Hubbry Logo
WWE DraftWWE DraftMain
Open search
WWE Draft
Community hub
WWE Draft
logo
7 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
WWE Draft
WWE Draft
WWE Draft
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia

The WWE Draft logo used from October 2019 to April 2023

The WWE Draft is a process used by the American professional wrestling promotion WWE to refresh its rosters between the Raw and SmackDown brands (2002–2011; 2016–present) when a brand extension is in effect. Wrestlers from the promotion's developmental brand NXT (2016–present) are also eligible to be drafted to Raw and SmackDown. Two of WWE's former brands, ECW (2006–2009) and 205 Live (2019), have also taken part in the draft during the promotion's various brand split periods.

The draft was first used in 2002 when the then-World Wrestling Federation (WWF) introduced the brand split. It was initially called the WWF Draft Lottery but after the company's renaming from WWF to WWE two months after that original draft, it was rebranded the following year to WWE Draft Lottery (2004–2005), then WWE Brand Extension Draft (2006), and then simply WWE Draft (2007–2011). In 2011, WWE ended the original brand split.[1]

With SmackDown moving to Tuesdays and to a live broadcast starting July 19, 2016, WWE reintroduced the brand split[2] with a draft held that same episode.[3] From 2017 until May 2019, the draft was rebranded as the Superstar Shake-up; instead of a traditional draft, wrestlers were traded or moved between the brands with decisions made behind the scenes.[4] With SmackDown's move to Friday nights on FOX beginning October 4, 2019, a second draft for the year was scheduled to occur, reverting to its original name ("WWE Draft") and returning to a traditional draft format. A draft was not held in 2022, but it returned in 2023.

History

[edit]

Initial brand split

[edit]

In 2002, the then-World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE) introduced the brand extension, splitting its roster into two "brands", Raw and SmackDown, represented by the shows of the same name where their talent would exclusively perform. Only then Undisputed Champion Triple H and Women's Champion Jazz were ineligible to be drafted, as the holders of those titles defended them on both brands; the other champions, however, could be drafted.

The first half of the 2002 draft was televised live on TNN for two hours, as part of the WWF's flagship program, Monday Night Raw.[5] The second half was conducted over the Internet on the WWF's website.[6] There were thirty draft picks, with sixty wrestlers drafted overall by co-owners of the WWF, onto their respective brands, Raw and SmackDown.[7] The remaining wrestlers were divided randomly in a draft lottery, with each brand receiving a grand total of thirty wrestlers.[8] During the draft, Raw drafted Intercontinental Champion Rob Van Dam and European Champion William Regal, while SmackDown drafted Tag Team Champions Billy and Chuck, Cruiserweight Champion Tajiri, and Hardcore Champion Maven, though the Tag Team Championship, renamed to World Tag Team Championship, and Hardcore Championship switched to Raw after the titles were won by Raw's The Un-Americans (Christian and Lance Storm) and Raven, respectively. Two months after the draft, the WWF was renamed to World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). In July and August, respectively, the European and Hardcore titles were unified into the Intercontinental title. In September, the Undisputed Championship became exclusive to SmackDown and renamed to WWE Championship after reigning champion Brock Lesnar signed an exclusive deal with the brand. In response, Raw established the World Heavyweight Championship as the counterpart to the WWE Championship. The Women's Championship also became exclusive to Raw with no SmackDown counterpart. SmackDown then established the WWE Tag Team Championship as the counterpart to the World Tag Team Championship, and in July 2003, they revived the United States Championship as the counterpart to the Intercontinental title.

The second draft took place in 2004 on Raw on Spike TV.[9] Post-draft trades were revealed on WWE's website until midnight on March 22, 2004.[10] There were twelve draft picks, with nineteen wrestlers overall switching between the promotion's two brands. During the draft lottery, the General manager of Raw, Eric Bischoff, and the General manager of SmackDown!, Paul Heyman, stood on opposite ends of the stage on the Raw set, where they drafted six wrestlers randomly via two machines. At the conclusion of the draft, the two GMs would then be allowed to trade anyone on the roster until Midnight EST, which was later extended until Tuesday night after Heyman resigned.[11] Every on-screen WWE employee was eligible to be drafted, including injured wrestlers, commentators, champions, and general managers.[10]

The 2005 draft took place on WWE's two television programs, Raw, which aired on Spike TV, and SmackDown!, which aired on UPN.[12] Post-draft trades were announced on WWE's website.[13][14] The draft picks were made each Monday on Raw and each Thursday on SmackDown! from June 6 to June 30.[12] Each pick was drafted at random.[12] Like the previous year, all on-screen WWE personnel were eligible to be drafted.[12] There were ten draft picks and an eleven-person trade conducted between the promotion's two brands; twenty-two wrestlers were drafted and traded overall. During the draft, WWE Champion John Cena was drafted to Raw and kept his championship. General Manager Theodore Long considered creating a new SmackDown world championship but the idea was abandoned when World Heavyweight Champion Batista was drafted to SmackDown, bringing the title with him.[13]

Addition of ECW

[edit]

There was no Raw and SmackDown draft in 2006, however, ECW became a third brand. ECW representative Paul Heyman received two total draft picks from the existing SmackDown and Raw rosters for the newly created ECW brand, which shortly after revived the ECW World Heavyweight Championship as the brand's only title.[15][16]

The first half of the 2007 draft was televised live on Raw on USA Network,[17][18][19] while the second half, the supplemental draft, was conducted on June 17, 2007, on WWE's website for four hours as draft picks were revealed at twenty-minute intervals.[20] There were twenty-three draft picks, with twenty-seven wrestlers drafted overall, between the promotion's three brands: Raw, SmackDown, and ECW.[17][21] For the televised half of the draft, each brand's draft pick was determined by nine matches, one being a battle royal for two draft picks, where wrestlers from their respective brands wrestled to earn a draft pick.[22][23] The supplemental draft, however, was conducted randomly, with each brand receiving random draft selections. Raw and SmackDown! received five random draft picks, while ECW received three random draft picks.[20] The televised draft picks were randomly selected by a computer that was shown on the Raw titantron.[24][25] Every WWE wrestler from Raw, SmackDown!, and ECW was eligible to be drafted.[26] ECW World Champion Bobby Lashley was stripped of the title after being drafted to Raw. The Cruiserweight Championship was also retired later that year.

