WWE really should save a Draft until next year, and instead focus on building the brands for this year with possible trades happening mid-year.
Like we have seen in the past, after the initial brand splits for WWE Raw and SmackDown they have done a Draft about a year after the split. Now a Draft does need to happen at some point, but just a year on seems far too soon. The brands are really starting to find their footing and voice, with Raw and Smackdown both having different feels. While a Draft does change things up, if one happens this year it would just seem out of place.
With each brand finding their groove, a Draft in a few months would just upset that flow. The rosters for each brand are working well, with some divisions needing some work. A shake-up would really disrupt things and then it would take a lot of time to get back into the flow with new rosters. Time is really needed to make sure the split is working and that they can handle having their own PPV’s and showdowns at shared events such as Summerslam and Survivor Series.
When we had the brand splits many years ago the constant Drafts felt like it diminished the product, they didn’t have enough time to feel extremely established. Some guys were known for their brands, and this is something we really need to see happen now. AJ Styles is a Smackdown guy, Seth Rollins is a Raw guy, when you hear those names you need to also think of the brand they are a part of.
So instead of a proper Draft, my suggestion would be to have some trades between the brands. Perhaps say 5 or 6 talents (teams included) can be traded between Raw and SmackDown, build it up and have those trades be surprises. You could have the brands Commissioners and General Managers show up on the opposite brand and scout the talent, make it a war between them. There have been hints at animosity between the two brands, but they do need to build that up more. It needs to feel like two separate companies are competing for the talent and ratings.
Keeping the numbers small for trades would make them have a bigger impact, and the rosters would be freshened up but not change completely. You could even switch over the Intercontinental Title and US Title in a trade by switching the Champions and trying something different. A Draft also doesn’t need to happen so soon because both brands will likely get a few call-ups from NXT post-Wrestlemania. The rosters will be quite filled out and those who do get called up will need to get a chance to perform and shine as well.
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Whatever happens, a Draft really should be happening every two years with trades happening on the odd years there isn’t a Draft. They need to play this smart moving forward and know that their brands need establishment and to get built up strong. The fans pick their favorite brand a small shake up may make them rethink that, we need the brands at war a little more and things will become settled and even better entertainment.