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Exciting times are imminent with the 2016 WWE Draft, marking the second brand extension for the company, and the first time that the WWE roster will be split in nearly five years. With plenty of speculation as to who will end up where, this is my attempt to predict what will happen and what surprises, if any, may spring up as WWE prepares to chop itself in half.
To begin with, it's clear that Raw will have the largest roster of the two, primarily because of its three-hour television slot. At two hours, SmackDown could afford to utilise a similarly-sized roster to Raw, but many of its stars would either have minimal time for their matches or be ignored altogether. Therefore, I will design my fantasy rosters with a slight advantage for Raw. That being said, WWE will ensure that the line-ups remain equal, so from a quality standpoint, hopefully one won't be too superior to the other.
With that out of the way, let's address the other elephant in the room: the title situation. When it was announced, it was assumed that, with the exception of the Intercontinental and United States Titles, each champion (or champions, in the case of the doubles straps) would roam between both brands. However, given the news that both brands will hold a PPV event every month, with the exception of the "Big Four", this now seems less likely. Although I don't consider it to be the best option, I think that WWE will provide each brand with its own World Champion; it's the only feasible way to deliver 20 PPV events a year without over-exposing the talent. However, I predict that the Women's and Tag Titles will each find a home on separate brands along with their respective divisions.
Okay, now let's predict the rosters. When the split was first announced, most assumed that John Cena and Roman Reigns would each be separated, and given the chance to be the leading face of their respective brands (even if, in Roman's case, the babyface push is proving futile). But recent developments have changed everything.
Cena has only wrestled once since his return on May 30, unless we count his unnecessary squash match with Karl Anderson a few weeks back. He's also apparently set to compete on only select live events in future. Therefore, Cena as the face of Raw or SmackDown seems less likely, since each brand's figurehead would theoretically have to be available for any and all dates. Meanwhile, Roman's suspension in late June has called into question whether he will receive the same push as he previously did, especially since fan reactions will be worse than ever upon his return. Adding to the confusion, Brock Lesnar could be facing a suspension of his own given a potential violation prior to his UFC 200 fight with Mark Hunt. Therefore, the Draft is now much harder to predict.
Since he is the current WWE Champion, I would have to suggest that Dean Ambrose is the undisputed first pick as things stand; and, since Stephanie McMahon loathes Ambrose, Shane (or the yet-to-be-named SmackDown General Manager, depending on who gets to make the picks) is most likely to pick up the Lunatic Fringe, bringing the WWE Title to the blue brand. The immediate reaction by Stephanie (or the also-unknown Raw GM) will be to choose someone who Shane felt wouldn't be touched by his sister, that being the suspended Reigns. As well as providing a mini-surprise, it also opens the door to a potential Reigns heel turn, aligning himself with Stephanie (which surely has to happen soon given recent events). SmackDown will then cover its bases ahead of the all-Shield main event by picking Seth Rollins (who will openly question why his old Authority pal didn't automatically select him from the beginning).
I mentioned earlier how John Cena is now less likely to be the face of a brand, meaning that WWE could now have him and Reigns co-exist on the same brand, which could also set up a future big-time main event, which is why I predict that Cena will be Raw's second pick. This may make SmackDown look weak, but no worry: the Tuesday show has an ace up its sleeve by picking Brock Lesnar (who was meant to return on the Draft show, before news leaked of his potential violation). Raw's third pick will be AJ Styles, for two reasons: to guarantee a strong wrestling presence on Monday nights, and to allow the Cena-Styles feud to continue until SummerSlam, where a new World Heavyweight Champion will be crowned. Where that leaves Reigns for SummerSlam is unknown; but unless WWE is planning a multi-brand Shield rematch for SummerSlam, at least one of the former Hounds Of Justice will have to find a new opponent before the biggest PPV of the summer.
The same logic for keeping Cena and Styles together will be used to explain Randy Orton being named SmackDown's fourth pick ahead of his currently-scheduled SSlam battle with Brock. In response, Raw will look to capture the biggest name possible, and that comes in the form of The Undertaker, who I believe will make an appearance, but will be attached to Raw in name only, at least until the hype begins for a probable Undertaker-Cena match at WrestleMania 33 (and this pick keeps both men on the same show). Having sealed some top names, SmackDown will look to the future for its fifth pick by selecting Kevin Owens, who won't be impressed that Shane will still technically be his boss. His mood will change, however, when Raw reacts by picking Sami Zayn, guaranteeing that the Owens-Zayn clash at Battleground will draw a line (for now) under their feud.
Because Kevin Owens still wants his Intercontinental Title back, KO will convince Shane or the SmackDown GM to pick The Miz next so that the IC Title is on SmackDown (assuming he beats Darren Young at Battleground, which he probably will), which in turn will persuade Raw to make sure that Rusev and the United States Title are on the red brand. The stakes are raised slightly next as SmackDown's seventh pick is Charlotte and her Women's Championship, with Raw responding by capturing The New Day and their WWE Tag Team Titles (they will be the only team who can be selected as such, because they're currently titleholders). Next up is a surprise selection as SmackDown looks for one of its past stars to recapture their past form, with that man being MVP (who has been rumoured with a WWE return lately). Not choosing to go down that route just yet, Raw's eighth choice is Bray Wyatt, whose Family remain at loggerheads with New Day. SmackDown establishes itself as the home of the women's division by picking Sasha Banks next, whilst Raw decides that it requires a big name next with its selection of Chris Jericho (drink it in, man). SmackDown rounds off its first ten picks by selecting Cesaro, who could challenge either male champion down the road. Raw's tenth and final pick is a big one, though: with an eye on the future, this is the moment that Finn Balor is finally introduced to the main roster, and its previous Bullet Club ties set up a ready-made storyline with AJ Styles sometime after SummerSlam.
