Hello everybody, and welcome to another edition of Reading Between the Ropes. The draft details were placed before us on Monday’s Raw and it seems the WWE are intending to drag this draft out for all it’s worth. The 2004 draft scored some sizeable ratings for the company so, no doubt, they hope this move with give them a prolonged period of high ratings as we approach the summer period.
So, just what can we expect from this year’s draft? I discussed this with Jared in Swerve and it led to a pretty lengthy and interesting debate. Last year I wrote a column shortly after the draft stating that Smackdown! was not given a fair deal in the final outcome. Will I be writing a similar column following this year’s? Time will tell, but my initial inkling is that I may not be. Why? Well, here are a few handy draft tips which may, or may not, come in to fruition. Bare in mind, these are not predictions, these are merely response to likely or rumoured drafts.
Christian to Smackdown!
For quite some time now it seems that Christian has had his eye on embarrassing John Cena. Whether it be at the Royal Rumble or, more recently, at Backlash, Christian seems intent on provoking the new WWE Champion. Of all the potential moves in the forthcoming draft, I would say this has the strongest possibility of taking place. I, for one, would support the move. It would give Smackdown! a fresh face in their main event and, also, give Christian the push that so many fans, myself included, feel he deserves. Since the writers seem to be leading Kurt Angle’s character in to more of a serious heel role a void has been left for a comedic heel on Smackdown!. Christian would fit this bill perfectly and would add a new dimension to the style of heels on Smackdown!. Both JBL and Kurt are intense heels right now, so Christian would compliment these two perfectly and mean that future contenders of Cena’s title will be less similar. Look for this move to take place and, hopefully, bring a boost for Smackdown! and Christian.
Daivari to Smackdown!
After Muhammad Hassan berated Daivari for his negligence there has been a wedge driven between what we all thought was an inseparable bond. A few grumblings were hear following the initial angle where Hassan beat down Daivari. Both have come in under the same gimmick and with a gimmick like this it may become hard for them to break away from it. However, on closer inspection this may be a wise move. For Daivari to break out of the shadow of this gimmick, and of Hassan, he may need the move to Smackdown!. New pastures could bring a new start. Having Daivari as Hassan’s lackey can only last so long before a change is in order. The cruiserweight division could become Daivari’s new home and there could be where he finds his niche. Of course, this move depends on a couple of things; 1) whether the WWE feel there is life in the Hassan/Daivari team (possibly in the tag team division) and 2) whether the WWE feel they could get mileage out of a feud between the two.
Randy Orton to Smackdown!
The chances of this happening seem to have lessened in recent weeks. Orton coming out on Monday and ear-marking Batista as his main target hints that possibly there is some future to that issue. However, I Orton is to get over as a strong heel by his lonesome it may benefit him to be on a different show to HHH. If Hunter continues to remain the focus of Raw after the draft then it would be increasingly difficult for Orton to create a market for himself as a top heel. Of course, Orton could re-join Evolution, but where would that leave him other that back at square one? Don’t expect this to happen.
Kane to Smackdown!
Jared mentioned this one in passing in Swerve, and it could be a decent shout. Kane may have unfinished business with Lita and Edge, yet it also could mean that it gives him a fresh start over on Smackdown!. Big Show benefited hugely from his move to Smackdown! and went from a nearly man on Raw to a main event player on the other brand. Kane could easily do the same should he make the shift. However, Kane’s movement depends on whether the WWE feel the fans would want to see a Kane-Edge feud. I, personally, don’t. The WWE may feel otherwise. This draft may take place, but it could be one of the final movements at the back end of June after the WWE has got a Kane-Edge match or two out of their system.
Angle to Raw
This would seriously hurt Smackdown! should it take place. This draft MUST give the rosters a better balance and this would be extremely detrimental to that balance. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean the WWE won’t make this move. The WWE has done some daft things in the past and this could add another notch on that list. I pray this move doesn’t happen for the Smackdown! brand’s sake, but, I cannot promise them it won’t. Angle has been a stalwart on the Smackdown! brand since the roster split first took place so the WWE may feel it’s time for a fresh start with fresh feuds.
Undertaker to Raw
Undertaker is used in a novelty role nowadays, seemingly showing up on Smackdown! every once in a while. This novelty role may best be suited on a live show, not a pre-taped one. The thrill of the dong going off on a live broadcast may be one of the reasons ‘Taker may be better suited to Raw when spoilers could ruin the “Novelty” of an appearance on Smackdown! every so often. It would also give the Deadman a chance to engage in some fresh feuds because, like Kurt, he has been on Smackdown! for quite some time now. Will it happen? I’m not sure, but it’s definitely worth considering.
Rey Mysterio to Raw
Following a few comments by Rey that the Cruiserweight title is no longer his aim in recent interviews, and the WWE’s desire to push Rey further up the card, this move perhaps isn’t as far-fetched as one would initially believe. With many new signings in the cruiserweight division set to be unveiled the WWE may think they have a strong enough division to cope without Mysterio’s services on the Smackdown! side of things. Rey is another guy who has been Smackdown! talent for quite a while now, and could definitely be considered for pastures new. However, I do not see this move taking place because, personally, Eddie and Rey could easily feud until Summerslam. Also, the new signings may actually tempt the WWE to throw Rey back in the cruiserweight mix with new pairings such as Rey-Psychosis and Rey-Juvi on the horizon. The WWE will also probably like the safety-net of a safe-bet like Rey being up their sleeve in the cruiserweight division should anything go askew (because, god forbid, the WWE could actually mess the division up one day, ya know!!! ).
There are other possible moves worth discussing in the coming weeks, and I may do that should new situations arise. I’m sure Swerve will also cover all you need to know for your draft fix. Jericho to Smackdown!? RVD to Raw? All worth considering. At the moment there seems to be a distinct tilt in my suggestions to the Raw-Smackdown! aspect. That’s probably because I know what Smackdown! needs in order to address the unbalanced nature of the rosters. Raw is a little trickier because they have enough people over there right now.
I would like to make one final statement, and that is regarding the champions of both brands. I have heard many, MANY people discuss the possibility of the champions switching brands. Let me confirm to you with my 100% adamant belief that this will NOT take place. Both Batista and John Cena are booked for tours with their respective, current brands long past the date of the draft. If you live in the UK and watch a Raw repeat you’d also know (and, quite frankly, be sick of) the listinlistings for Cena vs. JBL vs. Angle with Stone Cold as a special referee on the Smackdown! summer bash tour. That is as set in stone as an overseas tour booking can be. Both Cena and Batista are going nowhere, folks.
Until next time,
Mitchell L. Gadd
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