2016 WWE Draft
The 2016 WWE Draft was a major roster reallocation event conducted by World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) on July 19, 2016, during the premiere episode of SmackDown Live on USA Network, which divided the company's active superstars between the Raw and SmackDown Live brands to launch the "New Era" following the end of the previous brand extension in 2011.[1] This draft, the ninth annual and tenth overall in WWE history, featured 59 picks across 11 rounds, with Raw receiving the first selection and three picks for every two allotted to SmackDown Live to reflect the shows' respective runtimes of three and two hours.[2] Commissioners Stephanie McMahon for Raw and Shane McMahon for SmackDown Live, alongside general managers Mick Foley and Daniel Bryan respectively, oversaw the process from the WWE Draft Center, which was broadcast live on the WWE Network.[1] The event included all eligible male and female superstars from the main roster, such as John Cena, Roman Reigns, Charlotte, and Sasha Banks, as well as tag teams counting as single picks unless otherwise specified, and marked a historic inclusion of six selections from the NXT developmental brand to bolster both shows.[2] Notable first-round picks saw Seth Rollins allocated to Raw as the inaugural choice, followed by WWE Champion Dean Ambrose to SmackDown Live, WWE Women's Champion Charlotte to Raw, AJ Styles to SmackDown Live, and NXT's Finn Bálor to Raw, setting the tone for renewed rivalries and storylines exclusive to each brand.[1] The draft's significance lay in revitalizing WWE's programming by creating balanced yet distinct rosters, enabling simultaneous championships and pay-per-view events for both brands, and integrating emerging NXT talent like American Alpha, Nia Jax, and Alexa Bliss into the main lineup.[3] Overall, it reshaped WWE's landscape, leading to heightened competition and creative freedom that defined the latter half of 2016 and beyond.[1]Background
Brand Extension History
The WWE brand extension originated in March 2002 as a response to the influx of talent following the company's acquisition of World Championship Wrestling (WCW) in March 2001 and Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) assets through bankruptcy proceedings later that year.[4][5] These acquisitions significantly expanded the roster, necessitating a division to better manage scheduling, storylines, and television programming across the two primary shows, Raw and SmackDown. On March 18, 2002, WWE CEO Linda McMahon announced the split on Raw, leading to the inaugural draft lottery on March 25, where wrestlers were randomly assigned to one of the brands to create distinct rosters.[6] From 2002 to 2011, the brand extension featured periodic drafts in 2002, 2004, 2007, and 2010 to refresh rosters and heighten competition, alongside the introduction of brand-exclusive championships to emphasize separation. For instance, after Brock Lesnar won the Undisputed WWE Championship at SummerSlam 2002 and was assigned to SmackDown, Raw General Manager Eric Bischoff unveiled the new World Heavyweight Championship on September 2, 2002, awarded initially to Triple H, while the WWE Championship remained with SmackDown.[7] These divisions fostered inter-brand rivalries, often culminating in "Brand Supremacy" themed events like Survivor Series, where Raw and SmackDown teams clashed to assert dominance, enhancing storylines such as the SmackDown Six era. Across these drafts, hundreds of wrestlers were reassigned, with standout selections including Brock Lesnar (eighth overall to Raw in 2002) and CM Punk (first overall to SmackDown in 2010).[8] The extension was suspended in August 2011 amid roster challenges, including contractions from talent releases, a wave of injuries to key performers like Triple H and Edge, and a push for creative streamlining under Triple H's growing influence as a senior creative executive.[9] This led to unified championships—such as the WWE and World Heavyweight titles merging into a single WWE Championship—and cross-brand appearances to maximize available stars and simplify programming.[10] The decision allowed for more flexible booking but marked the end of nearly a decade of divided brands until its revival in 2016.Revival Announcement and Preparations
