10 Things You Learn Binge Watching Every WWE Raw From 2006

8. The 2006 Draft Was So Unique

People were fully invested when the first Draft/Brand Extension happened back in 2002. Raw and SmackDown would have distinctly different rosters, thus making it essential fans tuned into both major shows if they wanted to see all of their favourites. Naturally, the company went back on their "ironclad" word about the rosters, but the idea still had merit.

Further Drafts happened in 2004 and 2005, and they were along much the same lines as the original. Then, for 2006, WWE decided to try something totally different. In lieu of Raw and SmackDown picking stars, they had Paul Heyman march out on the 29 May '06 flagship and announce 2 picks who'd be tied to the new ECW brand that was set to kick off in June.

What happened next was special and unique.

Paul had a face to face with Mick Foley that expertly put over how much meaning ECW had to the wrestling industry, and how important the upcoming One Night Stand pay-per-view was to both. Verbal jabs were dished out, then Heyman announced that Rob Van Dam and Kurt Angle would be his picks to move from Raw and SmackDown respectively.

It was fantastic stuff. WWE returned to a more traditional Draft format in 2007, so this stood out as a curiosity in the history of the concept. They'd never do anything of the like again. Imagine nowadays if Triple H announced that NXT would get to pick a couple of wrestlers from Raw and SmackDown, but those other shows wouldn't get Draft picks themselves.

Sounds outlandish, but something similar happened in 2006.