*The following story contains a spoiler regarding a development at this week’s SmackDown! taping. While the report keeps specific details from the show out, it does nonetheless feature the most important part–the reveal regarding a change to the Bragging Rights card–and should thus not be read by those hoping to watch SmackDown! without prior knowledge.
In what will end up airing as a last minute change to the card this Friday, WWE replaced the bulk of Team SmackDown! for the big 14 man tag match at WWE Bragging Rights. While Team RAW will remain the same, Team SmackDown! will now feature Chris Jericho, Kane, Matt Hardy, the Hart Dynasty, R-Truth and Finlay.
As many would have guessed, the change was made Tuesday afternoon purely due to Vince McMahon’s belief that the original team, which featured Jericho, Kane, Cryme Tyme, Dolph Ziggler, Drew McIntyre and Eric Escobar, looked too weak to realistically compete with the RAW Superstars.
Proof of how late the change was made (and it literally came at a production meeting the day of the SmackDown! taping), is obvious–the final segment on this week’s RAW featured a hard sell for the Bragging Rights tag match with the original RAW and SmackDown! teams brawling in the ring.
Source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter