This week on Monday Night Raw it was announced that Shane McMahon would be the commissioner of SmackDown, whilst Stephanie McMahon would claim the same role on Monday Night Raw. On top of that, both McMahon's will select a general manager who the will be under their guidance and leadership as the two battle it out to win Vince McMahon's approval and the keys to the company. The whole situation screams overcomplicated with too many authority figures, whether baby face or heel and is a recipe for potential disaster.
When the brand split was announced people's interest in the current product peaked. Whether they thought it was a positive move or a negative one people were interested in what was happening as it was something fresh and different. The potential of former stars returning, NXT stars debuting, and potentially new faces running the shows all came together to create a buzz within the WWE Universe.
But it should come as no surprise that after all the hype and speculation the main focal point of the brand split is set to be a feud between the McMahon siblings, fighting for their father's approval. After all the McMahon family has been at the heart of the WWE's main storylines for several years now and at the same time, the heart of most problems too.
Stale story
The thought of having another McMahon driven story is something that gives this writer a headache and now it is set to span over both shows, instead of being exclusively on Raw. There is now serious potential that The Authority could return to Monday night's if Stephanie picks her husband, Triple H, to be the GM of her show, just think about all those long 15-minute opening promos that fans grew so bored of, the idea is stale and not something people want to see.
Why were people excited to see Shane O'Mac come back? Because it was fresh and it brought an end to the monotonous and quite frankly boring Authority angle that had plagued WWE television for far too long. But now Shane has been dragged into the same mess that he supposedly saved us from. He brags about the 'New Era' he has ushered in, yet we are not set to go back to square one, but with added family bickering.
Of course, some judgment should be reserved until after the GM's are chosen and hopefully, something unique and fresh comes from it with perhaps Eric Bischoff making a surprise return but that remains to be seen.
McMahon's dominate the stories
The real issue with the announcement is that it is once again the McMahon's at the center of attention taking up the main storyline in the WWE instead of using the fantastic talents that are actually available and giving them the spotlight. The great thing about the Austin/McMahon rivalry is that it allowed the company's top star to be elevated, but this does not.
Sure, they will push talent's to supposedly win the rating's war and battle against each other, but no one will benefit from that like Austin did other than whichever McMahon comes out on top.
How refreshing would it be if the WWE Championship story was actually the most important in the company? Or a fierce and passionate feud like John Cena's and AJ Styles or Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn. But the McMahon's have been intertwined in all of the major storylines from recent years, just taking a look back shows just how involved they feel the need to be.
The Summer of CM Punk: The Straightedge superstar was the hottest thing in professional wrestling at the time, his infamous pipebomb followed by his walk out with the WWE Championship are etched in WWE history, but the whole feud stemmed over him being overlooked by, you guessed it, the McMahon family.
Daniel Bryan's Underdog Story: The rise of everyone's favorite underdog to the WWE World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania as a phenomenal one, but who did he spend months and months fighting against to get there? The McMahon family.
Sting's debut: A moment that fans never thought would happen, the Icon, Sting, debut in a WWE ring. His first impactful moment was helping Dolph Ziggler defeat the Authority's team to see them removed from the WWE, but that didn't happen, instead he would go on to lose to Triple H.
The brand split: Arguably the biggest story in a long time in the WWE hasn't even taken place yet, but already the McMahon's have injected themselves into the draft and made the entire purpose of the concept evolve around them.
Too much authority
For too long now an authoritarian figure has been the focal point of WWE television. If you want to elevate your stars then make the show about them, make them the focus and allow them the time to develop their own characters. Fans don't need to see long winded McMahon promos, instead, let us hear from a Cesaro or a Neville and allow talent time to actually connect with fans.
NXT is the most successful show right now in terms of quality, and that is because the focus is on the talent, they are given time to progress their feuds and no one is focusing on an authority power. William Regal's presence is felt, but only at the right times. He appears to make major announcements and that is all, it isn't overbearing, he doesn't try to make the show about him and that is just one reason why the developmental product is so refreshing.
Overall it seems like an opportunity has been missed already by the WWE as the company gears towards the draft that will feature Shane and Stephanie trading verbal blows as they attempt to pick the best roster to win their feud. Whilst this could still turn out entertaining, it hasn't gotten off to the best start and has left this writer wondering when we will finally see WWE without a McMahon at the center of attention, that day can't come quick enough.