WWE Draft Thread

[Spens1]

Well i know it isn't even mania yet but why not.

Who do you think is moving roster, who do you think should move rosters?

Well for me, the idea is more. Raw = more casual but also what can last 3 hours. Focused more on the entertainment aspect
Smackdown = for the hardcore fans more (i.e. this year) and focused more on ring work (also character work).

To Smackdown:

Shinsuke Nakamura (From NXT)

I don't trust RAW's booking team with him, they don't emphasise in ring work and physical charisma as much as smackdown does. Simple as that really, don't get me wrong, i think he could be an upper-mid carder on raw, but on smackdown he'd be a main eventer

Asuka (From NXT)

With Charlotte and Bayley on Raw, i think smackdown does need another woman, also Raw should be getting Kay+Royce and/or moon. Asuka's lack of promo isn't as big of a glaring issue, she'd be on smackdown to be almost a female lesnar and realistically you could do that on smackdown better than raw.

Kevin Owens

Yes the probable U.S Champion to Smackdown, in my opinion at least, he needs a reboot and smackdown also needs that type of heel (the monster variety with good promo work). At the end of the day, i think Joe actually may have replaced Owens on RAW potentially. He is the HHH guy right now whilst Owens has been treading water, even was Universal champion. He would take the US championship there also (Swapping with Corbin but more on that later).

Sami Zayn

He's not doing a lot on Raw, i thought he would have but he really hasn't been doing a lot outside of losing to Joe (albeit valiantly). This underdog daniel bryan build is a bit forced. On Smackdown he gets more structure at least, probably feuding with the mid card and top heels and really getting popular. Not to mention a potential Owens-Zayn program (for the US or WWE title).

Seth Rollins

If anyone needs a seachange its Rollins. They've bungled him so badly, he has face of the company potential but they need to get it right and fast. One way to start this again is Rollins v Ambrose down the line, just with the roles reversed. Have Ambrose have a slow-burn heel turn and have Rollins capitalise on his win against HHH (Should be decisive too, HHH is old).

Rusev

Rusev needs the move moreso than anyone else, he's basically being jobbing, on smackdown he's at least a midcarder and a monster heel again, he'd probably be able to prove himself on the mic more and more. He could put a compelling program with

Cesaro

Cesaro and Sheamus are great but i think Mania should be the last time they matchup together with a match at raw ending it all once and for all (Cesaro should go over i'd say). If he is to get a serious singles run, now is the time and smackdown is the place to do it. He could get a US title run or even be in WWE title contention sometime down the line.

Sasha Banks

Yep, heel Sasha Banks. Its happening soon enough, why not let it happen at mania. You'd immediately have as the top 3 woman. Heel Sasha, Face Lynch and Tweener/Monster Asuka. 3 completely different characters on the smackdown side of things.

Finn Balor

Not the first name to come to mind but it boils down to this, Smackdown has face authority figures. Who better to go against to go against them than a Heel Bullet Club (well I guess they'd be 'The Club' but same thing). It also feeds into Finn as a top heel which they probably already had in store eventually and could play to AJ as a top Face eventually since they're already planting the seeds there. Honestly a feud could continue in the sense that now you have the entire club against Shane and Daniel. The idea of the Club running roughshod and Shane and Bryan having to play catch-up is an interesting feud.

Gallows & Anderson

Same reasoning as Finn but also why not move them to clear up space for Dash and Dawson from NXT for Raw.

Emma

To save us all from the bad Raw segments really. But she can wrestle and wrestle well. Realistically it wouldn't be outrageous to say she would be the 4th best woman on that roster. If she got on that smackdown roster she could be used in title matches and secondary woman's feuds (probably the 2nd best heel after Banks).

To Raw:

John Cena

EVEN if he is part time, he's a draw regardless. Raw need draws and Raw needs Cena. The ratings aren't that different. Cena on smackdown has been great and if they give him that level of freedom, i can't see why they wouldn't

Randy Orton

Probably the most over guy on the roster today. The man can do no wrong and one of the few draws left right now. Now he could be one of the last main full time faces who draw.

