WWE hasn't given us many details of tonight's WWE draft, but if it's anything like last year, we'll probably see every brand lose about five wrestlers, and pick up about five. As well, I imagine there will also be a supplemental draft handled on WWE.com to move around some of the midcard talent.
With that in mind, here are some quick predictions on who's going where. Obviously, these are far from complete, and don't take into account what poor shlubs will be sent over to ECW.
1. Triple H goes to Smackdown: This is about as big a move as WWE could make, but I think they might realize that the time is right to pull the trigger on such a switch. With his power and influence in the company, Triple H need not worry about his starpower fading with a move to the B-brand. On the contrary, he'll probably look at it as taking one for the team and giving Smackdown the much-needed rub of laying claim to one of WWE's top stars. As well, it would explain why WWE rushed into a Cena-Triple H match on an off-brand PPV. I think the writing has been on the wall for some time that there is not enough room on any one brand for a babyface Triple H and Cena.
2. Batista to Raw: This would take the edge of Raw losing Triple H. Batista been over on the blue brand for three years now and has dried up just about every feud available there. He could be a valuable addition on Raw, especially if he were to turn heel and feud with the likes of Cena and Jeff Hardy.
3. Mr. Kennedy to Smackdown: I'm less confident in this coming to fruition, but it would make some sense. With Cena, Jeff Hardy and Triple H (at least for now) all on the Raw brand, it will be tough for Kennedy to get much of a push in his new babyface role. Adversely, on Smackdown he'd have a number of new opponents to choose from.
4. Umaga to Smackdown!: This one has been rumored for a while, and essentially confirmed by Vince McMahon in a recent conference call. It's a logical move for Umaga, who is as stale as anybody on Raw. But, while Smackdown does have a heel shortage, I don't think Umaga will turn things around much without a new layer of depth to his character.
5. CM Punk to ?: Whether he ends up on Raw or Smackdown!, it's clear that the Straight Edge Superstar is due for a change, especially while he's still holding the Money in the Bank guaranteed world title shot. I think he may be a better fit on Smackdown!, where he is a little more likely to get some main events with Edge. But with Raw desperately needing some freshening up, I could see WWE thinking C.M. Punk is just what the doctor ordered.
6. MVP to Raw: MVP has risen to become one of Smackdown's most promising stars. The time may be right to showcase him on a bigger stage.
Here are a few other likely candidates for new homes:
. Kofi Kingston
. John Morrison and the Miz
. Finlay and Hornswoggle
. A couple of interchangeable Divas, along the lines of Natalya Neidhardt and Beth Phoenix.
All this said, I have ZERO - repeat - ZERO faith in WWE to make any significant changes tonight, and would not be surprised to see a number of completely inconsequential moves along the lines of Mark Henry and Khali to Raw, and Jillian Hall and Cryme Tyme to Smackdown.
Comments (15)
I'm with you Fonzie, I have absolutly no faith in the WWE making any significant changes. There are changes I'd like to see, like Punk to Smackdown, MVP to Raw, Cena to oblivion. But I expect none of them to actually happen because when I want something to happen, Vince usually gives me the exact opposite. (See HHH beating Randy Orton)
I agree with every single one of your main picks! How spooky...
Apart from moving MVP. I feel that he should be allowed to become a main eventer on Smackdown before moving. I think he can have an awesome feud with Edge, as well as form some uneasy alliance that could actually lead on to the feud.
I've actually got confidence that they will do something big. I think Batista moving is a lock, has to be, and that's pretty big. I also think they should move HHH, and probably will. He only has JBL left on Raw to have a long term feud with, and it's hardly something everyone is desperate to see, and if they must do it, they could cross brand it. He could also have Regal, but again, it's not worth keeping him on Raw for another year just the sake of two feuds. Any face could feud with Regal and it would be good, it doesn't need to be HHH.
I'd also move Kennedy back. If Raw get some heels, he could conceivably have some good feuds, but Jeff seems to have the up and coming face spot locked down - and deservedly so with the reactions he is getting - and if they want Kennedy to rise to be a main eventer, I don't see it happening on Raw. I feel Kennedy moving is less likely than HHH and Batista, because I can see them thinking that they can do Kennedy feuding with JBL, Jericho and Cade. They'd be all well and good, but I'd love him feuding with MVP and Edge over on Smackdown.
