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WWE Draft

The WWE Draft is an annual event produced by in which the promotion's active wrestlers, known as Superstars, are redistributed among its primary brands—Raw and SmackDown Live—to refresh rosters, create new matchups, and advance storylines. Introduced in 2002 as part of WWE's initiative, which divided the company into distinct red () and blue (SmackDown) territories to simulate competitive leagues, the Draft has evolved into a event that influences the creative direction of programming. The inaugural Draft took place on March 25, 2002, during a special episode of , where General Managers (Raw) and (SmackDown) selected Superstars in a lottery-style format, with going first to SmackDown and following to Raw. It has been held periodically since 2004, becoming an annual event from 2016 until 2024, shifting to a more structured lottery system with equal picks per brand, though formats have varied over time—such as extended multi-week drafts in 2005 or inclusion of the brand in 2007 to create a tri-branded landscape. Rules have varied, but historically accounted for show lengths by granting (three hours) more selections than SmackDown (two hours) in a three-to-two ratio, while tag teams often count as a single unit unless specified otherwise; exemptions for champions or injured performers have also been applied in various years, and recent drafts, such as 2024, used equal picks per brand with alternating first selections. Notable Drafts have produced seismic shifts, including John Cena's 2005 move to Raw as its top pick, which propelled his rise to stardom, and Batista's transfer to SmackDown that same year, carrying the World Heavyweight Championship and intensifying brand rivalries. The event paused after 2011 amid WWE's transition away from strict brand splits but returned in 2016 with the relaunch of SmackDown Live on USA Network, incorporating NXT call-ups for added unpredictability. In recent iterations, such as the 2024 Draft held over two nights on April 26 and 29, a total of 74 picks—including groups like The Judgment Day and Damage CTRL—reshuffled talents like CM Punk to Raw and Bianca Belair to SmackDown, ensuring balanced yet dynamic brand compositions, with no Draft held in 2025. These proceedings, often broadcast live and supplemented by social media announcements, underscore the Draft's role in maintaining WWE's competitive narrative while adapting to evolving talent pools and viewer engagement.

Brand Extension History

Origins and Initial Split (2002)

The was established in 2002 primarily to manage an overcrowded roster following the company's acquisition of (WCW) and [Extreme Championship Wrestling](/page/Extreme Championship Wrestling) (ECW) talent, which had left WWE with a surplus of performers after the conclusion of the storyline. This initiative aimed to emulate WCW's former dual-show model by dividing the roster into two separate brands— and SmackDown—thereby providing more television exposure and opportunities for storylines, especially as major stars like and began transitioning out. Key events leading to the split included an on-air announcement by on the March 18, 2002, episode of , where she proposed the extension as a solution to the ongoing storyline conflict over company ownership between and , with McMahon controlling SmackDown and Flair overseeing . The initial roster division considered wrestler contracts and preferences to some extent, but the primary mechanism was a formal draft lottery to ensure a balanced separation of talent. The inaugural WWE Draft took place on March 25, 2002, at Penn State University during a live episode of , functioning as a random lottery selecting from 60 wrestlers, with and Flair alternating picks to build their respective brands. SmackDown received the first overall selection, drafting , who became the brand's cornerstone; this move effectively aligned the with SmackDown as assumed prominence there, while secured the Championship through the draft of champion as its eighth pick. Other notable selections included and for SmackDown and and (later assigned) for , with champions like (Undisputed Champion) and (Women's Champion) initially exempt from the lottery. The immediate impacts of the 2002 split included the formation of roughly equal rosters—SmackDown with 21 wrestlers and Raw with 20—setting the stage for brand-specific programming and competition. Starting in May 2002, this led to the introduction of brand-exclusive events, such as Insurrextion for , which enhanced the separation by limiting cross-brand appearances and fostering unique narratives for each roster.