During the 2008 draft, broadcast live on Raw, United States Champion Matt Hardy was drafted to ECW, while WWE Champion Triple H was drafted to SmackDown, and ECW Champion Kane was drafted to Raw. The World Heavyweight Championship moved to Raw after Raw's CM Punk cashed in his Money in the Bank contract and defeated Edge to win the title on an episode of Raw, the ECW Championship moved back to ECW after ECW's Mark Henry won the title at Night of Champions, and the United States Championship moved back to SmackDown after SmackDown's Shelton Benjamin defeated Hardy to win the title.[27] Every on-screen WWE employee was eligible to be drafted.[28] Similar to the 2007 draft, wrestlers from each brand competed in matches to win a random draft pick for their brand. Draft picks were kayfabe selected at random via a computer that was shown on the titantron.[29] Like the previous year, a supplemental draft took place on June 25, in which draft selections were randomly conducted.[30] Also in 2008, SmackDown established the WWE Divas Championship as the counterpart to the Women's Championship on Raw.

The 2009 draft took place over two days: the first day was televised live on the April 13 episode of Raw from Atlanta, Georgia, while the supplemental draft was held on April 13 on WWE's website. Wrestlers, general managers, and commentators were all eligible to be drafted from the company's roster. For the televised half, matches determined which brand received a random draft selection. During the supplemental draft, brand and employee selections were made at random. Overall, 36 draft selections were made. Twelve selections were made on television, six by Raw, five by SmackDown, and one by ECW. All of the draftees were wrestlers: 28 males (10 drafted on television) and 8 females (2 drafted on television). Just prior to the 2009 draft at WrestleMania XXV, The Colóns (Carlito and Primo) unified the World Tag Team and WWE Tag Team Championships as the Unified WWE Tag Team Championship, though the titles remained independently active. Unified WWE Tag Team Champions The Colóns, Divas Champion Maryse, United States Champion MVP, and WWE Champion Triple H were drafted to Raw, while Women's Champion Melina and Intercontinental Champion Rey Mysterio were drafted to SmackDown. The World Heavyweight Championship moved to SmackDown after SmackDown's Edge defeated John Cena for the title at Backlash.

Disbanding of ECW and the brand split

[edit]

The 2010 draft took place over two days: the first day was televised live on April 26 on Raw at Richmond Coliseum in Richmond, Virginia, and the second part, the supplemental draft, was held on April 27 on WWE's website.[31][32] As the ECW brand had been disbanded two months earlier, deactivating the ECW Championship along with it, the draft was once again only between Raw and SmackDown. Unified WWE Tag Team Champions The Hart Dynasty (Tyson Kidd and David Hart Smith) were drafted to Raw. Later that year, the World Tag Team Championship was formally decommissioned in favor of continuing the WWE Tag Team Championship, which dropped "Unified" from its name, and the Women's and Divas Championships were unified, retiring the Women's title and continuing the Divas title, which briefly became known as the Unified WWE Divas Championship. The WWE Tag Team Championship and Divas Championship both became unbranded, allowing the holders to defend the titles on both shows.

During the 2011 draft, United States Champion Sheamus was drafted to SmackDown, however, he lost to the title to Raw's Kofi Kingston the following month, moving the title back to Raw. The draft aired live on Raw, for two hours in Raleigh, North Carolina from the RBC Center. As a standard for previous drafts, most on-air personnel were eligible to be drafted.[33] A continuation of the draft took place on WWE's official website at 12:00pm Eastern Time on the following afternoon.[34] SmackDown received 16 additional members to its roster while Raw received 13. For the first time in draft history, two of the draft picks consisted of the same wrestler (John Cena) being selected to SmackDown with the first pick and back to Raw with the last televised pick. This was the last draft of the first brand split as WWE ended the brand split in August 2011, with all on-screen personnel appearing on both shows. Also, earlier in April that year, WWE ceased using its full name with the "WWE" abbreviation becoming an orphaned initialism.

In early 2012, WWE established a developmental brand called NXT with its own set of championships. The following year in December, the WWE Championship and World Heavyweight Championship were unified, retiring the World Heavyweight Championship and continuing the WWE Championship, which became known as the WWE World Heavyweight Championship until mid-2016, when it was renamed back to WWE Championship. The Divas Championship was also retired in early 2016 and replaced by a new WWE Women's Championship.

Second brand split

[edit]

With the return of the brand split in 2016, the draft was reintroduced and occurred on July 19 on SmackDown Live – the live premiere of SmackDown, which was previously taped (also the debut of SmackDown on the USA Network). With the exception of NXT champions, wrestlers from the NXT brand were eligible to be drafted, as well as on-screen WWE employees. Tag teams counted as one pick unless a brand specifically only wanted a single member of the team. For every two draft picks by SmackDown, Raw received three (due to Raw being a three-hour show while SmackDown was only two hours). SmackDown drafted WWE Champion Dean Ambrose and Intercontinental Champion The Miz (along with his wife Maryse), while Raw drafted WWE Women's Champion Charlotte, United States Champion Rusev (along with his wife Lana), and WWE Tag Team Champions The New Day (Big E, Kofi Kingston, and Xavier Woods), among others. New titles were introduced. Raw established the WWE Universal Championship to be the counterpart to the WWE Championship. The WWE Women's Championship and WWE Tag Team Championship were renamed to Raw Women's Championship and Raw Tag Team Championship, respectively, while SmackDown introduced the SmackDown Women's Championship and SmackDown Tag Team Championship as counterparts. A new WWE Cruiserweight Championship was later introduced for the revived cruiserweight division on Raw.

In the following years, the draft was revamped as the Superstar Shake-up, in which changes between the brands were made behind the scenes, with moving wrestlers simply appearing on a brand's show or announced via WWE's website or social medias. The 2017 Superstar Shake-up occurred on the April 10 and 11 episodes of Raw and SmackDown, respectively. Raw drafted Intercontinental Champion Dean Ambrose and SmackDown drafted United States Champion Kevin Owens; Owens then lost the title to Raw's Chris Jericho, but instead of the title switching brands, Jericho moved to SmackDown. On-screen WWE employees were eligible to be drafted. Although wrestlers from NXT debuted on Raw and SmackDown during the 2017 Shake-up, these were not considered part of the Shake-up.[4][35][36][37]

The 2018 Superstar Shake-up occurred on the April 16 and 17 episodes of Raw and SmackDown, respectively. The United States Championship switched brands twice. On the April 16 episode of Raw, reigning champion Jinder Mahal moved to the Raw brand and lost the title to Jeff Hardy that same night, who then took the title back to SmackDown as he moved to that brand the following night on SmackDown. NXT wrestlers were also eligible to be drafted. Shortly after the 2018 Shake-up, 205 Live became its own separate brand from Raw and the Cruiserweight Championship became exclusive to 205 Live. NXT UK also became a brand later that year with its own set of championships. The WWE Women's Tag Team Championship was later established and shared between the Raw, SmackDown, and NXT brands.

