WWE introduces 'Wild Card rule' for brand split

While details are still sparse, WWE has introduced a rule to explain wrestlers making cross-brand appearances.

Vince McMahon started off tonight’s Raw, with SmackDown’s Roman Reigns, Daniel Bryan, and WWE Champion Kofi Kingston coming out during the segment. Vince said he had an epiphany and mentioned a Wild Card rule where three wrestlers from Raw and three wrestlers from SmackDown would be allowed to appear on the opposite brand “on a given occasion.”

Two WrestleMania rematches were announced for later in the show, with Kingston defending his title against Bryan and Reigns facing McIntyre.

Reigns starting off tonight’s Raw was hyped in advance. Raw posted record-low ratings for a non-holiday episode last week, while last week’s SmackDown did the show’s lowest ratings since the 2016 brand split.

Tonight’s Raw is going against two NBA playoff games. The Milwaukee Bucks vs. Boston Celtics started at 7 p.m. Eastern time, while the Golden State Warriors vs, Houston Rockets tipped off after that game ended.