2008 WWE Draft

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. [cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/schedules/events/eventdetail/?id=6960168|accessdate=2008-05-26|title=WWE presents Monday Night RAW - June 23, 2008|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment] The Draft took place live and aired for three hours on the USA Network on WWE's flagship program, "Raw". [cite web|url=http://www.usanetwork.com/schedules/sched.php?sdate=6/23/2008&switch=2|title=MONDAY JUNE 23, 2008 (All times are US/Eastern)|publisher=USA Network|accessdate=2008-05-27] For the second consecutive year, the Draft took place among WWE's three brands: Raw, SmackDown, and ECW. [cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/wwedraft2008/draftmoments/|title=The WWE Draft's Biggest Moments|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment |accessdate=2008-06-17] Every WWE employee, Diva, announcer, commentator, and General manager were eligible to be drafted. [cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/wwedraft2008/7458206|title=Demoltion Draftin'|last=Burdick|first=Michael|date=2008-06-19|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|accessdate=2008-06-22] 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.cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/results/|title=A Draft disaster|last=Sitterson|first=Aubrey|date=2008-06-23|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|accessdate=2008-06-24] Like the previous year, a supplemental draft took place on June 25, where draft selections were randomly conducted.cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/wwedraft2008/wwesupplementaldraft|title=WWE Supplemental Draft|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment |accessdate=2008-06-24] 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".cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/results/6547196/|title=One last stand|last=DiFino|first=Lennie|date=2008-05-26|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|accessdate=2008-05-27] During the announcement, he stated that every WWE Superstar, Diva, and commentator from all three brands, Raw, ECW, and SmackDown, were eligible to be drafted.cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/articles/6547200/allaboutthemoney|title=It's all about the Mon-ey!|last=Greg|first=Adkins|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|accessdate=2008-05-27] 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. [cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/preview/|title=Preview:2008 WWE Draft|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment |accessdate=2008-06-17]

On June 24, WWE announced on its website, that a supplemental draft would take place on June 25 at noon ET. The supplemental draft, like the previous year, was conducted randomly, with each brand receiving random draft selections. [cite web|url=http://fans.wwe.com/fannationlive/blog/2008/06/24/wwe_supplemental_draft_live_blog|title=WWE Supplemental Draft Live Blog|first=Corey|last=Clayton|publisher=WWE Fan Nation|date=2008-06-25|accessdate=2008-06-25|quote=The only information we have from Draft HQ is that the picks are completely random.] Superstars affected by the televised draft were exempt from the supplemental draft. [cite web|first=Corey|last=Clayton|url=http://fans.wwe.com/fannationlive/blog/2008/06/24/wwe_supplemental_draft_live_blog|title=WWE Supplemental Draft Live Blog|publisher=WWE Fan Nation|date=2008-06-25|accessdate=2008-06-25|quote=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.] 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. [cite web|url=http://www.jrsbarbq.com/2008/06/25/its-nice-to-be-back-in-oklahoma-after-a-whirlwind-few-daysnight-of-champions-should-have-its-momentsgotta-love-a-car-trip/#more-430|title=It's nice to be back in Oklahoma after a whirlwind few days|last=Ross|first=Jim|publisher=Jim Ross BBQ|accessdate=2008-06-26|quote=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.]

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. [cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/news/wweratingsstillleadthepack|title=WWE Ratings still lead the pack|date=2008-06-03|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|accessdate=2008-06-26] Though the Draft helps increase ratings, it is also used as a way to refreshen the rosters and create new storylines. [cite web|url=http://corporate.wwe.com/news/2002/2002_03_27.jsp|title=WWE Entertainment To Make RAW and SMACKDOWN Distinct Television Brands|date=2002-05-27|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment Corporate|accessdate=2008-06-26|quote=WWE made the talent announcements live on RAW™this past Monday as part of a storyline talent "draft"]

uperstar selections

There were 28 selections conducted in the draft overall. 11 selections were conducted on television, while 17 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 11 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 12 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 28 included two commentators, two Divas, and 24 male wrestlers (two inactive wrestlers and 22 active wrestlers).

Televised draft

Matches

During the program, representatives from the Raw, ECW, and SmackDown brands were involved in matches that determined which brand received a draft pick. Overall, there were 9 matches, in which Raw won four, ECW won one, SmackDown won three, and one resulted in no winner.

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. [cite web|url=http://www.jrsbarbq.com/2008/06/24/jr%E2%80%99s-post-draft-thoughts/|title=J.R's Post Draft Thoughts|last=Ross|first=Jim|publisher=Jim Ross BBQ|accessdate=2008-06-26] 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. [cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/wwedraft2008/supplementalchanges|title=Supplemental Changes|last=Vermillion|first=James|date=2008-06-25|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|accessdate=2008-06-26|quote=Also, with many of the champions changing brands, will the titles find themselves in their new homes permanently after Night of Champions?] 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. [cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/nightofchampions/matches/7188540/results/|title=Worlds Strongest Extreme Champion|last=Rote|first=Andrew|date=2008-06-29|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|accessdate=2008-07-05] 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. [cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/results/|title=A Draft Disaster|last=Sitterson|first=Aubrey|date=2008-06-23|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|accessdate=2008-06-25] Meanwhile, the US Championship then returned to Smackdown as Shelton Benjamin defeated Matt Hardy at the Great American Bash pay-per-view on July 20. [cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/thegreatamericanbash/matches/uschampionship/results/|title=The Great American Bash: Midas Touch|last=DiFino|first=Lennie|date=2008-07-20|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|accessdate=2008-08-29] Trevor Murdoch and Big Daddy V were both released from WWE prior to their first appearance on SmackDown after being drafted. [citeweb|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/news/murdochreleased|title=Trevor Murdoch Released|date=2008-07-03|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|accessdate=2008-06-25] [citeweb|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/news/WWErelease0808|title=WWE releases six Superstars, referee Nick Patrick|date=2008-08-08|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment|accessdate=2008-08-13]

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. [cite web|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/news2008/1214380166.shtml|title=More on 6/23 Monday Night Raw rating|last=Martin|first=Adam|date=2008-06-25|publisher=WrestleView.com|accessdate=2008-06-26] Both ratings were higher than the week's previous rating of a 3.3 TVR. [cite web|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/news2008/1213740896.shtml|title=Final 6/16 Monday Night Raw rating|last=Martin|first=Adam|date=2008-06-17|publisher=WrestleView.com|accessdate=2008-06-26]

ee also

*WWE Brand Extension
*WWE Draft
*List of World Wrestling Entertainment employees

Footnotes

* - Jeff Hardy, originally on the Raw brand, was drafted to SmackDown before this match took place.
* - Picks #5 and 6 went to Raw and SmackDown after the fifth match resulted in a double-disqualification.
* - Not all employees use their real name when performing, their real name is listed underneath their stage name. Performers whose real name is not listed in parenthesis indicates that they use their real name when performing.
* - Picks #10 and 11 went to one brand, SmackDown, after Edge won a Battle royal to win two draft picks for his brand.

References

;General
*
*;Specific

External links

* [http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/wwedraft2008/ 2008 WWE Draft official website]