WWE Has Over 20 Names Move Brands During 2023 Draft

Jim Parsons April 29, 2023 in Featured, WWE Tagged Top Story, WWE Draft - 2 Minutes

WWE started their 2023 Draft on Friday night during SmackDown with a number of stars having been selected on the first night and around 17 names going in the supplemental draft that followed on Saturday. Unlike years past when WWE hasn’t done much to shake up the rosters, the company has made some significant changes with blue brand stars going to Raw and red brand stars going to SmackDown. There were also NXT call-ups and the draft is barely halfway complete.

The #WWEDraft kicked off on #SmackDown in explosive order with @WWERomanReigns, @BiancaBelairWWE, @CodyRhodes, @BeckyLynchWWE and so many others selected by the #WWERaw and #SmackDown brands.

Full #SmackDown Results: https://t.co/64Bi1A3XT3 pic.twitter.com/7faF7cSe2b
— WWE (@WWE) April 29, 2023

On Friday, as the first selections were announced by Triple H, SmackDown took three stars with one selection. With the first pick, the blue brand snagged Paul Heyman, Solo Sikoa, and Roman Reigns of The Bloodline. With Raw’s first pick, they grabbed Cody Rhodes. Leaving some uncertainty as to the status of the Raw Women’s Championship, Bianca Belair was next and went to SmackDown. That was followed by Raw’s selection of Becky Lynch.

Michael PS Hayes and RVD made the next four picks. It started with SmackDown selecting The Street Profits. Raw then selected all three members of The Imperium. SmackDown took Edge and Matt Riddle stayed on Raw.

JBL and Teddy Long made the next picks. Bobby Lashley was selected to SmackDown and Drew McIntyre went to Raw. AJ Styles made his big return to WWE after a long absence with an injury at a WWE Live Event in December and The O.C. went as a group of four. The Miz was then selected to Raw, obviously going with him would be Maryse.

Shawn Michaels and Road Dogg made the next four draft picks. Michaels announced that Damage CTRL was coming to SmackDown as a trio. Shinsuke Nakamura was selected to Raw. Michaels then announced the NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions — Alba Fyre and Isla Dawn would be going to SmackDown and Road Dogg noted that Indi Hartwell was selected to Raw.

The Supplemental Saturday WWE Draft

On Saturday, WWE aired a program announcing the rest of the draft picks from those that were eligible on Night One. Raw got most of the picks, landing 14 of the 17 stars that were selected. They selected The Viking Raiders (all three), Dexter Lumis, Candice LeRae, Maximum Male Models (all three, but not Otis), Natalya, Sonya Deville, and Chelsea Green. Raw also selected a number of stars from NXT. They called Apollo Crews back to the main roster, drafted Zoey Stark, and picked up JD McDonagh.

SmackDown selected Lacey Evans and all three members of Hit Row.

There were also a few free agents named as Omos, Dolph Ziggler, Von Wagner, and Mustafa Ali can all choose where they would like to go.