Before the Draft show goes off the air, fans are informed that the remaining talent will be picked in the form of a lottery live on the WWE Network after this episode of SmackDown concludes. However, there is one final twist as Triple H makes a shock return and confronts Shane McMahon. HHH's reasoning will be that in his absence, Shane has disrupted the control of the Authority and taken away many of WWE's top names, as well as its heavyweight title (the resurrection of the WHC won't be announced until after Battleground). This acts as a set-up for HHH vs. Shane at SummerSlam with control of SmackDown at stake, with The Game's attempts to wrestle (no pun intended) control back to The Authority proving unsuccessful due to outside interference; perhaps it could be due to his one-time protégé Seth Rollins, reacting to the Authority snub in the Draft, which in turn lays the groundwork for an inter-brand HHH vs. Seth match at WrestleMania?
I won't go through the full details of why each of the remaining wrestlers will end up where, but I will make a few points before providing my full roster lists before. Firstly, as the above picks imply, Raw will be home to the tag team division, whilst SmackDown will be the base for the women's talent (which also increases the likelihood of a Women's Title match main eventing a PPV in the future). That being said, I envision some tag teams being split up, and possibly a couple of females ending up on Raw for shock factor (although they are likely to be valets or Superstars-level talent). On that subject, Superstars will go to Raw, and Main Event will belong to SmackDown.
Let's not forget, also, that WWE will throw in some shocks, regardless of the logic, just to make sure that fans are left surprised. Some of the NXT call-ups and former names that you see in the list below will be confirmed at Battleground or shortly afterwards, so that their promotions/returns have an impact, rather than on Draft night. In addition, the Raw roster will be slightly larger because of its third hour, but in terms of quality the two line-ups will be fairly equal (or as equal as WWE will allow, since it's inevitable that Raw will somehow end up the stronger of the two). I should mention here that The Rock will not be included because, let's face it, Rock will show up as and where he chooses, regardless of the Draft. Any stars that I list below as being NXT call-ups or returning names are just my guesses, so don't take this as evidence that these promotions or comebacks are 100% happening. Oh, and I forgot: I envision that WWE will have a shake-up of its announcer positions. I see Michael Cole and Mauro Ranallo switching places (so Cole to SmackDown and Mauro to Raw), and because Byron Saxton currently announces on both shows, his position on SmackDown will be filled by ... Corey Graves.
Finally, I will predict who the General Managers will be. It's inevitable that Shane and Stephanie will pick someone who shares their face/heel alignments. There are heavy rumours that Daniel Bryan will be the SmackDown GM, but for Raw, I feel that we could have a major shock, with that brand's leader being a familiar face, in the form of (drum roll) ... Eric Bischoff!
There's no guarantee that any of the above will happen, but this is my prediction for how the Draft will turn out, and below are my predictions for the future Raw and SmackDown rosters. Hopefully you enjoyed this preview, and hopefully WWE will give us a Draft and a roster split to remember!
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| Image Source: PW Mania |
Roman Reigns
John Cena
AJ Styles
The Undertaker
Sami Zayn
Rusev
The New Day
Bray Wyatt
Chris Jericho
Finn Balor
Triple H
Karl Anderson
Sin Cara
Carlito (to be re-introduced after Battleground)
Darren Young
Erick Rowan
Fandango
D-Von Dudley
Summer Rae
Braun Strowman
Tyler Breeze
Enzo Amore
Kane
Tajiri (who will return after the Cruiserweight Classic)
Luke Gallows
Tye Dillinger (called up on Raw the night after Battleground)
Big Cass
Titus O'Neil
Shelton Benjamin (a late summer return)
Baron Corbin
Alberto Del Rio
Aiden English
Jack Swagger
Mark Henry
Konnor
Sheamus
Heath Slater
Tamina
Alicia Fox
Bo Dallas
Ryback (if he returns, which is unlikely)
Eva Marie
Viktor
Rosa Mendes
American Alpha (they won't debut until after SummerSlam, but this will be their home brand)
Lana
Bob Backlund (manager)
Commissioner: Stephanie McMahon
General Manager: Eric Bischoff
Championships: World Heavyweight, United States and Tag Team
Commentators: Mauro Ranallo, John Bradshaw Layfield and Byron Saxton
Ring Announcer: Lilian Garcia
Secondary Show: Superstars
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| Image Source: Wrestling News World |
Dean Ambrose
Seth Rollins
Brock Lesnar
Randy Orton
Kevin Owens
The Miz
Charlotte
MVP
Sasha Banks
Cesaro
Bubba Ray Dudley
Becky Lynch
Goldust
Kalisto
Dolph Ziggler
Bayley (to be introduced as Sasha Banks' partner at Battleground)
R-Truth
Zack Ryder (his and Darren Young's homes will cast doubt on the mid-card title bouts at Battleground)
Paige
Big Show
Luke Harper (the only Wyatt to be separated from the Family upon his return from injury)
Neville
Natalya
Primo
Brian Kendrick (who will return after the Cruiserweight Classic)
Simon Gotch
Apollo Crews
Dana Brooke
Jimmy Uso
Nikki Bella
Jey Uso
Epico
Naomi
Curtis Axel
Emma
Maryse
Paul Heyman (manager)
Commissioner: Shane McMahon
General Manager: Daniel Bryan
Championships: WWE, Intercontinental and Women's
Commentators: Michael Cole, Jerry Lawler and Corey Graves
Ring Announcer: JoJo
Secondary Show: Main Event
What are your Draft predictions? Tell us by leaving a comment below!
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