Sir Nicky Talent

Report Card

RAW - Raw gets a B. They gained a really not well needed undercard in Jamie Noble and Chuck Paulmbo who can be groomed into mid-card talent. They picked up four main eventers in CM Punk, Kane, Mysterio, and Batista (some veterans, none of the less) that well groom up some new young talent in Kofi Kingston, who is IC Title worthy, and Deuce, who I think will tag with DiBiase, now. I think RAW is not going to get the ECW Championship, but gain the WHC in Batista, which may be a little unworthy, but will spark a rejuvenated RAW main event and RAW roster.

SD! - SmackDown gets an A-. Amazing is all I can say. They needed the Main Event scene the worst. Hell, they got it. They got the unbelieveable pick in Triple H, who will lead the Smackdown brand to possibly be the A show, now. They did not get screwed like last year in possible upper card talent also, with Carlito, BDV, Benjamin, Murdoch, and Jeff Hardy. They lost a big draw in Matt Hardy and Finlay, meaning with Carlito, Shelton, the much need Umaga, and MVP, there should be a face besides Hardy in that line-up. They also picked up MAria, like Torrie last year, and Brian Kendrick, bringing excitment back to SD. Also, we will see DH Smith possibly bringing a revolution to SD! Smackdown is stacked down!

ECW - ECW gets a C-. Even though they picked up some guys that were needed in Hardy and Finlay, they lost their top two guys, CM Punk and Kane. Not to mention losing Benjamin and Kofi. They got the worst out of the Henry/BDV switch, but dumped unneeded talent in Layla and Striker. I'm idssapointed in their run in the draft. Too many heels, not enough showcase faces left with Kofi and CM.


Rey Mysterio - This is not needed, but will bring an exciting story to the title chase. He could play the underdog card really well. ***1/2

CM Punk - The best pick for RAW. He has developed quite fantastic into the main event scene. Keep in mind, he also has the MITB. I'm afraid, however, that he may be like Kennedy for last year. ****

Batista - I can see him continuing where he left off in 2005 - dominating the brand. Cena feuding with Batista could draw big numbers to the RAW ratings, a gap needed since HHH is now gone. ****

Michael Cole - Unfortunatly, JR will not be calling RAW. He did give us a lot of great moments. Cole, however, has not really stepped up to the plate. **

Kane - Weird at the time, and it still is. Kane may play the monster card well on RAW like he has in the past, but his time is running out. ***

Jamie Noble - I see him jobbing for some reason, but it would be wonderful for him to step up. Also, as a backstage worker, he could change how RAW works. **1/2

Deuce - He is the second generation superstar. Guess who else is? If he teams up with Dibiase, he will step up. ***1/2

Chuck Palumbo - Very unneeded. He'll be like Snitsky. Overhyped only to look weak. *1/2

Matt Striker - I actually see him managing or becoming RAW's General Manager. As much as I would love him to chase for the IC title, this would work better. ***1/2

Layla - Meh, this may bring some ability changes. She actually could improve in her in-ring ability with this move. **1/2

Kofi Kingston - A much needed mid card face for RAW. A potential IC Title contender. ****

SMACKDOWN!

Jeff Hardy - He adds some draw, ability, and personality to Smackdown and the main event scene. Even though there may not be a mid card title at the moment, he could lead the newly stacked pack. ***1/2

Jim Ross - A good personality pick, possibly to make SmackDown more equal, to fit with HHH, and to make Mick Foley comfortable. He'll bring some amazing moments to Smackdown. ****

Umaga - With Big Daddy V draft, I'm not too hyped up about this any more. I'm pretty sure he'll be the monster of the main event scene. ****

Mr. Kennedy - Best pick of the entire draft and I will tell you why. He did nothing on RAW. He brought everything he built up for on Smackdown to RAW. The flame fizzled. I'm glad he is going into Smackdown with a void in the Smackdown main event scene, his ability and charisma, a big face push, and an interesting story line to take down Edge. He will become the champion now and will possibly face a heel Triple H in the future. *****

Triple H - Welcome the new face of Smackdown. We now have a vital main event scene for Smackodwn thanks to Triple H. ****1/2

Trevor Murdoch - Murdoch could be a jobber, but it would be interesting to see him pushed up a bit. ***

Big Daddy V - When BDV returns, he may be of the Kozlov mold. He may just be up in the main event spot. I'll have to look at this a bit more. ***1/2

DH Smith - Smith...and Neidhart. On the same brand........potential for a great athlete. ***1/2

Brian Kendrick - I think he may just be a jobber as well, but it is cool to see him on SmackDown to give a high flying feel that is much needed. ***

Maria - Like I said, this doesn't do much. **

Shelton Benjamin - Benjamin adds some amazing ability to the now filled and interesting upper-mid card scene. This is down some stock becuase of his competition and how more worth they are (MVP, HArdy) ***1/2

Carlito - Carlito will hopefully be more happy here. I could see him balancing on the upper/mid line, or just jobbing, but this is a much more needed change. ***


Matt Hardy - Best move for ECW. I see him getting a bigger draw this way, so it is a smart move. He has to help fill the void left by CM, Kane, and Kofi. He'll have Finlay and Bourne to help him, but it isn't enough. Expect a big push, bigger than the US title, for him. ****1/2

Mark Henry - I don't like where this is going for many reasons. I see him getting the ECW Title. I see him as a lackluster face for ECW, and not mixing well with the heel tlaent that ECW has most of its weight on. *1/2

Hornswaggle - I hated this pick, and I still kind of do. Even though he draws, it won't make up for the draw already left by the big faces, because, they were actually title contenders. A novelty can't help ECW. **

Super Crazy - This pick was good until guys like Kofi and Striker left. Crazy may be in line for a Kofi type push, but no further. ***

Finlay - Finlay could battle with Hardy to be the face of ECW. He may just be tag champ though. Interesting pick. ****


DRAFT FEEDBACK - There is some questions unanswered. What about Paul London? What about the title scene? They will all be answered, just not now. But this draft is two words: Fucking brilliant. This was the best draft ever. It really 'shook things up'. I give it a four 1/2 out of five.