The 2019 Superstar Shake-up began on the April 15 and 16 episodes of Raw and SmackDown, respectively, with more draft moves confirmed over the next few weeks. SmackDown drafted Intercontinental Champion Finn Bálor while Raw drafted United States Champion Samoa Joe. NXT wrestlers were also eligible to be drafted and for the first time, wrestlers from the 205 Live brand were eligible. Reigning NXT Tag Team Champions The Viking Raiders (Ivar and Erik) were drafted to Raw, but the titles remained part of NXT; they subsequently relinquished the titles. Although not officially part of the 2019 Shake-up, Alexander Wolfe moved from SmackDown to NXT UK after his stable, Sanity, disbanded when stable leader Eric Young moved from SmackDown to Raw, while Tyler Breeze moved from Raw to NXT. A "Wild Card Rule" was introduced shortly after the Shake-up, allowing up to four wrestlers to appear on the opposing brand's show by invitation for one night only with unsanctioned appearances penalized with a fine or termination. However, the rule's stipulations were not enforced, making brand division between wrestlers unclear.[38] Also introduced was a new championship, the WWE 24/7 Championship; shared across all of WWE's brands and open to anyone. The WWE Cruiserweight Championship also became shared with NXT and renamed to NXT Cruiserweight Championship.

With SmackDown's move to Friday nights on Fox in October 2019 – and the show once again renamed to Friday Night SmackDown – a second draft for 2019 was scheduled to definitively split the main roster between the Raw and SmackDown brands. Returning to its original name (the WWE Draft) and a traditional draft format, the 2019 draft occurred on the October 11 and 14 episodes of SmackDown and Raw, respectively. Personalities from Fox and USA Network appeared and were presented as having an influence over WWE's drafting decisions (the first time that the brand's television networks had an influence).[39][40] Several celebrities from both networks also appeared. Over 70 wrestlers from the Raw, SmackDown, 205 Live, and NXT rosters, as well as tag teams, were eligible to be drafted to Raw or SmackDown, including all champions (although the 24/7 Champion and Women's Tag Team Champions were eligible to be drafted, they still defend their respective titles across the brands). Just like the 2016 draft, tag teams counted as one pick unless a brand specifically only wanted a single member of the team, and for every two draft picks made by SmackDown, Raw received three (as Raw is three hours and SmackDown is two). Most draft picks were announced on the live broadcasts of SmackDown and Raw, while supplemental picks were announced afterwards via WWE's website. Wrestlers who were not drafted to either brand became free agents and could sign with the brand of their choosing.[41][42] Raw made 38 picks, while SmackDown made 30.[43][44][45] The Wild Card Rule also ended with this draft.[46] While no championships switched brands during the draft, the Universal Championship was moved to SmackDown later that same month after "The Fiend" Bray Wyatt, a SmackDown wrestler, defeated Seth Rollins for the title at Crown Jewel. The WWE Championship was then moved to Raw as reigning champion Brock Lesnar quit SmackDown to go to Raw to continue a feud with Rey Mysterio. Just prior to the draft, NXT became WWE's third major brand, though did not directly participate in the draft. The NXT Cruiserweight Championship also became shared with NXT UK. In May 2020, WWE initiated the Brand-to-Brand Invitation, allowing wrestlers to appear and wrestle on an opposing brand four times a year, or once every quarter. Although somewhat similar to the abolished Wild Card Rule, the rules of the Brand-to-Brand Invitation were followed more strictly.[47]

The 2020 draft occurred on the October 9 and 12 episodes of SmackDown and Raw, respectively, between the Raw and SmackDown brands. The rules were the same as the previous draft.[48] During a media call for NXT TakeOver XXX on August 19, Triple H had said that this draft would also involve the NXT brand,[49] but the official announcement that occurred during the Clash of Champions pay-per-view on September 27 stated that this draft would only be between Raw and SmackDown.[48] NXT later established their own women's tag team championship, the NXT Women's Tag Team Championship, thus the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship became only available to Raw and SmackDown.

The 2021 draft was held during the October 1 and 4 episodes of SmackDown and Raw, respectively, between the Raw and SmackDown brands.[50] The rules were mostly the same as the previous two drafts, with the exception that both brands received two picks each round instead of Raw making three and SmackDown only making two. Additionally, wrestlers from NXT were eligible to be drafted to either Raw or SmackDown. Unlike previous drafts, the results did not immediately go into effect and instead became effective beginning with the October 22 episode of SmackDown, the day after the Crown Jewel pay-per-view.[51][52]

A draft was not held in 2022 and brand division became increasingly unclear. At WrestleMania 38 in 2022, Roman Reigns won both the WWE Championship and Universal Championship, allowing him to appear on both brands as the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion, although both titles retained their individual lineages. Similarly, the Raw and SmackDown tag team titles became the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship in May 2022, but also retaining their individual lineages. These undisputed titles allowed all members of The Bloodline stable to appear on both brands, which extended to other wrestlers who became involved in their storylines, and even some who were not. The 24/7 Championship was also retired in November 2022. Also in 2022, both the 205 Live and NXT UK brands were disbanded (although NXT UK is planned for a relaunch as NXT Europe in 2024), with their championships retired, except the NXT UK Heritage Cup, which was transferred to NXT and renamed NXT Heritage Cup.

On the April 7, 2023, episode of SmackDown, with unclear roster division, WWE executive Triple H announced the 2023 draft.[53] It was scheduled for the April 28 and May 1 episodes of SmackDown and Raw, respectively, with draft results taking effect beginning with the May 8 episode of Raw, two days after the Backlash pay-per-view and livestreaming event. This subsequently repositioned the draft back in its traditional post-WrestleMania slot. Triple H revealed that every WWE wrestler from Raw and SmackDown would be eligible to be drafted, with select wrestlers from NXT also eligible.[54] While the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship continued to be shared between both brands, a new World Heavyweight Championship was introduced for the brand that did not draft Roman Reigns, who kept his Undisputed WWE Universal Championship.[55] SmackDown drafted Reigns, thus the World Heavyweight Championship became exclusive to Raw.[56] Additionally, the mid-card titles switched brands as Raw drafted Intercontinental Champion Gunther while SmackDown drafted United States Champion Austin Theory. SmackDown also drafted NXT Women's Tag Team Champions Isla Dawn and Alba Fyre, while Raw drafted NXT Women's Champion Indi Hartwell; Hartwell relinquished her title while Dawn and Fyre's title was unified into the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship in June, which made the latter available to NXT again.[57] The Raw and SmackDown women's championships also switched brands, as Raw Women's Champion Bianca Belair was drafted to SmackDown and SmackDown Women's Champion Rhea Ripley was drafted to Raw. This issue was resolved in June as the Raw title reverted to its original name of WWE Women's Championship while the SmackDown title was renamed as the Women's World Championship. Draft selections on both nights were announced by various WWE Hall of Famers, including Triple H. Most draft selections were made on the shows, while supplemental picks were announced on the post-shows, SmackDown LowDown and Raw Talk, respectively.[58] Unlike previous drafts in which free agents could sign with the brand of their choosing, wrestlers declared free agents in the 2023 draft could appear on any brand, though they were later assigned to specific brands. This designation of free agency was previously only reserved for part-time performers like John Cena and Brock Lesnar.[59] At WrestleMania XL Night 1 on April 6, 2024, the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship was split, with Raw's tag title subsequently renamed as World Tag Team Championship[60] while the SmackDown title was renamed as WWE Tag Team Championship.[61]

