Ahead of the 2019 WWE Draft, NZPWI’s David Dunn (@david_dunn) and Steve McCleary (@SJMcCleary) do their best to divvy up the WWE Superstars between the Raw and SmackDown rosters…
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1. Becky Lynch
To be the draft, you’ve gotta beat the draft … wait. That didn’t work how I intended. But if you want a roster to outdo all other rosters, you need The Man – Steve McCleary (Raw)
1. Roman Reigns
He’s headlined more WrestleManias than anyone else on the active WWE roster. How could anyone not draft The Big Dog?! – David Dunn (SmackDown)
2. Seth Rollins
You don’t need a big dog when you have the conflicted architect who loves burning things down. When you look at his resume, he’s got everything you need as a flagbearer for your brand – Steve
2. Charlotte Flair
She’s a published author, a 10-time women’s champion, and an absolute must-have! – David
3. Buddy Murphy
When you talk about must-haves, you need the best-kept secret in wrestling today. An Aussie who’ll become a legend once given the chance – Steve
3. Brock Lesnar
He might not be around as often as some other WWE Superstars, but there’s no denying Lesnar makes an impact every time he appears. And it doesn’t hurt he’s the reigning, defending, undisputed WWE heavyweight champion of the world… – David
4. Aleister Black
Who needs that big ol’ vanilla gorilla when you’ve got the best striker in the game? (Apologies to Matt Striker.) Who’s ready to pick a fight? – Steve
4. Rey Mysterio
Who’s that jumping out the sky? R-E-Y, Mysterio, here we go! (People remember that song, right?) Rey Mysterio is a bonafide Hall of Famer and one of the most popular and exciting WWE Superstars of all time. And now he’s aligned himself with Cain Velasquez, he’s all the more intriguing – David
5. Sasha Banks
Quiet, the boss is here. And she’s got the blueprint (not Matt Morgan) for changing the complexion of this entire business – Steve
5. Braun Strowman
A Monster Among Men, and a monster among draft picks – David
6. Ali
Time to follow the light! He’s one of the more inspirational superstars working today, and every chance he gets to shine, he blinds the world – Steve
6. Bayley
I don’t want to tear her away from Sasha Banks, but I do want her for my show, so… – David
7. Ember Moon
You can have your Bayley buddies because my women’s division is about to be eclipsed by the Shenom – Steve
7. Daniel Bryan
I’m not drafting Erick Rowan, and it just feels like Daniel Bryan could do with some space – David
8. Kairi Sane
When you set sail into the murky waters of pro rasslin’ and look to drop anchor with some fishy metaphors, who better than the nautical knight herself. Have you seen that elbow? That’s a game changer right there – Steve
8. The OC (AJ Styles, Karl Anderson & Luke Gallows)
I want AJ Styles, for sure, and if I can get Anderson and Gallows at no extra cost, The OC is an absolute steal – David
9. “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt
I want The Fiend, for sure, and if I can get Bray Wyatt, Ramblin’ Rabbit, Huskus, Mercy the Buzzard, and Abby the Witch at no extra cost, The Firefly Funhouse is an absolute steal – Steve
9. The New Day (Big E, Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods)
Good luck come Survivor Series when you’re trying to pit a buzzard and a rabbit against the world-famous six-time tag team champs – David
10. Ricochet
I’m pretty sure this guy could bounce off the ropes and take them all out. When you come for the king, you’d best not miss, lest you suffer some devastating recoil – Steve
10. Mike Kanellis
It looks like he’s not eligible in the actual WWE Draft, but I really like Mike! – David
The 2019 WWE Draft begins today on WWE SmackDown (1pm NZDT, Sky 5).
Who would be your top draft pick? Let us know in the comments!
