Why Seth Rollins Must Be Face of SmackDown After WWE Brand Split

Seth Rollins is getting back in the groove again as one of WWE's best and most hated heels. He may have the respect of fans who appreciate his work, but his character is not shy about rejecting their support at every turn.

But those same fans surely want the best for Seth, and the best thing for him is a major platform on which to shine. That platform appears to be Monday Night Raw, but the fact is, it's Tuesday Night SmackDown that would be the best fit for him.

This is definitely a new day for WWE.

When Seth was out because of injury, fans surely expected he would take Raw by storm upon his return. He's done that, of course, but no one could have expected something better was perhaps waiting for him on the company's B show.

But that B show could come closer to an A than ever before.

SmackDown deserves to be showcased, if only because WWE needs to create more of an even playing field. Raw has arguably always had the upper hand, mostly because it's live. SmackDown constantly seemed to be playing catch up as Raw continued to impress.

There is just no way to duplicate the live feel without going live. WWE has finally realized this, and SmackDown will soon get the exposure it needs. What better way to help the process along than by giving Seth that same spotlight?

This could be the opportunity Rollins needs to branch out on his own. He's always been linked to Roman Reigns and Dean Ambrose, which is completely understandable. Their time as The Shield produced one of the most exciting runs many fans have seen in years.

The truth is all three men will surely be connected for the rest of their careers.

But that does not mean Seth can't move on here. He's proved his worth away from working with his former teammates, just as he's proved his worth outside of the ring as well. Seth can get over and draw heat like no other heel in WWE, and much of that is done on the mic.

He's a naturally devious character, and every time he speaks, fans get the feeling he's just up to no good. His arrogance is unmatched in WWE, and his cockiness is on a level all its own. Seth is a classic heel, and he does that with all the drive of a man wanting to be the best.

It's that drive that earned him the respect he now has from fans.

But it's time for him to take what he's learned as the top heel in WWE and apply it to a stage he could own.

SmackDown is wide open here, and that's good for Seth. He could be drafted to the program and immediately have an impact like no one else could. Rollins has the ability to rule over any ring he works in, and Tuesday night's ring could be ready and waiting for him.

But the same can perhaps not be said of Monday night's squared circle.

Anything can happen during the draft of course, but to imagine Roman would go to SmackDown seems like a stretch. Raw is the flagship of WWE, and that means WWE likely wants the possible future top guy to stay the course on Mondays.

If that is indeed the case, then Rollins needs his own space.

Even if John Cena is drafted to SmackDown, he couldn't carry the program alone. Roman and Seth are the future, and if Roman has one show, then Seth should have the other one. Of course if that happens, then the question of which SuperStar is going over at Money in the Bank must be asked.

If Rollins wins the WWE World Heavyweight Championship and takes it to SmackDown, it would be a major way to kick off the new live slot. But if Roman wins, the next step could possibly be title separation.

It's unknown whether WWE will go this route, but there's enough talent on both shows to warrant a second top championship. That championship could be contested between Cena and Rollins as SmackDown becomes a true showcase of great talent for WWE.

Seth's return is big for the company, and he deserves a prime spot now he's back. If Raw's main event scene is filled up, there is no better place for him than SmackDown. He may not become the face of the company, but he could become the face of its hottest new live program, and that would be a perfect fit for him.

Tom Clark can regularly be found on Bleacher Report. His podcast, Tom Clark's Main Event, is available on iTunes, Google Play, Amazon Android, Windows Phone and online here.