WWE 2011 Draft Thoughts
John Cena to Smackdown
I was overjoyed to see Cena finally get some fresh life run through his career with the unexpected change of rosters. With Cena gone, a whole new army of hungry young talent would have a new opportunity to shine, and make way for the next generation of WWE superstar talent on Monday Nights. Since Cena didn’t turn heel at Mania like so many had hoped, this was the next best things, and started the night off with a bang! Maybe WWE really DID have the balls to shake things up!
Rey Mysterio to Raw
I’m never upset when I see Rey, but this move signals to me that his career is indeed dyeing down. Rumors have long circulated that Rey’s age and physical health have been quickly nudging him towards retirement, and with this roster change, it seems like they’re throwing one of their superstars a bone and letting him finish his career on top. I don’t really see what they’re going to do with him through the remainder of his contract, but as long as he gets TV time, I suppose it will be OK.
Randy Orton to Smackdown
Really? The two biggest faces in all of the WWE being moved to Smackdown? It was at this point that I my head started swimming with ideas regarding all the wasted talent on Raw who could now flourish like never before. Not only did I like this move, but I thought it was NEEDED! Clearing the Raw roster for new opportunities is exactly what this company needs now more than ever. All of their biggest names are retiring or are already retired. Many are not far behind and WWE has very precious little time to groom the superstars of tomorrow. Emptying Raw of its top faces was the PERFECT move. Good job WWE! I actually got off the couch and gave them a standing ovation. Good luck to Orton on Smackdown!
Mark Henry to Smackdown
Since I don’t consider Mark to be very talented or useful, the move means very little to either brand. Rumor has it that he’ll be retiring soon, so giving him a solid IC title run on Smackdown to end his career might be a nice way for him to go out. I like him personally, but professionally, Mark does very little for me. Best of luck to him anyhow.
Sin Cara to Smackdown
This seemed like a no-brainer to begin with. Since Smackdown is the “talent” show where wrestling does its best work, Sin Cara will be very “at home.” I don’t know why they wasted a draft slot for this since they could have easily just debuted him on Smackdown to begin with, but whatever…as long as it works.
Big Show to Raw
I really don’t know what the point of this was. I think Show was doing better on Friday nights than he was on Monday nights over a year ago. And with Big Show getting drafted, we all knew Khali was headed to Smackdown sooner or later, what with WWE not liking both big men on the same show. Ultimately, I feel this will mean very little, but I don’t dislike Paul, so I doubt any negative repercussions will transpire through his changing sides (again).
Alberto Del Rio to Raw
I’m not sure if it was time to pull the trigger on this or not, but I DO like the idea of Alberto on Raw. I welcome his talents, but his move reminds me that Raw is now ULTRA heel heavy. Someone/s are going to have to step up and turn face to take the reins. Alberto is such a good smug heel that he needs to stay that way a while longer before his eventual face turn. Good luck Alberto, and welcome to Monday nights. 
John Cena BACK to Raw
Since this is a topic I could go on for hours about, I am purposefully going to limit myself here. I think this was a BAD move. Not only does it close down all those opportunities I spoke about earlier, but it assures us that the Draft means very little, Cena will stay very stale for a while to come, and Vince only likes to screw with us. Seriously. At the end of the night, there was actually no point in moving John if they intended to end the show with his turn back. All it does is serve to agitate the masses and swerve any credibility the draft had prior to this event. I honestly feel that WWE creative shot themselves in the foot…HARD. There go all my hopes and dreams for a decent WWE product… 
Daniel Bryan to Smackdown
Like Sin Cara, this seems like a “no-brainer.” Daniel has mediocre star power but immense talent between the ropes. With a personality like that, Smackdown is the place for him to shine. I see Daniel holding the IC title for a while, which is good enough for me. Best of luck, Daniel!
Jack Swagger to Raw
Woohoo!!!!!! Anyone who knows me well knows I’m doing back flips at the Monday Night return of the All American American. This move, combined with his face turn at Extreme Rules is literally WHY I AM STILL CONTINUING TO WATCH THE WWE PRODUCT AT ALL. Jack can now slide into the upper-mid card face routine and hold down a solid position before getting a US title run. With Orton gone, Jack has a time to shine and I honestly believe that with the right direction, Jack is our next big hero. This, in my opinion, was the best move of the 2011 draft!
Great Khali to Smackdown
Big surprise, right? With Big Show gone from Friday Nights, we knew he was coming. Ultimately, this won’t affect anything. He’s rarely around and doesn’t have much in the way of in-ring skills to be very useful. I hope he does well, but I see this move as just a waste, because they don’t want the two big guys together. Best of luck, anyways, Khali.
The USO’s to Smackdown
This seems like one of those moves that doesn’t really do anything. Neither of the boys were used on Raw, and I doubt we’ll see them much after June, if even that much. I wish them well, but in a tag-less WWE era, the Usos are sadly doomed for failure.
Kelly Kelly to Raw
Honestly, I don’t care much for the divas, and Kelly Kelly is no exception. While I personally wish her well, I professionally don’t care where she goes or what she does.
JTG to Raw
Without Cryme Tyme, JTG seems destined for release. Sadly, his skills would then be all for naught as he is actually pretty talented from bell to bell. HOPEFULLY the move means they may push him. A feud with recently turned heel- R-Truth may serve him well. In fact, I’d actually like to see that. Here’s hoping WWE doesn’t completely squander the talented workings of JTG.