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KenTheKiller

Great review and I agree with almost all of it.

I'm very intrigued as to where WWE will be going after this. With Burke, Miz, Morrison, Hardy, Finlay, Chavo, Bam, Dreamer, Bourne, Knox, Crazy, Henry
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, etc. on ECW, it is still fine imo.

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horrorfan_1986

General thoughts on the Suplimental Draft.


Mark Henry from Smackdown to ECW
Good move in my opinion. Henry has really did all he could on SD. On ECW, he will be able to help make the main event faces get big wins.

Jamie Noble from Smackdown to Raw
This one worries me because I can't see Noble really doing anything on Raw. ECW would of been the much better pick. I can only hope his friendship with Shawn Michaels will keep him from being fired.

Trevor Murdoch from Raw to Smackdown
Murdoch needed to get away from Cade and this was a good way. I really hope he gets a role in the US title feud.

Big Daddy V from ECW to Smackdown
Besides Umaga, the best big man in the company. Hopefully they bring him back to the main roster now.

Deuce from Smackdown to Raw
Perhaps the best move in the supplemental draft. A brand new gimmick will do wonders for the true star of Deuce and Domino. Being Jimmy Snuka Jr, Deuce may end up winning some gold this Sunday.

D H Smith from Raw to Smackdown
As it turns out, I guess he won't be Dibiase's partner. However, a new brand which just so happens to be on the brand of a certain relative might be a sign of the second coming of a certain Foundation.

Hornswoggle from Smackdown to ECW
It looks like the Finlay and Horny feud against MNM v 2 will continue.

Super Crazy from Raw to ECW
This is a move that most fans have been waiting for 2 full years. It's about time. I can only hope that they will actually use him.

Chuck Palumbo from Smackdown to Raw
I can't stand this guy and I can only hope that his heel run that has gotten zero heat will lead to his release.

Brian Kendrick from Raw to Smackdown
Great move. I'd fucking love it if they push Kendrick as a low card face similar to how they pushed Noble early this year. This is the beginning of the end for London though.

Matt Striker from ECW to Raw
No longer with V and now that there isn't a Heat, this is the first step to the unemployment line.

Maria from Raw to Smackdown
Odd move with all the injuries to face women on Raw. She might give Michelle a run at number 1 face of SD.

Shelton Benjamin from ECW to Smackdown
Since he never got the push to ECW title, moving to SD is the next best move. Perhaps a run as US champion might be enough to turn Benjamin's career around.

Finlay from Smackdown to ECW
ECW's second member of their newest tag team. This could also be a major step in Finlay being a main eventer. Finlay vs Matt Hardy could be a great feud. They had a couple of good matches in 2007. Please turn him heel again.
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Carlito from Raw to Smackdown
Carlito gets his wish, but will this move mean a push or jobbing out more before Carlito's release? Frankly I don't know.

Layla from ECW to Raw
Keeping Layla heel will be career suicide. With three talented heel women on Raw, Layla could quickly make some waves if she turns face. No Candace, Ashley or Melina means more Layla.

Kofi Kingston from ECW to Raw
Typically I would say this is a bad move and it's a step closer to the getting the pink papers. But with the push Kofi has been getting, I expect to see him getting some singles gold real soon. With Evan Bourne now getting the new guy push on ECW, Kofi needed a new role. He found it on Raw.

Raw
Best Move: The Draft of Kofi
Worst Move: Losing Brian Kendrick - The Death of Paul London and Londrick

Smackdown
Best Move: The Draft of Shelton
Worst Move: Losing Deuce - The Death of D&D and SD is left with the less talented member of the team.

ECW
Best Move: The Draft of Finlay, a valuable veteran
Worst Move: Losing Shelton Benjamin - No Punk vs Benjamin feud makes "Jim"
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Tommy Platinum

I think in general the draft was very good. Most of the moves made sense and as Nicky said, it has achieved its number one goal of shaking things up and making each brand a lot fresher. Some very big moves such as Batista, Triple H, Rey, Punk etc, and a very intriguing situation to be resolved regarding the World Titles. Kennedy AND Hardy to Smackdown was a bit much in my opinion, but this will result in a big push for Punk and also gives me more reason to watch Smackdown at the same time. All in all a very cleverly done draft in my opinion, with only a few seemingly bad or pointless moves.

Great reviews Nicky and Jim.

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Xanta

I agree that the best move to Smackdown was Shelton Benjamin, in regards to "Jim's" post. Although not a top tier name such as Kennedy or Jeff Hary, Benjamin proved in 2004 that he has the skill to rise to the top. If Shelton can manage to keep a mouth piece more credible than Mama, I see him being in the upper midcard and bringing some much needed fresh air over on Smackdown.

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