SmackDown Live:
What a year it has been for the Blue Brand! At the start of 2016, SmackDown was completely in the gutter. Ratings were suffering, primarily due to two things. One was the total lack of creativity. It seemed as if the company cared very little about their secondary brand at all.
Week after week, Smackdown had become an absolute repeat from the week prior. This caused a lack of interest from the fan base, resulting in poor ratings. The second reason is a simple one. Pre-recorded shows lack the appeal you get from the live experience.
When you get used to the atmosphere that only a live show presents, you understand there’s nothing better.
With the brand extension, there came another change to the Blue Brand; they went live. Not only did the show go live, but the move to the USA Network really enhanced the product. Suddenly, aside from the one hour handicap, Raw and Smackdown were playing on a level playing field.
When you add Daniel Bryan and Shane McMahon, in a leadership capacity, to the mix it created an even better advantage for the once WWE stepchild program.
SmackDown Live has gotten better by the week. The show now has an identity and with that new found identity, they ran with the opportunity to make the show vital once again. With the sudden sense of purpose, WWE officials have done a knockout job making Smackdown not only better but, as it stands, WWE's best main roster alternative.