Baron Corbin

Would almost be a shame for them to do this but Corbin would need to, Vince obviously likes him a lot and has had him protected a fair bit, with him eliminating Strowman at the Rumble and doing pretty well there. I'd have him leave Smackdown with the IC title also.

Apollo Crews

They obviously like him, but he's been one of the few guys who have been irrelevant on smackdown. Seriously he's done absolutely nothing of note or significance. It is clear he was called up too early but maybe on Raw he gets more over (since flips and smiles etc). He'd get a better spot on the roster and probably positioned well in the mid card.

Dolph Ziggler

He's popular but not nearly as much as he should given the fact he was in a near feud of the year with the miz. He still is very popular though so RAW could easily get him back up to scratch.

Hype Bros

Yep both of them, They like Mojo a lot, but neither has gotten a lot of love on smackdown at least. Mojo is pretty decent, annoying character but good enough in the ring.

Kalisto

This is more of a move to 205 than anything else. He should have been on 205 on its inception. He adds to the great depth of luchadors and probably becomes the #1 luchador.

Alexa Bliss

Most likely going to lose her title at mania, most likely to either a debuting Asuka or Lynch. Honestly she has been one of the better heels on the womans side. She'd be the 2nd biggest heel and 3rd best woman on that roster (at least until Ember Moon is ready to come up). She's sufficiently different enough from Charlotte as a heel.

Naomi

Is pretty over because of Total Diva's. Not the best wrestler but is exciting at least. May be able to be the 5th best woman's wrestler and 2nd best face.

The Miz

He deserves prime time really. On Smackdown he would be overshadowed for sure. The Miz on Raw with Maryse would be nuts. He could go into the new faction with HHH potentially, go after the IC title again or make that step up to main eventer. I think he could do it this time also so long as the chasing pack is strong (i.e. Cena, Orton, even Lesnar or Goldberg in a sense would be unique feuds, i'd actually be keen for Miz-Heyman promo battles). If given the freedom he's had on smackdown, he's a main event player.

Dash & Dawson (From NXT)

They deserve a call-up. Honestly they may be the top tag team in the world right now. I think with the Good Brothers on Smackdown, it clears up space for these two, who are of a similar ilk but have the greater potential to be special.

Kane

Again, casual appeal that could potentially draw off of Nostalgia.

Mickie James

Could do a lot more on raw than smackdown right now. A continued story with Bliss, going up against Bayley, going up against Charlotte.

The Ascension

Yeah they still exist. With Gallows & Anderson going as well as Sheamus & Cesaro breaking up, there needs to be at least more bodies. I mean they aren't going to be a top team but they don't need to be. Realistically the top 3 teams of D&D, New Day and Enzo & Cass will be the focal point (much like the woman).

[Dunthreevy]

Are they re-drafting again, after only 8 months?

[Spens1]

Are they re-drafting again, after only 8 months?

Apparently they're doing it soonish. Its happening some time after mania i know that much.

[WRau1]

I read on cageside a few weeks back that there will be a draft but only for like 6 NXT people and 4 trades. None of which can be title holders.

[Spens1]

I read on cageside a few weeks back that there will be a draft but only for like 6 NXT people and 4 trades. None of which can be title holders.

that would make sense also. the rosters for the most part are ok but yeah guys like Rusev, Zayn and Cesaro should certainly move from the raw side and crews, kalisto and ziggler should move from the smackdown side.

in terms of callups, not too sure. Nakamura and Asuka have to be two of them though i'd imagine.

[iMoreland]

AJ and Seth are the only guys I want to see change shows. Everyone else is fine

[Dunthreevy]

Apparently, Elias Samson is going to be one of the NXT call ups after Mania. That would be why his match with Hero has a "loser leaves NXT" stipulation.

[improper]

Apparently, Elias Samson is going to be one of the NXT call ups after Mania. That would be why his match with Hero has a "loser leaves NXT" stipulation.

Guess the main roster needs some new jobbers.

[Spens1]

Yeah Samson isn't really going to do much of anything, he does have a great top rope elbow drop though.

[Spens1]

AJ and Seth are the only guys I want to see change shows. Everyone else is fine

Seth may actually get a coherent story.

