2008 WWE Draft

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File:WWEDraft.jpg
The 2008 WWE Draft logo

The 2008 World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) Draft was the sixth draft produced by the American professional wrestling promotion, WWE. It was held on June 23, 2008 in San Antonio, Texas at the AT&T Center.[1] The Draft took place live and aired for three hours on the USA Network on WWE's flagship program, Raw.[2] For the second consecutive year, the Draft took place among WWE's three brands: Raw, SmackDown, and ECW.[3] Every WWE employee, Diva, announcer, commentator, and General manager were eligible to be drafted.[4] Similar to the 2007 WWE Draft, superstars from each brand competed in matches to win a random draft pick for their brand. Draft picks were kayfabe selected at random via a computer that was shown on the Raw TitanTron.[5] Like the previous year, a supplemental draft took place on June 25, where draft selections were randomly conducted.[6] The Draft featured the Raw brand randomly drafting ECW Champion, Kane, from the ECW brand. It also featured the ECW brand drafting WWE United States Champion, Matt Hardy, from the SmackDown brand. The final selection in the draft was conducted by the SmackDown brand, and they drafted WWE Champion, Triple H, from the Raw brand. As per pre-Draft stipulations, all the three champions brought their respective titles to the brand to which they were drafted.

Background

The Draft was announced by WWE Chairman Vince McMahon on the May 26, 2008 episode of Raw.[7] During the announcement, he stated that every WWE Superstar, Diva, and commentator from all three brands were eligible to be drafted.[8] On the June 16 episode of Raw, McMahon announced that his McMahon's Million Dollar Mania contest would take place on the same night as the WWE Draft. During the contest, McMahon gave away one million dollars to WWE fans. McMahon telephoned fans, who had registered for the contest, at their homes and asked them for a password, which was revealed at the opening of the Raw broadcast. If their answer was correct, he awarded the fan a portion of one million dollars.[9]

On June 24, WWE announced on its website, that a supplemental draft would take place on June 25 at noon ET.[6] The supplemental draft, like the previous year, was conducted randomly, with each brand receiving random draft selections.[10] Superstars affected by the televised draft were exempt from the supplemental draft.[11] Because professional wrestling is scripted, outcomes are usually predetermined. Unlike years past, during this draft, many employees in WWE were not told whether they were scripted to change brands.[12]

Aside from the Million Dollar Mania contest, the Draft was announced to help increase the television ratings of Raw, which had been declining since WrestleMania XXIV.[13] Though the Draft helps increase ratings, it is also used as a way to refreshen the rosters and create new storylines.[14]

Superstar selections

There were twenty-eight selections conducted in the draft overall. Eleven selections were conducted on television, while seventeen selections occurred during the supplemental draft. The Raw brand earned five televised selections through their representatives winning five different matches, while they received six supplemental selections. In total, the Raw brand drafted eleven employees: five on television and six through the supplemental draft. The SmackDown brand earned five television selections through their representatives winning five different matches, while they received seven supplemental selections. In total, the SmackDown brand drafted twelve employees: five on television and seven through the supplemental draft. The ECW brand earned one televised selection through their representative winning one match, while they received four supplemental selections. In total, the ECW brand drafted five employees: one on television and four through the supplemental draft. The twenty-eight included two commentators, two Divas, and twenty-four male wrestlers (two inactive wrestlers and twenty-two active wrestlers).

Televised draft

Pick # Brand (to) Employee Role Brand (from) Notes
1 Raw Rey Mysterio Male wrestler SmackDown Triple H defeated SmackDown representative, Mark Henry, via pinfall.
2 SmackDown Jeff Hardy Male wrestler Raw Finlay and Hornswoggle defeated Raw representatives, Carlito and Santino Marella, via pinfall in a tag team match.
3 Raw CM Punk Male wrestler ECW Hardcore Holly and Cody Rhodes defeated ECW representatives, Chavo Guerrero and Bam Neely, via pinfall in a tag team match.
4 ECW Matt Hardy Male wrestler SmackDown The Miz and John Morrison defeated SmackDown representatives, The Hardys (Jeff and Matt), via pinfall in a tag team match.
5 SmackDown Jim Ross Commentator Raw In an announcer-only pick match, Raw representatives, Melina and Mickie James, wrestled SmackDown representatives, Natalya and Victoria to a double-disqualification.
6 Raw Michael Cole Commentator SmackDown Cole was the Raw draft pick in the announcer-only pick match.
7 Raw Batista Male wrestler SmackDown John Cena defeated SmackDown representative, Edge via countout.
8 SmackDown Umaga Male wrestler Raw Montel Vontavious Porter defeated ECW representative, Tommy Dreamer, via pinfall.
9 Raw Kane Male wrestler ECW John "Bradshaw" Layfield defeated ECW representative, Kofi Kingston, via pinfall.
10 SmackDown Mr. Kennedy Male wrestler Raw Edge won a fifteen-man battle royal, last eliminating John Cena.
11 SmackDown Triple H Male wrestler Raw Triple H was drafted as the second pick won by Edge in the battle royal.
References: [15]

Supplemental draft

Pick # Brand (to) Employee Role Brand (from)
12 ECW Mark Henry Male wrestler SmackDown
13 Raw Jamie Noble Male wrestler SmackDown
14 SmackDown Trevor Murdoch Male wrestler Raw
16 Raw Deuce Male wrestler SmackDown
17 SmackDown DH Smith Male wrestler Raw
18 ECW Hornswoggle Male wrestler SmackDown
19 ECW Super Crazy Male wrestler Raw
20 Raw Chuck Palumbo Male wrestler SmackDown
21 SmackDown Brian Kendrick Male wrestler Raw
22 Raw Matt Striker Male wrestler ECW
23 SmackDown Maria Diva Raw
24 SmackDown Shelton Benjamin Male wrestler ECW
25 ECW Finlay Male wrestler SmackDown
26 SmackDown Carlito Male wrestler Raw
27 Raw Layla Diva ECW
28 Raw Kofi Kingston Male wrestler ECW


