Credit: Wrestling Observer Newsletter

The final decisions for the WWE Draft will be made the week of WrestleMania. Vince McMahon will have extended creative meetings for the show and where the show leads.

Triple H is a lock for a move to Raw to continue his feud with Randy Orton. As previously reported, Triple H was moved to Smackdown to increase the ratings and with the recent change to MyNetworkTV, they may not be a network in September. The general feeling is that it would be a risk to weaken the Smackdown brand by having all the top stars on Raw, but it would also not benefit the company by having John Cena or Randy Orton on a show averaging 2.0-2.2 ratings.

Rey Mysterio will be moved back to Smackdown to increase the Hispanic demographic. He has not affected the demographic on Raw, but Smackdown has suffered since his departure. They were number one or in the top ten with Mysterio, but since he left in June they have been in the top ten once.

Jeff and Matt Hardy are expected to stay on Smackdown. There’s a chance Edge will move to Raw and Chris Jericho to Smackdown. Batista could move to Smackdown if Triple H is indeed returning to Raw. Management offered Shawn Michaels in the past to move to Smackdown but he turned it down since the tapings conflict with his Wednesday religious commitments.

Jim Ross could return to Raw’s announcer booth since internal reviews for Michael Cole have not been good, however, if they stick with Cole on Raw then do not expect an announcer change to happen for a long time.

Labels: randy orton, rey mysterio, triple h, wwe draft

Posted by Matt Loede at 10:58 PM | Permalink | Comments

From: PWMania.com

CM Punk claims he didn't know he was being drafted to RAW back at the WWE Draft Lottery last month. Punk was interviewed by Tim Baines of The Toronto Sun to promote tomorrow's Great American Bash pay-per-view and had the following to say about that night:

"I didn't find out until everybody else did," he says. "I was standing there with Victoria, Mike Knox and Big Show. I think I was reading the nutritional value in a can of Pepsi when my name came up. Everybody was yelling: "Go! Go!"

Labels: c.m. punk, mike knox, victoria, wwe draft

Posted by Matt Loede at 9:25 PM | Permalink | Comments

Paul Heyman's comments in The Sun about the draft and the moving of J.R. to SmackDown:

VINCE McMahon overshadowed his own draft this week. That's nothing new.

He always aims a big stunt that people didn't expect. A shock, even for those who have come to expect the unexpected.

And Vince delivered on that concept, but in a completely different way than he anticipated.

Vince got some, but not a great deal of attention (yet) with the latest "Who Shot JR" remake with the chairman once again playing the assailed party.

What stole the show was the blockbuster announcement and behind-the-scenes secrecy of the drafting of the other JR to Smackdown.

Apparently, no one told Jim Ross that he was moving in advance.

He was, from all accounts, caught off guard by the graphic going up on the Titantron.

While surely the very top performers who were switching brands were given a heads-up over their change in assignment, not so for JR.

Click HERE for the rest of the piece

Labels: jim ross, paul heyman, wwe draft

Posted by Matt Loede at 8:13 PM | Permalink | Comments

source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter

With the exception of Umaga to SmackDown, the closest thing to a surefire move was Rey Mysterio to Raw. Officials actually made the decision a few weeks ago while SmackDown writer Michael Hayes was away on suspension. Hayes wanted to keep Mysterio on SmackDown, but he had to give him up to Raw in order to land Jeff Hardy, and as most of you know, Hayes is close to the Hardys. Although, SmackDown later lost Matt Hardy to ECW. Matt was moved over to ECW because the feeling was that if the two brothers appeared on the same brand, they would have to be a tag team, and Vince doesn't want to push them as a tag team at the moment, even if they are incredibly over with the fans. Vince doesn't believe in pushing tag teams as he prefers focusing on singles competitors. Also, with ECW losing CM Punk and Kane to Raw, they obviously needed someone to soften the blow, and that person was Matt Hardy.

Labels: matt hardy, rey mysterio, umaga, wwe draft

Posted by Matt Loede at 11:31 AM | Permalink | Comments

Jim Ross has updated his blog with some thoughts on the Draft, his move to SmackDown, and his blog last week

Ross on his move to Smackdown: "Of course, the Annual WWE Draft spawned several sensational, Internet stories and conspiracy theories about why people were drafted to particular brands, etc. I have read that I knew that I was leaving Monday Night Raw prior to the draft. Wrong. I had no clue as to the move….had no travel booked to go to Houston, including no hotel room there booked prior to Tuesday nor did I take an extra suit to wear Tuesday night as I thought I was coming home, as usual. Thanks to Southwest Airlines I made it to Houston by the middle of the afternoon and then had to go purchase a new suit."