AJ wouldn't be bad on RAW either, especially if it ties into a Club storyline. They do probably need a guy who can really be a main eventer apart from the part timers.

[improper]

Yeah Samson isn't really going to do much of anything, he does have a great top rope elbow drop though.

To me he seems like he could have been at least a mid-card guy, but they saddled him with a terrible gimmick and the crowd turned on him.

What I don't understand is why they're sending him to the main roster right now. It just makes no sense, and seems like it'll kill any chance he had of ever making anything of himself in the WWE. They did the same thing to Crews, calling him up at least a year before he was ready.

Hero would have been the better call-up. He's already a star wrestler who people generally know, he's got mountains of experience, and he's older and more ready.

[Spens1]

Yeah Samson isn't really going to do much of anything, he does have a great top rope elbow drop though.

To me he seems like he could have been at least a mid-card guy, but they saddled him with a terrible gimmick and the crowd turned on him.

What I don't understand is why they're sending him to the main roster right now. It just makes no sense, and seems like it'll kill any chance he had of ever making anything of himself in the WWE. They did the same thing to Crews, calling him up at least a year before he was ready.

Hero would have been the better call-up. He's already a star wrestler who people generally know, he's got mountains of experience, and he's older and more ready.

A lot of the more experienced guys should be called up to be honest. I mean i know its a brand but keep the experienced guys who need to add something (i.e. Almas, Strong, Cole and O'Reilly when they get to NXT) and move up guys like Hero, Roode and Nakamura who are the complete packages already.

They just need to get Hero some new ring gear :tsk: Why did they think that would be ok. Get him a loose singlet like they gave to Owens and don't have him wrestle in tights.

[improper]

A lot of the more experienced guys should be called up to be honest. I mean i know its a brand but keep the experienced guys who need to add something (i.e. Almas, Strong, Cole and O'Reilly when they get to NXT) and move up guys like Hero, Roode and Nakamura who are the complete packages already.

They just need to get Hero some new ring gear :tsk: Why did they think that would be ok. Get him a loose singlet like they gave to Owens and don't have him wrestle in tights.

I can at least see why they kept Nakamura. Dude needed to learn better English. He has now. He's markedly better on the mic now than when he arrived. Still not great, but better.

But yeah, the main reason they keep some of these guys is because NXT tours now, and they need big names to sell tickets. Roode pretty much signed on to replace Samoa Joe, so I'd expect him to be a fixture of NXT for another year or so and continue to help anchor the brand.

[Spens1]

A lot of the more experienced guys should be called up to be honest. I mean i know its a brand but keep the experienced guys who need to add something (i.e. Almas, Strong, Cole and O'Reilly when they get to NXT) and move up guys like Hero, Roode and Nakamura who are the complete packages already.

They just need to get Hero some new ring gear :tsk: Why did they think that would be ok. Get him a loose singlet like they gave to Owens and don't have him wrestle in tights.

I can at least see why they kept Nakamura. Dude needed to learn better English. He has now. He's markedly better on the mic now than when he arrived. Still not great, but better.

But yeah, the main reason they keep some of these guys is because NXT tours now, and they need big names to sell tickets. Roode pretty much signed on to replace Samoa Joe, so I'd expect him to be a fixture of NXT for another year or so and continue to help anchor the brand.

To be honest though, i don't even think they need Roode. They're signing a guy like Cole who is pretty big.

Also the Brand itself is good enough to sell out house shows i'd imagine. As would the match quality

[improper]

To be honest though, i don't even think they need Roode. They're signing a guy like Cole who is pretty big.

Also the Brand itself is good enough to sell out house shows i'd imagine. As would the match quality

Well, once you start touring in larger arenas, you need names to draw in people. You can fill smaller venues on name recognition alone, but even then some people might balk at paying good money to go to a show if there aren't any well-known names performing.

To be honest, I think the way NXT is currently structured is a lot smarter for a company like the WWE. The WWE is the biggest wrestling promotion in the world, and likely will be for the foreseeable future. Most wrestlers' biggest goal is to get a run with the WWE at some point and to try to make it there. The WWE, as such, largely shouldn't be wasting their time developing guys. They should be signing guys who are already finished (or mostly finished) products and leave the developing to the indies.