Expansion with ECW (2006–2010)

In 2003, WWE acquired the assets of the bankrupt (ECW) promotion, including its video library and intellectual property. This purchase laid the groundwork for ECW's revival three years later as WWE's third brand, aimed at countering the rising competition from (TNA) and capitalizing on the commercial success of ECW-themed content, such as the "Rise and Fall of ECW" DVD and the pay-per-view events. The relaunch transformed the , originally established with the 2002 split between and SmackDown, into a tri-brand system that included ECW's distinct emphasis. The inaugural ECW-inclusive draft occurred on the May 29, 2006, episode of Raw from the Tacoma Dome in Tacoma, Washington, marking the official integration of ECW into WWE's roster allocation process. ECW general manager Paul Heyman, leveraging his history with the original promotion, selected only two superstars to build the new brand: Rob Van Dam from Raw, who was immediately awarded the ECW Championship after defeating John Cena later that night, and Kurt Angle from SmackDown. These limited picks established the tri-brand framework, with subsequent assignments like Big Show joining ECW in July 2006 to bolster its roster. Subsequent drafts expanded the tri-brand lottery format to promote balance across Raw, SmackDown, and ECW. On June 11, 2007, during Raw from Toronto's Air Canada Centre, the first full tri-brand draft featured nine televised selections determined by inter-brand matches, including ECW Champion Bobby Lashley moving to Raw, which required him to vacate the title, alongside 18 supplemental picks announced online, totaling 27 roster changes. The June 23, 2008, draft on Raw from San Antonio's AT&T Center involved eleven televised selections and seventeen supplemental picks, totaling 28 moves, such as ECW Champion Kane shifting to Raw—prompting the ECW title's relinquishment—and SmackDown gaining WWE Champion Triple H, thereby transferring the championship exclusivity. In 2009, the April 13 Raw episode from Vienna, Austria, yielded twelve televised picks, including Rey Mysterio from Raw to SmackDown and Kane from Raw to SmackDown, with a supplemental draft expanding to 36 total selections to maintain equilibrium. By the April 26, 2010, draft on Raw from Richmond, Virginia—following early 2010 reports signaling ECW's impending closure—the process reverted to a dual-brand structure between Raw and SmackDown, absorbing former ECW talent without third-brand allocations. ECW's drafts during this period prioritized a identity, drawing from promotion's legacy of matches and underdog narratives, while aiming for roster parity through 10 to 15 picks per brand annually to sustain competitive storylines across the tri-brand division.

Suspension of the Extension (2011–2016)

The suspension of WWE's first was driven by several key factors, including steadily declining television ratings and the dilution of talent across brands, which hampered creative output and viewer engagement. By 2011, 's average viewership had fallen from a high of 4.01 at the start of the extension in 2002 to 3.21, reflecting broader challenges such as major wrestler departures—including , , and others—that left gaps in star power and roster depth. WWE executives, including , cited repetitive storytelling across brands as a primary issue, noting that the split limited narrative flexibility in an era where digital and demanded more interconnected content. These pressures culminated in a strategic shift toward greater creative freedom, allowing wrestlers to appear on both and SmackDown without brand restrictions. The , held on April 25 during , served as the final event of the initial era and signaled the transition to a unified roster. A total of 8 selections were made in the televised portion (involving 7 unique superstars due to Cena's double draft), with an additional 22 revealed online the following day, for a combined total of 30 picks. The draft began with being selected first overall from to SmackDown, only for him to be controversially drafted back to later that night via a storyline intervention by the —marking a historic and unusual double switch that underscored the impending end of strict brand divisions. Other notable moves included to SmackDown, to , and to SmackDown, redistributing key talent but ultimately paving the way for cross-brand appearances. From late 2011 through 2016, operated with a single, unified roster, eliminating annual drafts and allowing all wrestlers to compete on any weekly show without eligibility barriers. events shifted to a non-exclusive format, featuring talent from across the roster rather than brand-specific lineups, which enhanced event variety but also highlighted the challenges of managing an increasingly large pool of performers. This period emphasized part-time appearances by high-profile stars like , who returned for major matches in 2011 and 2012 to boost mainstream appeal and ratings. By 2015, the active roster had exceeded 100 wrestlers when combining the main roster and NXT developmental talent, further straining creative resources and contributing to the era's focus on streamlined storytelling over divided competition.

