WWE Draft 2017: 5 Things That Will Happen (And 5 That Won't)
1. SmackDown WILL Get Screwed
SmackDown has become WWE’s undisputed “A show” in many fans’ eyes, but Raw remains the primary focus as far as the company goes, and the proof is in the roster.
SD is always overlooked when it comes to major additions. Raw has been blessed with Bayley and Samoa Joe since July, but the only wrestlers SD has added in the same timescale are Mickie James, Curt Hawkins, James Ellsworth, and Jack Swagger. Even The Undertaker, who made his grand return on SmackDown's 900th episode, has abandoned the brand to become a freelancer.
Tuesday nights should reap minor benefits from the draft, but the end result will be a net negative. It’d be wrong to say WWE don’t care about the brand, but there’s no evidence to suggest that they value it as strongly as Raw. As a result, we could see some of SD’s biggest assets exchanged for lesser wrestlers.
SmackDown’s writers will keep churning out compelling television, but they’ll have to work extra hard to do so. The show doesn’t deserve to be pilfered, but there’s a strong chance of this happening, and just like last year, the blue brand’s fans will leave with the impression that the draft has screwed their favourite show.