When Vince McMahon arrived and named his progeny Stephanie McMahon as commissioner of Raw and Shane McMahon as commissioner of Smackdown Live very few people were surprised. While it is befitting for storyline purposes because since Shane McMahon lost at WrestleMania 32 to the Undertaker, Shane cannot run Raw the WWE Universe was left wanting. A McMahon family feud is nothing new and has several incarnations in the last two decades and there is a need to be a new element to the story. The new element to the story was added when Stephanie and Shane enlisted their new General Managers who are both high revered by the faithful WWE fans.
Raw General Manager Mick Foley
Two terms can be used to describe Mick Foley and they are hardcore and cheap pop. Foley elevated his status when the Undertaker hurled Foley off the top of the Hell in the Cell onto a ringside table. That one moment led to a rise in Foley’s popularity that culminated when he defeated the Rock for the WWE World Heavyweight title. And even today Foley can get the crowd engaged in the show by stating a positive remark about the city that is hosting the show.
The interesting aspect of Foley is how will he work on-screen with Stephanie McMahon. McMahon will most likely play the vindictive, manipulative, and power-hungry executive who wants every aspect of the product to go her way. While Foley will play the loveable goofball who is adored by the fans and could menace the evil doers of Raw. It seems that eventually there will be a power struggle between McMahon and Foley that will play out on Raw and it could end with Stephanie slapping Foley if not firing him.
Smackdown Live Daniel Bryan
Never has a WWE Superstar rise to the ranks so rapidly and unexpectedly to eventually have their career terminated due to injury like Daniel Bryan. Bryan was the centerpiece of WrestleMania XXX in New Orleans and his “Yes” chant has not only become relevant in the WWE but Pop Culture too. While Bryan did have to step away from competing inside the WWE ring the role of General manager can keep Bryan relevant for years.
The challenging aspect of Bryan being the General Manager of Smackdown Live will be unlike Raw, there is not a “good cop/ bad cop” dynamic. On Raw Foley is the good cop and Stephanie McMahon is the bad cop. On Smackdown Live, both Foley and Shane McMahon play the role of good cops. With two positive characters in charge of Smackdown Live, there needs to be a heel faction to rise up and challenge the power of Foley and McMahon.
There are two interesting leaders already on the Smackdown Live roster that could lead a devious heel faction. The first candidate is AJ Styles but the Club was broken up when Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson got chosen by Raw. Now Styles would need to find new disciples to pose a threat to the powers that be on Smackdown Live. The Second candidate is Bray Wyatt, who had Eric Rowan follow him to Smackdown Live, but lost Braun Strowman to Raw. A scenario could be created where Wyatt terrorizes Smackdown Live to force Bryan and Shane McMahon to acquire Strowman or the returning Luke Harper could fill the void for the Wyatt family.