The 2024 draft was scheduled for the April 26 and 29 episodes of SmackDown and Raw, respectively. Like previous drafts, select wrestlers from NXT were eligible to be drafted to Raw and SmackDown. However, unlike previous drafts, the champions of Raw and SmackDown were ineligible to be drafted, thus remaining on their respective brands, with the exception of the holders of the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship. While that title is available to all three brands, the reigning champions were eligible to be drafted as the brand they were drafted to is where they would be assigned upon loss of the title. Draft selections on both nights were announced by various WWE Hall of Famers and veterans, including Triple H. Most draft selections were made on the shows, while supplemental picks were announced on WWE's social media platforms after the broadcasts. Draft results went into effect beginning with the May 6 episode of Raw, two days after the Backlash France pay-per-view and livestreaming event.[62]

Drafts

[edit]
No. Year Date(s) Brands
1 2002 March 25
2 2004 March 22
3 2005 June 6–30
4 2006 May 29
5 2007 June 11
6 2008 June 23
7 2009 April 13
8 2010 April 26
9 2011 April 25
10 2016 July 19
11 2017 April 10–11
12 2018 April 16–17
13 2019 April 15 – May 8
14 2019 October 11–14
15 2020 October 9–12
16 2021 October 1–4
17 2023 April 28 – May 1
18 2024 April 26–29

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

WWE Draft

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
The WWE Draft is an annual event produced by in which the promotion's active wrestlers, known as Superstars, are redistributed among its primary brands—Raw and SmackDown Live—to refresh rosters, create new matchups, and advance storylines. Introduced in 2002 as part of WWE's initiative, which divided the company into distinct red (Raw) and blue (SmackDown) territories to simulate competitive leagues, the Draft has evolved into a event that influences the creative direction of programming. The inaugural Draft took place on March 25, 2002, during a special episode of Raw, where General Managers (Raw) and (SmackDown) selected Superstars in a lottery-style format, with The Rock going first to SmackDown and following to Raw. It has been held periodically since 2004, becoming an annual event from 2016 until 2024, shifting to a more structured lottery system with equal picks per brand, though formats have varied over time—such as extended multi-week drafts in 2005 or inclusion of the ECW brand in 2007 to create a tri-branded landscape. Rules have varied, but historically accounted for show lengths by granting Raw (three hours) more selections than SmackDown (two hours) in a three-to-two ratio, while tag teams often count as a single unit unless specified otherwise; exemptions for champions or injured performers have also been applied in various years, and recent drafts, such as 2024, used equal picks per brand with alternating first selections. Notable Drafts have produced seismic shifts, including John Cena's 2005 move to Raw as its top pick, which propelled his rise to stardom, and Batista's transfer to SmackDown that same year, carrying the World Heavyweight Championship and intensifying brand rivalries. The event paused after 2011 amid WWE's transition away from strict brand splits but returned in 2016 with the relaunch of SmackDown Live on USA Network, incorporating NXT call-ups for added unpredictability. In recent iterations, such as the 2024 Draft held over two nights on April 26 and 29, a total of 74 picks—including groups like The Judgment Day and Damage CTRL—reshuffled talents like CM Punk to Raw and Bianca Belair to SmackDown, ensuring balanced yet dynamic brand compositions, with no Draft held in 2025. These proceedings, often broadcast live and supplemented by social media announcements, underscore the Draft's role in maintaining WWE's competitive narrative while adapting to evolving talent pools and viewer engagement.

Brand Extension History

Origins and Initial Split (2002)

The was established in 2002 primarily to manage an overcrowded roster following the company's acquisition of (WCW) and [Extreme Championship Wrestling](/page/Extreme Championship Wrestling) (ECW) talent, which had left WWE with a surplus of performers after the conclusion of the storyline. This initiative aimed to emulate WCW's former dual-show model by dividing the roster into two separate brands—Raw and SmackDown—thereby providing more television exposure and opportunities for storylines, especially as major stars like The Rock and began transitioning out. Key events leading to the split included an on-air announcement by on the March 18, 2002, episode of Raw, where she proposed the extension as a solution to the ongoing storyline conflict over company ownership between and , with McMahon controlling SmackDown and Flair overseeing Raw. The initial roster division considered wrestler contracts and preferences to some extent, but the primary mechanism was a formal draft lottery to ensure a balanced separation of talent. The inaugural WWE Draft took place on March 25, 2002, at Penn State University during a live episode of Raw, functioning as a random lottery selecting from 60 wrestlers, with McMahon and Flair alternating picks to build their respective brands. SmackDown received the first overall selection, drafting The Rock, who became the brand's cornerstone; this move effectively aligned the with SmackDown as The Rock assumed prominence there, while Raw secured the Championship through the draft of champion as its eighth pick. Other notable selections included and Edge for SmackDown and and (later assigned) for Raw, with champions like (Undisputed Champion) and (Women's Champion) initially exempt from the lottery. The immediate impacts of the 2002 split included the formation of roughly equal rosters—SmackDown with 21 wrestlers and Raw with 20—setting the stage for brand-specific programming and competition. Starting in May 2002, this led to the introduction of brand-exclusive events, such as Insurrextion for Raw, which enhanced the separation by limiting cross-brand appearances and fostering unique narratives for each roster.

