2008 WWE Draft

WWE's intra-brand draft 2008 WWE draft The WWE Draft logo used from 2007 to 2011. Professional wrestling June 23 and 25, 2008 San Antonio, Texas World Wrestling Entertainment RawSmackDownECW 2007 2009 The 2008 World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) draft, the sixth WWE draft, took place at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas, on June 23.http://www.wwe.com/schedules/events/eventdetail/?id=6960168 May 26, 2008 WWE presents Monday Night RAW - June 23, 2008 WWE https://web.archive.org/web/20080501113830/http://www.wwe.com/schedules/events/eventdetail/?id=6960168 May 1, 2008 dead The draft took place live for three hours on Raw.http://www.usanetwork.com/schedules/sched.php?sdate=6/23/2008&switch=2 Monday June 23, 2008 (All times are US/Eastern) USA Network May 27, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080505044225/http://www.usanetwork.com/schedules/sched.php?sdate=6%2F23%2F2008&switch=2 May 5, 2008 live Every WWE wrestler, announcer, commentator, and general manager were eligible to be drafted.http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/wwedraft2008/7458206 Demolition Draftin' Burdick Michael June 19, 2008 WWE June 22, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080622151035/http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/wwedraft2008/7458206 June 22, 2008 live Similar to the 2007 WWE draft, wrestlers from each brand competed in matches to win a random draft pick for their brand. Draft picks were kayfabe selected at random via a computer that was shown on the Raw titantron.http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/results/ A Draft disaster Sitterson Aubrey June 23, 2008 WWE June 24, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080514184356/http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/results/ May 14, 2008 dead Like the previous year, a supplemental draft took place on June 25, where draft selections were randomly conducted.http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/wwedraft2008/wwesupplementaldraft WWE Supplemental Draft WWE June 24, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080626221230/http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/wwedraft2008/wwesupplementaldraft June 26, 2008 live The Draft featured the Raw brand randomly drafting ECW Champion Kane from the ECW brand. It also featured the ECW brand drafting WWE United States Champion Matt Hardy from the SmackDown brand. The final selection in the draft was conducted by the SmackDown brand, and they drafted WWE Champion Triple H from the Raw brand. Per pre-draft stipulations, all the three champions brought their respective titles to the brand to which they were drafted. The 2008 Draft was the last to take place in the Ruthless Aggression Era, as the era ended after the SummerSlam PPV. Background The draft was announced by WWE Chairman Vince McMahon on the May 26, 2008, episode of Raw.http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/05262008/mainarticle/ One last stand DiFino Lennie May 26, 2008 WWE 2009-04-12 November 3, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20121103025606/http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/05262008/mainarticle/ live During the announcement, he stated that every WWE performer from all three brands, Raw, ECW, and SmackDown, were eligible to be drafted.http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/05262008/articles/allaboutthemoney It's all about the Mon-ey! Greg Adkins WWE April 12, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090304210141/http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/05262008/articles/allaboutthemoney March 4, 2009 live On the June 16 episode of Raw, McMahon announced that his McMahon's Million Dollar Mania contest would take place on the same night as the WWE draft. During the contest, McMahon gave away one million dollars to WWE fans. McMahon telephoned fans, who had registered for the contest, at their homes and asked them for a password, which was revealed at the opening of the Raw broadcast. If their answer was correct, he awarded the fan a portion of one million dollars.https://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/preview/ Preview:2008 WWE Draft WWE June 17, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080521044533/http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/preview/ May 21, 2008 live On June 24, WWE announced on its website that a supplemental draft would take place on June 25 at noon ET. The supplemental draft, like the previous year, was conducted randomly, with each brand receiving random draft selections.http://www.coveritlive.com/index2.php/option=com_altcaster/task=viewaltcast/template=wwe/altcast_code=5678a5f832/width=624/height=850/draft=y https://web.archive.org/web/20121009190631/http://www.coveritlive.com/index2.php/option=com_altcaster/task=viewaltcast/template=wwe/altcast_code=5678a5f832/width=624/height=850/draft=y dead October 9, 2012 WWE Supplemental Draft Live Blog Corey Clayton WWE June 25, 2008 January 3, 2011 The only information we have from Draft HQ is that the picks are completely random. Wrestlers affected by the televised draft were exempt from the supplemental draft.Corey Clayton http://www.coveritlive.com/index2.php/option=com_altcaster/task=viewaltcast/template=wwe/altcast_code=5678a5f832/width=624/height=850/draft=y https://web.archive.org/web/20121009190631/http://www.coveritlive.com/index2.php/option=com_altcaster/task=viewaltcast/template=wwe/altcast_code=5678a5f832/width=624/height=850/draft=y dead October 9, 2012 WWE Supplemental Draft Live Blog WWE June 25, 2008 January 3, 2011 Also, we've learned from Draft HQ that all Superstars drafted on Monday are exempt from today's proceedings. So there will be NO draft-backs, so to speak. Because professional wrestling is scripted, outcomes are usually predetermined. Unlike years past, during this draft, many employees in WWE were not told whether they were scripted to change brands.http://www.jrsbarbq.com/blog/its-nice-be-back-oklahoma-after-a-whirlwind-few-daysnight-champions-should-have-its-momentsgott It's nice to be back in Oklahoma after a whirlwind few days Ross Jim J.R.'s BBQ April 12, 2009 I have read that I knew that I was leaving Monday Night Raw prior to the draft. Wrong. I had no clue as to the move….had no travel booked to go to Houston, including no hotel room there booked prior to Tuesday nor did I take an extra suit to wear Tuesday night as I thought I was coming home, as usual. https://web.archive.org/web/20110713124523/http://www.jrsbarbq.com/blog/its-nice-be-back-oklahoma-after-a-whirlwind-few-daysnight-champions-should-have-its-momentsgott July 13, 2011 dead Aside from the Million Dollar Mania contest, the draft was announced to help increase the television ratings of Raw, which had been declining since WrestleMania XXIV.http://www.wwe.com/inside/news/wweratingsstillleadthepack WWE ratings still lead the pack June 3, 2008 WWE June 26, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080606023614/http://www.wwe.com/inside/news/wweratingsstillleadthepack June 6, 2008 live Though the draft helps increase ratings, it is also used as a way to refresh the rosters and create new storylines.http://corporate.wwe.com/news/2002/2002_03_27.jsp WWE Entertainment To Make RAW and SMACKDOWN Distinct Television Brands May 27, 2002 WWE June 26, 2008 The creation of two distinct television shows provides the opportunity to create and promote new Superstars and more exciting storylines. https://web.archive.org/web/20080516094156/http://corporate.wwe.com/news/2002/2002_03_27.jsp May 16, 2008 dead Selections There were 28 selections conducted in the draft overall. 11 selections were conducted on television, while 17 selections occurred during the supplemental draft. The Raw brand earned five televised selections through their representatives winning five different matches, while they received six supplemental selections. In total, the Raw brand drafted 11 representatives: five on television and six through the supplemental draft. The SmackDown brand earned five television selections through their representatives winning five different matches, while they received seven supplemental selections. In total, the SmackDown brand drafted 12 representatives: five on television and seven through the supplemental draft. The ECW brand earned one televised selection through their representative winning one match, while they received four supplemental selections. In total, the ECW brand drafted five representatives: one on television and four through the supplemental