WWE Draft April 25. What major moves are we gonna see?

**Mr. Nerfect** · 04-23-2011, 10:57 PM

An updated list of the moves I see taking place. A lot of the supplementary ones I can see leading to releases, and some guys (Husky Harris, for example) will probably be repackaged before they see the main roster again.

To SmackDown!:

Alex Riley: I think the WWE does this move to give the fans a "heels being forced to break-up" happy moment, and to test the waters with Riley as his own man on SmackDown!. I can see this move happening on the main show, with The Miz perhaps even throwing a match (conserving energy for his Steel Cage WWE Title defense), and it thus backfiring on him. I know rumours say that The Miz might change brands, but I think the WWE keeps the WWE Title and the most must-see man in sports entertainment on RAW.

CM Punk and the Nexus: I see Punk as being in a similar position to Chris Jericho a while back -- probably the best heel the WWE has, but not the heel they want at the forefront at this particular point in time. Two of the three Nexus members are also very green, and thus could use the B-show as a chance to improve before they get that main exposure. The Nexus could be treated as a serious threat on SmackDown!, especially with Punk becoming the de facto #1 heel there after some other moves take place.

Daniel Bryan: SmackDown! is just a great fit for him. They can pipe in cheers, and he can work longer matches. It's win-win. There was a time when it was sane to have Bryan on RAW -- he was a hot commodity for a while last year. But now that he's cooled, Bryan could really use the chance to build himself on SmackDown!.

David Hart Smith: I don't know/think that Smith will be used in a big way, and I have a feeling he might actually be leaving the WWE soon, but I think SmackDown! is just a better fit for him, and this is just one of those supplementary draft moves that just happens.

Eve Torres: Just a move to try and get some interest in the blue brand by appealing to red-blooded males.

Gail Kim: She's not doing much but accompanying Daniel Bryan, and if he goes to SmackDown!, it'd make sense to move her, too. She can wrestle, and really help the Divas Division on the blue side of things. She's not really adding anything critical to the RAW girls and their shit.

Goldust: He's inactive at the moment, but I think he gets moved in the supplementary draft and ends up on the same show as his brother (who I am taking off my draft list). People love Goldust, so they will actually care about this supplementary draft move. Also, I can't remember the last time Goldust was ever officially part of the SmackDown! roster. There's something fresh about it.

John Morrison: I still think JoMo gets moved, partially as punishment, partially to hide his weaknesses and to focus on his strengths -- good ring work and making more moments for highlight reels. I think Morrison has a chance to become the top babyface on SmackDown!, and that can help he transition back over to RAW next year or something, to really make a big impact.

Mark Henry: I think The World's Strongest Man will be retiring soon, but for the moment, Henry is still part of the active roster, and isn't doing much of anything. Why not move him? Henry is heaps over, so moving the guy would create that interest that often isn't there with other supplementary draft moves.

Melina: They might release Melina in the spring cleaning, but I see her moving, even though Johnny Nitro might be doing the same, just to send a message to her -- that being that her position on RAW isn't sacred. Melina returning to SmackDown! would be quite fresh at this stage of the game, and she could put over some girls there -- like Layla, Gail Kim and Eve Torres.

Natalya: She's a great ring worker, but she's been lost in the shuffle on RAW. Why not move her, get the commentators excited/disappointed hotties are leaving/joining their brand, and give her a refresh on SmackDown!? Plus, I have a feeling that Beth Phoenix will be moving, so Natalya serves as a fair trade-off for that.

Primo: Just a random supplementary draft move. I think this guy is overdue for another stint on SmackDown!, where he can do the things he does best -- fly around the ring.

Sheamus: He's never officially been a part of the SmackDown! roster, and it creates a fresh atmosphere around the Celtic Warrior -- which is why the WWE does these drafts in the first place -- to freshen things up. The guy doesn't seem to have anything special going on over RAW's way (besides being a dominant mid-card champion), which is why he can do by taking the belt over to SmackDown!, anyway.

Sin Cara: The show just seems perfect for him. This will be one of the main draft moves, in my opinion, and Cara will benefit from being in the taped environment. He's already gotten a hell of a rub from his tiny stint as part of the RAW roster, anyway.

