WWE News: Paul Heyman Talks WWE Draft, Brand Split In 2002
There may be nobody better to talk about the WWE Draft than Paul Heyman. When he became the lead writer of WWE SmackDown, he was able to compose what is now known as the Smackdown Five. Edge, Eddie Guerrero, Kurt Angle, Chris Benoit and Brock Lesnar were all members of that star-crossed group. With those five men, Heyman was able to make Smackdown the best show in the WWE. At times, they beat Raw in the ratings, but it didn’t last long.
Vince McMahon was presumably jealous that Heyman was beating him every week, so he pulled arguably the best manager in WWE history and sent him to Ohio Valley Wrestling, their developmental camp at that time. Years moved by, and the show had its fair share of ups and downs. The last true feud to take place on Smackdown was Randy Orton and Christian several years ago. Aside from that, it became a B+ show. Not many folks watched it live, but instead, they read the spoilers Tuesday night as the show was taping.
That is all changing now. With SmackDown Live set to debut at 8 p.m. Tuesday night, a changing of the guard is occurring in the WWE. There will be new storylines, additions to the roster, and different men in charge. Daniel Bryan was confirmed the general manager of SmackDown Live, while Mick Foley was chosen to be the general manager of Monday Night Raw. Shane McMahon and Stephanie McMahon are taking their respective roles.
Reverting back to Heyman, he’s been off WWE television since WrestleMania 32. That isn’t due to any bad blood between the two properties, but rather, Heyman has been busy. Brock Lesnar just fought at UFC 200 and hasn’t been on WWE TV either. Despite that fact, Paul Heyman did speak about the WWE Draft and the 2002 brand split.
“That’s such a negative attitude, though. Why not ask me about all the things that could happen that would benefit WWE, especially to the viewing audience instead of asking me what pitfalls that they have to avoid so that it becomes a calamity.”
“I know Vince McMahon wants real competition between the two brands like he had in 2002 because Vince McMahon thrives on the very notion of competition in his life. Vince McMahon’s left hand competes with Vince McMahon’s right hand.”
When Heyman talked about the competition between the brands, it’s going to open up a whole world for a lot of new superstars. For example, the six WWE NXT wrestlers who will get the call-up have never experienced the main roster, let alone a WWE Draft before. It will literally be uncharted territory for those six talents.
Paul Heyman didn’t just talk about the WWE Draft recently, but rather went more in-depth on those WWE NXT talents, and who is destined for big things on the WWE main roster.
“I think Balor is ready to be a main event superstar. I think Samoa Joe has always been a main event superstar. That NXT roster is filled with A-listers who are ready to move up and make a significant impact on both Raw and SmackDown. You seriously take a look and you realize how well positioned WWE is for this draft because there is so much talent in NXT.”
At the draft, Finn Balor or Samoa Joe have a great chance to get drafted by Raw or SmackDown. Along with those two, Shinsuke Nakamura, Alexa Bliss, Bayley, and Nia Jax are also on the block. The show won’t go to WWE NXT, but rather the WWE main roster and where each superstar will end up. One thing is for sure. When Balor debuts Tuesday night, the WWE Universe will explode.
[Image via WWE]
