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Countdown to the WWE Draft
By
SLAM! Wrestling Staff
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  CM Punk is often discussed as a name that needs to move. Photo by Mike Mastrandrea
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World Wrestling Entertainment is getting set to "shake things up."
Yes, in just a few short hours, the WWE Draft will take place and, like we
have seen on a nearly annual basis, a wide variety of wrestlers, both headliners
and curtain jerkers, are going to be changing their addresses, or, at least
their business cards.
So to honour this occasion, SLAM! Wrestling's equivalent of Gord Miller, Pierre Maguire,
Bob McKenzie and James Duthie (we'll leave it to you to figure out who's who),
Brian Elliott, Matt Mackinder, Andy McNamara and Jon Waldman all took their
turns on predicting who would be moving from Raw, Smackdown and ECW.
Brian Elliott
If you're wondering why my predictions seem a little obvious, it's because
that's what I expect - and I think we'll all have to have some sort of medical
treatment if Triple H in particular is drafted to Smackdown (let's not even
consider ECW).
Therefore, with the number of losses that he's compiled in recent months, it
makes absolute sense for Umaga to be drafted to Smackdown for the long-planned
program with the returning Undertaker. Also on the heel side, MVP could take
the next step up in his career by moving to Raw from Smackdown.
From ECW, CM Punk may have his chance to move to Raw. Expect him back the next
time he turns down an after-show beer.
Matt Mackinder
Raw - Umaga needs to go to Friday nights where even less people will care whether
or not he wins or loses. When he came in two years ago (as Umaga), he was this
unstoppable, flabby Samoan who didn't speak except for the occasional "Samoa!"
and I think he only says that because it's tattooed on his gut.
ECW - This brand can't afford to lose people aside from the viewers it loses
week in and week out. Like Matt Bishop said in his recent Mat Matters column,
put Trevor Murdoch and someone like Kenny Dykstra here. Take away Mike Adamle
and let him do, I don't know, backstage interviews on SmackDown! Just take the
mic away from this fossil.
SmackDown! - I see a Diva getting moved, probably Michelle McCool or Natalya,
to Raw. Monday nights are getting very bland, routine and repetitious, so getting
some new flesh on board will hopefully boost ratings for a segment or two. Right?
Wild Card - Send Charlie Haas to the point of no return - ECW. What has he done
lately besides impersonate Val Venis? And remind me again why he and Shelton
Benjamin were split up?
Andy McNamara
Raw - Umaga is the man to go to Smackdown as he has essentially run his
course on Raw. Smackdown could also benefit from an athletic monster.
ECW - Cross your fingers that CM Punk gets moved and actually may receive, dare
I say, a push! Punk goes to Smackdown to feud with Edge.
Smackdown! - Batista really needs a shake up and a change of atmosphere just
might do the trick. The Animal goes back to the flagship show RAW.
Wild Card - Chuck Palumbo. If I had my pick, Mr. Palumbo would be moved to the
unemployment line. However, the next best thing is Chuck to move his zero fan
reaction butt out of sight and mind to ECW.
Jon Waldman
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WHAT YOU THINK
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Your feelings on Monday's WWE Draft?
I'm excited - 15%
I hope it shakes things up - 41%
Shrug - 16%
I don't care - 28%
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Raw - I get the feeling we're going to get the most movement from the Monday
night broadcast, and it looks like we'll get one of the biggest names going
to Fridays - John Cena. There are essentially two reasons for this. First, having
two top-tier babyfaces who could carry the big gold belt on Raw leaves a crowded
scene, so either John or Triple H has to be moved. Second, and more importantly,
SD! needs a face to build their show around with the move to MyTV. Cena can
be that star.
ECW - While CM Punk would be an obvious choice, there seems to be a bit of
a movement towards the smaller, sleeker guys showing up on Tuesday nights, with
Evan Bourne debuting and Kofi Kingston continuing to get a push. Thus, I'm betting
that Kane will move to Raw for his final year or so in the squared circle. The
dynamic of ECW running with the Raw group on the road will allow him to finish
his run with the belt, while also pushing the feud with Big Show as what will
likely be his final tilt.
Smackdown! - To most, moving MVP to ECW would be seen as a step down, but to
me it's a step up. MVP can go to the show and cut his teeth as a main eventer,
while also getting some exposure on the Raw tour. Plus, it makes storyline sense
- Teddy Long was the one who originally signed MVP, so for Porter to move to
be with a GM that would appreciate him and his talents is a no-brainer.
Wild Card - The tease of an announcer moving shows has to be done, so I'd expect
Mike Adamle to be moved to Raw. If done right, Adamle's, ahem, less-than-stellar
commentary could be well-hidden next to Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler. This would
also leave open a spot on the ECW commenting team, which to me would be the
perfect training ground for Josh Matthews.
Visit the SLAM! Wrestling store! Where the Hardy Boyz give "Twist of Fate"
WWE Twist of Fate: Matt and Jeff Hardy Story 2-Disc DVD
The Hardy Show Season 4 DVD
The Hardy Show Season 5 DVD
