WWE Draft 2016: 5 Things That Will Happen (And 5 That Won't)
So much speculation, but how much of it is true?
On 19 July, SmackDown’s first ever live Tuesday night broadcast will play host to the 2016 WWE Draft. The company will once again create two unique rosters of talent, broadcasters, and authority figures in an attempt to create parity between Raw and SmackDown and revitalise its product in the wake of poor TV ratings and declining fan interest.
The Brand Split may only be a few days away, but concrete details have been thin on the ground so far. We know that Stephanie and Shane McMahon will act as Commissioners for Raw and SmackDown respectively, and each will be responsible for appointing their own General Manager, but not much else.
Everything from SmackDown’s show length to the actual talent rosters themselves remains up in the air. WWE are keeping their cards close to their chest ahead of the big night, and that, of course, has led to rampant speculation across the internet since the split was announced in May.
It’s hard to be optimistic with so many unanswered questions still doing the rounds, but whatever happens, the 2016 Brand Split represents a bold new direction for a company that badly needs it. Fans will continue to speculate until the final draft pick is made, but until then, here are five things that will happen in the 2016 WWE Draft, and five that won't.
10. Roman Reigns WON'T Go 1st Or 2nd
Prior to the Samoan’s 30-day suspension for violating WWE’s wellness policy, it seemed a dead cert that Roman Reigns and John Cena would go their separate ways as Raw and SmackDown’s first picks. Now? Things are much less certain.
For one, Reigns is no longer the WWE Champion. Dean Ambrose took the belt from him (via Seth Rollins) at Money in the Bank, which makes Dean a much likelier pick to occupy a top slot. But even if Stephane or Shane don’t pick their top champion first, Brock Lesnar’s public interest is at an all-time high after his UFC 200 demolition of Mark Hunt. He’s sure to go early in the draft, and as the biggest star in the company, it wouldn’t be a huge surprise to see him go first overall.
Reign’s popularity is at an all-time low, and if WWE are even remotely receptive to their fanbase, they’ll recognise this. Fans will hate the move, the building will fill with boos should he go first or second, and that’ll set the Draft off to a disastrous start right off the bat.
We likely won’t know where Reigns stands in the company until draft night itself, but does Vince McMahon really want to keep promoting a universally-derided failed babyface as his apparent “top guy,” particularly after his wellness violation?