A WWE draft as a way to debut young guys

[JoeDirt 0]

The WWE is really retooling their roster now and debuting a lot of new faces. Why not have a draft to help debut young guys? Here's my idea:

 

A draft would be held annually. Let's say it's in May. From Wrestlemania to the night of the draft (which would rotate being on RAW and SD every year), the WWE could run clips profiling the "top talent" in the draft, showcasing them a bit to the WWE audience, hyping them up, etc. Then on draft night, each brand gets 5 picks or something like that. They "draft" guys, who would be guys from OVW, guys on developmental deals, etc.

 

Just think of how much Lebron James was "over" before even playing a game in the NBA. With the right amount of hype, they could get over these top draft picks before they even set foot in the ring, and make them into big stars. They could say that the draft picks would either start out on the brand, or stay in developmental training, so if a guy in reality wasn't ready yet, they could wait and debut him later, and then say "hey, that guy was RAW's #3 pick in the draft this year!" or whatever.

 

I think it would be a different way to help create stars. Obviously it would be on the talent from there on out. But it could be something different and interesting. People get into drafts and seeing "stars of the future" and stuff like that. What do you think?

[USC Wuz Robbed! 0]

The WWE is really retooling their roster now and debuting a lot of new faces. Why not have a draft to help debut young guys? Here's my idea:

 

A draft would be held annually. Let's say it's in May. From Wrestlemania to the night of the draft (which would rotate being on RAW and SD every year), the WWE could run clips profiling the "top talent" in the draft, showcasing them a bit to the WWE audience, hyping them up, etc. Then on draft night, each brand gets 5 picks or something like that. They "draft" guys, who would be guys from OVW, guys on developmental deals, etc.

 

Just think of how much Lebron James was "over" before even playing a game in the NBA. With the right amount of hype, they could get over these top draft picks before they even set foot in the ring, and make them into big stars. They could say that the draft picks would either start out on the brand, or stay in developmental training, so if a guy in reality wasn't ready yet, they could wait and debut him later, and then say "hey, that guy was RAW's #3 pick in the draft this year!" or whatever.

 

I think it would be a different way to help create stars. Obviously it would be on the talent from there on out. But it could be something different and interesting. People get into drafts and seeing "stars of the future" and stuff like that. What do you think?

They kind of did that with Brock Lesnar, having both Flair and McMahon argue who would get Brock.

[JoeDirt 0]

Anytime brands are fighting over somebody it gets them over in the fans' eyes. Scott Steiner was over HUGE until his gay horrible shitty feud and match at the Rumble with HHH.

[Guest The Shadow Behind You]

The problem is; they did "we want him, so do we" thing too many times with Brock, Austin, HHH and Steiner.

 

It doesn't have that "oh that'll put him over" feel anymore.

[Guest Phenom]

They could do it the same night as the rebranding current guys.

[Australian Pride 0]

Imagine if they did do a draft off all young talent, JR would be creaming himself all night at the thought of those blue chippers coming to Raw.

[Guest LooneyTune]

The problem with drafting "no names" is that casual fans have no clue who the heck anyone is, and won't care about profiles. Brock, if you recall, was over ZERO with the crowd until he beat the Rock.

 

Randomly tossing OVW guys in the WWE is almost as bad as giving them stupid gimmicks like Mordecai, The Baby Killer Gene Snitsky, Evil Arabians, Fitness Gurus, etc. etc.

[Guest Phenom]

The problem with drafting "no names" is that casual fans have no clue who the heck anyone is, and won't care about profiles. Brock, if you recall, was over ZERO with the crowd until he beat the Rock.

 

Randomly tossing OVW guys in the WWE is almost as bad as giving them stupid gimmicks like Mordecai, The Baby Killer Gene Snitsky, Evil Arabians, Fitness Gurus, etc. etc.

Nova invented nay-sayers.

[justcoz 0]

This sort of plays into my idea of offering indie promotions across the country tv slots on WWE 24/7 in return for feeding WWE talent. They could even just rebuild the territory system of the 80's which it seems like they've considered. This would require having bookers in each region to prepare for roles in WWE creative too. They could maybe do a PPV supershow each year spotlighting the up and coming talent leading into something like this draft.

 

This would be how WWE would operate if they actually cared about the future of the business.

[JoeDirt 0]

The problem with drafting "no names" is that casual fans have no clue who the heck anyone is, and won't care about profiles. Brock, if you recall, was over ZERO with the crowd until he beat the Rock.

 

Randomly tossing OVW guys in the WWE is almost as bad as giving them stupid gimmicks like Mordecai, The Baby Killer Gene Snitsky, Evil Arabians, Fitness Gurus, etc. etc.

That's why you hype up the "top picks" for two months with video clips, vignettes, interviews, etc.

[Guest LooneyTune]

Only problem is, the writing team have the mentality of 7 year olds. Doing something like involves too much thinking for them, and this would make the new-comers look better than the current stars.

 

It sounds like a good idea for a different promotion, but I don't see WWE ever doing something that involved. We're lucky we get Debut vignettes anymore. They'll just throw someone on TV now and say "get over yourself" then cut them (cough:Rodney Mack:cough).

[Guest wrestling365]

Here is another idea sent in from one of my column readers...

 

 

Given the WWE's interest in Tough Enough, the rather stale storylines as of late, add in the roster cuts, and I have to think of what the WWE might do next. I'm wondering when Good Enough is going to come along.

