WWE Raw vs. Smackdown: Scouting for Bragging Rights Main Event

Judging by the segment from Monday Night Raw that featured Edge getting traded to Raw, Miz declaring himself captain of Team Raw at Bragging Rights, and Michael Cole demanding respect from all of his Cole Miners out there, we can begin to speculate at this month’s PPV main event.

This is only the second annual Bragging Rights PPV, so we don’t have a history to use for predictions on how the show will lay out. Unlike the Royal Rumbles or Survivor Series' that have been taking place for two decades, we are still trying to get a feel for the Bragging Rights formula.

Which actually makes it more interesting as we attempt to look into a crystal ball.

Last year, there were five matches: two singles matches, including one title match, a four-way title match, a divas match and the 14-man Bragging Rights tag-team match.

Much like the traditional Survivor Series match, each side of the Bragging Rights match has a captain. Rather than being composed of their pals or those with overlapping feuds, this is strictly a Raw vs. Smackdown match.

In most cases, there isn’t any long-term booking goal here beyond putting on a really fun elimination tag match—a popular format that WWE does incredibly well.

Last year’s captains were Chris Jericho on Smackdown and co-captains Shawn Michaels and Triple H as D-X. Interesting that one year later, all three of them are no longer traveling with the company, be it for injury, retirement, or hiatus.

This year, the captains appear to be set. As noted previously, Miz will lead up the Raw team, with newly-traded Edge, I except, to be put at the helm of selecting the Smackdown team.

With Wade Barrett and Randy Orton, and Kane and Undertaker headed toward the PPV as the top-title matches, we can rule them out of the Bragging Rights match. With it pretty well out there that CM Punk is headed to Raw, I would hope that he is featured in a singles match, where he can go over and look strong.

On the Smackdown side, I anticipate a Mysterio-Del Rio match. Even though they are facing off tonight, there is a high likelihood that there will be a screwy finish leading to a PPV bout.  

Additionally, I’m holding out hope that we’ll see a tag-team title match—perhaps a triple-threat tag match—with the Hart Dynasty and the Uso chasing Rhodes and McIntyre. With that said, here are my contenders for each lineup.

Raw:

Daniel Bryan—As noted before, the Bragging Rights match is not the same as a Survivor Series match. It’s not as cut and dry as faces vs. heels.

There has to be some dissension to add intrigue, and this is where it starts. Mandated by the General Manager, the U.S. Champion must be on Team Raw.

The Miz resists, warns Bryan not to get in his way, etc., etc. Good continuity, and it keeps Bryan on PPV.

Sheamus—The Celtic Warrior is directionless at this point, with Barrett battling Orton and Cena too distracted to deal with the giant jar of mayonnaise.

Miz identifies him as his muscle and talks him into joining the team. Sheamus needs to be on PPV, but with only three weeks to build to a match and Edge on his way to Smackdown, he fits best here.

Ted DiBiase—He and the Miz would see eye-to-eye and share a similar character, one that Miz does much better at the moment.

WWE Creative is still a fan of DiBiase as they’ve committed to keeping him on TV, pairing him with one of their best heel valets, and they even just gave him new music.

I think he’s a shoe-in here.

John Morrison—Another nemesis of Miz’s past, JoMo is perfect for big elimination tag matches like this because he brings such great energy.

He doesn’t need 10 minutes of ring time for his presence to be known. All he needs is to catch a hot tag, hit a few big moves and pop the crowd. He’s also fairly impervious to complete burial.

He can only drop so far down the card because he’s over with the crowd, so he could eat a pinfall and take a huge bump.

Justin Gabriel—The Nexus needs to play a role in more matches than just supporting Wade Barrett.

Other members of the group need to look strong, and Gabriel is the best second option they have. Much like Morrison, he can hit some big spots and draw a reaction.

As Miz attempts to assemble his team, he could go to Barrett and ask for Nexus’ assistance.

John Cena—Of course, Barrett isn’t going to allow one of his members to stray on his own without some insurance.

Barrett can direct Cena to watch after Gabriel as he watches after Barrett. This continues to push the storyline of Cena being forced to serve the Nexus while keeping him on the PPV in a high-profile match.

We can continue to wonder what Cena will do, how he will react, and whether or not he will continue to follow Nexus’ orders. It would also do great things for Gabriel, as he’d get the same rub as being a guy nobody knows much about that is now pushing around John Cena.

Smackdown:

Big Show—This is an obvious place for Big Show to get on the card.

He doesn’t have to be involved in a 10-12 minute match that he is just too slow and broken down for at this point of his career. He can be a wrecking crew, only to be overtaken by the numbers game of heels on Raw and get counted out or pinned.

Jack Swagger—The All-American American and Edge have already had a run-in, but that doesn’t mean Edge won’t put him on his team.

Again, you need a level of dissent in the ranks to spice up the storylines on each show leading to the PPV. This would help elevate Swagger, and give another good hand in the match.

Dolph Ziggler—Vickie Guerrero uses her influence once again to push Teddy Long into forcing Edge to carry the Intercontinental Champion, no matter how much the two may not get along. Ziggler is a very talented worker that can hit some big moves and take even bigger bumps.

Kofi Kingston—Electrifying, high-energy, big spots, and kid-friendly, Kofi is a good fit for this match. It doesn’t take much storyline to get him in there beyond a backstage conversation where Edge deems him worthy of being in the match, thus giving Kofi a good rub.

Luke Gallows—Since splitting with the Straight Edge Society, Gallows needs to stay on screen.

Once Punk is gone, Gallows can begin to explore his character, whatever that may turn out to be. He’s a big guy that can work fast-paced.

I think WWE shouldn’t rule him out completely because the former Freakin’ Deacon has some skills and should get a chance to show them off.

MVP—The on-again, off-again pseudo push of MVP leads him to this match, where he will surely be one of the first men eliminated.

The crowd still pops for him and takes him seriously as a midcarder. But he doesn’t bring much else beyond being another face to put on a team that is supposed to be “Edge and the good guys” against “Miz and the bad guys,” even though neither side is completely homogenous along the face/heel continuum.

In summary:

Team Raw—Miz (captain), Sheamus, Daniel Bryan, John Morrison, Ted DiBiase, Justin Gabriel, and John Cena.

Team Smackdown—Edge (captain), Big Show, Jack Swagger, Dolph Ziggler, Kofi Kingston, Luke Gallows. and MVP.