The first episode of SmackDown Live plays host to the 2016 WWE Draft and it should be a pretty exciting night. Who will get drafted? Where will they go? There’s a number of questions that need answers.
Another is that of, what will Daniel Bryan do on his first night as SmackDown Live General Manager? It had been rumored for a few weeks but it was confirmed on Monday Night Raw that the former WWE World Heavyweight Champion would join Shane McMahon as a part of SmackDown Live.
It’s going to be exciting anyway.
The Draft element
It’s going to be the first WWE Draft since 2011 and it’s should be pretty interesting. Who will Daniel Bryan choose to lead SmackDown Live? He has the number two overall pick and could choose a wide range of top WWE Superstars.
Many of the draft choices will be made on the WWE Network ‘Draft Centre’ and multiple notable choices should be made live on SmackDown. Will Bryan opt for his friend John Cena at number two or will he take an up and coming star like the WWE Champion Dean Ambrose? We’ll find out.
In recent years, the superstars who represented each brand faced off against each other with the winner getting to make that draft selection. This hasn’t been revealed alongside the other WWE Draft rules, will the WWE Universe see it this time around? It’s rather doubtful.
NXT Draftees
One huge part of the draft has been that of the NXT draftees. Initially, rumors suggested there could be up to 12 NXT draftees but before Monday Night Raw the WWE confirmed that there would be only be six.
Six is still a good number, the WWE Universe may finally get to see the main roster debuts of Bayley and Finn Balor, but who else will join them? That’s why SmackDown Live is must see, anybody could be drafted.
The WWE Universe may get to see American Alpha join the tag team division or even witness the King of Strong Style, Shinsuke Nakamura brings his charismatic style to the main roster. It’s something you have to tune in to see.
SmackDown going live
SmackDown hasn’t been live for a number of years so going live for the first time in a while may cause some shocks. It’s live television, anything can happen and that’s what makes it fun to watch.
There have been reports of a new stage, new graphics and even a new layout for the brand split, seeing as this SmackDown episode is the first show of that brand split, the WWE Universe may get to see that tonight.
What is Daniel Bryan going to do with his new found power?
As previously mentioned, Daniel Bryan is now the General Manager of SmackDown Live. Bryan hasn’t held a position of power in the WWE so it will be interesting to see what he does. Will he give everyone an opportunity or does he have plans in place?
SmackDown needs a champion and a strong roster and it’s down to Bryan, along with Shane McMahon to figure that out.
Bryan is somebody who has traveled the world performing and watching professional wrestling, so will have an idea of the show he wants to give to the WWE Universe. That also means that he knows what superstars will fit on his roster.
Will he go for somebody like Shinsuke Nakamura from NXT? or will he go with the tried and tested John Cena? Only Bryan knows for sure.
Title controversy
As Monday Night Raw went off the air, there was a huge sense of confusion about who was the winner in the WWE Championship match between Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins. Stephanie McMahon proclaimed that Rollins had won while Shane McMahon demanded replays and answers from the referee.
How will that affect the draft and the first episode of SmackDown Live? It’s another reason why you will have to tune in and find out.
If you can’t tune in, you can always follow along with VAVEL’s live coverage of SmackDown Live.