WWE Draft 2011 Results: The Biggest Winners and Losers of the Draft (Part 1)

We just witnessed one of the biggest drafts in WWE history.  Whether you liked it or not, the rosters were shaken and the entire look of Raw and SmackDown change (at least for a little while).

Superstars were drafted (and drafted again), we saw heel turns and Michael Cole with a gauze packed mouth.  But what were the real wins and losses of the night?

Take a look here, and stay tuned for tomorrow's installment, after the supplemental draft is completed.

SmackDown: LOSS

SmackDown received a replacement for Edge, and more, within the first twenty minutes of Raw.  Kofi Kingston and Big Show outlasted eighteen other superstars to win a battle royal and secured the first pick for SmackDown.  With that pick SmackDown selected the biggest star in WWE, John Cena.  About a half an hour later, they also had Randy Orton on their roster.

This looked to be huge for SmackDown; not only were they able to replace Edge, but they did it with two of the biggest names in Sports Entertainment.  Many young fans were going to tune into SmackDown just to see John Cena, and some of the older fans might flip the television on to see Orton.

PSYCH! John Cena got drafted back to Raw. 

I don’t understand why they even teased him switching brands in the first place.  It seemed like it was a good draft.  Sure, Raw was a little heel heavy, but SmackDown got the jolt that it needed with Cena and Orton.  Now SmackDown has lost Rey Mysterio, Big Show and Alberto Del Rio as potential main event superstars, and they only really got Randy Orton to replace them.  Sure, Mark Henry and Sin Cara will make good additions, but not in the main event, where it is truly needed.

I think that SmackDown is in even rougher shape now than they were before the night started.

Sin Cara: WIN

Sin Cara has received mixed reviews since debuting in WWE.  From his ring entrance that has supposedly been “botched” several times, to the comparisons to Rey Mysterio that just can’t be overlooked.  It looked like he had one more problem to worry about when Rey was drafted to Raw, but shortly after, Sin Cara was drafted to SmackDown.

After Eve Torres’ quick win over Layla, Raw received a pick and drafted Rey Mysterio, which could have spelled disaster for Sin Cara.  Luckily after SmackDown’s newly acquired superstar, Randy Orton, defeated Dolph Ziggler for two picks, Sin Cara was sent to SmackDown.

Sin Cara will be able to start fresh on SmackDown, hopefully leaving any doubts that were lingering over his head behind.

Viewers Between Approximately 10PM-10:13PM EST: LOSS

Why did we need to be subjected to over 10 minutes of Michael Cole vs. Jim Ross?

I get it, they are trying to hype up the match for Extreme Rules, but you can accomplish the same effect in at least half the time.  And what the hell is a “Country Whipping” match?  Are we going to get the explanation before Sunday?  Probably not.

Sorry for the rant, but I would much rather have watched Layla and Eve for an extra 10 minutes than have to try to sit through JR and Cole attempt to wrestle.

Alberto Del Rio: WIN

Alberto Del Rio is now an official member of the Raw roster. 

Many of us heard the rumor that this would be happening, but we were informed that it would be because Del Rio was penciled in to fight John Cena at SummerSlam.  That didn’t look like it was the case for a while, but now that‘s very likely going to be what we see.

Though we might not see Del Rio and Cena face right away, we do get to see Del Rio on WWE’s biggest show.  Del Rio will get a larger audience and more exposure.  I could even see him bringing over the World Heavyweight Championship to Raw after Extreme Rules (WWE has had two titles on one show for a month before).  If that is the case, Del Rio will instantly be the top guy on Raw.

If he comes over without the strap, I don’t imagine that it will take him very long to get it.

Raw: WIN

Ok, so Raw picked up Rey Mysterio, Big Show and Alberto Del Rio, lost John Cena and then got him back.  It looked scary for a moment.  After losing Orton and Cena (as well as Sin Cara and Mark Henry) Raw looked like it would be without a true top babyface, but eventually things worked out and Cena came back to Monday night.

Raw is now loaded with top superstars.  CM Punk, The Miz and Del Rio are arguably the top three heels in the company, I don‘t see anyone better than them at what they do.  Cena and Rey Mysterio are two of the biggest fan favorites, especially with the younger audience, and Big Show is pretty popular with that age group as well.  There is no doubt that they will continue to draw the younger crowd.  Combined with Punk, Miz and Del Rio, Raw is going to dominate WWE.

Stay Tuned for Part 2!

The Draft is not over.  Be on the lookout for part 2 tomorrow night after the supplemental draft has been completed.

Thanks for reading, and let me know who you think the biggest winners and losers of the Draft were in the comments!