On May 25, 2016, during the broadcast of Monday Night Raw, Shane McMahon and Stephanie McMahon officially announced the reinstatement of WWE's brand extension, dividing the roster between the Raw and SmackDown brands.[11] This revival was motivated by WWE's significantly expanded roster, fueled by an influx of talent from its NXT developmental brand, alongside the opportunity to maximize television exposure through Raw's established three-hour format and SmackDown's impending shift to a live two-hour program on the USA Network beginning July 19, 2016.[11] Further preparations included key authority figure appointments to oversee each brand. On the July 11, 2016 episode of Raw, WWE Chairman Vince McMahon named Stephanie McMahon as Commissioner of Raw and Shane McMahon as Commissioner of SmackDown Live.[12] One week later, on the July 18 episode of Raw, Stephanie McMahon appointed WWE Hall of Famer Mick Foley as Raw's General Manager, while Shane McMahon selected Daniel Bryan to serve in the same role for SmackDown Live.[13] A pivotal pre-draft event occurred at the Money in the Bank pay-per-view on June 19, 2016, positioned as a unification-style showcase for WWE's top prize ahead of the split. In the main event, Seth Rollins defeated WWE World Heavyweight Champion Roman Reigns to claim the title, but Dean Ambrose immediately cashed in his Money in the Bank contract to pin Rollins and become the new champion.[14] WWE's roster preparation involved assessing a pool exceeding 100 active main roster superstars for the draft, including those sidelined by injury such as John Cena, who had undergone shoulder surgery earlier in the year and was unavailable for in-ring action at the time.[15] [16] Hype for the brand extension was amplified through ongoing segments on Raw and SmackDown, featuring wrestler promos and storyline teases that underscored the impending roster division.[1]Draft Rules and Format
Eligibility and Selection Mechanics
The 2016 WWE Draft encompassed all active, non-injured wrestlers on the Raw and SmackDown rosters, ensuring a comprehensive redistribution of talent across the two primary brands.[2] Injured superstars, including Luke Harper, Nikki Bella, Emma, Tamina, and Tyson Kidd, were excluded from eligibility to maintain focus on performers available for immediate programming.[17] Additionally, select NXT talent was eligible, limited to six picks from the developmental roster, though NXT champions were protected and unavailable for selection.[18] Selection occurred through a deliberate process overseen by brand representatives, rather than a random lottery, with Raw Commissioner Stephanie McMahon and General Manager Mick Foley choosing for Raw, and SmackDown Commissioner Shane McMahon and General Manager Daniel Bryan selecting for SmackDown.[19] Picks were made via a large video wall displaying available talent, allowing commissioners and general managers to strategically allocate superstars.[20] To balance the brands' airtime disparities—Raw's three-hour format versus SmackDown's two hours—Raw received three selections for every two made by SmackDown.[21] Tag teams were generally counted as a single pick unless a representative explicitly chose only one member, promoting roster efficiency.[2] The process ultimately resulted in 59 selections, including the six from NXT. The draft unfolded in phases to maximize broadcast engagement, beginning with the first 23 picks announced live during the July 19, 2016, episode of SmackDown on the USA Network.[1] Raw secured the first overall selection, drafting Seth Rollins to kick off the proceedings.[19] The remaining picks followed immediately after in a dedicated WWE Network special titled the Draft Center, where additional allocations were revealed without further on-air interruptions. No trades were permitted during the initial draft to streamline the process and ensure a clean roster split.[22]Special Provisions for Championships and NXT
The 2016 WWE Draft included special provisions for championships to ensure titles followed their holders to the assigned brand, thereby preserving ongoing storylines and avoiding immediate disruptions. Titleholders were fully eligible for selection, with no exemptions from the draft process itself, allowing commissioners and general managers to strategically acquire both the wrestler and the championship in a single pick. For instance, Dean Ambrose, the reigning WWE Champion, was selected second overall by SmackDown Live, transferring the title to that brand, while Charlotte, the WWE Women's Champion, went third to Raw with her belt intact.[1] Similarly, Rusev as United States Champion and The Miz as Intercontinental Champion were drafted to Raw and SmackDown Live, respectively, carrying their midcard titles to those shows.