The WWE Draft is quite an exciting concept in WWE programming. It was kept off the scene after there was no separate existence of the Smackdown Live brand.
But, once the brand split happened in the year 2016, it was back in style to give a major boost to the TV ratings. Furthermore, the fans were happy to see it back after a long-time demand.
In general, The Draft is one kayfabe shift of the superstars from either Raw to Smackdown or the opposite direction. It brings some fresh names to the red and blue brand locker room. Furthermore, it helps to organize some brand new rivalries to revamp things. Creation of fresh storyline angles is the main reason behind hosting this.
Last year, it came back after the Wrestlemania season with a new name, Superstar Shakeup. Vince McMahon announced the date of the new version of the concept which was originally known as The Draft.
This helped the TV programming to a lot. Hence, it is expected to be back, this year, too. If the recent reports from Wrestling Observer Newsletter are to go by then it is being preponed.
According to the previous reports from Nick Hausman, Eric Bischoff’s co-host on the Bischoff on Wrestling podcast, it was noted that the Backlash PPV would host the Draft. It is scheduled to take place on May 6th in Newark, New Jersey. Never before a superstar shift took place in a PPV event and it can’t be expected this time, too.
Rather, Dave Meltzer of WON suggested WWE Draft will be back within one or two weeks following the Wrestlemania 34 PPV event, (courtesy SportsKeeda.com)
“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.”
It is the same schedule that the last year’s Superstar Shakeup took place. Hence, most probable dates to see The Draft are on April 16th and 17th, i.e. on WWE Raw and Smackdown Live, consecutively.
The edition of WWE Raw on 16th April airs from the XL Center in Hartford, Connecticut, whereas, the following night, Smackdown will come live from the from the Dunkin Donuts Center in Providence, Rhode Island.
We are likely to get an official statement on this on the post-Wrestlemania episode of WWE Raw which will be hosted at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana.
