Well done Dave you have basically answered your own question.

Honestly, RAW should just go back down to 2 hours. It'll probably never happen, as the extra hour probably IS making Vince money, but there's always at least an hour every RAW where it's just complete filler nonsense.

I think the only set that will change will be Smackdown, I think the Raw stage will stay the same and nothing will change until next week so tonight I can see Raw just being the same old show it usually is. Smackdown tomorrow should have no overrun, which is another relic leftover from the Attitude Era, and once all the adverts are cut out it should run about 90 minutes so it should be a fairly easy show to get through.

Unfortunately I don't see WWE changing their direction anytime soon. It's still a PG show on at night time. They wont show any violence or blood, they will still script every promo, the wrestlers wont sell any moves. There's no real change happening, just some window dressing. I do think things need to get a lot worse before they get better.


They will learn eventually. They will dig their heels in and will have to be dragged kicking and screaming but hopefully for 14 weeks the NFL knocks the Raw rating to under a 2.0, there's already reports the USA Network are not happy with Smackdown's numbers as they are, the show being live means nothing, some of the best TV shows around are filmed months in advance and they still get high ratings, again the LIVE thing is a ..........relic from the Attitude Era.


It's like Vince McMahon told Vince Russo while they were sat at Vince McMahon's kitchen table going over Raw, he said to Russo, 'Vince, if it's good they will watch it'. That put Russo's mind at ease. And McMahon was right and it still applies to wrestling today and it applies to anything on TV for that matter. If it's good, people will watch it. Spoilers mean nothing. If it's good, if it's high quality, if it's first class, if it's done right, people will watch it.

If Hogan had never been lured away from the AWA in 1983 who would have been the best choice to lead the WWF in 1984 into 1985's first Wrestlemania?

I have to agree, though like hazy I have my doubts they'll change the sets significantly. Smackdown needs a new set, the commentary team moving backstage, shot differently, completely different vibe and any late 90's leftovers (backstage invisible camera, in-ring promo led segment etc) removing. Proper reboot, even if they use stuff pre-1997 or steal ideas from TNA, The Ultimate Fighter etc.

Even in its current guise Raw still has life, whereas SD has been bordering on C show for years.

Both shows need a massive overhaul. Different sets and arena layouts are required, but the creative aspect is the most important thing that needs changed. Getting the McMahon's off TV should be the first thing that happens rather than the McMahon family feud part 890. The talent needs to be the focus.

Zack Ryder's been tweeting he has new ring gear for Battleground. I often wonder why WWE bothers having him in the title match as he has no chance in hell of being a genuine threat at winning the title.

Darren Young winning the IC belt is more believable than Zack winning the US belt. The fact Ryder has been costing Rusev matches on TV makes it so obvious he wont be winning.

The draft rules make sense, and certainly anticipating how the rosters will end up.

Like others have said already would like to see the sets revamped, the themes updated and the ropes red and blue respectively but I'm not fully expecting it from WWE.

So they've decided on six picks from NXT. If I had to pick six people to go to the main roster from NXT now it would have to be as follows:

Finn Balor - Has done it all, won the title, held it for a record time. The match with Shinsuke last week would be a great way to sign off from NXT and move up.

Bayley - It's pretty clear she won't be far from making the move anyway. I know she still has a title shot against Asuka in her pocket but feel she can still do that and move up to the main roster.

American Alpha - For me more than ready to step up and contribute to WWE's main tag division. Had some quality matches against the Revival recently (who are also ready to move up but they're the current champs) and it just feels like the right time for them to be promoted.

Corey Graves - Yes I know he's a commentator but to me he's one of the best WWE have and should certainly get to be one of the commentators on Raw or Smackdown.

Tye Dillinger - To me he's treading water in NXT. How long has been there now? They don't seem to have anything for him. A move to the main roster may be beneficial.

Speaking of announcers, Joey Styles did mention that announcers would be involved in the draft. I would assume both shows would have their own announce teams etc. (Sort of like they do now apart from Byron who appears everywhere).

Also in regards to John Cena reports are WWE may be having second thoughts on him going to Smackdown as they don't feel he could be the one to carry the brand because he has so many other commitments he may not be there full time.

To me even a part time Cena would be of benefit to Smackdown. Hopefully they stick with this.

For once I'm actually fairly hyped for Raw and Smackdown this week, due to the upcoming draft and the brand split to come.