His blog last week: "My "angry blog" earlier this week was admittedly ill advised, but it was honest on my end, even though I broke one of my own cardinal rules of writing, never write when angry. That’s not advisable for anyone who writes for public consumption. I tend to look at thingsun-objectively when I’m P.O.’ed and the result is usually a "poor me" piece of business. I hear that some folks within the WWE were all over this particular "angry blog" and wanted to make sure that the heavy hitters in the company were aware of my "ire". Of course, many of these sycophants acquit themselves by saying, "I’m just doing my job." Right."

His First Smackdown Broadcast: "My first Smackdown experience with Mick Foley was well received internally and I thought it showed that we have the potential to be an entertaining team. We will work diligently to get better each week. Much like The King and I, Mick and I are great friends with a great deal of mutual respect which is not in long supply in this business. With that foundation to build upon, there is no reason that we can’t evolve along with the Smackdown brand itself which as anyone can see has a viable, new roster with many fresh faces and a much higher corporate priority than it ever has."

Raw this week: "Monday night I absolutely plan on attending the OKC Raw as how could it be an OKC Raw without me getting my ass kicked in some shape form or fashion? Seriously, this is a major event for my home market and one that I am supporting as tirelessly as possible especially considering that the ticket header says "The WWE and J.R.’s Family BBQ present Monday Night Raw". I have a ticket but please don’t ask me for any comps as I am fresh out….wow I did not realize I had so many friends. As a matter of fact the Monday Night Raw Superstars and crew will enjoy catering from J.R.’s Family BBQ on Monday and many Smackdown folks are planning on stopping by our original store Monday which is at exit 109 at I-35 and Main in Norman."

Labels: jim ross, RAW, smackdown, wwe draft

Posted by Matt Loede at 6:33 PM | Permalink | Comments

source: PWInsider.com

Big Daddy V, who has been out of action since mid-March, should be returning to the ring soon. Additionally, he was moved over to the SmackDown brand in today's Supplemental Draft.

Not all, but a few of the wrestlers switching brands in today's Supplemental Draft were told about the moves in advance. That wasn't the case with most of the draftees on Monday.

On WWE.com it was announced that all draft picks from Monday were exempt from today's Supplemental Draft.

Labels: big daddy V, smackdown, wwe draft

Posted by Matt Loede at 7:22 PM | Permalink | Comments

Here are the final results following today's WWE Supplemental Draft on WWE.com.

1. Mark Henry drafted to ECW.

2. Jamie Noble drafted to Raw.

3. Trevor Murdoch drafted to SmackDown.

4. Big Daddy V drafted to SmackDown.

5. DH Smith drafted to SmackDown.

6. Deuce drafted to Raw.

7. Hornswoggle drafted to ECW.

8. Super Crazy drafted to ECW.

9. Chuck Palumbo drafted to Raw.

10. Brian Kendrick drafted to SmackDown.

11. Matt Striker drafted to Raw.

12. Maria drafted to SmackDown.

13. Shelton Benjamin drafted to SmackDown.

14. Finlay drafted to ECW.

15. Carlito drafted to SmackDown.

16. Layla drafted to Raw.

17. Kofi Kingston drafted to Raw.

Labels: kofi kingston, mark henry, trevor murdoch, wwe draft

Posted by Matt Loede at 2:20 PM | Permalink | Comments

All I can say about the Draft is one simple word - Wow. Yes, the WWE took a look at it's product, falling ratings, and lack of buzz from it's fan base, and in one night, took the company and turned it upside down. Putting champions on different shows at a rather alarming pace, making changes in the announcer booths, and even a fitting ending to a money giveaway that was putting people to sleep each week, the WWE took some major chances last night, but in the end, they are all for the better.

Let's face it, since WrestleMania, and some will say even before, the product the company was putting out on TV three times per week was not exactly making people do jumping jacks. It was poorly scripted TV, with matches we had seen time after time, and no real commitment to pushing or making new stars. I don't know for sure that just because a bunch of talent switched brands last night that all will change, but the attitude right off the bad seems to be that it will.

You could also tell two people in the company that at least on the show seemed none to happy to be moving from Monday to Friday nights. The first was announcer Jim Ross, who was a staple on Monday nights for years, and now will take over the SmackDown play-by-play with Mick Foley on Fridays. With the onus on the talent not knowing they would be moved, Ross seemed almost shell-shocked, as did pal and color man Jerry Lawler, when the move was made.