Revival and Modern Era (2016–present)

In May 2016, WWE announced the revival of the during an episode of , with and serving as commissioners for SmackDown and , respectively, to manage the growing roster and revitalize storylines after a five-year suspension. The decision aimed to create distinct programming for each brand, addressing creative stagnation and allowing for more focused feuds. The inaugural draft of the revived era took place on July 19, 2016, during the debut episode of SmackDown Live, featuring 55 superstars selected across both brands, with chosen as the No. 1 overall pick by . This draft introduced eligibility for select NXT talent and coincided with the creation of the Universal Championship for to establish brand-specific world titles. Following the 2016 draft, WWE shifted to annual Superstar Shake-ups from 2017 to 2019, functioning as informal drafts through trades and surprise announcements rather than a formal lottery, which allowed flexibility in roster adjustments without a full overhaul. In October 2019, the company returned to a traditional format to align with the move of SmackDown to , emphasizing competitive balance between brands. continued annually in October 2020 and 2021 despite the , which influenced virtual elements and delayed some planning but maintained the brand split's structure. The 2023 draft, held April 28 on SmackDown and May 1 on , introduced the new World Heavyweight Championship for as a counterpart to SmackDown's Undisputed , enhancing title prestige across brands. In 2024, the draft occurred April 26 on SmackDown and April 29 on , with rules protecting current champions from selection to preserve ongoing storylines, and changes taking effect after Backlash on May 4. Plans for a 2025 draft, initially set post-SummerSlam in September, were quietly canceled amid roster stability and creative directives under Triple H's leadership as . This era has emphasized deeper integration with NXT, including call-ups to the main roster and cross-brand opportunities, while maintaining focus on and SmackDown as the primary divisions.

Draft Process

Formats and Selection Methods

The WWE Draft initially relied on a lottery system for selections, emphasizing randomness to simulate unpredictability in roster allocation. In 2002, the inaugural draft featured live on-screen picks determined by brand co-owners for SmackDown and for , with subsequent selections randomized and announced during the broadcast on . This approach continued in 2004, where general managers () and (SmackDown) oversaw a live lottery-style drawing of 12 picks, resulting in 19 wrestlers switching brands. Post-2005, the draft shifted to a standard format centered on on-screen announcements by brand executives, establishing a more scripted and narrative-driven selection process. General managers such as for SmackDown in the late 2000s and for in recent years typically revealed picks during dedicated episodes, with rounds alternating between brands to ensure balanced distribution—often featuring 5 to 10 selections per night across and SmackDown broadcasts. This method allowed for dramatic reveals integrated into storylines, as seen in the 2016 revival where commissioners and , alongside general managers and , alternated picks live on SmackDown. In 2007, the main draft on June 11 involved 9 picks earned via inter-brand matches on , followed by a supplemental draft online on June 17 with computer-generated random picks: 5 for , 5 for SmackDown, and 3 for . From 2019 to 2024, hybrid methods blended traditional announcements with competitive elements to heighten stakes, including inter-brand matches to earn priority picks and post-draft trades negotiated behind the scenes. For instance, the 2023 draft maintained on-screen reveals by executives like but incorporated supplemental adjustments via trades, such as potential swaps announced after initial selections to refine rosters before they locked in post-Backlash. These trades, often revealed on programming or , provided flexibility beyond the live picks. Over time, the draft's frequency evolved from an annual occurrence during the brand extension's early years (2002–2010) to a more sporadic event following the 2011 suspension, with skips like 2022 and 2025 amid roster stability needs. The 2024 iteration exemplified this refinement, spanning two nights—four rounds on SmackDown (16 picks) and six on Raw (24 picks)—for a total of 40 televised selections, with additional supplemental picks announced post-show via social media and WWE.com, all announced by figures including hall of famers Teddy Long and JBL alongside current GMs Adam Pearce and Nick Aldis. As of 2025, no draft took place, with WWE opting to forgo the event.

Rules, Eligibility, and Exceptions

The WWE Draft primarily encompasses all non-injured, active roster wrestlers from the and SmackDown brands, ensuring that only performers cleared for competition are eligible for selection. Champions have historically been subject to drafting along with their titles, allowing the belts to transfer brands and continue key storylines, as exemplified by John Cena's move to in 2005 while holding the . Several protections safeguard roster stability during the process. Undrafted superstars remain assigned to their original brand, preventing involuntary free agency. Since the brand extension revival, WWE has maintained a "no-cut" policy, guaranteeing that no wrestlers face release solely due to draft outcomes, a shift from earlier eras where undrafted talent risked termination. NXT developmental wrestlers have been eligible since the draft but were infrequently selected until 2021, when multiple call-ups like and marked a surge in main roster integration. Exceptions and trades provide flexibility beyond initial selections. Post-draft trades between brands are permitted, often to balance rosters or advance narratives, such as the 2004 exchange where was traded from SmackDown back to in return for Booker T and the . Injuries sustained by drafted talent can void the pick, allowing the affected brand to select a replacement to maintain competitive parity. In a notable 2024 adjustment, current champions were deemed ineligible to preserve ongoing feuds and title reigns, exempting figures like from the pool. Gender and divisional guidelines further structure the draft. Since , selections have utilized separate pools for men's and women's divisions to promote equitable distribution across brands. Tag teams are typically treated as a single draft pick to preserve partnerships, though general managers may opt to split them in rare cases for strategic reasons.

