With the 2016 brand extension a week away, we're finding out that Vince McMahon now favors a two-tiered system of managing Raw & Smackdown. That is to say, while Shane & Stephanie will govern Smackdown and Raw, respectively, as commissioners, something WWE hasn't had since Mick Foley's 2nd term ended in 2001, they will be asked to name general managers in time for the July 18 Raw.
It's not as easy as it seems.
On the Raw side, it would be too easy for Steph to ask her husband, Triple H, to be the GM. In a roundabout way, it would be the resumption of the Authority, and a lot of folks don't want that. However, the Cerebral Assassin may kill the idea himself, since he's so busy with NXT, even though he's already compromised the image created there of the benevolent businessman who has turned the former Florida Championship Wrestling into a phenomenon unto itself by being a puppet for his father-in-law for the better part of three years on Raw.
However, I don't see the Authority returning to power. Just can't happen, and we need to turn the page. Stephanie, if she is to remain a heel executive, and that gimmick has to be retired yesterday, has to be more like the subtle, clever GM she was on Smackdown in 2002-3, but on the wrong side of the moral fence.
While I'm in favor of current NXT GM William Regal being recalled to Raw to take a similar position there, that won't happen, either. However, HHH has a powerful ally already on Raw, who's already been an NXT GM.
Yep, you got it. John "Bradshaw" Layfield.
I can see Layfield leaving the broadcast booth and moving into the GM's office, which would mean less time for him to talk. Word, though, has gotten out that he will be doing some other work this fall, calling football for his alma mater, Abilene Christian University in Texas, as a color analyst. If it worked for Jesse Ventura, why not JBL, too?? The nice part about it, of course, is that it won't conflict with his WWE duties.
How does this happen, you might ask? How does JBL become GM of Raw?
The easiest move is to slide Jerry Lawler, now a heel analyst, back to Raw, and promote Corey Graves from NXT to Smackdown. It's either that, or Graves replaces Layfield AND Byron Saxton on Raw. Graves is getting rave reviews for his work as an analyst, and it's been rumored that he would get the call.
However, the easy way has never been the McMahon way.
The sibling rivalry between Stephanie & Shane is something they could've done 14 years ago, but with the two on opposite shows, were it not for Eric Bischoff being available. With Bischoff opposite her instead of big brother Shane, Stephanie was able to transition into a babyface GM/damsel in distress and win over the audience, though that part was a little slow going. This time, she's in Bischoff's role as the villain, a role she shouldn't be playing at all.
The whole idea of the sibs being commissioners is that it allows the focus to be taken off them and on the new GM's, which for the McMahons' detractors is a welcome relief. There are rumors, too, that former champ Daniel Bryan, who will be calling the Cruiserweight Classic with Smackdown play-by-play man Mauro Ranallo, could be Shane's pick as Smackdown GM. Not too sure about that one, either.
The reason ex-GM's Teddy Long, John Laurinaitis, & Vickie Guerrero have been showcased in recent weeks would suggest none of them will be back in the long haul. Laurinaitis, especially, would be busy with the forthcoming "Total Bellas" on E!, so he'd be out. People Power II is not an option, and bringing the least popular GM of all time in Guerrero is just as unlikely. Kane? Well, maybe, but I doubt it.
And, then, there are these options:
Paul Heyman: Served as Smackdown GM from October 2003 (replacing Steph) through April '04. Wants a bigger role on camera, according to rumors, and has a business on the side these days.
Chances of a 2nd GM run: Possible, but not likely.
Ric Flair: Rumored a while back, but this would be an easy option to at least tease getting back at daughter Charlotte for dumping him a few weeks back, in terms of storyline.
Chances of a GM run: Better than you think.
Mick Foley: Two terms as commissioner in 2000-1. Co-GM briefly in 2003. Working on a WWE Network series with daughter Noelle.
Chances of a 2nd GM run: Slim already left.
Kurt Angle: Served as Smackdown GM from April-July 2004 as a heel. Has shot down rumors of a return.
Chances of a 2nd GM run: Don't be surprised if it happens. Vince has gone off the grid before (i.e. A. J. Lee in 2012), and could do it again.
Right now, I'm just throwing names out there, because I can't figure where everyone fits at the moment.
Vince realizes competition is good for business, but the way he wants to go about it isn't. And it's going to bite him again.