Expansion with ECW (2006–2010)

In 2003, WWE acquired the assets of the bankrupt (ECW) promotion, including its video library and intellectual property. This purchase laid the groundwork for ECW's revival three years later as WWE's third brand, aimed at countering the rising competition from (TNA) and capitalizing on the commercial success of ECW-themed content, such as the "Rise and Fall of ECW" DVD and the pay-per-view events. The relaunch transformed the , originally established with the 2002 split between Raw and SmackDown, into a tri-brand system that included ECW's distinct emphasis. The inaugural ECW-inclusive draft occurred on the May 29, 2006, episode of Raw from the Tacoma Dome in Tacoma, Washington, marking the official integration of ECW into WWE's roster allocation process. ECW general manager Paul Heyman, leveraging his history with the original promotion, selected only two superstars to build the new brand: Rob Van Dam from Raw, who was immediately awarded the ECW Championship after defeating John Cena later that night, and Kurt Angle from SmackDown. These limited picks established the tri-brand framework, with subsequent assignments like Big Show joining ECW in July 2006 to bolster its roster. Subsequent drafts expanded the tri-brand lottery format to promote balance across Raw, SmackDown, and ECW. On June 11, 2007, during Raw from Toronto's Air Canada Centre, the first full tri-brand draft featured nine televised selections determined by inter-brand matches, including ECW Champion Bobby Lashley moving to Raw, which required him to vacate the title, alongside 18 supplemental picks announced online, totaling 27 roster changes. The June 23, 2008, draft on Raw from San Antonio's AT&T Center involved eleven televised selections and seventeen supplemental picks, totaling 28 moves, such as ECW Champion Kane shifting to Raw—prompting the ECW title's relinquishment—and SmackDown gaining WWE Champion Triple H, thereby transferring the championship exclusivity. In 2009, the April 13 Raw episode from Vienna, Austria, yielded twelve televised picks, including Rey Mysterio from Raw to SmackDown and Kane from Raw to SmackDown, with a supplemental draft expanding to 36 total selections to maintain equilibrium. By the April 26, 2010, draft on Raw from Richmond, Virginia—following early 2010 reports signaling ECW's impending closure—the process reverted to a dual-brand structure between Raw and SmackDown, absorbing former ECW talent without third-brand allocations. ECW's drafts during this period prioritized a identity, drawing from the original promotion's legacy of extreme matches and underdog narratives, while aiming for roster parity through 10 to 15 picks per brand annually to sustain competitive storylines across the tri-brand division.

Suspension of the Extension (2011–2016)

The suspension of WWE's first was driven by several key factors, including steadily declining television ratings and the dilution of talent across brands, which hampered creative output and viewer engagement. By 2011, Raw's average viewership had fallen from a high of 4.01 at the start of the extension in 2002 to 3.21, reflecting broader challenges such as major wrestler departures—including The Rock, , and others—that left gaps in star power and roster depth. WWE executives, including , cited repetitive storytelling across brands as a primary issue, noting that the split limited narrative flexibility in an era where digital and demanded more interconnected content. These pressures culminated in a strategic shift toward greater creative freedom, allowing wrestlers to appear on both Raw and SmackDown without brand restrictions. The , held on April 25 during Raw, served as the final event of the initial era and signaled the transition to a unified roster. A total of 8 selections were made in the televised portion (involving 7 unique superstars due to Cena's double draft), with an additional 22 revealed online the following day, for a combined total of 30 picks. The draft began with being selected first overall from Raw to SmackDown, only for him to be controversially drafted back to Raw later that night via a storyline intervention by the —marking a historic and unusual double switch that underscored the impending end of strict brand divisions. Other notable moves included to SmackDown, to Raw, and Daniel Bryan to SmackDown, redistributing key talent but ultimately paving the way for cross-brand appearances. From late 2011 through 2016, operated with a single, unified roster, eliminating annual drafts and allowing all wrestlers to compete on any weekly show without eligibility barriers. events shifted to a non-exclusive format, featuring talent from across the roster rather than brand-specific lineups, which enhanced event variety but also highlighted the challenges of managing an increasingly large pool of performers. This period emphasized part-time appearances by high-profile stars like The Rock, who returned for major matches in 2011 and 2012 to boost mainstream appeal and ratings. By 2015, the active roster had exceeded 100 wrestlers when combining the main roster and NXT developmental talent, further straining creative resources and contributing to the era's focus on streamlined storytelling over divided competition.

Revival and Modern Era (2016–present)

In May 2016, WWE announced the revival of the during an episode of Raw, with and serving as commissioners for SmackDown and Raw, respectively, to manage the growing roster and revitalize storylines after a five-year suspension. The decision aimed to create distinct programming for each brand, addressing creative stagnation and allowing for more focused feuds. The inaugural draft of the revived era took place on July 19, 2016, during the debut episode of SmackDown Live, featuring 55 superstars selected across both brands, with chosen as the No. 1 overall pick by Raw. This draft introduced eligibility for select NXT talent and coincided with the creation of the Universal Championship for Raw to establish brand-specific world titles. Following the 2016 draft, WWE shifted to annual Superstar Shake-ups from 2017 to 2019, functioning as informal drafts through trades and surprise announcements rather than a formal lottery, which allowed flexibility in roster adjustments without a full overhaul. In October 2019, the company returned to a traditional draft format to align with the move of SmackDown to , emphasizing competitive balance between brands. Drafts continued annually in October 2020 and 2021 despite the , which influenced virtual elements and delayed some planning but maintained the brand split's structure. The 2023 draft, held April 28 on SmackDown and May 1 on Raw, introduced the new World Heavyweight Championship for Raw as a counterpart to SmackDown's Undisputed , enhancing title prestige across brands. In 2024, the draft occurred April 26 on SmackDown and April 29 on Raw, with rules protecting current champions from selection to preserve ongoing storylines, and changes taking effect after Backlash on May 4. Plans for a 2025 draft, initially set post-SummerSlam in September, were quietly canceled amid roster stability and creative directives under Triple H's leadership as . This era has emphasized deeper integration with NXT, including call-ups to the main roster and cross-brand opportunities, while maintaining focus on Raw and SmackDown as the primary divisions.

Draft Process

Formats and Selection Methods

The WWE Draft initially relied on a lottery system for selections, emphasizing randomness to simulate unpredictability in roster allocation. In 2002, the inaugural draft featured live on-screen picks determined by brand co-owners for SmackDown and for Raw, with subsequent selections randomized and announced during the broadcast on Raw. This approach continued in 2004, where general managers (Raw) and (SmackDown) oversaw a live lottery-style drawing of 12 picks, resulting in 19 wrestlers switching brands. Post-2005, the draft shifted to a standard format centered on on-screen announcements by brand executives, establishing a more scripted and narrative-driven selection process. General managers such as for SmackDown in the late 2000s and for Raw in recent years typically revealed picks during dedicated episodes, with rounds alternating between brands to ensure balanced distribution—often featuring 5 to 10 selections per night across Raw and SmackDown broadcasts. This method allowed for dramatic reveals integrated into storylines, as seen in the 2016 revival where commissioners and , alongside general managers and Daniel Bryan, alternated picks live on SmackDown. In 2007, the main draft on June 11 involved 9 picks earned via inter-brand matches on Raw, followed by a supplemental draft online on June 17 with computer-generated random picks: 5 for Raw, 5 for SmackDown, and 3 for ECW. From 2019 to 2024, hybrid methods blended traditional announcements with competitive elements to heighten stakes, including inter-brand matches to earn priority picks and post-draft trades negotiated behind the scenes. For instance, the 2023 draft maintained on-screen reveals by executives like but incorporated supplemental adjustments via trades, such as potential swaps announced after initial selections to refine rosters before they locked in post-Backlash. These trades, often revealed on programming or , provided flexibility beyond the live picks. Over time, the draft's frequency evolved from an annual occurrence during the brand extension's early years (2002–2010) to a more sporadic event following the 2011 suspension, with skips like 2022 and 2025 amid roster stability needs. The 2024 iteration exemplified this refinement, spanning two nights—four rounds on SmackDown (16 picks) and six on Raw (24 picks)—for a total of 40 televised selections, with additional supplemental picks announced post-show via social media and WWE.com, all announced by figures including hall of famers Teddy Long and JBL alongside current GMs Adam Pearce and Nick Aldis. As of 2025, no draft took place, with WWE opting to forgo the event.