[1] A key exception applied to the WWE Tag Team Championship, held by The New Day at the time of the draft; the group was selected as a unit for Raw, initially keeping the unified title on that brand. Post-draft, WWE restructured the tag division by splitting the championship into two brand-exclusive versions—the WWE Raw Tag Team Championship and the WWE SmackDown Tag Team Championship—to support the extended rosters and competitive balance. This adjustment was announced shortly after the event to facilitate dedicated title pursuits on each weekly program. Provisions for NXT emphasized gradual integration of developmental talent while safeguarding the brand's independence, as the NXT roster itself was not subject to division or relocation. Exactly six picks were required from NXT, with eligible superstars like Finn Bálor available for main roster assignment to inject fresh faces without depleting the developmental system.[2] The selected call-ups included Finn Bálor and Nia Jax to Raw, and American Alpha (Jason Jordan and Chad Gable), Alexa Bliss, Mojo Rawley, and Carmella to SmackDown Live, resulting in two additions to Raw and four to SmackDown.[1] This quota ensured a minimum infusion of emerging talent to bolster both brands' depth. Additional exceptions addressed unaffiliated and part-time wrestlers to maintain flexibility for high-profile, sporadic appearances. Superstars such as The Undertaker, Triple H, and The Rock were exempt from the draft pool, allowing WWE creative control over their bookings without brand restrictions.[23] The women's division received equal emphasis in the selection mechanics, with female superstars integrated into the general pool and afforded the same draft priority as men, promoting parity; eligible women like Sasha Banks, Becky Lynch, and Paige were chosen alongside male counterparts to build robust divisions on both shows.[2] These rules collectively prioritized narrative continuity for established champions, controlled NXT's growth to avoid over-depletion, and accommodated irregular performers, enabling a balanced brand extension that refreshed WWE programming without abrupt interruptions.[2][23]The Draft Event
Venue, Broadcast, and Opening Segment
The 2016 WWE Draft took place at the DCU Center in Worcester, Massachusetts, serving as the venue for the live premiere episode of SmackDown on the USA Network.[19][24] The event was held on July 19, 2016, marking the first time SmackDown aired live in its new Tuesday night slot.[25] SmackDown broadcast live from 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. ET, allowing for real-time draft announcements integrated into the show's programming.[24][26] Following the main broadcast, a WWE Draft Center special aired on the WWE Network from 10:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. ET, revealing additional roster selections to complete the brand split.[27] The opening segment featured SmackDown Commissioner Shane McMahon and General Manager Daniel Bryan entering the ring to energize the audience with a "YES!" chant, setting an enthusiastic tone for the brand extension.[28] Bryan hyped the draft's importance in reshaping WWE's landscape, while McMahon provided dramatic flair with a mock drumroll before the initial picks were revealed, emphasizing the high stakes of the New Era.[28][29] Production elements included a large video wall displaying the draft board, which outlined rules such as Raw receiving the first overall selection and three picks for every two allocated to SmackDown, along with highlight packages for draftees to showcase their arrivals.[1][28] Live reactions from the assembled roster, seated around the ring, added immediacy, while segments wove in ongoing rivalries to maintain narrative continuity amid the selections.[30][19]Pre-Draft Matches
The pre-draft matches on the July 19, 2016, episode of SmackDown Live served to showcase the roster's talent pool and heighten anticipation for the draft selections, with bouts interspersed between pick announcements to maintain momentum and demonstrate wrestlers' availability for brand assignment. These contests highlighted key storylines and abilities without any reported injuries that could impact eligibility.[19] A featured opening match saw John Cena defeat Luke Gallows via Attitude Adjustment, underscoring the depth in the roster ahead of potential splits. In the women's division, Becky Lynch confronted Natalya during a scheduled bout against Alicia Fox, leading to a chaotic brawl that ended the match in a no-contest; Lynch applied the Dis-arm-her submission on Natalya post-attack, signaling her aggressive intent and building hype for post-draft rivalries.[28][31] The episode culminated in the main event, a WWE Championship defense where champion Dean Ambrose faced Seth Rollins in a non-street fight rematch from the prior Raw. Ambrose retained the title at 12:17 by countering Rollins' attempted superplex into Dirty Deeds for the pinfall, ensuring the championship transferred to SmackDown following his No. 2 overall draft selection and solidifying his status as a cornerstone for the brand.[32][28]Live Draft Picks on SmackDown
