The roster on the first episode of Smackdown Live: Where are they now?
WWE reintroduced the brand split in July 2016 as the company divided its roster into two. Both the premier shows of WWE got their own separate rosters. While RAW was already airing live on TV, this brand extension transformed SmackDown from a taped show to a live one.
At the Battleground PPV, SmackDown's Dean Ambrose managed to retain his WWE Championship, which meant that the blue brand was the new home of WWE's most prestigious title. The Miz, who was the Intercontinental Champion at that time, was also drafted to SmackDown.
However, the blue brand did not have its own women's championship nor its tag team titles. Though they were introduced later on, they did not have them on the very first episode.
A lot of things have changed in the WWE since that night and here's a look at the current status of the superstars who were a part of the show .
Shane McMahon
Shane McMahon was one of the key reasons behind the brand split in 2016 and "The Money" was crowned the Commissioner of the blue brand by his father, Vince McMahon. Shane has continued to be an integral part of the show in 2019 as well, and the one notable thing he has achieved in the 3 years is the WWE World Cup.
Daniel Bryan
Daniel Bryan was the General Manager of SmackDown Live in 2016, and earlier that year he was forced to retire from professional wrestling.
Fast forward to 2019 and the GOAT is the WWE Champion. He made his triumphant in-ring return at WrestleMania 34 in 2018 and has turned from a popular babyface to a vicious heel.