WWE Draft 2011: 22 Instances That Have Made the Annual Event Meaningless
This coming Monday night on RAW, WWE will present its ninth annual WWE Draft, where anyone employed to the organization can be swapped to the opposite show. As one of the most unpredictable events of the year, I continue to look forward to the annual event with its high intensity, no matter whose fate is tested.
However, while composing my prediction list as to who might be switching nights, I found that many of my original picks from a few months ago have already been moved.
For example, Dolph Ziggler moved to RAW following his story-line release from SmackDown, and current Intercontinental Champion Wade Barrett was sent packing to the blue brand following his exile from the Nexus.
Looking back over the past few years, there have been many brand switches that have forced the WWE Draft to lose prestige, whether the moves be explained or not.
Having Superstars and Divas switch brands throughout the year just goes to show how little the Draft means anymore, and why the Brand Extension should be ultimately put to rest.
Here you will find 22 different instances that the rules of the Draft have been ignored either by trades, championship implications, or basically just for the hell of it. These switches are just the ones I can recall from recent memory, so if I leave any out I might of missed, feel free to notify me below and I will include it in a bonus slide.
Visit my website at Next Era Wrestling for more of GSM's writings, along with WWE/TNA news, recaps, and more. Follow me on Twitter @GSM2ndComing.
Chavo Guerrero
1 of 22
In early 2008, Chavo Guerrero was involved in the SmackDown stable La Familia, also consisting of then-Edge, his aunt Vickie Guerrero, Curt Hawkins and Zack Ryder.
Since the Rated-R Superstar was World Heavyweight Champion at the time, he felt it was time to get some World title gold around Chavo's waist as well.
After pulling a few strings for the Mexican Warrior, Chavo Guerrero finally defeated CM Punk for the ECW Championship in January of that year, with some help from Edge of course.
From that point on, Chavo would become a full-fledged ECW Superstar due to being the champion.
A year later in early 2009, Guerrero would be secretly moved back to the SmackDown roster for no apparent reason. It seemed worthless since he would be drafted to RAW only two months later.
Mike Knox
2 of 22
Since his WWE debut in 2006, Mike Knox had always been an ECW Superstar.
He remained in the Land of Extreme until late 2008, when promos for his arrival began to air on RAW.
Knox had no explanation for moving, and his stock was no better on Monday nights than it was on Tuesdays.
He was engaged in a brief rivalry with Rey Mysterio, but today he finds himself unemployed.
Sheamus
3 of 22
On a similar note, Sheamus had copied Mike Knox a year later in October 2009 when he moved from ECW to RAW as a part of being the brand latest "acquisition."
However, Sheamus' arrival caught many off guard, as a hype video for his arrival aired only minutes before his debut match against Jamie Noble.
Fortunately, the Celtic Warrior's move turned out to be a huge success, becoming WWE's next breakout star in a matter of months, defeating John Cena for the WWE Championship at WWE TLC in December.
Jack Swagger
4 of 22
At WreslteMania 26, Jack Swagger won the Money In The Bank Ladder Match, guaranteeing himself a World Championship at the time of his choosing.
In what would to turn out as a very stupid move, Swagger would cash in the opportunistic briefcase five days later on SmackDown to win his first (and possibly only) World Heavyweight Championship.
The All-American American would announce that due to his immediate title win, he would be moving to the blue brand to defend it. Couldn't they have just sent him there in the Draft that took place only three weeks later?
Divas Trade
5 of 22
In early October 2009, a tri-branded Divas trade was conducted by RAW Guest Host Nancy O'Dell, with no hype what-so-ever.
This meaningless trade reversed what the Draft months earlier had effected, and having the division lose prestige in the process.
Dolph Ziggler
6 of 22
In a more recent example, Dolph Ziggler was fired from the SmackDown brand two months ago by General Manager Teddy Long.
In only a matter of weeks, the bleached-blonde Superstar would be rehired to perform on Monday Night RAW, along with his manager Vickie Guerrero.