Ted DiBiase: He goes to SmackDown! to get the same reboot that Cody Rhodes did last year. I think DiBiase will be instantly more relevant given a change of scenery. And like Sheamus and Goldust, he just hasn't ever been part of the SmackDown! brand, which makes the move all the more refreshing.

Tyson Kidd: This guy is getting better and better on the mic, but his strength is always going to be his ring skills, and they are better utilized on SmackDown!. I could see the guy being a great mid-card heel on blue brand.

William Regal: Just a random supplementary move to create the illusion of change. Regal being on SmackDown! would actually be refreshing, if he worked the occasional match, don't get me wrong. But I think Regal is stepping away from an active role, hence his new commentary position on NXT. So he's always going to be at the tapings, anyway, it just reduces the travel Regal needs to make. A logical move, in my opinion.

Yoshi Tatsu: The guy worked SmackDown! the other week like he was part of the roster, anyway. They might as well just move the guy and put him on the wrestling show. They can even do a sad separation between Tatsu and Maryse on the last NXT of this season.

Zack Ryder: He's got a great character, but I think it's just got more of a chance being taken seriously on SmackDown! than it does RAW. I'd love to see more Ryder vs. Christian matches down the track.

To RAW:

Alberto Del Rio, Brodus Clay & Ricardo Rodriguez: Team Del Rio moves as a major draft, and Del Rio emphasizes that it is not only his destiny to win the World Heavyweight Title, but it now MUST be done at Extreme Rules. He doesn't achieve this, but he does become one of the top forces on RAW, which I can see fitting him well.

Beth Phoenix: This is one of the moves I'm willing to put a small amount of money on. Phoenix hasn't really been doing much on SmackDown!, and she really should be doing something. Trade her for some of the girls that aren't doing much on RAW but should be (Gail Kim, Natalya, etc.). It'd also be good to see Glamarella together again.

Chavo Guerrero: Not a major move, and I don't think Chavo gets a huge push or anything like that, but I think he could be a great veteran presence backstage, making up for William Regal and Mark Henry being traded to SmackDown!. He could work some matches against Dolph Ziggler, or something. He might also help with RAW's standing with Hispanic fans. Have Del Rio & Guerrero on RAW and Mysterio & Mistico on SmackDown!.

Chris Masters: A supplementary move, but I still see Masters getting a nice push for himself later this year. SmackDown! (well, Superstars) has proven that Masters can work a good match, but his guilty pleasure-style would work better in shorter, more dominating matches.

The Corre: I can see them all being drafted together. Wade Barrett has lost something since moving to SmackDown!, and he just works better on the live show, I think. Right now he's the Intercontinental Champion, and a trade with Sheamus might really freshen things up. I think Barrett needs to get away from Big Show right now. He's the group heat killer. Justin Gabriel's 450s are always a nice spot and a good addition to RAW, and Ezekiel Jackson's style just fits the red show more. Heath Slater might not seem to fit the RAW scene right now, but he doesn't seem to fit the SmackDown! scene much, either. Whether they break-up or stay together, I think The Corre could make an interesting (re)addition to RAW.

Drew McIntyre: He's not doing much of anything on SmackDown!, and he hasn't been a part of RAW since he's re-debuted as The Chosen One. He's a young man, with a marketable look, and fits the whole "SmackDown! guy RAW can steal and possibly ruin" archetype. Actually, I see McIntyre doing quite well on RAW, truthfully.

Hornswoggle: Why? Why not? The kids love him, and he doesn't really do much wherever he goes. His move makes the children pop, keeps him floating, and doesn't really hurt anyone. I could see him actually being drafted on the main show, too -- probably as part of a big RAW win, where they get a handful of draft picks -- and his image pops up just before someone like Kane's does.

Jack Swagger: He's got more going on on RAW as a SmackDown! Superstar than he does on SmackDown!. Hell, he's got more going on on RAW than a lot RAW guys do. Just make the move official.

JTG: I see him being a victim of spring cleaning, unfortunately, but I'd like to see JTG be given one more chance to get over -- and the RAW atmosphere just seems more akin to the style he brings.

