The 2012 WWE Draft: Time to Shake Things Up Again!

In past years, the WWE draft has been one of the most exciting Raws of the year. Wrestling fans suspend their rational thinking for three hours as they watch the Titantron flicker with images of the entire company's roster, waiting to see which superstar will switch brands.

Even after years of being trained to understand that being drafted to the opposite brand doesn't mean a whole lot, the draft still does "shake things up," as Vince McMahon proudly proclaims. The reason is simple. Pay-per-views and live events are, for the most part, very respectful to the brand split. So while the Supershow concept has severely diluted the meaningfulness of the brand split, and by extension the draft, there is still reason to have the 10th Annual WWE draft. It will take place on April 23 in Detroit, Michigan. 

The Supershow has created a different dynamic for this year's draft. The WWE has absolutely loaded Raw, in that all major Smackdown superstars are featured on Raw every week. On the other hand, Raw superstars don't necessarily show up on Smackdown as frequently.

Due to the fact that live shows are loyal to the brand split, the WWE needs to seriously consider adding star power to Smackdown. If it beefs up Smackdown's show, this would help with their live events and add more high-profile matchups to PPVs. 

And so…let's take a look at the draft choices that make the most sense. 

To Smackdown...

1. Alberto Del Rio

This one looks to be very clear, as he's going to be feuding with Sheamus for the World Heavyweight Title after Extreme Rules.

I think Del Rio needs to be re-established as a top guy. He was supposed to have a hot run on the Raw brand in 2011, but the Summer of Punk got in his way.

On Smackdown, he has the opportunity to shine without having to battle for TV time on Monday Night. Del Rio's a really good wrestler and has improved on the microphone. With a recent report from Wrestling Observer claiming that Del Rio is not very popular backstage, and a radio interview on the West Coast blasting The Miz, Del Rio's fate appears to be sealed. 

To Raw...

1. Daniel Bryan

Smackdown gets a top heel in Alberto Del Rio. Raw gets one back in Daniel Bryan.

Bryan is, ironically, the hottest commodity to come out of WrestleMania. Although he was jobbed out in 18 seconds, nobody came out of the big event smelling fresher. With his "Yes, yes, yes" signature catchphrase primed to take the WWE by storm, Bryan is ready to take his talents to the red brand. And I don't think he's going to get lost in the shuffle.

Bryan is one of the best wrestlers in the business right now, and he's mastered the "WWE way" in the past few months. His facial expressions and mic work have absolutely sky rocketed in quality and if he's going to end up on Raw, he's going in as a top heel. A feud with CM Punk should take us well into the summer. Yes!!

To Smackdown...

2. Rey Mysterio

Smackdown is going to need a big-time babyface to draw crowds at live events, and with Smackdown popular among the Hispanic crowd, Mysterio will probably find his way back to Friday nights.

With Del Rio and Sin Cara on the blue brand, there's always a couple intriguing PPV-ready matches for the masked superstar. The WWE is going to need a well-established hero on the blue brand, and Mysterio (assuming he can stay in one piece) can always fill that role.

To Raw...

2. Randy Orton

The reason that Rey Mysterio is going to be needed on Smackdown is because Randy Orton has finished his one-year sentence on Smackdown!

Smackdown is a perfect place to create stars for the WWE. You get more TV time, more in-ring time and, due to the fact that it's not live, it's great for a young talent to really gain his footing. However, it can be the kiss of death for a well-established star.

Randy Orton has been treading water since the 2011 draft. The Viper hasn't really scared anybody in his Smackdown stint, and it culminated with a loss to Kane before the start of the second hour. Back on Raw, there's too many directions they can take Orton. With Raw heavy with heels and tweeners, Orton will help even the odds. Besides, Punk and Cena can only battle so many bad guys at once.

To Smackdown...

3. Zack Ryder

Woo Woo…oh screw it. Ryder's honeymoon on Raw (and possibly in WWE) is over. While I don't see a pink slip in his future, you can forget about the push he was receiving. I'm not sure why creative has pulled the plug on this, but the WWE has been taking subtle shots at Ryder for weeks now. (In the WWE YouTube show Are You Serious?, Josh Mathews took a shot at Ryder.)