Alicia Fox to Smackdown
Just like Kelly Kelly (and I feel bad for saying this), I just don’t care. Divas do nothing for me in the ring. I don’t hate them or anything, but there is only so much blood you can squeeze from an turnip, and Alicia is one tiny turnip.
William Regal to Smackdown
Since Regal is literally never on TV, this means almost nothing to the WWE Universe. I actually love his work, both on the mic and in-ring, but unless they suddenly push him for one reason or another, I see Regal’s roster change as nothing more than dust in the wind.
Yoshi Tatsu to Smackdown
Here we go! This is a great move! I was so fearful he’d just wither and die on Raw, but in Smackdown, Yoshi can show off those skills without being overshadowed by all the big names. This move seems like a solid idea and I hope he doesn’t just get “lost in the shuffle.” VERY best of luck to Yoshi as I hope he continues to entertain!
Drew McIntyre to Raw
Wow! Here’s a move I can REALLY get behind! I actually have a lot of faith in Drew’s skills and I believed they weren’t doing enough with him recently on Smackdown. I am VERY happy to see the Scotsman make the move to Monday Nights this year. He can make a solid mid card contender for the US title and have a “country feud” with Swagger while killing time between championship runs. Drew is great and I hope to see more of his smug mug on Raw!
Natalya Neidhart to Smackdown
Really? There are only two divas in the entire federation I give ANY f%$k about and here is one of them going to Smackdown. Waste of a Hart legend if you ask me.
Curt Hawkins to Raw
Who? Oh yeah….that guy. Well, Smackdown hasn’t been kind to the former tag veteran, and I doubt his prospects look much better on Raw, but hey, why not? It can’t get any worse, can it?
Chris Masters to Raw
I am OK with this. Another talent relegated to the dregs of Smackdown “jobber-dom” who may actually have a shot at climbing out now. He’s good, but does WWE even remember that? We’ll find out in the coming months on Monday Nights. Best of luck, Chris!
Kofi Kingston to Raw
YES! I really missed that jumin’ (used to be) Jamaican! I feel it might be time for the BIG push in Kofi’s career. Can he handle a world title? I sure hope so, and I’m hoping Raw wants to find out. While he was always kept in proper status on Smackdown, I really feel like his full potential just wasn’t met and I honestly believe that Kofi is better suited for his “Boom Boom” personality o Raw. Great work, WWE! I’m looking forward to seeing Kofi back on Monday Nights.
Ted DiBiase to Smackdown
Another great move! Turn him face and have him feud with Cody! Former partners, both legacies, and great athletes. I think Ted will make a solid face in the mid card circuit and I hope WWE sees it the same way I do. Ted will now be in a roster not overrun by ridiculous talent and can now shine through the mess that has clogged his career paths. Best of luck to him and I will be tuning in on occasion to cheer him on!
Tyson Kidd to Smackdown
I have no qualms with this move, but really, it will end up like Great Khali or the Usos. He’ll be used VERY minimally until the day he gets phased out. Here’s to hoping they do something with the poor lad before his career is permanently ruined by lack of opportunity.
Tamina to Smackdown
O…..K? I guess she rejoins the Usos? Cool, I guess.
Tyler Reks to Raw
Another mediocre case of “so what?” While I don’t dislike Tyler in any way, I find it hard to believe that they have any big Monday Night plans for the guy upon his arrival. He’ll most likely dwindle away in the lower cards while jobbing on Superstars. Poor guy. Here’s to hoping his career gets on track before the eventual roster cuts.
Alex Riley to Smackdown
SWEET JESUS, YES! Miz was floundering so hard with A-Ri’s lips pressed tightly against his ass, and only started catching people’s attention when he was forced to lead an Alex-less lifestyle. I was EXTREMELY disappointed that they re-glued the two together just before Mania, and can be quoted as saying that Riley needs the draft to Smackdown to help both of them. Well, today, Vince is trying hard to make up for the Cena debacle by actually making the supplemental draft decent this year. Alex needed this as much as Miz did and I feel that both will move forward better because of it. Best of luck to both, and to summarize: Yee-haa! No more A-Ri next to Miz’s ass!
Beth Phoenix to Raw
Good move. However, if rumors are to be believed, it was inevitable. It sounds like WWE plans on feuding the incoming Kharma with Beth, and since Kharma will be debuting on Raw, it only makes sense that Beth get her ass to Monday Nights to prepare for the action. Also, on a side note, this could actually be a decent series of matches. Both of these women CAN actually put on a good wrestling match. Let’s hope they work well together. Good luck, Beth and I’m happy to see you return.
Sheamus to Smackdown
I feel very iffy on this move. While the spot he holds will ultimately open up for one of the other great acts walking in the front door to Monday Nights, I feel that his Raw potential had not yet been filled out. Sure, it’s a big/exciting move for the Irishman, but what does it really mean for the rosters? Well, he’ll probably shine a little better on Smackdown, and maybe we’ll even see him in the WHC scene? Who knows, but I’m hoping WWE actually has a plan in place for him rather than just their usual “throw it at the wall and see if it sticks.” Good luck on Smackdown, Sheamus….you may need it.
