10 Biggest Missed Opportunities From WWE Draft 2016
5. Getting The Draft Order Wrong
In selecting Charlotte and Finn Balor third and fifth respectively, WWE sent the message that these were truly important superstars whom the company believed in, and saw as a huge part of their future. While Charlotte was already enjoying a prominent position on the card, her and Balor were legitimised as big-time players on the WWE roster. Picked over the likes of John Cena and Roman Reigns, their stature grew immediately, and the buzz for Balor’s debut has never been louder.
On the other end of the spectrum, Kevin Owens, once touted as a potential top 10 pick, fell to 18th. Cesaro, one of the company’s most talented all-round technical wrestlers, hit a lowly 28th, lagging behind such luminaries as Nia Jax (25), Baron Corbin (19), and The Big Show (23).
Cesaro had every right to be upset in his fiery, post-Draft shoot. This was a great chance for WWE to give wrestlers like him and Owens the recognition that their talents deserve. The low position likely won’t hinder Owens’ future, but for Cesaro, it’s a potentially devastating blow, and one that confirms the WWE have no interest in ever advancing him beyond his current level.
The draft should’ve enhanced Cesaro and Owens. Instead, WWE completely undermined all tenets of the supposed “New Era” by drafting swathes of directionless midcarders over some of the most talented superstars on their roster.