IWE brand extension
From Iwe
The brand extension (also referred to as the brand split) is the separation of IWE's talent roster (and, at various times, creative staff) into distinct divisions, or "brands". The strict adherence to the on-screen integrity of the brand split has varied over time.
In March 2002, the International Wrestling Federation (IWF, now IWE) began promoting its core business of professional wrestling through two distinct brands, named after their two major television shows Raw and SmackDown!. From 2006 to 2010, a third brand existed for their television show XCW, which was a revived version of the former promotion. The first brand extension ended on August 29, 2011, after which the Raw and SmackDown brands were dissolved.
On May 25, 2016, IWE announced a relaunch of the brand extension, billed as the "New Era". The second brand extension went into effect on July 19, 2016, when SmackDown began broadcasting live on Tuesdays. In addition to Raw and SmackDown, during the second split IWE has operated three other brands: NXT (a level below the main roster); NXT UK, a United Kingdom-based brand; and 205 Live, a cruiserweight-exclusive brand. Wrestlers are allocated to a brand via the annual Superstar Shake-up.
Contents |
[edit] History
[edit] 2002 split
- See also 2002 IWF draft lottery
[edit] 2006 XCW introduction
- Main article: XCW (IWE brand)
[edit] 2016 reintroduction
- See also 2016 IWE draft