Kaitlyn: I could see her being released in the spring cleaning, but I don't see the problem with her moving to RAW, just to create the illusion of change. I feel like I've said that before in this very post. She was also her most over when she was feuding with Vickie Guerrero, and Vickie is on RAW. Just saying.

Kane: I feel that either Kane or Big Show have to move, and the only reason I'm picking Kane is because I feel that Show is probably more of the marketed attraction at this point, and Show helps SmackDown! more than Kane does. The Big Red Machine also doesn't step on too many toes, as he seems to be a background player, even whilst working in the main event.

Kelly Kelly: I think the WWE wants her to be the new Torrie Wilson, or the new Stacy Keibler. Not a great worker, and she probably won't ever be (although she has had a few matches that have actually been quite enjoyable), but she can be a huge part of the company's marketing strategy. One of their "attractions." She'd fit RAW for this reason. She originally moved to SmackDown! to get them some attention, but now I think that's played out, and Eve does that this year, with Kelly returning to RAW.

Michelle McCool: Mrs Undertaker moves where her husband does, for one. Secondly, I think she's a Diva the WWE actually takes seriously. She and Layla did a great job on SmackDown! so much that they got used on RAW, as well. But this is McCool's official promotion to the RAW brand, which would be refreshing to the Divas angles on both sides.

Tyler Reks: Like everyone confined to Superstars, Reks could very well find himself being released in the coming weeks, but I'd like to see him given another shot higher up on the card. Let him tear through the RAW scene for a bit. He's a good worker for his size, and he'd just fit RAW that tiny bit more than he does SmackDown!.

The Undertaker: This one will be the huge move of the draft, I think. The Undertaker's career is winding down, and although it is always great to see him promoted in association with SmackDown!, they'll still have Rey Mysterio, Big Show, the Nexus, John Morrison, Sin Cara, etc. as symbols or faces to associate with the brand. The Undertaker hasn't been a part of RAW since the early days of the draft. Also, I'd like to see him and Triple H part of the same brand, and while that could easily be SmackDown!, it just fits RAW better, in my opinion.