The move to put Michael Cole on Monday's is fine with me. He's done it before, and I don't think that the show will lose anything because of it. Ross on Friday night will add a different dynamic, and I for one will be interested in seeing the switch and how it plays out. Ross is a Hall of Famer and true professional, and I think in the end he'll make the move and do what he's paid to do, which is tell a story to the fans at home through words.

As for the other major switch, Triple H will leave the comfort zone of RAW and also will move to Friday nights. Now there is no way with the power that HHH has within the company that he didn't know about this move up front. As a matter a fact, he was probably the one that pushed for it, realizing that moving brands would make him by far the top notch player on Friday nights, and not having to compete with John Cena on RAW for that title.

What the draft will do in the end is open up spots for talent to take their stuff to the next level. Wrestlers like Matt Hardy (now on ECW), Ken Kennedy (SmackDown), Umaga (SmackDown), Rey Mysterio (RAW), and others will have a shot to take their careers up a serious notch. As for dumping the "McMahon's Millions," - let's just say that it dumped two weeks too late.

Labels: matt hardy, rey mysterio, triple h, umaga, wwe draft

Posted by Matt Loede at 11:48 AM | Permalink | Comments

From: LordsofPain.net

In recent months, Jim Ross had been quite vocal about changing brands in his weekly online blogs. He'd usually say that the fans probably don't care about announcers changing brands and that the moves should be reserved for the wrestlers, pretty much indicating that he wasn't too keen on leaving his position on Raw. As it turned out on Raw tonight, Ross's name came up on the TitanTron and as a result, be will be leaving the show to become the new play-by-play announcer for SmackDown. Ross was taken aback by the sudden announcement because as noted earlier, no one besides possibly the top players on the move were informed of the brand changes beforehand. Judging by J.R.'s reaction upon the announcement, he didn't look too pleased to say the least.

In case you missed it, here is what Ross wrote on his blog last Saturday regarding the draft: "I swear that I don't think that even as I write this on Saturday that the draft has been finalized. If you are like many wrestling fans, including me, and like surprises then Monday night is certainly the night for you. I would wager a case of "J.R.'S BBQ Sauce" that virtually no talent knows for sure what fate awaits them come Monday night," Ross wrote. "I was asked by a WWE fan in the DFW Airport on Friday afternoon if I thought any of the announcers would be drafted and I answered "no" because at the end of the day does any one truly care who announces what brand and the same goes for the referees. I would be shocked to see any draft pick wasted on an announcer or a referee as WWE fans want to see major superstars change addresses and begin new rivalries along with making fresh matches."

Labels: jim ross, wwe draft

Posted by Matt Loede at 6:20 AM | Permalink | Comments

Matt Loede and John Sefcik are back, as the pair from Let's Talk Wrestling break down the WWE Draft from RAW on Monday night. The two go through all the picks, give their opinions on wrestlers changing brands, and the big news about belts changing brands and how that will play out. Click below to hear the latest Let's Talk Wrestling Podcast as Matt and John Break down the WWE Draft.

Labels: john sefcik, matt loede, wwe draft

Posted by Matt Loede at 11:11 PM | Permalink | Comments

Here are the final results following tonight's WWE Draft on Monday Night RAW.

Talent Joining Raw
Rey Mysterio
CM Punk
Michael Cole
Batista
Kane

Talent Joining SmackDown
Jeff Hardy
Jim Ross
Umaga
Mr. Kennedy
Triple H

Talent Joining ECW
Matt Hardy

Talent Leaving Raw
Jeff Hardy
Jim Ross
Umaga
Mr. Kennedy
Triple H

Talent Leaving SmackDown
Rey Mysterio
Matt Hardy
Michael Cole
Batista

Talent Leaving ECW
CM Punk
Kane

Labels: batista, cm punk, rey mysterio, triple h, wwe draft

Posted by Matt Loede at 11:01 PM | Permalink | Comments

Preview:
The 2008 WWE Draft
June 23, 2008

In the midst of the build-up to Night of Champions, there’s one thing on every Superstar’s mind: the 2008 WWE Draft. For the second year in a row, the Draft will take place on a special three-hour Raw, where all Superstars, all Divas and all announcers from all three brands are eligible. How will the entire landscape of sports-entertainment change in the wake of this year’s Draft?

Even with the Draft dominating Raw next week, Mr. McMahon has announced that there’s nothing keeping him from giving away another $1 million of his money as part of Mr. McMahon’s Million Dollar Mania. For your chance to get a share of the Chairman’s cash, all you have to do is register to win.