Rules, Eligibility, and Exceptions

The WWE Draft primarily encompasses all non-injured, active roster wrestlers from the Raw and SmackDown brands, ensuring that only performers cleared for competition are eligible for selection. Champions have historically been subject to drafting along with their titles, allowing the belts to transfer brands and continue key storylines, as exemplified by John Cena's move to Raw in 2005 while holding the . Several protections safeguard roster stability during the process. Undrafted superstars remain assigned to their original brand, preventing involuntary free agency. Since the brand extension revival, WWE has maintained a "no-cut" policy, guaranteeing that no wrestlers face release solely due to draft outcomes, a shift from earlier eras where undrafted talent risked termination. NXT developmental wrestlers have been eligible since the draft but were infrequently selected until 2021, when multiple call-ups like and marked a surge in main roster integration. Exceptions and trades provide flexibility beyond initial selections. Post-draft trades between brands are permitted, often to balance rosters or advance narratives, such as the 2004 exchange where was traded from SmackDown back to Raw in return for Booker T and the . Injuries sustained by drafted talent can void the pick, allowing the affected brand to select a replacement to maintain competitive parity. In a notable 2024 adjustment, current champions were deemed ineligible to preserve ongoing feuds and title reigns, exempting figures like from the pool. Gender and divisional guidelines further structure the draft. Since , selections have utilized separate pools for men's and women's divisions to promote equitable distribution across brands. Tag teams are typically treated as a single draft pick to preserve partnerships, though general managers may opt to split them in rare cases for strategic reasons.

Supplemental Drafts and Shake-ups

The Supplemental Drafts served as off-televised extensions to the primary WWE Draft process, occurring annually from 2007 to 2011 primarily via online announcements on WWE.com to further redistribute talent and balance brand rosters without the spectacle of a live broadcast. These events typically involved random selections or lottery-style picks, allowing WWE to address gaps left by the main draft while introducing midcard and underutilized performers to new storylines. For instance, the 2007 Supplemental Draft on June 17 relocated 12 wrestlers across Raw, SmackDown, and ECW, including sending to ECW where he quickly rose to prominence by challenging for the ECW World Championship. Similar formats continued in subsequent years, with the 2008 Supplemental Draft on June 25 adding picks like to ECW and to SmackDown to bolster each brand's depth post-televised selections. In 2011, the televised draft on April 25 included high-profile moves such as initially to SmackDown (traded back to Raw later that night) and to Raw, followed by an online supplemental draft on April 26. Overall, these drafts prioritized roster equilibrium over dramatic reveals, enabling creative teams to experiment with talent placement away from primetime audiences. Following the suspension of the in 2011, WWE reintroduced roster reshuffles in a new form with the Superstar Shake-up from 2017 to 2019, which replaced formal drafts as a post-WrestleMania mechanism for surprise brand switches announced during episodes of Raw and SmackDown. Unlike structured lotteries, the Shake-up emphasized unannounced appearances and vignettes to build excitement, often involving 20-30 talents shifting between brands to inject fresh dynamics into ongoing narratives. In 2017, for example, the April 10-11 episodes revealed moves like to Raw and to SmackDown via on-air debuts, extending to performers from 205 Live and occasional NXT call-ups to expand crossover opportunities. This approach aimed to create immediate impact through unpredictability, fostering new rivalries and title pursuits without a full roster overhaul. The 2019 Superstar Shake-up in April followed this pattern but drew mixed reception for its behind-the-scenes nature and limited scope, prompting WWE to revert to a traditional draft format later that year on October 11 during SmackDown. The October event restored lottery elements, drafting over 30 superstars like The Fiend () to Raw and to SmackDown, signaling a preference for transparent selection to better engage fans and stabilize creative planning. Post-2019, WWE has occasionally employed mini-shake-ups—informal roster tweaks outside annual drafts—to address talent underutilization, such as targeted trades in early 2022 following the Royal Rumble to realign feuds ahead of major events. These supplemental processes, whether formal or , have consistently supported 's goal of refreshing brands by spotlighting overlooked performers and granting creative flexibility with reduced emphasis on televised pomp.

Historical Drafts

Early Drafts (2002–2007)