So essentially Raw will end up with more bigger names from the get go and Smackdown will revert to being the second show already under those rules.

Itll be interesting to see what happens with the titles, already the main title has been renamed to the WWE title once again meaning the Big Gold is returning (did not last long did it?). However what on earth are they going to do with the womens division? Bring back the divas title and make a mockery of the last 18 months, share it over two shows or announce another new title on top of the new title they just released? Likewise with the tag titles, I mean the current belts start with the reign of Smith/Kidd, theres hardily any history to it alone.

Looking down the line, I hope they dont split the Money in the Bank. There should be only one winner who can cash on either champion at any time, at least itll throw up a surprise not knowing which champion will face the cash in rather than both.

I just don't see the point in Zack Ryder full stop all he ever does these days is job to anything that moves he is so not winning this Sunday and WWE might as well just put him out of his misery by releasing him.

What do you mean costing Rusev matches? Ryder has only cost Rusev one match and that was against Dolph Ziggler on Smackdown.

I'd be shocked if Samoa Joe and Nakamura aren't 2 of them. Rumours before Mania Joe was being called up after W32 and like Finn he's done it all. I'd expect him to be called up. I think Shinsuke will be up too double up for a month or so in NXT. He's in the video game and getting heavy pushed on WWE social so I'd assume he is on list. I'd go those 2, Bayley, Finn, Tye and Alpha.

I think Samoa Joe and Shinsuke Nakamura won't be part of the draft for two reasons:

1) NXT is still a touring brand and needs a marquee level feud between these two to headline
2) They're both big enough names to be promoted individually in big match scenarios - whether in a Royal Rumble or even a WrestleMania. They'd be somewhat lost in a draft shuffle.

My guess: Bayley, Finn, Tye, Alpha, Bliss, Graves

Can anyone tell me how best to see the full draft

I will be watching Raw tomorrow and Smackdown on Wednesday after I download them but will there be part of the draft on the network show that's running alongside Smackdown?

I wonder if Corey Graves will Replace Byron on one of the Brands

I don't give two shits about the draft and brand split unless it equals the shows becoming interesting and worth watching and not the FF borefest it currently is.

If WWE have any sense, yes. He's one of the best announcers in the company.


This will cheer you up Panda Santana.

https://youtu.be/C_7xmbCgH2M

Graves needs to be promoted to Smackdown. NXT films every few weeks, I'm sure he could do both.

Paul Orndorff
Chavo Guerrero Jr.
Bryan Clark aka Adam Bomb
Ahmed Johnson
Kamala
Dave Hebner
Earl Hebner
King Kong Bundy
Ken Patera
Sabu
Ax
Smash
The Berzerker
Shane Douglas
Muhammad Hassan
Henry Godwin
Mark Jindrak
Marty Jannetty
Heidenreich
Mantaur
One Man Gang
The estate of Axl Rotten

List of wrestlers currently suing WWE for brain injury.

For me, a new Smackdown set is something that I want but that I'm not all that bothered about. Where I would go, as I have probably said way too many times before, is get a set together similar to the Steve Austin Podcast one (or even use it) as a new area for the announce team (Graves, Young, Mauro). It would give a new place to use for backstage interviews and would just be a bit different.

But it needs to be the 'wrestling' show for me, a fast paced show with a few cruiserweights, younger NXT guys coming through Smackdown etc.

Interesting to see what happens, though it's hard to believe some of them would have listened to warnings anyway; Jannetty was still trying to wrestle on a destroyed ankle at one point.

The one that jumps out at me is Sabu (and other EXTREME Championship Wrestling stars). I mean really, what a load of utter tosh.

It will be interesting to see what happens but, as I've said before, I hope for the most part they don't get anything. If you need to be told getting hit in the head can hurt you, you probably need a smack in the head.

Raw is starting off tonight with the GM Announcements according to WWE.Com, which is a better way of doing it than last week when they built the whole show up to the commissioner announcement and it turned out to be Shane and Steph.

Also let's not forget Dean Ambrose is defending the title against Seth Rollins. Anyone think WWE may actually make a title switch before Battleground. It's unlikely but with the draft tomorrow night WWE might be tempted to have Rollins as the champ.

And based on currently pronuncing the name of Shinsukes finisher Corey Graves deserves to get promoted to the main roster.

Amen it's criminal that Corey hasn't been called up to the main roster his commentary on NXT has been brilliant.