From the WWE Rumor Mill: Backstage details on when the WWE Draft could take place
What’s the story?
On a recent edition of the Wrestling Observer Radio, it was revealed that the WWE Draft could take place earlier than initially expected.
Apparently, the Draft could transpire a few days after WrestleMania 34.
In case you didn’t know…
The WWE Draft is a kayfabe draft that allocates WWE Superstars to either the RAW or SmackDown brands.
The Draft generally takes place annually, and witnesses several key Superstars being transferred from one brand to another, which in turn opens up the possibilities of having fresh storylines between different Superstars transpire on both RAW and SmackDown.
The heart of the matter
As noted last month by Nick Hausman, Eric Bischoff’s co-host on the Bischoff on Wrestling podcast, the WWE Draft was set to take place at the Backlash PPV which will air from the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey on May 6th.
Regardless, per veteran professional wrestling journalist Dave Meltzer, the WWE Draft is likely to take place about one or two weeks after WrestleMania 34.
Furthermore, Meltzer noted that the 2018 WWE Draft is expected to take place at a timeline similar to what the WWE did last year—having the Draft (Superstar Shake-Up) take place a week after WrestleMania 33 (April 2nd).
Meltzer alluded that akin to the WWE Draft at last year’s April 10th RAW and April 11th SmackDown Live editions, this year’s Superstar Shake-Up aka WWE Draft could take place on the RAW and SmackDown episodes a week after WrestleMania 34.
What’s next?
Fans can expect the WWE Draft to take place at the April 16th episode of Monday Night RAW that airs from the XL Center in Hartford, Connecticut.
Besides, the second half of the Draft could take place at the April 17th edition of SmackDown Live which airs from the Dunkin Donuts Center in Providence, Rhode Island.
Author’s take
Honestly speaking, the WWE is better off having the Superstar Shake-Up take place before Backlash.
The days immediately following WrestleMania, have tons of casual fans tuning in to watch RAW and SmackDown, and the tension and excitement of the WWE Draft does add to the attractiveness of the unpredictable product that is WWE, which in turn could help turn a casual pro-wrestling viewer into a hardcore fan.