The first episode of Smackdown Live aired tonight, and it hosted the start of the WWE Draft. Because of the restricted times and the large size of the roster, there are still plenty of picks left.
After the first part of the draft, here are the rosters so far (in order of choice):
Raw: Seth Rollins, Charlotte, Finn Balor, Roman Reigns, Brock Lesnar, The New Day, Sami Zayn, Sasha Banks, Chris Jericho, Rusev, Kevin Owens, Enzo Amore, Big Cass, Luke Gallows, Karl Anderson, Big Show, Nia Jax, Neville, Cesaro, Sheamus
Smackdown: Dean Ambrose, AJ Styles, John Cena, Randy Orton, Bray Wyatt, Becky Lynch, The Miz (w/Maryse), Baron Corbin, American Alpha (Chad Gable & Jason Jordan), Dolph Ziggler, Natalya, Alberto Del Rio
By the looks of it, Raw has a stacked roster and blows Smackdown’s roster completely out of the water. This extra hour of draft picks gives Smackdown the opportunity to get some late round steals and even the playing field with Raw. It is important to note that only three of the six NXT draft picks have been chosen so far.
Draft Picks Part VII
Time for the late round choices to fill the gaps in the rosters.
Raw Pick #19: The Golden Truth
Smackdown Pick #13: The Usos
Raw Pick #20: Titus O’Neil
Smackdown Pick #14: Kane
Raw Pick #21: Paige
Raw has decent picks here with Titus O’Neil and Paige, which are two good picks for looking into the future. The Golden Truth is not an amazing choice by any means, but with how Raw has drafted so far, they can afford it.
Smackdown again chooses poorly with The Usos and Kane. The Usos are fine in the ring, but they don’t really cut promos other than “Hey, Uce.” Kane, other than chokeslamming Zayn and Owens tonight, has not done much, and probably won’t do much more since he’s in the ending stages of his career.
Draft Picks Part VIII
Raw Pick #22: Darren Young
Smackdown Pick #15: Kalisto
Raw Pick #23: Sin Cara
Smackdown Pick #16: Naomi
Raw Pick #24: Jack Swagger
Smackdown Pick #17: The Ascension
Raw continues to pick well with Darren Young and Sin Cara (sorry Swagger). Darren Young could capture the Intercontinental Championship on Sunday, and Sin Cara has a chance to vitalize the cruiserweight division.
Smackdown drafts a little better than the last round, choosing the former United States Champion Kalisto and an upstart in the Women’s division, Naomi. The Ascension is a risky pick, but Smackdown needs a tag team division.
Draft Picks Part IX
Raw Pick #25: The Dudley Boyz
Smackdown Pick #18: Zack Ryder
Raw Pick #26: Summer Rae
Smackdown Pick #19: Apollo Crews
Raw Pick #27: Mark Henry
Smackdown Pick #20: Alexa Bliss
After these picks, it looks like Smackdown finally won a round. With the choice of Ryder, they help the midcard. Apollo Crews helps on any level, and this gives him a chance to shine. The most notable pick of the round, however, is Alexa Bliss, who will help Smackdown women’s division. Smackdown chose the fourth NXT Superstar out of six.
Draft Picks Part X
Raw Pick #28: Braun Strowman
Smackdown Pick #21: Breezango
Raw Pick #29: Bo Dallas
Smackdown Pick #22: Eva Marie
Raw Pick #30: The Shining Stars (Primo & Epico)
Smackdown Pick #23: The Vaudevillains
Raw just separated the Wyatt Family and possibly the Social Outcasts. The entire point of Strowman on the roster was to aid Bray Wyatt, so it is time for Strowman to sink or swim. Raw just seems to be choosing by darts by this point.
Smackdown got two solid tag teams in Breezango and the Vaudevillains, who will help flesh out the tag team division. Eva Marie is an interesting choice, but Smackdown needs women on the roster.
Draft Picks Part XI
Raw Pick #31: Alicia Fox
Smackdown Pick #24: Erick Rowan
Raw Pick #32: Dana Brooke
Smackdown Pick #25: Mojo Rawley
Raw Pick #33: Curtis Axel
Smackdown Pick #34: Carmella
After the “final” round of drafting, this round seems pretty even. Both divisions improved their women’s divisions with Fox, Brooke, and Carmella (who should be on Raw). Smackdown drafted the other Hype Bro, and gave Bray Wyatt a family member to help him out on the blue brand.
After the draft, it seems like Raw is the winner, but there is plenty of competition to be had in the future.
