Major WWE Draft 2021 Cliffhanger CANCELLED

Details on WWE pulling the plug on what would have been a major Raw/SmackDown swerve.

Big E Bobby Lashley
WWE

WWE nearly pulled the trigger on what would have been a major 2021 Draft cliffhanger heading into last night's episode of Raw, reports PWInsider's Mike Johnson.

The plan would have involved Raw selecting Bobby Lashley, not WWE Champion Big E, as its first overall pick when the Draft kicked off on last week's episode of SmackDown. This would have been done to create intrigue for which brand E would end up on ahead of last night's episode of Raw, with the idea being that viewers would have to tune in to find out.

That E's New Day stablemates Xavier Woods and Kofi Kingston were sent from Raw to SmackDown would have theoretically enhanced this.

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In the end, the WWE Champion ended up moving from SmackDown to Raw as the red brand's top brand pick. He went second overall after top pick Roman Reigns was confirmed to be saying on SmackDown. Lashley, meanwhile, is staying on Raw, having been drafted to remain on Monday nights alongside manager MVP.

E has been WWE Champion since successfully cashing in his Money in the Bank briefcase on Bobby on Raw's 13 September episode. The first-time world champion has since mounted two successful defences against the Hurt Business man on 27 September.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.