And here we are, WWE Smackdown Preview is as set for the draft as we can be, and yes, we expect rules and trades to be made in the coming weeks to cover any glaring weaknesses created or ignored.
We’d like to think it’s the WWE’s way of making the draft appear as close to professional sports as possible, and that may be Fox’s influence in that regard.
Still, it should be an interesting night, so let’s get to it.
First Up
Since it appears each brand’s champions are in the draft pool, WWE Smackdown Preview expect Roman Reigns and Drew McIntyre will be the top two for their respective brands.
They may even switch brands to put the titles back where they were before the Fiend defeated Seth Rollins and the Universal Championship went to Smackdown.
This feels highly unlikely and unnecessary, so we’re discounting it right off.
Since Smackdown gets two choices and Raw three (Tag teams and factions are considered one unless they’re broke up), let’s see what shakes loose.
Also, NXT wrestlers also appear exempt, which removes tons of potential for this draft. Somehow, we’re not surprised.
So, with the extra round one openings, we expect Smackdown to draft Sasha Banks, and Raw to draft the Hurt Business (MVP, Bobby Lashley, Shelton Benjamin, and Cedric Alexander), and Asuka.
WWE Smackdown Preview are going off the notion the brands will want to secure their champions and top performers first, but they have ignored champions until the second or third round at times.
We also expect both shows to remain mostly as they are with a couple of shakeups here and there.
What could’ve been
This is where we look at some potential big moves the WWE could’ve made to get fans interest renewed, assuming, of course, the wrestlers agreed to move up.
And this is to make NXT part of the draft.
Sure, it’s their developmental brand, but a few of those names would’ve upset some fans and pleased others, meaning it would’ve gotten people interested.
A couple of interesting moves could’ve helped Smackdown especially improve.
One of those would be to bring up and draft Rhea Ripley.
Since we think Alexa Bliss will be drafted to Raw on Monday, Ripley would slide right in and add an extra element of toughness to the blue brand’s women’s division.
Another is calling up and drafted the Undisputed Era to Smackdown. Yep, the whole faction.
Smackdown is in desperate need of heels, and they would’ve balanced out the tag team division there when the New Day and Usos are fully healthy.
Of course, Raw’s tag team division is virtually nonexistent, but they also have the Hurt Business and Retribution there than can put out a couple of teams, so that helps.
There’s definitely a lot of possibilities, though it looks like tonight’s draft offering pales compared to Raw’s, but that doesn’t mean there won’t be any interesting moves.
Just please, pleeeeessssse don’t do that war room again. That was just… No.
Who do you think will be drafted first overall? Let us know in the comments.
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