It's off to Smackdown to pop the crowd and feed the heels. It's not so bad. He's probably looking at taking the Santino Marella position on Friday nights. 

To Raw...

3. Christian

Captain Charisma has the skills to be a top player on Raw. As a heel, Christian is as good as anyone in wrestling. And I think that he's going to get the opportunity to prove it.

This is the pick I'm least confident about, though, as Smackdown is going to need some babyfaces on the brand, and Christian has the ability to switch to that role as easily as anyone.

One thing is certain—Christian is being underutilized. He needs a shot in the arm one way or another. 

To Smackdown...

4. Dolph Ziggler

If WWE wrestlers were stocks, I'd go all-in with Ziggler.

I hate to make the comparisons to Shawn Michaels or Mr. Perfect, but there is something about this guy where you just know he's going to be an all-time great. He's too good. Dolph had virtually no role at WrestleMania XXVIII and still almost stole the show by taking the craziest clothesline bump of all time. He has the look, the in-ring ability, the mic skills and the heat to be a credible champion today.

I'd bet the farm that this is your next Money in the Bank winner.

I hate that he's considered a former World Champion (he held the title for mere hours), as his first reign should've been considered more of a big deal and not so darn flukey.

There's no doubt in my mind that 2012 will be Ziggler's year. And due to how deep Raw is with talent right now, he wasn't going to get the opportunity over there. #Heel

To Raw...

4. Cody Rhodes

He's ready for Monday nights. Cody Rhodes still baffles me. He was supposed to be the Marty Jannetty of Legacy. Instead, he's one of the most promising up-and-coming talents in WWE. And don't adjust your dial when his music hits, the crowds are cheering for him. His idiosyncrasies are on point and his ability in the ring keeps improving every night.

Like Daniel Bryan, I'm not the least bit worried of Rhodes getting lost in the shuffle on Mondays. He should be able to run right through Santino, Kofi Kingston and R-Truth. Then, if put together correctly, a mini-feud with Triple H could do wonders for him. 

To Smackdown...

5. The Miz

Smackdown is finally going to get Awesome.

The Miz will round out the Smackdown brand by jumping ship and getting the opportunity to really re-establish himself, without all the pressure of Raw.

The Miz had a dreadful start to the year, and a fresh run on Smackdown could put him back at the top of the WWE standings. With Miz, Ziggler and Del Rio all finding their way on Smackdown, one of these three is going to turn babyface. With only Mysterio and Sheamus as credible top babyfaces on Smackdown following this draft, Miz can (if done properly) turn face and have a strong first year as a good guy. 

To Raw...

5. The Undertaker

Think about this. What point is there to have The Undertaker on Smackdown? His career is coming to an end. Unless there are special circumstances, Undertaker is only going to wrestle once a year (WrestleMania) until he hangs up his boots.

With Brock Lesnar, we have ourselves a special circumstance. I don't think Lesnar will be with the company after WrestleMania 29. If reports that Brock is making $5 million for 32 dates are true, you can bet your dollar that Vince McMahon is going to squeeze everything he can out of the former UFC Champion.

That makes me believe that Brock Lesnar will battle The Undertaker at Summerslam. Since The Undertaker won't work any live events and since he only shows up on Monday nights anyway, having him drafted to Raw is worth the crowd pop it will get at the draft. 

Things to Watch...

There are a couple things that make me wonder. Why did WWE hotshot this Brock Lesnar vs. John Cena PPV main event? It's almost as if this is the only chance the WWE has to put Lesnar and Cena together. Is Cena going to be drafted to Smackdown? It's possible. 

Another thing to look at is Batista. I wouldn't be completely shocked if Batista made his return to WWE. This would allow WWE to put another big name on Smackdown, since Batista can make up the difference on Raw.

Either way, WWE is trying to shake things up plenty in 2012. April has been loaded for WWE with Triple H/Undertaker, Cena/Rock and Cena/Lesnar main events in just one month. Batista showing up at the draft shouldn't surprise anyone. In about 10 days, we'll all find out!