Now, I'm not saying they should never take chances on developmental guys. They should. Sometimes you hit on a big time talent like Angle. I'm just saying that it's smarter for them to sign guys who are ready to earn for them now, give them a bit of time in NXT to adjust to the WWE set-up (or America for foreign wrestlers), more or less depending on the individual, and then calling them up and using them to make you money on the main roster.

I mean, it's nice to say you created a home-grown talent, but ultimately money is money.

[Dunthreevy]

A lot of the more experienced guys should be called up to be honest. I mean i know its a brand but keep the experienced guys who need to add something (i.e. Almas, Strong, Cole and O'Reilly when they get to NXT) and move up guys like Hero, Roode and Nakamura who are the complete packages already.

They just need to get Hero some new ring gear :tsk: Why did they think that would be ok. Get him a loose singlet like they gave to Owens and don't have him wrestle in tights.

I can at least see why they kept Nakamura. Dude needed to learn better English. He has now. He's markedly better on the mic now than when he arrived. Still not great, but better.

But yeah, the main reason they keep some of these guys is because NXT tours now, and they need big names to sell tickets. Roode pretty much signed on to replace Samoa Joe, so I'd expect him to be a fixture of NXT for another year or so and continue to help anchor the brand.

To be honest though, i don't even think they need Roode. They're signing a guy like Cole who is pretty big.

Also the Brand itself is good enough to sell out house shows i'd imagine. As would the match quality

It's not. They've been having trouble selling out shows for months now, especially the international tours. They had to cancel their tour of New Zealand because ticket sales were so poor. And they had to add Nakamura to this upcoming UK tour (after Mania) because ticket sales weren't doing well.

[Spens1]

I can at least see why they kept Nakamura. Dude needed to learn better English. He has now. He's markedly better on the mic now than when he arrived. Still not great, but better.

But yeah, the main reason they keep some of these guys is because NXT tours now, and they need big names to sell tickets. Roode pretty much signed on to replace Samoa Joe, so I'd expect him to be a fixture of NXT for another year or so and continue to help anchor the brand.

To be honest though, i don't even think they need Roode. They're signing a guy like Cole who is pretty big.

Also the Brand itself is good enough to sell out house shows i'd imagine. As would the match quality

It's not. They've been having trouble selling out shows for months now, especially the international tours. They had to cancel their tour of New Zealand because ticket sales were so poor. And they had to add Nakamura to this upcoming UK tour (after Mania) because ticket sales weren't doing well.

I'm amazed they didn't do well for the UK, then again when choosing between Progress or RevPro and a pretty meh NXT product i kind of get that decision also.

[WRau1]

Speaking of WWE signing main roster ready talent, do you think we'll ever see the WWE sign a guy that goes straight to main roster again? I'm not talking about guys with a WWE past like The Hardys, but a guy like Styles.

[improper]

Speaking of WWE signing main roster ready talent, do you think we'll ever see the WWE sign a guy that goes straight to main roster again? I'm not talking about guys with a WWE past like The Hardys, but a guy like Styles.

Probably depends largely on who it is and how big a name they are, which is directly proportional to how much they make. Styles went to the main roster largely because, in my opinion, they were forced to pay him big money to get him to come to the WWE. Honestly, I think Nakamura would have went straight to the main roster too if the language barrier hadn't been an issue. If he had spoken perfect or pretty good English the day he signed, I think he would have debuted after 'Mania last year instead of at NXT Takeover.

[WRau1]

Speaking of WWE signing main roster ready talent, do you think we'll ever see the WWE sign a guy that goes straight to main roster again? I'm not talking about guys with a WWE past like The Hardys, but a guy like Styles.

Probably depends largely on who it is and how big a name they are, which is directly proportional to how much they make. Styles went to the main roster largely because, in my opinion, they were forced to pay him big money to get him to come to the WWE. Honestly, I think Nakamura would have went straight to the main roster too if the language barrier hadn't been an issue. If he had spoken perfect or pretty good English the day he signed, I think he would have debuted after 'Mania last year instead of at NXT Takeover.

I was thinking Kenny Omega & the Young Bucks are probably the only ones the WWE would debut main roster right now.