It's a shame he was moved so soon, as he could have been a huge pick in the WWE Draft this year. Not the mention, his story-line firing makes future firings just as predictable.
The Corre
7 of 22
Throughout the latter half of 2010, Nexus leader Wade Barrett was perhaps one of the strongest heels in WWE at the time.
But due to terrible booking, his push began to down-spiral, and his leadership of the Nexus would eventually be given to CM Punk.
A few weeks later, Barrett would be sent packing to SmackDown, merely because he felt he needed to make another impact. Shortly after, his former stable mates Justin Gabriel and Heath Slater would follow also without explanation.
Ezekiel Jackson, who would also be soon discovered to be apart of the Corre, would be randomly sent to Friday Nights as well, only after being an active RAW Superstar for two months.
Primo
8 of 22
Primo made his WWE debut in August 2008 in a segment with RAW General Manager Mike Adamle.
During the interview, Primo would state he was nothing like his brother and had a strong dislike for the Bad Apple.
However, Primo would be unexpectedly be moved to SmackDown a few weeks later to capture the WWE Tag Team Championships his brother Carlito.
Does WWE Creative think we're stupid or something?
Randy Orton
9 of 22
Following WrestleMania 22, SmackDown Superstar Randy Orton was suspended for 60 days for "unprofessional conduct," which was later revealed due to smoking marijuana backstage.
The suspension was devised on television where Orton's ankle was broken during a grudge match with Kurt Angle.
However, the Legend Killer would return as a member of the RAW brand for no apparent reason.
Keep in mind, the only Draft to take place in 2006 was only involving Kurt Angle and Rob Van Dam moving to the new ECW brand.
Orton has been a member of RAW ever since.
Donald Trump Trade
10 of 22
In a shocking turn of events, Donald Trump purchased Monday Night RAW from Vince McMahon in June 2009.
During his short reign, Trump initiated a tri-branded trade featuring 15 Superstars and Divas.
Why would the WWE feel the need to move certain Superstars only two months following their Draft?
The rosters prior to this impromptu trading were acceptable in my opinion.
Batista
11 of 22
During the Road to WrestleMania 26, Batista was engaged in a rivalry with John Cena over the WWE Championship.
Due to his business partnership with Vince McMahon, he was able to win the prestigious title from Cena at Elimination Chamber last year.
Following the Elimination Chamber pay-per-view, the Animal would appear primarily on RAW as WWE Champion, although his move to the brand was never really explained.
His profile was officially moved to RAW's section of Superstars following WrestleMania.
Couldn't they have just drafted Batista to RAW in a logical pick just to make the event more exciting?
Matt Hardy
12 of 22
Since the 2008 WWE Draft, Matt Hardy had been a member of the ECW brand.
Following his loss of the ECW Championship to Jack Swagger in January 2009, Matt Hardy would cost his brother Jeff Hardy the WWE Championship at the Royal Rumble event.
On the following ECW, General Manager Teddy Long would grant Matt Hardy a release from his ECW contract in order to move to SmackDown to feud with Jeff.
Does this mean anyone can change brands anytime they want?
Shelton Bejamin
13 of 22
Throughout the entire year of 2007, Shelton Benjamin became more stale as the year progressed.
His reunion with Charlie Haas wasn't the greatest, and was not included in the Intercontinental Championship picture.
After months of wrestling primarily on WWE Heat, Shelton Benjamin would resurface on the ECW brand in November 2007.
He would make his debut under his new gimmick, "The Gold Standard," as being announced by Elijah Burke.
I understand the concept of repacking Benjamin, but moving him to another brand wasn't necessary.
Gregory Helms
14 of 22
Towards the end of 2005, the Hurricane would split from his tag team partner Rosey, ending their alliance and turning heel in the process.
Now wrestling under his real name, Gregory Helms, he would move on to singles competition.
At the 2006 Royal Rumble event, Helms would participate in and win a SmackDown Cruiserweight Open Invitational for the Cruiserweight Championship.
