After a bit of a gap since the last one, the WWE Draft big 1st night is in the books, and we have a whole bunch of Superstars moving around.
Talent has been on the move between the two main shows, as well as some NXT Superstars. Friday kicked off the 2023 WWE Draft’s big 1st night, but the action will continue from now until it concludes on Monday’s RAW.
So, we are here to recap the draft big 1st night and discuss what some of the moves may or may not mean.
WWE Draft Big 1st Night In The Books
Right off the bat, here is the listing of who went where by the time Friday’s SmackDown went off the air:
Now, the first thing that jumps out at you? SmackDown had a big 1st night, bringing in more talent than RAW.
I have to presume then, that RAW might have themselves a bigger night on RAW, or during the non-televised portion over the weekend.
Lots to like about what Friday gave us. All three shows had talent on the move.
With that said, let’s discuss how each roster is shaping up.
Though, before we get there? I have to say, I liked the guest announcers, some of whom were a bit of a surprise.
Monday Night RAW
As mentioned, RAW brought in few Superstars during the draft big 1st night.
Maybe it was less about fewer for RAW, and more about SmackDown having a big 1st night of the draft.
That said, RAW did get good talent.
Cody Rhodes was the first choice.
The red brand also retained Becky Lynch, while drafting Imperium, Drew McIntyre, Matt Riddle and others.
Drew being drafted seems like a big deal. Perhaps his unhappiness was just a rumor?
Or WWE is hoping things will be improved soon enough.
The big notable? Rhodes is on RAW, but his most-desired prize-the WWE Championship-is not.
At this point, having RAW win the newly re-introduced WWE World Heavyweight Championship feels like a cheap way to get him the title.
Bigger news, potentially? Imperium have been selected to RAW.
Though he holds the Intercontinental Championship…will this be the beginning of GUNTHER’s march toward a world championship?
And, a quirk. RAW did draft a female Superstar (Becky Lynch). The brand, however, did not select Rhea Ripley.
For now (surely to be solved on Monday), RAW does not have a women’s championship.
SmackDown
The show that kicked it all off for 2023? We can do the math, but the blue brand has been busy and added most of the talent on Friday.
Roman Reigns went 1st overall, to the shock of probably no one.
Reigns was packaged with Heyman and Solo Sikoa as the Bloodline, but Jimmy and Jey are on hold until Monday (at least).
As we appear headed for a much stricter brand split, we will wonder who just joined SmackDown who might keep Roman Reigns busy in 2023.
Could Edge or AJ Styles take a shot? What about Bobby Lashley?
And, this is just the names we know of after Friday’s big 1st night of the WWE Draft.
One thing is for sure, as drafted, SmackDown has themselves a pretty full roster and most of the current champions landed on the blue brand.
NXT
And then we have NXT…who drafted no one. NXT is, after all, developmental.
While the brand won’t be picked clean, they will have bigger and more developed talent “graduate”.
Sadly for NXT, they cannot draft anyone to their show, but it would be cool if they had a few. Not like we don’t see former WWE Superstars showing up in NXT often enough.
That said, the big news for the junior circuit? On night 1, NXT saw it’s newly minted women’s tag champions and Women’s Champion get drafted.
Yes, Indi Hartwell, who just barely survived to retain this past Tuesday (despite an injury that has her in a walking boot) is now on RAW.
Isla Dawn and Alba Fyre are currently the NXT Women’s Tag Champs, but they are headed to SmackDown.
For the most part, the names most folks expected to be on the move from NXT? They have not moved yet (Breakker, Cameron Grimes, Ilya Dragunov etc).
That will probably change by the time RAW rolls around. For now, the emotion we saw from Florida was pretty cool.
One thing is for certain. After the 2023 WWE Draft big 1st night, there are fresh matchups all over, and more will be realized by Monday evening.