The inaugural WWE Draft took place on March 25, 2002, as part of the that divided the roster between Raw and SmackDown, featuring a total of 60 picks to redistribute talent and create distinct lineups. The event was broadcast live on Raw from the in Chicago, Illinois, with the first 21 selections announced on television via a lottery system supervised by and , while the remaining picks were determined through fan voting on WWE.com. This draft marked the formal separation of the roster following the acquisition of WCW and ECW, aiming to foster inter-brand competition by splitting major stars and storylines. Key selections included The Rock as the first overall pick to SmackDown, followed by to Raw, Kurt to SmackDown, and the nWo (Kevin , Scott , and X-Pac) as a unit to Raw, which immediately set up high-profile rivalries such as Hulk Hogan's assignment to SmackDown (pick 7) and Stone Cold Steve Austin's move to Raw (pick 21). These moves not only balanced the rosters but also established foundational brand identities, with SmackDown gaining technical wrestlers like and Benoit, while Raw emphasized larger-than-life personalities like Austin and the nWo. The draft's structure, combining lottery and fan input, injected unpredictability and helped launch the extension era by preventing cross-brand appearances outside pay-per-views. The , held on March 22 at the in , , featured 19 picks drawn from a bingo-style tumbler to shake up the rosters amid declining ratings for both brands. Unlike the expansive 2002 event, this draft focused on fewer but impactful switches, with the first selection sending from Raw to SmackDown, followed by to Raw, which notably broke up tag teams like La Résistance and the World's Greatest Tag Team. The lottery format emphasized randomness, as names from the opposing brand were drawn alternately, resulting in moves like staying on Raw via a later exemption and switching to SmackDown. Post-draft trades further refined the lineups, including a deal that kept on SmackDown in exchange for other talent, preserving his momentum as WWE Champion and bolstering the blue brand's main event scene. This draft helped revitalize storylines by introducing fresh matchups, such as Edge's trade to SmackDown, but was criticized for its limited scope compared to earlier years, as it prioritized protecting ongoing feuds over wholesale changes. Overall, the lottery reinforced the brand split's viability by addressing roster imbalances without disrupting championship lineages. In 2005, the WWE Draft spanned from June 6 to June 30, encompassing 22 moves through a combination of lottery picks and trades to inject new dynamics into the brands. John Cena was the first overall selection, moving from SmackDown to Raw as WWE Champion, which shifted the title and elevated Raw's main event focus while leaving SmackDown to rebuild around emerging stars. The process unfolded over multiple episodes of Raw and SmackDown, with five picks per brand drawn randomly, culminating in a surprise final pick that sent World Heavyweight Champion Batista from Raw to SmackDown, unifying both world titles on the blue brand for the first time. This redistribution, including an 11-person trade involving wrestlers like Christian and Tyson Tomko, emphasized strategic balance, with Raw gaining athletic talents like Shelton Benjamin and SmackDown acquiring veterans such as Booker T. The extended timeline allowed for dramatic reveals, such as Batista's move, which sparked immediate rivalries with JBL and The Undertaker, and helped SmackDown regain momentum after losing Cena. The 2005 draft's format, blending live draws and trades, set a precedent for incorporating championships into selections to heighten stakes. The 2006 draft was notably minimal, limited to two picks on May 29 at the in , to facilitate the launch of the revived ECW brand alongside Raw and SmackDown. ECW representative selected from Raw and from SmackDown, with carrying over his to establish the new brand's credibility. This streamlined approach avoided major disruptions to the existing duopoly, focusing instead on populating ECW with hardcore specialists to differentiate it from the sports entertainment styles of the other shows. By 2007, the draft expanded to a tri-brand format on June 11 at the Wachovia Center in , with 23 picks moving 27 wrestlers across Raw, SmackDown, and ECW, plus additional supplemental selections revealed online. The lottery began with selected first by SmackDown from Raw, followed by The Boogeyman to ECW and King Booker to Raw, aiming to distribute top talent evenly while protecting key storylines like Batista's World Heavyweight Championship reign on SmackDown. Notable shifts included to Raw, to ECW, and to SmackDown, which facilitated new feuds such as Lashley's rise on the red brand. The inclusion of ECW in the main draft pool marked a shift toward integrated , with Raw and SmackDown each receiving four primary picks and ECW two, supplemented by online reveals like The Miz to ECW. This structure balanced the tri-brand ecosystem, enhancing inter-promotional angles at events like , and solidified the draft as an annual mechanism for roster evolution during the extension's foundational years.

Transitional Drafts (2008–2011)

The Transitional Drafts from 2008 to 2011 marked a period of diminishing emphasis on the system, as reduced the number of selections and focused on balancing rosters amid growing creative fatigue with the divided structure. These drafts featured fewer televised picks compared to earlier years, signaling a shift toward stability over dramatic overhauls, while still facilitating key talent movements and title redistributions that influenced ongoing storylines. By 2011, the process culminated in symbolic maneuvers that underscored the impending suspension of the extension. The , held on June 23 during a special three-hour episode of Raw, consisted of eight televised picks alongside additional supplemental selections. Notable movements included shifting from SmackDown to Raw as the first pick, moving from Raw to SmackDown, and transitioning from ECW to Raw. was selected seventh, departing Raw for SmackDown as the brand's Intercontinental Champion. Edge, the SmackDown World Heavyweight Champion, was the eighth pick, drafted to Raw and bringing the title with him, which temporarily unified the brand's top prize on Monday nights. Later in the event, Edge won a 15-man interbrand , earning two extra picks for SmackDown: Mr. Kennedy from Raw and from Raw, relocating the to the blue brand. These swaps balanced the championships across shows but highlighted logistical complexities in title defenses during the transition period. In 2009, the WWE Draft occurred on April 13 on Raw, expanding to 36 total selections—nine televised and the rest via supplemental draft—yet maintaining a focus on midcard and upper-midcard adjustments rather than wholesale changes. CM Punk was a prominent televised pick, moving from Raw to SmackDown in the third slot, joining other key talents like Chris Jericho (Raw to SmackDown) and Kane (ECW to SmackDown). The Miz shifted from ECW to Raw, while Big Show went from SmackDown to Raw. These moves strengthened SmackDown's main event scene, with Punk later capitalizing on the opportunity by cashing in his Money in the Bank briefcase on Edge to claim the World Heavyweight Championship shortly after the draft. Although no championships directly changed brands during the selections, the redistributions contributed to major title shifts in subsequent weeks, such as the WWE Championship remaining on Raw under Triple H but facing new challengers from the influx of talent. The , conducted on April 26 on Raw following the discontinuation of ECW earlier that year, featured only eight televised picks, reflecting a streamlined approach in the two-brand system. Christian emerged as a standout move, drafted from Raw to SmackDown in the fifth slot, revitalizing the blue brand's veteran presence alongside shifts like Jack Swagger (Raw to SmackDown), (Raw to SmackDown), and (Raw to SmackDown). Chris moved from SmackDown to Raw, while Edge, the SmackDown World Heavyweight Champion, was selected last to Raw, transferring the title once again. The supplemental draft further emphasized dynamics, with Unified WWE Champions The ( and David Hart Smith) assigned to Raw as a unit, supporting the ongoing emphasis on unified introduced the previous year and aiding roster depth without ECW's involvement. The 2011 WWE Draft on April 25 on Raw included 23 picks across televised and supplemental phases, serving as the final major event before the brand extension's suspension later that year. John Cena was the first televised pick, controversially drafted from Raw to SmackDown, followed by Rey Mysterio (SmackDown to Raw) and Randy Orton (SmackDown to Raw). Cody Rhodes moved from SmackDown to Raw as the fifth selection, bolstering the red brand's midcard. In a dramatic twist highlighting the era's conclusion, Cena was redrafted back to Raw as the final televised pick after intervening in the main event, effectively nullifying his initial move and symbolizing the fluid, transitional nature of the system. This double draft for Cena, combined with reduced fan engagement in the split rosters, foreshadowed the end of mandatory brand exclusivity.