 

Picture this. You take 10 low-mid card wrestlers from Raw. Line them up, and have them do different challenges each week. Challenges such as cutting a promo like the Tough Enough contestants had to do, who can come up with the best catch phrase in 10 seconds, and whatever else the WWE creative team can come up with. After each event, viewers are able to go to wwe.com and vote for the wrestler they want to stay. The first one 'eliminated' or rather, gets to stay cause they're Good Enough, gets a title shot against HHH. Of course, they wont win, they're just low-mid card talent. But it would give us someone new against the title, which would be fresh.

 

Over the next few weeks, the numbers are cut down as superstars are determined to be Good Enough. The lower card talent gets some airtime, it gets 10 of them in the spotlight at once, making them happy. 10 people on camera at one time is easier than doing it 2 at a time, so booking is a bit easier. And mid-card talent who HAVE talent are able to showcase that, and win over the crowd and perhaps move up a few slots in the roster. The ones who can walk circles around the others on the mic, the ones who can entertain, the ones who can get a reaction from the crowd will be noticed, and the others, well, look what you need to work on.

 

As for the last person not voted in as Good Enough, they could take it 2 ways. Good old Vinne Mac walking out, roaring up the crowd, and YOU'RE FIRED! They could either cut the talent and have them join the ranks of the recently terminated, or drop them down to OVW to work on thier skills, for a big push later, if they earn it.

 

I don't think we'll see this, given the current WWE creative team ideas as of late, but hey, it could make for some damn interesting viewing...

 

Chris Aussant

 

Manitoba Canada

[natey2k4 0]

Here is another idea sent in from one of my column readers...

 

 

Given the WWE's interest in Tough Enough, the rather stale storylines as of late, add in the roster cuts, and I have to think of what the WWE might do next. I'm wondering when Good Enough is going to come along.

 

Picture this. You take 10 low-mid card wrestlers from Raw. Line them up, and have them do different challenges each week. Challenges such as cutting a promo like the Tough Enough contestants had to do, who can come up with the best catch phrase in 10 seconds, and whatever else the WWE creative team can come up with. After each event, viewers are able to go to wwe.com and vote for the wrestler they want to stay. The first one 'eliminated' or rather, gets to stay cause they're Good Enough, gets a title shot against HHH. Of course, they wont win, they're just low-mid card talent. But it would give us someone new against the title, which would be fresh.

 

Over the next few weeks, the numbers are cut down as superstars are determined to be Good Enough. The lower card talent gets some airtime, it gets 10 of them in the spotlight at once, making them happy. 10 people on camera at one time is easier than doing it 2 at a time, so booking is a bit easier. And mid-card talent who HAVE talent are able to showcase that, and win over the crowd and perhaps move up a few slots in the roster. The ones who can walk circles around the others on the mic, the ones who can entertain, the ones who can get a reaction from the crowd will be noticed, and the others, well, look what you need to work on.

 

As for the last person not voted in as Good Enough, they could take it 2 ways. Good old Vinne Mac walking out, roaring up the crowd, and YOU'RE FIRED! They could either cut the talent and have them join the ranks of the recently terminated, or drop them down to OVW to work on thier skills, for a big push later, if they earn it.

 

I don't think we'll see this, given the current WWE creative team ideas as of late, but hey, it could make for some damn interesting viewing...

 

Chris Aussant

 

Manitoba Canada

That last part could also work well in another way. the last "Not Good Enough" person could take an Edge like turn, and be completely nuts on the crowd, hating them for not voting for him. It could possibly work.

[Guest Duncan Eternia]

Not a bad idea at all. As long as they still brought new guys in the raditional way with vignetes or a surprises too. I think the more atheltic guys in OVW would benefit from your idea though.

[Guest DeathBecomesYou]

The draft is a great idea and would've been perfect about 2-3 years ago when they had the likes of Lesnar, Benjamin etc on the OVW roster. The problem now is that the current batch of OVW guys are either talentless muscle heads or in the case of guys like a Johnny Jeter or Chris Cage, talented but they don't grab your attention. The one guy who this could and should work for though is Burchill, he seems tailor made for this concept. He's got the look, so he grabs your attention and he's got the ability to hold your attention once he's in the ring.

[Vyce 0]

The one guy who this could and should work for though is Burchill, he seems tailor made for this concept. He's got the look, so he grabs your attention and he's got the ability to hold your attention once he's in the ring.

He's not ready for TV yet.

 

He's got to spend a few months in OVW, first, to be taught to forget everything he does that makes him compelling.

[Guest DeathBecomesYou]

The one guy who this could and should work for though is Burchill, he seems tailor made for this concept. He's got the look, so he grabs your attention and he's got the ability to hold your attention once he's in the ring.

He's not ready for TV yet.

 

He's got to spend a few months in OVW, first, to be taught to forget everything he does that makes him compelling.

He needs to learn the Hoss moves of doom first, the big boot and the spinebuster, then he's set, he'll be a bone fide WWE Hoss.

[2GOLD 0]

If they do it, bring in Mel Kiper to host. ESPN let him walk.

 

Mel Kiper Jr. can make a blind man with a limp and a third eye in his elbow seem like a smart pick.

 

Imagine him doing a WWE draft? Mel Kiper having to mention "workrate", "upside" and "speed and quickness" about wrestlers. Be the most glorious day in wrestling.