1 — United States Champion MVP to Raw
This pick simply makes sense. MVP has run out of things to do on SmackDown! and needed a change of scenery. Bringing the US Championship on RAW might help him stand out at first, and if WWE plans on giving him any kind of push, it’d be smart to start things up by promoting his belt a bit. It really depends on which direction the booking goes in general, but if things remain the same, he’ll be stuck in the mid-card circuit.
2 — Big Show to Raw
I think this was just a swap for Kane. Both guys are at about the same pecking order, and there wasn’t much left at their old homes. It’ll be interesting to see how WWE plays up the Vickie Guerrero card with Big Show, now that the two are on the same brand, while Edge remains on SmackDown! in what’s almost the forgotten love triangle now. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Big Show involved in the main event picture from time to time, as both he and Kane are people WWE calls on in time of need.
3 — WWE Women’s Champion Melina to SmackDown
With the return of Gail Kim, and the progress of Michelle McCool, it seems that SmackDown! is the new place for women’s wrestling in WWE. I’m not sure what the company has on mind when it comes to this division, but I do know that they view the Women’s Championship as the “wrestlers’ belt,” and the Divas Championship as a prop. Melina moving was rumored over the weekend and is also a part of the company’s attempt to bring the SmackDown! Hispanic rating back up.
4 — Matt Hardy to Raw
This might be their way out of the Jeff Hardy storyline, but it’s also a good move in my opinion. Matt might be onto something with this heel character, and the two needed to separate badly, as their storyline was a flop for the most part. I don’t see Matt getting anything out of his stay at RAW, but again depending on what direction they go in past Backlash, he might be called on!
5 — WWE Champion Triple H to Raw
This makes sense and had to happen as the Triple H vs. Randy Orton storyline is to be the main one on RAW for at least two more months. You didn’t think Triple H would stay on SmackDown!, did you?! Contrary to what many believe, I think that The Game is a better fit on RAW. The company (and this is mostly Triple H and Stephanie’s faults) just doesn’t do a good job of booking Triple H right.
6 — CM Punk to SmackDown
CM Punk’s title win last year and his hideous fall from the top afterwords was the big elephant in the room that WWE decided to avoid. Luckily, they addressed the issue, and I’m glad this pick happened. SmackDown! can use someone like Punk, and with Triple H gone, and Undertaker aging, there’s a need for fresh faces to push on Fridays.
7 — The Miz to Raw
I don’t like it one bit. It really wasn’t smart to break up the only good thing they have that’s close to a tag team. The bottom line is that unifying the belts was their way to signal they’re done with the division for the time being. (And they have been since 2001, to be honest.) Morrison should have gotten the push, and I feel that he will on ECW, unless he gets drafted to SmackDown! in the Supplementary draft. The latter scenario makes more sense. I wouldn’t want to be The Miz right now, as his days might be numbered. On the other hand, he showed some great charisma tonight in attacking his now former tag team partner. He’s lucky that they like him better.
8 — Kane to SmackDown
The trade-off for Big Show. Very reminiscent of Kane’s move to SmackDown! a few years ago. Let’s hope this one ends up better.
9 — Chris Jericho to SmackDown
It makes sense. With Triple H moving back to RAW, either Batista, Shawn Michaels, or Chris Jericho had to go as a way to match things up. To be honest, Chris Jericho is the best fit of the three, and he’s exactly what the brand needs. He’s also pretty much exhausted all his options for a feud on RAW since returning to WWE.
10 — Vladimir Kozlov to ECW
They do this every year. They give ECW the shaft on TV, and then stack the brand up in the supplementary draft. Well, I can’t say I’m surprised with this pick. Some people just never learn.
11 — WWE Diva’s Champion Maryse to Raw
This was the trade-off for Melina going to SmackDown!. Maryse is a great fit on RAW because her charisma is off the charts, and she comes off as one of the biggest stars on the show.
12 — Rey Mysterio to SmackDown
Essentially, this is the trade-off for MVP going to RAW, as the US and IC Championships are supposed to be on the same level. Mysterio’s move to SmackDown! was much needed. The brand needs to restore its popularity in Hispanic audience — a factor of its followers that helped them achieve great financial success in past years. Giving Carlito & Primo Colon a push was step 1 in the process. Drafting Mysterio and Melina was step 2. I don’t know what step 3 is, but I pray it’s the right move.
I doubt there will be any major moves at the Supplementary Draft on Wednesday. I do expect another high mid-carder to be moved. I think Christian going to SmackDown! is a smart move, but only if ECW can be given more talent to compensate. I think there’s no doubt that since returning, Christian has been one of the best in-ring performers on nightly basis. I wouldn’t be surprised to see ECW get a few names added, as pointed out. As far as the commentators go, I expect some shake-ups, but I also wouldn’t be surprised if they kept things as they are. Ross and Grisham makes no sense on SmackDown! and having Ross do color commentary is just degrading to me. I want to see Striker get a spot on RAW or SmackDown! (along Ross or Cole — can’t you just picture it?!), but I feel that Vince will get to him a whole lot more if that happens, and we won’t get the same great stuff Vince lets him get away with on ECW. I like Josh Matthews, besides the weird nosebleed tonight. Let’s see what happens!
We’ll have more on Wednesday!
Eddie T. has been a columnist for TBLWrestling.com since 2002. You may read his personal blog — filled with more content — by clicking here!