04-23-2011, 10:57 PM	#22
Mr. Nerfect Posts: 61,634	An updated list of the moves I see taking place. A lot of the supplementary ones I can see leading to releases, and some guys (Husky Harris, for example) will probably be repackaged before they see the main roster again. To SmackDown!: Alex Riley: I think the WWE does this move to give the fans a "heels being forced to break-up" happy moment, and to test the waters with Riley as his own man on SmackDown!. I can see this move happening on the main show, with The Miz perhaps even throwing a match (conserving energy for his Steel Cage WWE Title defense), and it thus backfiring on him. I know rumours say that The Miz might change brands, but I think the WWE keeps the WWE Title and the most must-see man in sports entertainment on RAW. CM Punk and the Nexus: I see Punk as being in a similar position to Chris Jericho a while back -- probably the best heel the WWE has, but not the heel they want at the forefront at this particular point in time. Two of the three Nexus members are also very green, and thus could use the B-show as a chance to improve before they get that main exposure. The Nexus could be treated as a serious threat on SmackDown!, especially with Punk becoming the de facto #1 heel there after some other moves take place. Daniel Bryan: SmackDown! is just a great fit for him. They can pipe in cheers, and he can work longer matches. It's win-win. There was a time when it was sane to have Bryan on RAW -- he was a hot commodity for a while last year. But now that he's cooled, Bryan could really use the chance to build himself on SmackDown!. David Hart Smith: I don't know/think that Smith will be used in a big way, and I have a feeling he might actually be leaving the WWE soon, but I think SmackDown! is just a better fit for him, and this is just one of those supplementary draft moves that just happens. Eve Torres: Just a move to try and get some interest in the blue brand by appealing to red-blooded males. Gail Kim: She's not doing much but accompanying Daniel Bryan, and if he goes to SmackDown!, it'd make sense to move her, too. She can wrestle, and really help the Divas Division on the blue side of things. She's not really adding anything critical to the RAW girls and their shit. Goldust: He's inactive at the moment, but I think he gets moved in the supplementary draft and ends up on the same show as his brother (who I am taking off my draft list). People love Goldust, so they will actually care about this supplementary draft move. Also, I can't remember the last time Goldust was ever officially part of the SmackDown! roster. There's something fresh about it. John Morrison: I still think JoMo gets moved, partially as punishment, partially to hide his weaknesses and to focus on his strengths -- good ring work and making more moments for highlight reels. I think Morrison has a chance to become the top babyface on SmackDown!, and that can help he transition back over to RAW next year or something, to really make a big impact. Mark Henry: I think The World's Strongest Man will be retiring soon, but for the moment, Henry is still part of the active roster, and isn't doing much of anything. Why not move him? Henry is heaps over, so moving the guy would create that interest that often isn't there with other supplementary draft moves. Melina: They might release Melina in the spring cleaning, but I see her moving, even though Johnny Nitro might be doing the same, just to send a message to her -- that being that her position on RAW isn't sacred. Melina returning to SmackDown! would be quite fresh at this stage of the game, and she could put over some girls there -- like Layla, Gail Kim and Eve Torres. Natalya: She's a great ring worker, but she's been lost in the shuffle on RAW. Why not move her, get the commentators excited/disappointed hotties are leaving/joining their brand, and give her a refresh on SmackDown!? Plus, I have a feeling that Beth Phoenix will be moving, so Natalya serves as a fair trade-off for that. Primo: Just a random supplementary draft move. I think this guy is overdue for another stint on SmackDown!, where he can do the things he does best -- fly around the ring. Sheamus: He's never officially been a part of the SmackDown! roster, and it creates a fresh atmosphere around the Celtic Warrior -- which is why the WWE does these drafts in the first place -- to freshen things up. The guy doesn't seem to have anything special going on over RAW's way (besides being a dominant mid-card champion), which is why he can do by taking the belt over to SmackDown!, anyway. Sin Cara: The show just seems perfect for him. This will be one of the main draft moves, in my opinion, and Cara will benefit from being in the taped environment. He's already gotten a hell of a rub from his tiny stint as part of the RAW roster, anyway. Ted DiBiase: He goes to SmackDown! to get the same reboot that Cody Rhodes did last year. I think DiBiase will be instantly more relevant given a change of scenery. And like Sheamus and Goldust, he just hasn't ever been part of the SmackDown! brand, which makes the move all the more refreshing. Tyson Kidd: This guy is getting better and better on the mic, but his strength is always going to be his ring skills, and they are better utilized on SmackDown!. I could see the guy being a great mid-card heel on blue brand. William Regal: Just a random supplementary move to create the illusion of change. Regal being on SmackDown! would actually be refreshing, if he worked the occasional match, don't get me wrong. But I think Regal is stepping away from an active role, hence his new commentary position on NXT. So he's always going to be at the tapings, anyway, it just reduces the travel Regal needs to make. A logical move, in my opinion. Yoshi Tatsu: The guy worked SmackDown! the other week like he was part of the roster, anyway. They might as