WWE Internal Roster Hierarchy That Explains Exactly Why CM Punk Is Being Sent To SmackDown
WWE SmackDown go-home show tonight from Jacksonville features Rhea Ripley, Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss vs. Fatal Influence, Tiffany Stratton's first Women's US title defense, and more.
WWE internally views Cody Rhodes, Gunther and Rhea Ripley as SmackDown’s top tier of talent, with CM Punk set to join that group upon his return, per the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
Randy Orton and Drew McIntyre are also viewed as part of SmackDown’s upper tier, even in their respective absences. Raw’s internally regarded top tier currently consists of Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins, The Usos, Jacob Fatu, Oba Femi, Logan Paul and Bron Breakker.
The brand split for Punk was partly driven by that Raw depth — WWE felt the company’s biggest pending free agent made more sense on SmackDown to balance the star power across both shows.
Andrew Ravens is a reporter for WrestlingNews.co, where he covers the latest happenings in the world of professional wrestling. Based in Tulsa, Oklahoma, his main focus is reporting on day-to-day wrestling news, with a special emphasis on covering WWE and AEW. Having covered the industry since 2013, Andrew has developed an extensive knowledge of pro wrestling. His work involves more than just standard news updates; he also serves as a beat writer, providing in-depth and ongoing coverage of wrestling companies and its storylines. His skill set includes providing detailed play-by-play coverage for major events, ensuring fans who can't watch live still get a feel for the action. He also handles transcription, accurately converting interviews and media scrums for readers. As a dedicated reporter, Andrew frequently attends major wrestling events to cover them live, including WWE's Monday Night Raw and SmackDown, as well as AEW Dynamite. You can get in touch with Andrew for news tips or correspondence by emailing him at ravenstarmedia21@gmail.com.