Modern Drafts (2016–2024)

The modern era of the WWE Draft began with the brand extension's revival in July 2016, featuring a televised event that selected 55 Superstars across Raw and SmackDown LIVE, marking the introduction of the "New Era." was chosen as the first overall pick by Raw, while was assigned to SmackDown LIVE as its top selection, helping to balance the rosters and integrate NXT talent such as , who debuted on Raw as an early pick. This draft emphasized fresh storylines by separating major rivalries and elevating emerging stars from WWE's developmental brand. Following the 2016 draft, WWE shifted to annual Superstar Shake-ups from 2017 to 2019, which functioned as informal drafts by reassigning talent without a full lottery system, aiming to refresh brands post-. In 2017, notable moves included Bray Wyatt's transfer to Raw, bolstering its supernatural storyline division, while stars like moved to Raw to challenge the women's division. The 2018 Shake-up saw remain a cornerstone on SmackDown LIVE after his success, with additions like to Raw enhancing midcard dynamics. By 2019, stayed on Raw as the reigning Raw Women's Champion, preserving key feuds amid broader roster adjustments that set the stage for a return to formal drafts. A structured WWE Draft returned in October 2019, spanning two nights with over 70 picks across Raw, SmackDown LIVE, and NXT, ultimately ending the controversial Wild Card Rule that had allowed cross-brand appearances. SmackDown LIVE secured and The New Day as an early marquee selection, reinforcing the brand's strength following Kingston's reign. The event prioritized brand exclusivity, with picks like to SmackDown LIVE and to Raw driving immediate rivalries. The 2020 Draft, held in October amid the , featured 60 picks and reaffirmed ' assignment to SmackDown LIVE as its first-round selection, solidifying his Universal Championship storyline on the blue brand. In 2021, the process expanded to include NXT Superstars as eligible picks for the first time since 2016, with over 60 selections across two nights; was Raw's top choice, enhancing its heavyweight division. The 2023 Draft, conducted over two nights in late April and early May with 48 picks, selected Cody Rhodes as Raw's first-round choice, positioning him as a main event pillar shortly after his WrestleMania return. This iteration coincided with the introduction of the World Heavyweight Championship on Raw, adding stakes to roster divisions. The 2024 Draft, limited to 36 picks across two nights in April, named Bianca Belair as the first overall selection for SmackDown LIVE, with rules protecting reigning champions from involuntary moves to maintain title continuity. These drafts emphasized streamlined formats and brand loyalty, though WWE canceled plans for a 2025 event to focus on other programming priorities.

References

  1. https://www.wwe.com/classics/classic-lists/shocking-wwe-draft-picks
  2. https://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/06112007/articles/drafthistory
  3. https://www.wwe.com/article/wwe-draft-rules-2016
  4. https://www.wwe.com/article/2024-wwe-draft-rules
  5. https://www.wwe.com/article/every-2024-wwe-draft-pick
  6. https://www.sportskeeda.com/wwe/why-2025-wwe-draft-get-canceled-likely-reason-explained
  7. https://www.thesportster.com/wwe-why-started-their-brand-split-in-2002-explained/
  8. https://prowrestlingstories.com/pro-wrestling-stories/wwe-draft/
  9. https://www.wwe.com/classics/history-of-wwe
  10. https://www.wwe.com/classics/ecw/the-true-story-ecw-relaunch
  11. https://www.espn.com/wwe/story/_/id/19126332/wwe-looking-back-10-previous-drafts-held-wwe-ahead-monday-tuesday-superstar-shakeup
  12. https://www.wwe.com/inside/news/supplementaldraft07
  13. https://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/2009draft/9892604
  14. https://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/2010draft/exclusives/14288846
  15. https://whatculture.com/wwe/wwe-officially-announce-brand-split-smackdown-going-live
  16. https://thewrestlingclassic.com/the-wwe-2016-brand-split/
  17. https://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/2016-07-19
  18. https://www.wwe.com/article/2016-wwe-draft-results
  19. https://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/article/wwe-superstar-shake-up-results-2018
  20. https://www.cbssports.com/wwe/news/wwe-superstar-shakeup-2018-list-of-roster-moves-changes-surprises-for-raw-and-smackdown/
  21. https://www.espn.com/wwe/story/_/id/46244887/wwe-wrestling-world-heavyweight-championship
  22. https://itrwrestling.com/news/disappointing-update-on-wwe-draft/
  23. https://www.pwinsider.com/article/200989/revisiting-the-wwe-draft-lottery.html?p=1
  24. https://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wwf/draft.html
  25. https://thearmbarexpress.wordpress.com/2024/08/21/wrestling-flashback-the-wwe-draft-2016/
  26. https://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/article/latest-wwe-draft-results-2023
  27. https://wrestlingheadlines.com/backstage-news-on-how-wwe-felt-about-2024-draft-results-trades-expected/
  28. https://www.si.com/wrestling/wwe-draft-2024-results-night-2-monday-night-raw-friday-night-smackdown
  29. https://www.wwe.com/videos/john-cena-draft-raw-june-6-2005
  30. https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2652580-wwe-draft-2016-full-rules-announced-for-raw-smackdown-brand-split
  31. https://www.wwe.com/article/wwe-draft-2020-rules-superstar-pools
  32. https://insidepulse.com/wwe-transaction-history/inside-pulse-wrestling-exclusive-wwe-transaction-history-part-4-2004/
  33. https://www.cbssports.com/wwe/news/2019-wwe-draft-results-smackdown-and-raw-rosters-picks-pools-undrafted-superstars-rules-format/
  34. https://www.wwe.com/shows/nightofchampions/2007/matches/40811641113
  35. https://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/wwedraft2008/supplementalchanges
  36. https://bleacherreport.com/articles/679569-wwe-draft-2011-results-a-thorough-analysis-of-every-single-draft-pick
  37. https://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/article/wwe-superstar-shakeup-2017-results-raw-and-smackdown-live-rosters
  38. https://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/2017-04-10
  39. https://www.espn.com/wwe/story/_/id/23152882/wwe-move-back-forth-raw-smackdown-superstar-shakeup-stay
  40. https://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/2019-10-14
  41. https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2953715-trades-and-roster-shake-ups-to-upgrade-wwe-raw-and-smackdown
  42. https://www.thesportster.com/facts-trivia-things-wwe-first-draft-2002-forgotten/
  43. https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2652994-wwe-draft-breaking-down-the-best-pick-of-every-draft-from-2002-16
  44. https://www.thesportster.com/wrestling/wwe-first-brand-split-raw-smackdown-details/
  45. https://www.wwe.com/inside/news/archive/draftlottery1
  46. https://thearmbarexpress.wordpress.com/2024/06/12/wrestling-flashback-the-wwe-draft-2005/
  47. https://www.sescoops.com/editorials/looking-back-insane-2005-wwe-draft/
  48. https://www.wrestlezone.com/news/218769-complete-2007-wwe-draft-results-26-names-moved
  49. https://www.foxsports.com/stories/wwe/power-ranking-every-no-1-pick-in-wwe-draft-history
  50. https://www.wwe.com/article/full-2019-wwe-draft-results
  51. https://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/10-09-2020/article/latest-wwe-draft-results-2020
  52. https://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/article/latest-wwe-draft-results-2021
  53. https://www.wwe.com/videos/bianca-belair-picked-first-overall-in-2024-wwe-draft-smackdown-highlights-april-26-2024
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.