Temperatures continue to rise between WWE Champion Triple H and his Night of Champions challenger John Cena. Last week, Mr. McMahon was forced to send in a referee to keep The Game and Cena from taking each other apart at the very start of Raw, and we still have more than a week to go until Night of Champions, when they’ll finally be turned loose on one another. When two competitors this powerful and confident want to compete, is there anything capable of keeping them apart?

After being kept away from Cena, Triple H participated in a match against Intercontinental Champion Chris Jericho as retaliation for Y2J’s cruel treatment of Shawn Michaels the week before. Jericho has stated that he’s tired of being booed for doing the right thing only to see HBK cheered for his dishonest behavior, and to back his claim, he was willing to throw down with not only the WWE Champion but also Ric Flair, in the Hall of Famer’s first appearance since his retirement. After having his head smashed into the Jeri-Tron 6000, Michaels is currently receiving medical care, but how long will it be before he returns to Raw looking for payback?

Though they have had their share of difficulties in prior weeks, the World Tag Team Champions Hardcore Holly & Cody Rhodes managed to defeat Cryme Tyme in a non-title match on Raw. Watching them compete was Ted DiBiase, who along with a partner of his choosing will be challenging Holly & Rhodes at Night of Champions in the third-generation Superstar’s first in-ring performance. Who is this mystery competitor, and will the World Tag Team Champions be able to stand up to their assault?

Tune in to witness sports-entertainment history on a three-hour Monday Night Raw at the special time of 8/7 CT only on the USA Network.

Labels: chris jericho, hardcore holly, wwe draft

Posted by Matt Loede at 11:25 AM | Permalink | Comments

Labels: wwe draft

Posted by Matt Loede at 1:35 PM | Permalink | Comments

Labels: wwe draft

Posted by Matt Loede at 2:45 PM | Permalink | Comments

source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter

Quite like last year, WWE is keeping the draft very secretive, to the point that most all of the talent will find out if they're changing brands as soon as the audience does during the live show. With the exception of the long-rumored Umaga brand switch, little has leaked out on the draft. Back in 2002, WWE did a live draft for television and a secondary draft with the results posted on the company website. A number of mid-level and lower-level wrestlers had to log on to the WWE site late at night after the draft to find out about their futures.

Labels: wwe draft

Posted by Matt Loede at 4:42 PM | Permalink | Comments

Jim Ross has posted his latest blog entry on his website, which is currently undergoing an overhaul. A few highlights from this entry:

- The $1M promotion that the WWE is going to start soon on Monday Night Raw is garnering a healthy amount of reaction from fans and Internet types. It appears to be similar to many ratings promotions that are done by TV networks, especially in May and November, and also by radio stations, to enhance viewership. Many critics are blasting the on air promotion before it even starts or before the details are known, but that isn’t unusual these days.

- It will be a big night in San Antonio on June 23 as the, apparent, Annual WWE Draft will be held during a 3 hour Monday Night Raw. I am interested in how the order of the draft will be determined and the process that will be utilized to make the selections. I read where the TV announcers are also eligible for the draft, which is perplexing. I can’t speak for the King, but I am personally not interested in leaving Monday Night Raw. I hope that I didn’t just jinx myself. Working regularly on another broadcast would feel strange at this stage of my game.

- Unless I miscounted, there are 7 bouts scheduled for One Night Stand this Sunday in San Diego on pay per view. All will have extreme rules to one degree or another, which makes for an interesting, albeit challenging, night. The good news is that we fans most likely will see clear cut winners and losers in each contest. This PPV is "Raw heavy" with 4 clearly defined Raw matches, plus the HBK-Batista match, which I assume Michael Cole and Mick Foley will call as they only have one Smackdown contest at this time as do ECW’s Mike Adamle and Tazz. From a broadcasting perspective, it looks as if The King will have to carry another multi-branded PPV.

- I hope I am never incarcerated or have any family members jailed, but if I do, I can assure you that I would become a letter writing fool and X-Nay…Phone-A.

Labels: jim ross, mick foley, mike adamle, wwe draft

Posted by Matt Loede at 12:09 PM | Permalink | Comments

From PWPIX.Net

As previously posted, the three-hour RAW that was scheduled for 4/7 in Albany, NY has been moved to the RAW in Greenville, SC on 4/21. WWE will be returning from a tour of Europe from the weekend before and this RAW will be the final show going into the Backlash pay-per-view.

It's possible that WWE will choose this RAW to hold the 2008 Draft Lottery that was planned for sometime after WrestleMania 24. For what it's worth, the NFL Draft will be held on 4/26 and 4/27, so WWE couldn't take advantage of the buzz and hold their draft that same week.

Labels: wwe draft

Posted by Matt Loede at 5:37 PM | Permalink | Comments