Analyzing Impact of Alberto Del Rio's Release on WWE SmackDown

Even though Alberto Del Rio had fallen out of the spotlight, his exit from the company leaves WWE SmackDown incomplete.

Already the thinner brand in terms of top talent, SmackDown is now ever shorter on star power following Del Rio's departure. A reliable veteran is now gone, shrinking WWE's booking options, especially when it comes to its up-and-comers.

The Pride of Mexico parting ways with WWE wasn't a surprise.

The end of his tenure was marked by him standing on a lower tier than he is used to. After The League of Nations disbanded, Del Rio found himself without a rival, without direction. He didn't make the card for either Battleground or Extreme Rules.

Amid speculation about his unhappiness, Del Rio was suspended in August for violating the company's talent wellness policy.

Before his 30-day punishment was over, though, he worked out a deal to leave. WWE announced on its official website that Del Rio and the company "have mutually agreed upon the terms of his release." Del Rio confirmed the news, announcing his departure on Twitter:

This split will have a similar impact as when WWE let him go in 2014 after a backstage altercation.

Del Rio not being around won't sink the ship, but the roster won't be as deep. The effect of his absence, this time around, is increased by the division of the Raw and SmackDown brands. SmackDown has about 25 wrestlers to plug in each night as opposed to when WWE had 50-plus puzzle pieces at its disposal pre-draft.

Now, the Tuesday show is suddenly in need of an upper midcarder and a name casual fans recognize. 

DC Matthews of the New Age Insiders podcast pointed that out, and offered adding two potential solutions:

WWE hadn't been using Del Rio as a workhorse as it had in the past. He had competed in 46 TV and PPV matches this year so far, per CageMatch.net, which isn't a backbreaking schedule by WWE standards. It's more his prestige that will be missed. 

SmackDown is left with four former (and one current) WWE champions on its roster:

• Dean Ambrose
• John Cena
• Kane
• Randy Orton
• The Miz 

Del Rio was in the group, too. That helped when booking a pay-per-view match as it had a bit more buzz thanks to his previous accomplishments.

And while Mexico's Greatest Export is no major-league draw, WWE had to be more comfortable promoting him in a big match on SmackDown over the less established guys now set to replace him.

To that point, Del Rio's last WWE contest was in the main event of SmackDown opposite Cena.

What will sting more, though, is the fresh faces of the New Era are now minus one high-quality stepping stone and in-ring teacher. As WWE looks to elevate unproven talent like Baron Corbin and Apollo Crews, a rock in the ring like Del Rio is a valuable asset.

WWE could put Crews in there with Del Rio and be sure of excellence. 

Working with a veteran like Del Rio is how a rookie gets better, too. That's why WWE pitted Corbin against Samoa Joe so often before he left NXT. Plus, should the company want to push Crews, for example, wins over Del Rio have more power than victories over lesser names.

Credit: WWE.com

Now, WWE has to find alternate routes to slide Crews up the card or to welcome Curt Hawkins once he returns in emphatic fashion.

Ambrose has one less warrior to test him. Erick Rowan was one less quality rival available. 

The plus side of a Del Rio-less SmackDown moving forward is that emerging stars will get more airtime. WWE will be forced to showcase Corbin, Crews and others. We've already seen some of that with The Lone Wolf getting a main-even opportunity against Ambrose on Aug. 30.

More of that is on the way.

The line to step into the SmackDown throne is one man shorter. WWE has to slide its rookies a little closer to the forefront. 

The circus has to roll on, one performer stepping up in place of another.