Supplemental Drafts and Shake-ups

The Supplemental Drafts served as off-televised extensions to the primary WWE Draft process, occurring annually from 2007 to 2011 primarily via online announcements on WWE.com to further redistribute talent and balance brand rosters without the spectacle of a live broadcast. These events typically involved random selections or lottery-style picks, allowing WWE to address gaps left by the main draft while introducing midcard and underutilized performers to new storylines. For instance, the 2007 Supplemental Draft on June 17 relocated 12 wrestlers across , SmackDown, and , including sending to where he quickly rose to prominence by challenging for the ECW World Championship. Similar formats continued in subsequent years, with the 2008 Supplemental Draft on June 25 adding picks like to and to SmackDown to bolster each brand's depth post-televised selections. In 2011, the televised draft on April 25 included high-profile moves such as initially to SmackDown (traded back to later that night) and to , followed by an online supplemental draft on April 26. Overall, these drafts prioritized roster equilibrium over dramatic reveals, enabling creative teams to experiment with talent placement away from primetime audiences. Following the suspension of the in 2011, WWE reintroduced roster reshuffles in a new form with the Superstar Shake-up from 2017 to 2019, which replaced formal drafts as a post-WrestleMania mechanism for surprise brand switches announced during episodes of and SmackDown. Unlike structured lotteries, the Shake-up emphasized unannounced appearances and vignettes to build excitement, often involving 20-30 talents shifting between brands to inject fresh dynamics into ongoing narratives. In 2017, for example, the April 10-11 episodes revealed moves like to and to SmackDown via on-air debuts, extending to performers from 205 Live and occasional NXT call-ups to expand crossover opportunities. This approach aimed to create immediate impact through unpredictability, fostering new rivalries and title pursuits without a full roster overhaul. The 2019 Superstar Shake-up in April followed this pattern but drew mixed reception for its behind-the-scenes nature and limited scope, prompting WWE to revert to a traditional draft format later that year on October 11 during SmackDown. The October event restored lottery elements, drafting over 30 superstars like The Fiend () to and to SmackDown, signaling a preference for transparent selection to better engage fans and stabilize creative planning. Post-2019, WWE has occasionally employed mini-shake-ups—informal roster tweaks outside annual drafts—to address talent underutilization, such as targeted trades in early 2022 following the Royal Rumble to realign feuds ahead of major events. These supplemental processes, whether formal or , have consistently supported 's goal of refreshing brands by spotlighting overlooked performers and granting creative flexibility with reduced emphasis on televised pomp.

Historical Drafts

Early Drafts (2002–2007)