Due to being the title being defended solely on the blue brand, Helms would be moved to Friday Nights.
Bobby Lashley
15 of 22
In December 2006, an Extreme Elimination Chamber Match was made for the ECW Championship at the December to Dismember event.
An open invitation for the sixth and final spot was made on ECW, which was accepted by none other than SmackDown Superstar Bobby Lashley.
Lashley would go on to win the ECW Championship and hold it for many months, thus transferring over to Tuesday Nights in the process.
CM Punk and Edge Get Traded
16 of 22
After many run-ins with the anonymous RAW General Manager during the fall of 2010, Edge would begin to become very frustrated with the man behind the computer, even at one point smashing the electronic device to pieces.
Due to the Rated-R Superstar's building temper, he would soon find himself traded to SmackDown in exchange for CM Punk moving to RAW.
It's a shame WWE couldn't wait to swap these two top stars, as they both could have been huge additions in this year's draft.
Big Show
17 of 22
In a scenario similar to Bobby Lashley, Big Show would move to ECW from RAW following his ECW Championship victory over Rob Van Dam in July 2006.
His tenure in the Land of Extreme would not last long, as Show would depart from the company towards the end of the year.
The Great Khali
18 of 22
Upon his arrival in WWE in April 2006, The Great Khali would make an immediate impact while feuding the Undertaker.
Once the rivalry concluded, Khali would be secretly moved to the ECW brand in the fall of that year.
His tenure in ECW would only last two months, as the Punjabi Nightmare would sign with RAW in January 2007.
Ironically enough, Khali would be drafted back to SmackDown a few months later.
Luke Gallows
19 of 22
As a part of the 2009 WWE Draft, Festus would be separated from his tag team partner Jesse due to being sent to RAW.
After making a handful of appearances, Festus would soon disappear from WWE television.
In November 2009, he would resurface as CM Punk's new bodyguard named Luke Gallows, thus being moved back to SmackDown in the process.
I was looking forward to him crossing paths with Jesse, who later became known as Slam Master J, before both were released from WWE.
WWE Commentators
20 of 22
There was a time when WWE commentators were solidified to only working one brand, and it was rare we ever saw commentators being changed often.
What the hell happened?
We've have more changes made to the announcing booth in last two years than ever before in history. Having JR and Cole switch places in the 2008 WWE Draft was historical.
Now it would be nothing out of the ordinary.
Kane
21 of 22
During the course of early 2008, SmackDown Superstar Kane had basically no direction besides aiding his brother The Undertaker in his feud against Edge.
At WrestleMania 24, this would be no more, as Kane would win an Over-the-Top-Rope Battle Royal prior to the show to earn himself a chance at the ECW Championship.
Later in the show, Kane would successfully win the title against Chavo Guerrero in an eight-second match.
Due to holding the championship, Kane would be moved to the ECW brand to continue their feud. It would only be two months before Kane would be drafted to RAW via the 2008 WWE Draft.
Edge
22 of 22
Probably the most notable and successful move in recent history, RAW Superstar Edge would cash in his newly-won Money in the Bank briefcase on a wounded Undertaker to win his first World Heavyweight Championship in May 2007.
This would begin a long three year tenure, and in the process claiming the SmackDown brand as his own.
Had he waited only a month before declaring his move to Friday Nights, the Rated-R Superstar could have easily been drafted there via the 2007 WWE Draft.
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With all of these unexplained, worthless, and meaningless moves, do you think this could lessen the value of the annual WWE Draft this year knowing that particular Superstar could be moved back to his original home at anytime?
As always looking forward to this event, I am intrigued as to how many surprises WWE can provide us with this year.
Make sure to leave your comments below with your thoughts on this coming Monday. GSM out.
Visit my website at Next Era Wrestling for more of GSM's writings, along with WWE/TNA news, recaps, and more. Follow me on Twitter @GSM2ndComing.
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