WWE’s Biggest Stars Drafted Between Raw and Smackdown

During the July 19 episode of WWE Smackdown, wrestlers from the company’s roster were drafted to both Smackdown and Raw. The performers will only be appearing on the shows they were drafted to, and there were a few surprises along the way.

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WWE Legend and Raw General Manager Mick Foley joined Stephanie McMahon to make their selections for Monday’s show while Shane McMahon and new Smackdown General Manager Daniel Bryan picked superstars for the Tuesday night show. There were seven rounds of drafting during the live event where Raw drafted three wrestlers in each round and Smackdown two wrestlers. Tag teams counted as one draft pick.

Raw kicked off by drafting Seth Rollins, the Women’s Champion Charlotte, and NXT superstar Finn Bálor. Smackdown’s first round consisted of the WWE Champion Dean Ambrose and AJ Styles. Surprisingly enough, Gallows and Anderson, Styles’ teammates, ended up getting drafted to Raw in the 5th round, splitting the group.

The United States Champion, Rusev, went to Raw, while Intercontinental Champion The Miz went to Smackdown, giving each brand their own, distinctive championship, and in turn, making each belt a bit more meaningful in the grand scheme of things.

After Smackdown aired, the WWE Network held a special to draft the remaining wrestlers on the roster.

One of the bigger surprises from those picks was Raw drafting Sin Cara and Smackdown drafting Kalisto, ultimately splitting the tag team, The Lucha Dragons. Braun Strowman was split from Bray Wyatt and Erick Rowan, after he was drafted to Raw, while the rest of the Wyatt Family went to Smackdown.

Fans of WWE’s developmental product, NXT were happy to see more than Finn Bálor make their way to the big leagues. Nia Jax, Alexa Bliss, Eva Marie, Mojo Rawley, Carmella, and the tag team American Alpha all were called up during the event as well.

Don’t worry The New Day will remain together on Raw, where Xavier Woods will keep hunting for Pokemon. Raw will continue to air on Mondays and Smackdown on its new night, Tuesday. Both live shows air on USA.

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