10 Potential Post-SummerSlam Drafts

The rumour mill has been in full swing lately regarding the date of the next WWE draft with a post SummerSlam date being mentioned. It would seem like a logical time to shake things up, providing fresh storylines heading into the most exciting time of the year on the road to WrestleMania.

Yet, I do not believe we need a full draft, rather just a small amount of trades, which is something that I think should happen throughout the year. Why can’t talent who are being misused get a draft to create new stories without making too many changes? Or talent who butt heads with the general managers (in storyline) be sent away to the opposite show? There should be more competition between SmackDown Live and Raw and ten post-SummerSlam drafts could make that work.

 

10. Zack Ryder to Raw

The return of the former Edgehead after sitting on the sidelines for countless months has been incredibly disappointing to say the least. With the Hype Bros starting to gain momentum prior to Ryder’s injury, most expected the duo to pick up where they left off upon his return, yet that has not been the case. With WWE seemingly breaking up the team without any real payoff it would seem like someone with as strong of a fan connection as Ryder is in a dire need of a refresh and move to Raw could provide that. Ryder would make a solid addition to the Raw roster due to his popularity and considering that the red brand’s tag team division is very thin right now, why not reunite him with former partner, Curt Hawkins, who is also struggling to make an impact?

 

9. Blake & Murphy to Raw

As we have seen in past drafts, talent have been picked up from WWE’s developmental brand and ‘promoted’ to the main roster and that is a trait that will surely continue. While not every draft has worked, the majority have given a serious boost to the main rosters depth and as mentioned previously, right now the tag team division is incredibly weak. So why not promote former NXT Tag Team Champions, Blake and Murphy, who have barely been used in NXT as of late?

Both men are good hands in the ring and have the title winning history to back them up, why not use them rather than allowing them to just be wasted? Their promotion could also provide a spin on an NXT storyline by having them help Alexa Bliss cheat her way to title defences in the same way that she once did for them. This could really add something to Alexa’s character and would rubber stamp just how far she has come, as well as putting a spin on the usual manager/valet roles which tend to see the women help the men. All three have chemistry together (with Bliss and Murphy being a real life couple) so why not give it a shot?

 

8. Enzo Amore to NXT

Speaking of NXT, if they are going to be involved in the drafts moving forward then why should they only lose talent? Speculation has stated that some talents could be set for a move to NXT and whilst some might view that as a demotion -given their current roster and the fact WWE want to make it an official third brand eventually- it should not be seen that way. Enzo Amore is currently lost with no direction following his split with Big Cass and with reports that he has major backstage heat, a move back to NXT could be a refreshing change. This could give him the chance to establish himself as a singles star or potentially manage a new upcoming talent and use his main strength, talking, to good measure.

 

7. Big Cass to SmackDown Live

Whilst splitting from Enzo Amore was always going to be the direction Big Cass went in, the timing of the decision felt a little off. His current feud with Big Show has served its purpose in putting him over as a genuine threat, but when you look at the current landscape of the Raw roster it is difficult to see where he goes next. With a heel Intercontinental Champion in The Miz and a loaded main event scene that boasts some heavy hitters already, it is tough to see him progressing in the manner he could, so why not trade him to the blue brand? SmackDown Live would give Cass a better chance to flourish and prove himself whether in a mid card feud against someone as talented as AJ Styles or even a major opportunity with John Cena.

 

6. Elias to SmackDown Live

The Drifter is an example of somebody who failed to really make an impact in NXT, but has found his groove on the main roster since debuting. Elias might not have the best in-ring abilities on the roster but he can gain major heat from his gimmick and I believe it would work well in a tag team with fellow musical superstar Aiden English. Both men have been getting used frequently but haven’t quite made the impact to put a claim in for championship gold. As I have explained before, the tag team depth on both brands needs a boost so why not create a fun musical team and see what they can do with it.

 

5. Tye Dillinger to Raw

The Perfect 10 has been dwindling in the low two’s and three’s since making his debut on the main roster and is quickly becoming one of those NXT flops that simply doesn’t work on the main brand. However, this seems to simply be because he hasn’t been given any opportunities to prove himself, after all there is a distinct reason why he was one of the most popular wrestlers in the entire company before leaving NXT. Dillinger needs to a refresh and a move to Raw could be exactly what he needs with a feud against someone like The Miz seeming like a perfect (pun intended) opportunity.

 

4. Randy Orton to Raw

One of the best wrestlers of the last decade, Randy Orton has plenty of star power and is just as good in the ring as he ever was. Yet his character and effort seems to be decreasing each time he appears from the curtain. After dreadful feuds with Bray Wyatt and Jinder Mahal, Orton’s credibility to compete in the main event on SmackDown has seriously dropped. That makes this a good time to change things up for the Viper with plenty of fresh feuds against the likes of Samoa Joe and Braun Strowman or even The Miz waiting for him on Raw that will hopefully bring him back to his best.

 

3. Emma to SmackDown Live

Arguably the most underrated female wrestlers on the WWE roster, Emma has been underutilised for far too long. Her in-ring ability is second to none and she can match the best around, just check out her feud with Asuka and Paige from NXT as proof of her abilities. Emma has been involved in a storyline with Kurt Angle regarding a lack of opportunities on Raw and therefore it just makes perfect sense to transition her over to the blue brand and the self-proclaimed ‘land of opportunities.’

 

2. Bobby Roode to SmackDown Live

Put simply, it is time for SmackDown Live to become glorious. The current NXT Champion has spent over a year in NXT and has carried the brand well, establishing himself as a credible main event talent. From the way he carries himself, to his music or his wrestling ability, Roode is the real deal and he has earned a place on the main roster. Whilst Raw’s main event scene is currently stacked without considering the likes of Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins and therefore Roode’s eventual main roster debut makes more sense taking place on SmackDown Live. With John Cena only part time and SmackDown attempting to establish new stars such as Baron Corbin and Jinder Mahal, an experienced hand who is also a main event star would make a big impact.

 

1. Finn Balor to SmackDown Live

The leader of the Balor Club doesn’t look anything like the man who became the first ever Universal Champion at last year’s SummerSlam and it is a shame to see that he hasn’t been as featured as much since his return from injury. Whilst nothing he has done has been poor and his current feud with Bray Wyatt has potential to be entertaining, it seems like he isn’t in the current plans for the main event scene. One look at the men currently involved in the Universal Championship feud and you can see why Balor isn’t a part of it; a clash between him and Braun Strowman doesn’t look overly realistic. While this is the world of professional wrestling where Rey Mysterio was once a World Heavyweight Champion, it would make more sense to place the Demon King on the blue brand competing with the likes of AJ Styles and Shinsuke Nakamura. Over on SmackDown Live, Balor could thrive in a similar way to how AJ Styles did last year, using his in-ring ability and character to put him where he belongs.