WWE Draft 2016: 5 Things That Will Happen (And 5 That Won't)

6. NXT WON'T Be Raided

Dean Ambrose Raw Smackdown
WWE.com

The Brand Split will effectively halve each show’s available talent pool and leave them with a number of empty spaces. It’s been suggested that WWE will look to NXT to fill these spots and restock their roster, and that “up to a dozen” young grapplers could be set for a call-up during next week’s Draft.

Bálor, Bayley, and maybe one or two others will probably go up, but WWE isn’t going to gut its most critically acclaimed brand. For a start, NXT is a genuine touring attraction in its own right. Without the likes of Samoa Joe, Asuka, and The Revival, they’re not going to draw any crowds to their shows, and an already unprofitable brand is going to start hemorrhaging money like nobody’s business.

Secondly, NXT currently produces one of the most widely-lauded weekly wrestling television shows in existence, and the TakeOver live specials are among the year’s most celebrated. Are WWE really going to throw all of this away by taking half the talent and replacing them with underdeveloped trainees who aren’t ready for TV yet?

The answer is no.

Channel Manager
Channel Manager

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.