References: [16]

Aftermath

Jim Ross, one of the draftees, was unaware he was to switch brands during the Draft. After the Draft, Ross was on the verge of quitting his job as a commentator for WWE, as he was angry at the fact he was leaving the Raw brand, where he had commentated for over ten years. Ross stated on his official blog that he was about to quit WWE, but he decided to continue to work for the company and make the best of working on SmackDown.[17] After the Draft, the ECW brand was left without a world championship, after the ECW Champion, Kane, was drafted to Raw. As a result of pre-draft stipulations, champions took their championships to their new brand and made them property of that brand. SmackDown, however, lost their secondary championship, after United States Champion, Matt Hardy, was drafted to the ECW brand, in the process making the title ECW property. SmackDown, however, gained another top-tier championship when WWE Champion, Triple H, was drafted to SmackDown, in the process making the title SmackDown exclusive. The result of Triple H being drafted was the loss of the Raw brand's world championship.[18] After the draft, the ECW Championship moved back to ECW when Mark Henry defeated Kane and The Big Show in a Triple Threat match at Night of Champions, leaving Raw without any top-tier championships.[19] On the June 30, 2008 episode of Raw, the Raw brand regained a world championship, after Raw superstar and Money in the Bank contract holder, CM Punk, cashed in his contract and defeated the World Heavyweight Champion, Edge, who was a SmackDown superstar.[20] Trevor Murdoch was released on July 3, 2008 prior to his first appearance on SmackDown after being drafted.[21]

The Draft helped increased the television ratings of Raw, which was one of the main purposes of the Draft. The television rating for the three hours was 3.40 TVR, as it earned 2.78 TVR for the first hour, 3.46 TVR for the second hour, and 3.95 TVR for the final hour. In its regular time slot, the show would have garnered a 3.7 rating.[22] Both ratings were higher than the week's previous rating of a 3.3 TVR.[23]

See also

References

  1. ^ "WWE presents Monday Night RAW - June 23, 2008". World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved 2008-05-26.
  2. ^ "MONDAY JUNE 23, 2008 (All times are US/Eastern)". USA Network. Retrieved 2008-05-27.
  3. ^ "The WWE Draft's Biggest Moments". World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved 2008-06-17.
  4. ^ Burdick, Michael (2008-06-19). "Demoltion Draftin'". World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved 2008-06-22.
  5. ^ Sitterson, Aubrey (2008-06-23). "A Draft disaster". World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved 2008-06-24.
  6. ^ a b "WWE Supplemental Draft". World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved 2008-06-24.
  7. ^ DiFino, Lennie (2008-05-26). "One last stand". World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved 2008-05-27.
  8. ^ Greg, Adkins. "It's all about the Mon-ey!". World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved 2008-05-27.
  9. ^ "Preview:2008 WWE Draft". World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved 2008-06-17.
  10. ^ Clayton, Corey (2008-06-25). "WWE Supplemental Draft Live Blog". WWE Fan Nation. Retrieved 2008-06-25. The only information we have from Draft HQ is that the picks are completely random.
  11. ^ Clayton, Corey (2008-06-25). "WWE Supplemental Draft Live Blog". WWE Fan Nation. Retrieved 2008-06-25. Also, we've learned from Draft HQ that all Superstars drafted on Monday are exempt from today's proceedings. So there will be NO draft-backs, so to speak.
  12. ^ Ross, Jim. "It's nice to be back in Oklahoma after a whirlwind few days". Jim Ross BBQ. Retrieved 2008-06-26. I have read that I knew that I was leaving Monday Night Raw prior to the draft. Wrong. I had no clue as to the move….had no travel booked to go to Houston, including no hotel room there booked prior to Tuesday nor did I take an extra suit to wear Tuesday night as I thought I was coming home, as usual.
  13. ^ "WWE Ratings still lead the pack". World Wrestling Entertainment. 2008-06-03. Retrieved 2008-06-26.
  14. ^ "WWE Entertainment To Make RAW and SMACKDOWN Distinct Television Brands". World Wrestling Entertainment Corporate. 2002-05-27. Retrieved 2008-06-26. WWE made the talent announcements live on RAW™this past Monday as part of a storyline talent "draft"
  15. ^ Sitterson, Aubrey (2008-06-23). "A Draft Disaster". World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved 2008-07-23.
  16. ^ Vermillion, James (2008-06-25). "Supplemental Changes". World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved 2008-07-23.
  17. ^ Ross, Jim. "J.R's Post Draft Thoughts". Jim Ross BBQ. Retrieved 2008-06-26.
  18. ^ Vermillion, James (2008-06-25). "Supplemental Changes". World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved 2008-06-26. Also, with many of the champions changing brands, will the titles find themselves in their new homes permanently after Night of Champions?
  19. ^ Rote, Andrew (2008-06-29). "Worlds Strongest Extreme Champion". World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved 2008-07-05.
  20. ^ Sitterson, Aubrey (2008-06-23). "A Draft Disaster". World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved 2008-06-25.
  21. ^ "Trevor Murdoch Released". WWE. 2008-07-03. Retrieved 2008-06-25.
  22. ^ Martin, Adam (2008-06-25). "More on 6/23 Monday Night Raw rating". WrestleView.com. Retrieved 2008-06-26.
  23. ^ Martin, Adam (2008-06-17). "Final 6/16 Monday Night Raw rating". WrestleView.com. Retrieved 2008-06-26.

External links

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