well just move the guy and put him on the wrestling show. They can even do a sad separation between Tatsu and Maryse on the last NXT of this season. Zack Ryder: He's got a great character, but I think it's just got more of a chance being taken seriously on SmackDown! than it does RAW. I'd love to see more Ryder vs. Christian matches down the track. To RAW: Alberto Del Rio, Brodus Clay & Ricardo Rodriguez: Team Del Rio moves as a major draft, and Del Rio emphasizes that it is not only his destiny to win the World Heavyweight Title, but it now MUST be done at Extreme Rules. He doesn't achieve this, but he does become one of the top forces on RAW, which I can see fitting him well. Beth Phoenix: This is one of the moves I'm willing to put a small amount of money on. Phoenix hasn't really been doing much on SmackDown!, and she really should be doing something. Trade her for some of the girls that aren't doing much on RAW but should be (Gail Kim, Natalya, etc.). It'd also be good to see Glamarella together again. Chavo Guerrero: Not a major move, and I don't think Chavo gets a huge push or anything like that, but I think he could be a great veteran presence backstage, making up for William Regal and Mark Henry being traded to SmackDown!. He could work some matches against Dolph Ziggler, or something. He might also help with RAW's standing with Hispanic fans. Have Del Rio & Guerrero on RAW and Mysterio & Mistico on SmackDown!. Chris Masters: A supplementary move, but I still see Masters getting a nice push for himself later this year. SmackDown! (well, Superstars) has proven that Masters can work a good match, but his guilty pleasure-style would work better in shorter, more dominating matches. The Corre: I can see them all being drafted together. Wade Barrett has lost something since moving to SmackDown!, and he just works better on the live show, I think. Right now he's the Intercontinental Champion, and a trade with Sheamus might really freshen things up. I think Barrett needs to get away from Big Show right now. He's the group heat killer. Justin Gabriel's 450s are always a nice spot and a good addition to RAW, and Ezekiel Jackson's style just fits the red show more. Heath Slater might not seem to fit the RAW scene right now, but he doesn't seem to fit the SmackDown! scene much, either. Whether they break-up or stay together, I think The Corre could make an interesting (re)addition to RAW. Drew McIntyre: He's not doing much of anything on SmackDown!, and he hasn't been a part of RAW since he's re-debuted as The Chosen One. He's a young man, with a marketable look, and fits the whole "SmackDown! guy RAW can steal and possibly ruin" archetype. Actually, I see McIntyre doing quite well on RAW, truthfully. Hornswoggle: Why? Why not? The kids love him, and he doesn't really do much wherever he goes. His move makes the children pop, keeps him floating, and doesn't really hurt anyone. I could see him actually being drafted on the main show, too -- probably as part of a big RAW win, where they get a handful of draft picks -- and his image pops up just before someone like Kane's does. Jack Swagger: He's got more going on on RAW as a SmackDown! Superstar than he does on SmackDown!. Hell, he's got more going on on RAW than a lot RAW guys do. Just make the move official. JTG: I see him being a victim of spring cleaning, unfortunately, but I'd like to see JTG be given one more chance to get over -- and the RAW atmosphere just seems more akin to the style he brings. Kaitlyn: I could see her being released in the spring cleaning, but I don't see the problem with her moving to RAW, just to create the illusion of change. I feel like I've said that before in this very post. She was also her most over when she was feuding with Vickie Guerrero, and Vickie is on RAW. Just saying. Kane: I feel that either Kane or Big Show have to move, and the only reason I'm picking Kane is because I feel that Show is probably more of the marketed attraction at this point, and Show helps SmackDown! more than Kane does. The Big Red Machine also doesn't step on too many toes, as he seems to be a background player, even whilst working in the main event. Kelly Kelly: I think the WWE wants her to be the new Torrie Wilson, or the new Stacy Keibler. Not a great worker, and she probably won't ever be (although she has had a few matches that have actually been quite enjoyable), but she can be a huge part of the company's marketing strategy. One of their "attractions." She'd fit RAW for this reason. She originally moved to SmackDown! to get them some attention, but now I think that's played out, and Eve does that this year, with Kelly returning to RAW. Michelle McCool: Mrs Undertaker moves where her husband does, for one. Secondly, I think she's a Diva the WWE actually takes seriously. She and Layla did a great job on SmackDown! so much that they got used on RAW, as well. But this is McCool's official promotion to the RAW brand, which would be refreshing to the Divas angles on both sides. Tyler Reks: Like everyone confined to Superstars, Reks could very well find himself being released in the coming weeks, but I'd like to see him given another shot higher up on the card. Let him tear through the RAW scene for a bit. He's a good worker for his size, and he'd just fit RAW that tiny bit more than he does SmackDown!. The Undertaker: This one will be the huge move of the draft, I think. The Undertaker's career is winding down, and although it is always great to see him promoted in association with SmackDown!, they'll still have Rey Mysterio, Big Show, the Nexus, John Morrison, Sin Cara, etc. as symbols or faces to associate with the brand. The Undertaker hasn't been a part of RAW since the early days of the draft. Also, I'd like to see him and Triple H part of the same brand, and while that could easily be SmackDown!, it just fits RAW better, in my opinion.