The 2016 WWE Draft's live portion took place during the two-hour premiere episode of SmackDown Live on July 19, 2016, broadcast from the DCU Center in Worcester, Massachusetts, where a total of 30 picks were announced, establishing the initial foundations for both brands' rosters.[19] Raw, as the longer-running show, received the first overall selection and followed a 3:2 advantage in picks per round, resulting in 18 selections for Raw and 12 for SmackDown Live.[1] These announcements were interspersed with pre-draft matches, creating a dynamic atmosphere with the live crowd reacting vocally to high-profile names, particularly cheering the assignments of fan favorites like John Cena and booing controversial figures such as Roman Reigns.[16] The draft opened strongly for Raw with the selection of Seth Rollins as the No. 1 overall pick, positioning the former WWE Champion as a centerpiece for the red brand's main event scene despite his ongoing recovery from injury. SmackDown responded by drafting WWE Champion Dean Ambrose second overall, a move that elicited loud approval from the Newark audience and announcers Mauro Ranallo and David Otunga, who highlighted Ambrose's chaotic energy as ideal for building SmackDown's identity. Raw then secured Women's Champion Charlotte at No. 3, followed by SmackDown selecting AJ Styles at No. 4—a surprise debutant whose arrival drew massive pops and was praised on commentary for injecting international star power into the blue brand. Raw rounded out the first round by calling up NXT's Finn Bálor at No. 5, marking the first of six NXT talents integrated into the main roster draft.[1][16] Subsequent rounds continued the alternating pattern with Raw's extra selections emphasizing established powerhouses and tag teams, while SmackDown focused on versatile veterans and emerging talents to balance star power. For instance, Raw's No. 6 pick of Roman Reigns sparked significant heat from the crowd due to his polarizing status, contrasting with SmackDown's enthusiastic reception of John Cena at No. 7, where Cena himself appeared via video to acknowledge the roster split's impact on his part-time schedule. Strategic highlights included Raw bolstering its heavyweight division with Brock Lesnar at No. 8 and tag champions The New Day at No. 10, moves commentators noted as securing dominant factions, whereas SmackDown prioritized multi-time world champions like Randy Orton (No. 9) and Bray Wyatt (No. 12) to create intriguing feud potential.[1][16] By the later rounds, picks like Raw's Kevin Owens (No. 18) and SmackDown's Baron Corbin (No. 19) were lauded for adding midcard depth, with the overall live segment concluding after Sheamus went to Raw at No. 30, setting up immediate storyline ramifications.[1] The following table summarizes the 30 live draft picks by round, illustrating the 3:2 ratio and key strategic emphases:| Round | Pick # | Brand | Selection |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | Raw | Seth Rollins |
| 1 | 2 | SmackDown | Dean Ambrose (WWE Champion) |
| 1 | 3 | Raw | Charlotte (WWE Women's Champion) |
| 1 | 4 | SmackDown | AJ Styles |
| 1 | 5 | Raw | Finn Bálor (NXT call-up) |
| 2 | 6 | Raw | Roman Reigns |
| 2 | 7 | SmackDown | John Cena |
| 2 | 8 | Raw | Brock Lesnar |
| 2 | 9 | SmackDown | Randy Orton |
| 2 | 10 | Raw | The New Day (WWE Tag Team Champions) |
| 3 | 11 | Raw | Sami Zayn |
| 3 | 12 | SmackDown | Bray Wyatt (with Luke Harper) |
| 3 | 13 | Raw | Sasha Banks |
| 3 | 14 | SmackDown | Becky Lynch |
| 3 | 15 | Raw | Chris Jericho |
| 4 | 16 | Raw | Rusev (with Lana; United States Champion) |
| 4 | 17 | SmackDown | The Miz (with Maryse; Intercontinental Champion) |
| 4 | 18 | Raw | Kevin Owens |
| 4 | 19 | SmackDown | Baron Corbin |
| 4 | 20 | Raw | Enzo Amore & Big Cass |
| 5 | 21 | Raw | Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson |
| 5 | 22 | SmackDown | American Alpha (NXT call-up) |
| 5 | 23 | Raw | Big Show |
| 5 | 24 | SmackDown | Dolph Ziggler |
| 5 | 25 | Raw | Nia Jax (NXT call-up) |
| 6 | 26 | Raw | Neville |
| 6 | 27 | SmackDown | Natalya |
| 6 | 28 | Raw | Cesaro |
| 6 | 29 | SmackDown | Alberto Del Rio |
| 6 | 30 | Raw | Sheamus |