It’s official folks! The long-rumored WWE Draft will be taking place over two nights next month.
It was announced during yesterday’s 1 PM (ET) NFL game on FOX. The first night will take place on the October 11 Friday Night SmackDown, while the second night will happen on October 14 on Monday Night RAW.
Below is the official statement from WWE –
WWE® DRAFT SET FOR FOX AND USA NETWORK ON OCTOBER 11 AND 14
STAMFORD, Conn. – September 15, 2019 – The destiny of WWE’s Superstars will be determined during a two-night draft taking place live on Friday Night SmackDown® on October 11 at 8 pm ET on the FOX broadcast network and Monday Night Raw® on October 14 at 8 pm ET on USA Network.
On both nights of the draft, Superstars from Raw and SmackDown will appear along with personalities from FOX and NBCUniversal programming who will announce select picks from each brand. The draft will determine the Superstars that compete for Raw and SmackDown, which feature distinct casts, unique storylines and dedicated writing teams.
Friday Night SmackDown on October 11 will emanate from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas while Monday Night Raw on October 14 will take place at the Pepsi Center in Denver.
Raw and SmackDown are the #1 and #2 longest-running weekly episodic television shows in U.S. primetime history. The programs have aired more original episodes than The Simpsons, Gunsmoke, Lassie and Monday Night Football.
Raw will continue airing on USA Network while SmackDown moves to FOX beginning Friday, October 4.
WWE also announced that not only WWE Superstars will appear on both shows over the draft. Personalities from FOX and NBCUniversal programming will appear too and will be involved in announcing the picks.
BREAKING: The destinies of WWE Superstars will be determined during a two-night WWE Draft taking place live on Friday Night #SmackDown on Oct. 11 on FOX and #Raw on Oct. 14 on USA Network. https://t.co/3JpJA9IPbf
— WWE (@WWE) September 15, 2019
With SmackDown’s upcoming move to the FOX Network and falling TV ratings, WWE wanted both RAW and SmackDown to have consistent and permanent roster members to freshen up both shows.
Blake’s Take – The rumors can now stop about the draft. And in its place will be rumors about who goes where, and what championship will be on what show. It’s what us wrestling fans do best I suppose. Exciting times ahead for WWE, in what is a crucial time for the company. AEW’s new show, Impact on a new network….It’s great times for us wrestling fans!
