former is a thrill to watch when given the time to shine, and the multi-faceted latter hasn't been afforded too many opportunities to show what he can do.

The women's division is the area on SmackDown that arguably needs the most improving, at least in terms of the variety of matchups and range of storylines.

Jade Cargill's heel turn and subsequent WWE Women's Championship win were long overdue, but the the biggest problem she faces is not having much compelling competition to work with. Tiffany Stratton will eventually be back for revenge, but that rivalry ran its course months ago.

Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss remain staples of the women's tag team scene but would be better off chasing Cargill for the WWE women's title. Bianca Belair will be another welcome addition to the mix once she's ready to return.

Above all else, WWE must hit the reset button with Giulia following her failed run with the Women's United States Championship. She has the potential to go far but can't succeed until the creative team gives fans a reason to invest in her.

Fresh Faces Can Go a Long Way in Breathing New Life Into SmackDown

While there's no one person from Raw who would make an immediate impact on SmackDown and have an infinitely higher ceiling if they were to switch shows, NXT will be where the brand finds its next breakout stars.

More than anyone, Trick Williams should be called up to SmackDown imminently. He's accomplished all he can in NXT and would be the perfect fit for Friday nights. A feud or reunion with Hayes, his friend-turned-foe, would be the ideal introduction for him.

Oba Femi and Je'Von Evans could be moved to SmackDown right now and thrive, but to bring them all up simultaneously would decrease their chances of stardom and effectively gut NXT of its three brightest male prospects.

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The NXT women's division is deep enough that multiple talents can be called up at once without it coming at the expense of the brand. Jordynne Grace leads the pack of those ready for the main roster and should arrive on SmackDown specifically following her feud with Kelani Jordan.

Lola Vice fell short of winning the NXT Women's Championship at No Mercy in September and hasn't been involved in anything of note since.

With Priest being outnumbered by Black and his wife, Zelina Vega, Vice coming to the aid of her real-life boyfriend would ensure she isn't spinning her wheels out of the gate.

Likewise, Chelsea Green and Zack Ryder would be an excellent couple to put together on television coming off the latter's well-received return to SmackDown on Friday against LA Knight. He'd be useful on his own at the midcard level as an established star as well as alongside the newly-crowned women's United States champion as she recruits more members into her "cabinet."

Roster changes are the key to SmackDown's resurgence, but it won't become a better brand until major changes are made to its storylines, layout and direction.

Despite three hours being too excessive of a runtime for any weekly wrestling show, it can be formatted in a way where a vast majority of the roster is elevated if that time is devoted to getting them over, regardless of the length of their tenure.

Graham Mirmina, aka Graham "GSM" Matthews, has specialized in sports and entertainment writing since 2010. Visit his website, WrestleRant, and subscribe to his YouTube channel for more wrestling-related content.