I'd move Burke in to a prominent mid card role on Smackdown, as he could replace the ascending MVP. I'd give ECW the 'cast offs', but that's not a bad thing, since the 'cast offs' can go and reinvent themselves. I'd make ECW a more credible brand again, have Teddy stop the talent exchange because of the way Vickie treated him, and then build some long term ECW storylines centred around Kane, Kofi, Sydal, and generally anyone else who they decide to give to that brand.
You had me till the last part. I mean I dont agree with ALL your picks. I do agree with some of them and I hope to see HHH on Smackdown or maybe even Cena. We could see a change of the Main titles tonight. (I would love to see La Familia on RAW... I know its a pipedream) but I have all the faith in the world WWE is going to make big changes. If not I will post right after RAW that I was wrong. Inless Vince calls me that is lol.
WWE is NOT going to shake up a heavily-built PPV main event with less than a week to go. Moves for Triple H or Batista are NOT going to happen. I'd bet McMahon's million dollars on it. :)
CM Punk needs to move to start his push to becoming a credible main eventer, since he has the MitB briefcase. I really, really think you'll see someone moved to Raw and immediately hotshotted into an IC title match at Night of Champions, and CM Punk fits the bill almost perfectly.
Why is this blog always so negative towards WWE? Why would you not expect significant changes? The last few years the draft has been packed with top name changes. Last year saw Chris Benoit, King Booker, Mr. Kennedy, Bobby Lashley, John Morrison, and Ric Flair all change brands. The previous draft in 2005 was ENORMOUS, every single pick was a HUGE deal.
You come across as bitter. There's no basis for expecting inconsequential moves. Come up with some arguments to back your claims. This blog was really interesting a few months ago, and now it's more or less become the same whining over and over again. Cut it out, or you're down a subscriber.
One move that no one has mentioned that could do a lot would be Shawn Michaels to move to Smackdown. He could lend some star power there, continue his feud with Batista, have a great feud with Edge, help give the rub to Matt Hardy, etc. He can enter feuds or have some great matches with MVP and Rey Mysterio. I also don't think I've seen Shawn in one-one-one battles with big men such as the Big Show or Khali before. So Shawn to Smackdown would be the best move for everyone.
Other than Batista I agree with the whole deal. Having HHH, Undertaker on SD, while keeping Batista there, allows me to watch my favorites Raw and skip the garbage on SD every week. Win/win.
@Tom
Moving HBK would be downright retarded. He's half of the only interesting storyline on Raw. Not that the brands seem to matter anymore anyways
can you give me some inside insight as to why they would have the draft BEFORE the ppv since now the outcomes of many of the matches are already known,I.E Cena WILL beat HHH since H is going to smackdown,Big Show Will Beat Kane for ECW title,ETC,. Wouldnt it make more sense to have it the next day?
Well I guess you were totally off base there :)
Seriously though, this draft seems to have actually "shaken things up" as it were. What are the odds that there is a trade before Night Of Champions sending HHH back to Raw?
What did you think of the end angle? I kinda liked it, nice way to get out of the millions, and giving a storyline of someone trying to kill Vince.
Storyline of someone trying to kill Vince...hmmm. I gotta say, it sounds familiar.
Maybe this one won't end by a WWE Superstar slaughtering his family and himself. Fingers crossed!
I may look like an idiot for this in the future... But JR was pissed. There is no way he knew about this. Why not trade the King and Mick. The company hates JR. He has had to Kiss Vinces Ass and he has had a few skits. I am gonna miss him. There needs to be a trade there. Does anyone else think it sucks that RAW has no champ (BIG TITLE), NO GM, and NO JR! This is Nitro for crying out loud. The draft shook a lot up. But it hurt RAW for the long term fans I think.
Kevin relax, you are going to have a freakin' stroke. Either Batista or Cena can bring a world title to Raw this Sunday. Oh yeah and don't worry about the future you look like an idiot now.
AAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!
And there's the response (wweisright) that was waiting to read.... Awesome! I don't think anyone can argue their way out of this one.