Following July 19th’s Smackdown LIVE Draft, many fans have been left underwhelmed. People were expecting Kurt Angle, Goldberg or Rey Mysterio, however they were given the drafts of Bo Dallas and Mojo Rawley.
Firstly, what people need to understand is that this draft was never about free agents, it was always about CURRENT superstars on the roster being assigned to specific brands.
I have no doubt that both Raw and Smackdown will each sign a number of NXT stars over the next 6 months or so, which enhances my opinion that a lot of fans have got upset over nothing.
Anyway, hot off the WWE Draft, I’m looking at the 6 superstars who I think will benefit the most from being drafted to their respective brands.
Cesaro – RAW
The past year has been a very mixed one for Cesaro. Towards the middle to later stages of 2015, his popularity was at an all time high, yet he was never allowed a chance at being a top star. Fans wanted to see him, but WWE weren’t letting them have him, not in the way they wanted anyway. After his injury there were all sorts of question marks over his future, and how he would return, and the night after Wrestlemania 32, we were given the answers. Cesaro returned with a ‘James Bond’ type entrance, projected straight into the main event.
Despite plenty of exposure and a few title opportunities, I felt that he became lost in the injected talent roster, which featured Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens. Ironically, both superstars have also been drafted to RAW, however this time I feel Cesaro has the chance to step out above the level he was previously at, and finally be able to start the foundation of becoming a main event star.
Bray Wyatt – Smackdown
I, along with a lot of people, had almost given up on the entire Wyatt Family. How many times can you watch someone be built up so brilliantly in a feud, only to lose at the final hurdle each and every time.
I’m quite surprised that Wyatt hasn’t held a singles title yet, because I could really buy into him as a dominant champion.
Whilst the short singles run he had last year wasn’t a complete success, it did showcase the fact that Bray is a star, possibly the complete package as an entertainer and an athlete of his character.
Now on Smackdown I wouldn’t be surprised if WWE re-lighted the flame on his rivalry with Dean Ambrose, although we desperately need to see him against different competitors and in fresh feuds.
Wyatt has all the ingredients to be a top star, it’s bizarre that WWE haven’t fully capitalised on his talents yet.
A credible singles run for the next few months and who knows, maybe he could be in contention to win the Royal Rumble 2017!
Becky Lynch – Smackdown
I’ve written about Lynch before, and about how she got left behind the pack of the ‘Divas Revolution’. Since that article, not a lot has changed for her, apart from her on-going feud with Natalya has continued, and doesn’t look likely to end anytime soon seeing as they were both drafted to Smackdown.
It always seemed as if Charlotte & Sasha Banks overshadowed Lynch, both in presence and in positions within WWE. Now with both on RAW, there’s an opening to be the top female competitor on Smackdown, which Becky would be more than be able to handle. It’s still unclear at the time of writing if there will be additional titles for each show such as world titles and women’s titles, but either way, I’d be astonished if this time next year Lynch hadn’t held a Women’s Title.
John Cena – Smackdown
Now, unlike a lot of the others, Cena doesn’t need to build himself up or hold any titles, he’s already at the very top.
In fact, Cena could lose almost every PPV match he has and still be the face of the company. The thing is now, he’s not on the ‘flagship show’ in Monday Night Raw, he’s on Smackdown, back on the show where he first made a name for himself.
This to me offers a rare opportunity for Cena to tweak his character a bit.
Now before people jump to ‘Cena will turn heel!’ rumours, I don’t think that’s what he needs, nor do I predict that’s what will happen. What would be great, is to see Cena get a bit more ‘attitude’ to his character, and intensity that made him so popular with fans in the first place.
I would very much enjoy Cena working with some of the younger guys, because like him or loathe him, he’s very, very good at putting people over.
Perhaps showing a new side to his persona would momentarily make some of the smarks forget to boo him.
Baron Corbin – Smackdown
Since moving from NXT, Corbin has impressed, with both in ring performance and attitude. He arrived with little expectation, but quickly established himself as a dominant force on the roster, and soon became involved in a feud with Dolph Ziggler. Despite the fact that we know Ziggler can put on a great match against almost anybody on the roster, it does help when up against a man of Corbin’s ability.
His ‘Lone Wolf’ character provides edge and intrigue to it, however with more airtime investment in Baron’s character, I feel we the fans can buy into his gimmick a lot more.
With Baron, you feel he doesn’t necessarily need a title to get himself over, as his presence it’s enough to capture the eye of the fans.
There are plenty of potential opponents in Corbin’s range, and again, given the time and promotion, he could easily be the fastest rising stock on Smackdown.
Dolph Ziggler – Smackdown
I feel like I’m continuously banging on the drum of Dolph Ziggler, and yes he is one of my favourites, but it does get tiresome wondering his purpose on the main roster.
Over the last few months, I’ve felt that on Raw, Ziggler is a lot different to how he is on Smackdown. This is down to the fact that despite being an hour less, Smackdown allows him mic time, or time on commentary, basically all the exposure of his personality that Raw should be allowing its superstars.
Unfortunately there is a barrier on Raw, and Ziggler doesn’t seem to be allowed to pass that, and has to watch as others leapfrog him to the higher spots on the card.
Given that my main man, The Miz, is also on Smackdown, I’d relish an Intercontinental feud between the two of them.
It did get me thinking though, is Ziggler ready for the main title again? For me personally, I would have him turn heel and become the arrogant, in your face ‘Show Off’ that made his character in the first place, rather than the bland version we have to endure now. This is no fault of Ziggler’s, who prides his work ethic being nothing short of 100%, yet he doesn’t seem to be rewarded for his efforts.
A feud with current WWE Champion Dean Ambrose would be a mouth watering prospect, especially with the title at stake, and would certainly give Dolph that chance at the top that was very cruelly taken away from him in 2013.
Overall, it’s Smackdown that has more talent to elevate and it feels as if Shane McMahon & Daniel Bryan’s brand will be the more exciting, however, RAW does boast some top talent such as Sasha Banks, Enzo & Cass and of course Finn Balor.
The reason why I didn’t write about Finn Balor benefitting on RAW is because he’s a newcomer, he’s about to enter a new world on the main roster, whereas others need more of a revamping on their new brands.
I would love to see WWE really change a lot of characters and re-package certain superstars, not necessarily their whole gimmick, but like I said in regards to John Cena, a little tweak here and there could go a long way.
Who you YOU think will benefit the most from the WWE Draft?
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