The inaugural WWE Draft took place on March 25, 2002, as part of the that divided the roster between and SmackDown, featuring a total of 60 picks to redistribute talent and create distinct lineups. The event was broadcast live on from the in Chicago, Illinois, with the first 21 selections announced on television via a lottery system supervised by and , while the remaining picks were determined through fan voting on WWE.com. This draft marked the formal separation of the roster following the acquisition of WCW and , aiming to foster inter-brand competition by splitting major stars and storylines. Key selections included as the first overall pick to SmackDown, followed by to , Kurt to SmackDown, and the (Kevin , Scott , and X-Pac) as a unit to , which immediately set up high-profile rivalries such as Hulk Hogan's assignment to SmackDown (pick 7) and Stone Cold Steve Austin's move to (pick 21). These moves not only balanced the rosters but also established foundational brand identities, with SmackDown gaining technical wrestlers like and Benoit, while emphasized larger-than-life personalities like Austin and the . The draft's structure, combining lottery and fan input, injected unpredictability and helped launch the extension era by preventing cross-brand appearances outside pay-per-views. The , held on March 22 at the in , , featured 19 picks drawn from a bingo-style tumbler to shake up the rosters amid declining ratings for both brands. Unlike the expansive 2002 event, this draft focused on fewer but impactful switches, with the first selection sending from to SmackDown, followed by to , which notably broke up tag teams like La Résistance and the World's Greatest Tag Team. The lottery format emphasized randomness, as names from the opposing brand were drawn alternately, resulting in moves like staying on Raw via a later exemption and switching to SmackDown. Post-draft trades further refined the lineups, including a deal that kept on SmackDown in exchange for other talent, preserving his momentum as WWE Champion and bolstering the blue brand's main event scene. This draft helped revitalize storylines by introducing fresh matchups, such as Edge's trade to SmackDown, but was criticized for its limited scope compared to earlier years, as it prioritized protecting ongoing feuds over wholesale changes. Overall, the lottery reinforced the brand split's viability by addressing roster imbalances without disrupting championship lineages. In 2005, the WWE Draft spanned from June 6 to June 30, encompassing 22 moves through a combination of lottery picks and trades to inject new dynamics into the brands. John Cena was the first overall selection, moving from SmackDown to Raw as WWE Champion, which shifted the title and elevated Raw's main event focus while leaving SmackDown to rebuild around emerging stars. The process unfolded over multiple episodes of Raw and SmackDown, with five picks per brand drawn randomly, culminating in a surprise final pick that sent World Heavyweight Champion Batista from Raw to SmackDown, unifying both world titles on the blue brand for the first time. This redistribution, including an 11-person trade involving wrestlers like Christian and Tyson Tomko, emphasized strategic balance, with Raw gaining athletic talents like Shelton Benjamin and SmackDown acquiring veterans such as Booker T. The extended timeline allowed for dramatic reveals, such as Batista's move, which sparked immediate rivalries with JBL and The Undertaker, and helped SmackDown regain momentum after losing Cena. The 2005 draft's format, blending live draws and trades, set a precedent for incorporating championships into selections to heighten stakes. The 2006 draft was notably minimal, limited to two picks on May 29 at the in , to facilitate the launch of the revived brand alongside and SmackDown. representative selected from and from SmackDown, with carrying over his to establish the new brand's credibility. This streamlined approach avoided major disruptions to the existing duopoly, focusing instead on populating with specialists to differentiate it from the sports entertainment styles of the other shows. By 2007, the draft expanded to a tri-brand format on June 11 at the Wachovia Center in , with 23 picks moving 27 wrestlers across , SmackDown, and , plus additional supplemental selections revealed online. The lottery began with selected first by SmackDown from , followed by The Boogeyman to and King Booker to , aiming to distribute top talent evenly while protecting key storylines like Batista's World Heavyweight Championship reign on SmackDown. Notable shifts included to , to , and to SmackDown, which facilitated new feuds such as Lashley's rise on the red brand. The inclusion of ECW in the main draft pool marked a shift toward integrated , with and SmackDown each receiving four primary picks and ECW two, supplemented by online reveals like The Miz to ECW. This structure balanced the tri-brand ecosystem, enhancing inter-promotional angles at events like , and solidified the draft as an annual mechanism for roster evolution during the extension's foundational years.

Transitional Drafts (2008–2011)

