WWE Draft 2011 Preview: Predictions, Past Drafts, and Things You Didn't Consider

The WWE Draft is tomorrow.

Depending on who you listen to or which IWC site you go to, the WWE is either in panic mode...or just in need of a shake up.

Everyone thinks that controversial decisions will be made that will shock the wrestling...er...entertainment world or that this WWE draft will be the worst ever.

But, does anyone realize the shocking nature of the WWE draft and some of the lackluster moves that have happened?

I will break down each WWE Draft/Brand Expansion and show you what has happened so that together we, as an wrestling fan community, can really comprehend what might happen to our beloved Sport.

2002 - WWE Brand Extension (Raw and Smackdown become two separate brands)

Here the whole face of the WWE changed and this could be considered the most controversial draft ever, but it helps show us the foundation for where we are now.

The Rock and The Undertaker were the first two men drafted by Smackdown and Raw.  Well at least we know why The Rock is main-eventing WrestleMania next year.

Along with The Rock and The Undertaker, the entire 61 Superstar/Diva roster was drafter to either brand.

Here the Dudley Boys become separated for the first time.  Brock Lesnar made his debut.  The NWO became even more WWE prevalent.

The APA became single competitors and began the rise for Bradshaw to become JBL.

The first WWE Draft opened the door for many competitors and really shows the main idea behind the draft, to shake up the whole face of the WWE.

2004 - WWE Brand Extension (Raw and Smackdown)

The most shocking thing to happen in this draft is that Raw was left without it's mainstay!

So a blockbuster trade had to occur, Triple H for Booker T and the Dudley Boys.

Here we see the WWE did its first not-so-great WWE Draft.

This draft solidified Teddy Long on Smackdown as well as Booker T and saw Edge leave for Raw, which would begin Edge's rise into single competitor stardom.

2005 - WWE Draft (The first official WWE Draft, not Brand Extension)

The WWE Champion John Cena is drafted to RAW!  Teddy Long doesn't know what to do because now he is without a Champion.

Luckily Batista is drafted in the Supplementary Draft and Smackdown gains the World Heavyweight Championship.

Randy Orton is moved to Smackdown and Big Show to Raw.

We see the start of Muhammed Hassan on Smackdown and the eventual downfall of that gimmick, but we see another push come from a WWE Draft.

2006 - ECW Draft (ECW picked one person from each brand)

Kurt Angle and Rob Van Dam are brought to ECW and the downfall of ECW happens.  Sure it will last for the next three years or so, but it would never be the same again from this point on.

2007 - WWE Draft (Raw, Smackdown, and ECW's first draft all together)

The Miz and John Morrison are drafted to ECW and begin their rise to greatness.

King Booker comes to RAW and Smackdown gets Ric Flair and The Great Khali.

In this draft, RAW is clearly the better brand with ECW beginning to rise.  Smackdown gets nothing whatsoever.

2008 - WWE Draft (Another Raw, Smackdown, and ECW draft)

Jim Ross is publicly humiliated and drafted to Smackdown.  Michael Cole comes to RAW and eventually sets up the feud we now have and thank God that this pick eventually created for us "The Cole Mine."

Rey Mysterio and CM Punk, as well as Batista and Kane come to RAW, while Triple H, Jeff Hardy, and Mr. Kennedy all go to Smackdown.

This was a very good WWE Draft and probably THE BEST WWE Draft.

2009 - WWE Draft (The Final draft with ECW)

Ezekiel Jackson goes to ECW and we are given our final ECW Champion ever.

The Straight Edge Society is born from this draft.

Kane, Jericho, and Mysterio all return to Smackdown, while Triple H, Big Show, and The Miz come to RAW.

Also we are introduced to new Superstars like Zack Ryder and a few other new names, but none of them stuck as well as Zack Ryder...Woo Woo Woo you know it, bro.

2010 - WWE Draft (The return to just Raw and Smackdown draft)

Cody Rhodes is given a chance to be a singles competitor.  Big Show and Christian also are moved to Smackdown.

John Morrison, Edge, and Jericho all come to RAW to help beef up the brand.

Also, the Hart Dynasty is brought to RAW setting up for Natalya to become the Divas Champion and the inevitable breakdown of the team.

Smackdown was reintroduced to Hornswoggle, and Ezekiel Jackson came to RAW.

2011 - WWE Draft (Shocking or Epic Fail...?)

So down to the nitty gritty we go.

Will John Cena be drafted to Smackdown?

WIll either The Nexus or The Corre or both be disbanded?

Will an old Superstar return and be a shocking pick?

Heck, will The Rock get drafted?

There are a lot of questions to be answered and here are my ideas on what will happen on Monday Night.

I think it is highly likely that either John Cena will go to Smackdown, but if he doesn't I can see Randy Orton and Sheamus going.

I also can see Big Show and Kane coming to RAW.

I will give you my first ten picks for each brand and you can decide if I am crazy, I have it right, or am just stuck with my head in the clouds not looking at the WWE realistically.

RAW

Wade Barrett
Ezekiel Jackson
Michelle McCool
Christian
Big Show
Kane
Kofi Kingston
Beth Phoenix
Jack Swagger
Cody Rhodes

This will break up The Corre and create new feuds as well as shake up the mid-card.

With Kharma (Awesome Kong) coming, I think the WWE needs to move some more physical women to RAW so that Kharma won't just be devouring the Bellas.

And with Big Show and Kane coming to RAW the Unified Tag Team Championships can be finally showcased well and built into a stronger Championship.

Smackdown

Sheamus
Randy Orton
Melina
Maryse
Sin Cara
Skip Sheffield
Daniel Bryan
The Great Khali
Ted DiBiase Jr.
and...John Cena

I know it's interesting to see Randy Orton and John Cena move to Smackdown, but also with the amount of people from Smackdown showcased on RAW anyway, I think that Cena would be a great new fit on Smackdown.

We need a star to fight Alberto Del Rio and Cena seems to fit that mold.  Also, bringing Sin Cara and Mysterio on the same card could do some good.

Orton breaking away from Punk will be good for him and can create some new match-ups and maybe even re-create some old feuds.

Khali could turn heel and begin to dominate Smackdown again, leaving room to build a new babyface.

Or course, this is all speculation and it is very hard to come up with a great way of breaking up the WWE Superstars onto each brand.

My vote is to bring all the Brands together again.  Sure have a few people stay on each show, but take the Main-Eventers and have them move from show to show and open up the title scene.

But, what do I know?

Thank you for taking the time to read this article.