How does the WWE Draft work?
Image via WWE
The
WWE Draft
is one of the most anticipated events in the
professional wrestling
calendar. It allows superstars to move between the two main brands like
RAW and SmackDown
, shaking up storylines and creating fresh matchups.
First introduced in 2002 following WWE's acquisition of WCW and ECW, the Draft helped split the growing roster into two distinct brands. Over the years, the Draft has undergone several changes. It was rebranded as the "
Superstar Shake-up
" for a few years before reverting to the traditional Draft format in 2019 when SmackDown moved to FOX.
In 2022, WWE skipped the Draft altogether, but it returned stronger than ever in subsequent years. Notably, since 2016, stars from
NXT
- WWE's developmental brand, have also been eligible to be drafted.
How the WWE Draft functions
The WWE Draft typically unfolds over two nights, beginning on Friday Night SmackDown and continuing on Monday Night RAW. Each brand gets a designated number of picks to select superstars for their rosters. Due to RAW being a three-hour show compared to SmackDown's two hours, RAW usually receives three picks for every two picks made by SmackDown.
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Undo
Selections are made live, and the unpicked superstars - referred to as "free agents", are assigned to brands through online announcements via WWE's official website and social media.
Tag teams are often drafted together as a unit, but WWE reserves the right to split teams if desired, drafting individual members separately. Champions are also eligible to be drafted; however, brand-specific titles like the RAW Women's Championship or SmackDown Tag Team Championship usually remain with their respective shows.
Charlotte Flair tears up over Becky Lynch being drafted to SmackDown: WWE The Day Of sneak peek
A notable example of title switching happened in 2021 when Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair were drafted to opposite brands while holding each other's brand-specific championships. WWE resolved it with an on-screen title exchange.
The WWE Draft plays a crucial role in refreshing storylines, elevating new talents, and keeping the programming unpredictable. For superstars, it can mean a career resurgence, a change in persona, or a shot at championship glory. For fans, it creates fresh rivalries and dream matches, keeping the excitement alive season after season.
As WWE gears up for the 2025 edition of the Draft, all eyes will be on which superstars will find new homes and how these shifts will impact the road to major events like SummerSlam and Survivor Series.
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