The Transitional Drafts from 2008 to 2011 marked a period of diminishing emphasis on the system, as reduced the number of selections and focused on balancing rosters amid growing creative fatigue with the divided structure. These drafts featured fewer televised picks compared to earlier years, signaling a shift toward stability over dramatic overhauls, while still facilitating key talent movements and title redistributions that influenced ongoing storylines. By 2011, the process culminated in symbolic maneuvers that underscored the impending suspension of the extension. The , held on June 23 during a special three-hour episode of , consisted of eight televised picks alongside additional supplemental selections. Notable movements included shifting from SmackDown to as the first pick, moving from to SmackDown, and transitioning from to . was selected seventh, departing for SmackDown as the brand's Intercontinental Champion. , the SmackDown World Heavyweight Champion, was the eighth pick, drafted to and bringing the title with him, which temporarily unified the brand's top prize on Monday nights. Later in the event, won a 15-man interbrand , earning two extra picks for SmackDown: Mr. Kennedy from and from , relocating the to the blue brand. These swaps balanced the championships across shows but highlighted logistical complexities in title defenses during the transition period. In 2009, the WWE Draft occurred on April 13 on Raw, expanding to 36 total selections—nine televised and the rest via supplemental draft—yet maintaining a focus on midcard and upper-midcard adjustments rather than wholesale changes. CM Punk was a prominent televised pick, moving from Raw to SmackDown in the third slot, joining other key talents like Chris Jericho (Raw to SmackDown) and Kane (ECW to SmackDown). The Miz shifted from ECW to Raw, while Big Show went from SmackDown to Raw. These moves strengthened SmackDown's main event scene, with Punk later capitalizing on the opportunity by cashing in his Money in the Bank briefcase on Edge to claim the World Heavyweight Championship shortly after the draft. Although no championships directly changed brands during the selections, the redistributions contributed to major title shifts in subsequent weeks, such as the WWE Championship remaining on Raw under Triple H but facing new challengers from the influx of talent. The , conducted on April 26 on following the discontinuation of earlier that year, featured only eight televised picks, reflecting a streamlined approach in the two-brand system. Christian emerged as a standout move, drafted from to SmackDown in the fifth slot, revitalizing the blue brand's veteran presence alongside shifts like Jack Swagger ( to SmackDown), ( to SmackDown), and ( to SmackDown). Chris moved from SmackDown to , while , the SmackDown World Heavyweight Champion, was selected last to , transferring the title once again. The supplemental draft further emphasized dynamics, with Unified WWE Champions The ( and David Hart Smith) assigned to as a unit, supporting the ongoing emphasis on unified introduced the previous year and aiding roster depth without ECW's involvement. The 2011 WWE Draft on April 25 on Raw included 23 picks across televised and supplemental phases, serving as the final major event before the brand extension's suspension later that year. John Cena was the first televised pick, controversially drafted from Raw to SmackDown, followed by Rey Mysterio (SmackDown to Raw) and Randy Orton (SmackDown to Raw). Cody Rhodes moved from SmackDown to Raw as the fifth selection, bolstering the red brand's midcard. In a dramatic twist highlighting the era's conclusion, Cena was redrafted back to Raw as the final televised pick after intervening in the main event, effectively nullifying his initial move and symbolizing the fluid, transitional nature of the system. This double draft for Cena, combined with reduced fan engagement in the split rosters, foreshadowed the end of mandatory brand exclusivity.

Modern Drafts (2016–2024)

The modern era of the WWE Draft began with the brand extension's revival in July 2016, featuring a televised event that selected 55 Superstars across and SmackDown LIVE, marking the introduction of the "New Era." was chosen as the first overall pick by , while was assigned to SmackDown LIVE as its top selection, helping to balance the rosters and integrate NXT talent such as , who debuted on as an early pick. This draft emphasized fresh storylines by separating major rivalries and elevating emerging stars from WWE's developmental brand. Following the 2016 draft, WWE shifted to annual Superstar Shake-ups from 2017 to 2019, which functioned as informal drafts by reassigning talent without a full lottery system, aiming to refresh brands post-. In 2017, notable moves included Bray Wyatt's transfer to , bolstering its supernatural storyline division, while stars like moved to to challenge the women's division. The 2018 Shake-up saw remain a cornerstone on SmackDown LIVE after his success, with additions like to enhancing midcard dynamics. By 2019, stayed on as the reigning Raw Women's Champion, preserving key feuds amid broader roster adjustments that set the stage for a return to formal drafts. A structured WWE Draft returned in October 2019, spanning two nights with over 70 picks across , SmackDown LIVE, and NXT, ultimately ending the controversial Wild Card Rule that had allowed cross-brand appearances. SmackDown LIVE secured and The New Day as an early marquee selection, reinforcing the brand's strength following Kingston's reign. The event prioritized brand exclusivity, with picks like to SmackDown LIVE and to driving immediate rivalries. The 2020 Draft, held in October amid the , featured 60 picks and reaffirmed ' assignment to SmackDown LIVE as its first-round selection, solidifying his Universal Championship storyline on the blue brand. In 2021, the process expanded to include NXT Superstars as eligible picks for the first time since 2016, with over 60 selections across two nights; was Raw's top choice, enhancing its heavyweight division. The 2023 Draft, conducted over two nights in late April and early May with 48 picks, selected Cody Rhodes as Raw's first-round choice, positioning him as a main event pillar shortly after his WrestleMania return. This iteration coincided with the introduction of the World Heavyweight Championship on Raw, adding stakes to roster divisions. The 2024 Draft, limited to 36 picks across two nights in April, named Bianca Belair as the first overall selection for SmackDown LIVE, with rules protecting reigning champions from involuntary moves to maintain title continuity. These drafts emphasized streamlined formats and brand loyalty, though WWE canceled plans for a 2025 event to focus on other programming priorities.

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