draft. The 28 included two commentators, two Divas, and 24 male wrestlers (two inactive wrestlers and 22 active wrestlers). Televised draft Matches During the program, representatives from the Raw, ECW and SmackDown brands were involved in matches that determined which brand received a draft pick. Overall, there were 9 matches, in which Raw won four, ECW won one, SmackDown won three and one resulted in no winner. Triple H (Raw) defeated Mark Henry (SmackDown) Singles match for 1 draft pick Finlay and Hornswoggle (SmackDown) defeated Carlito and Santino Marella (Raw) Tag team match for 1 draft pick Hardcore Holly and Cody Rhodes (Raw) defeated Chavo Guerrero and Bam Neely (ECW) Tag team match for 1 draft pick John Morrison and The Miz (ECW) defeated The Hardys (Matt and JeffJeff Hardy, originally on the Raw brand, was drafted to SmackDown before this match took place.) (SmackDown) Tag team match for 1 draft pick Melina and Mickie James (Raw) vs. Natalya and Victoria (SmackDown) ended in disqualificationDQ Picks No. 5 and 6 went to SmackDown and Raw, respectively, after the match resulted in a double-disqualification. Tag team match for 1 announcer-only draft pick John Cena (Raw) defeated Edge (SmackDown) Singles match for 1 draft pick Montel Vontavious Porter (SmackDown) defeated Tommy Dreamer (ECW) Singles match for 1 draft pick John "Bradshaw" Layfield (Raw) defeated Kofi Kingston (ECW) Singles match for 1 draft pick Edge (SmackDown) won by lastly eliminating John Cena (Raw)Other participants included: Raw; Triple H, Batista, CM Punk and Kane. SmackDown; Big Show, The Great Khali, MVP and Jeff Hardy. ECW; Matt Hardy, John Morrison and The Miz, Chavo Guerrero and Shelton Benjamin. Tri-branded 15-man Battle royal for 2 draft picks Selections Pick No. Brand (to) Superstar Role Brand (from) Notes1RawRey MysterioMale wrestlerSmackDown2SmackDownJeff HardyMale wrestlerRaw3RawCM PunkMale wrestlerECWMoney in the Bank contract holder4ECWMatt HardyMale wrestlerSmackDownWWE United States ChampionRe-signed with the SmackDown brand in 2009, following his kayfabe release from ECW.5SmackDownDQJim RossCommentatorRaw6RawDQMichael ColeCommentatorSmackDown7RawBatistaMale wrestlerSmackDown8SmackDownUmagaMale wrestlerRaw9RawKaneMale wrestlerECWECW Champion10SmackDownMr. KennedyMale wrestlerRaw11SmackDownTriple HMale wrestlerRawWWE Champion Supplemental draft thumb|upright|200px|Mark Henry was the 12th pick in the 2008 WWE Draft thumb|upright|200px|Kofi Kingston was the final, 28th overall, draft pick in the 2008 WWE Draft Pick No. Brand (to) Employee Role Brand (from) Notes12ECWMark HenryMale wrestlerSmackDown13RawJamie NobleMale wrestlerSmackDown14SmackDownTrevor MurdochMale wrestlerRawNever appeared on this brand as he was released from his contract15SmackDownBig Daddy VMale wrestlerECWNever appeared on this brand as he was released from his contract16RawDeuceMale wrestlerSmackDown17SmackDownDH SmithMale wrestlerRawNever appeared on this brand as he returned to FCW and was later drafted to ECW the following year without appearing on SmackDown18ECWHornswoggleMale wrestlerSmackDownAlliance with Finlay19ECWSuper CrazyMale wrestlerRaw20RawChuck PalumboMale wrestlerSmackDownNever appeared on this brand as he was released from his contract21SmackDownBrian KendrickMale wrestlerRawSplit of Paul London and Brian Kendrick22RawMatt StrikerMale wrestlerECW23SmackDownMariaFemale wrestlerRaw24SmackDownShelton BenjaminMale wrestlerECW25ECWFinlayMale wrestlerSmackDownAlliance with Hornswoggle26SmackDownCarlitoMale wrestlerRaw27RawLaylaFemale wrestlerECW28RawKofi KingstonMale wrestlerECW Aftermath Jim Ross, one of the draftees, was unaware he was to switch brands during the draft. After the draft, Ross was on the verge of quitting his job as a commentator for WWE, as he was angry at the fact he was leaving the Raw brand, where he had commentated for over ten years. Ross stated on his official blog that he was about to quit WWE, but he decided to continue to work for the company and make the best of working on SmackDown.http://www.jrsbarbq.com/2008/06/24/jr%E2%80%99s-post-draft-thoughts/ J.R's Post Draft Thoughts Ross Jim Jim Ross BBQ June 26, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080627025133/http://www.jrsbarbq.com/2008/06/24/jr%E2%80%99s-post-draft-thoughts/ June 27, 2008 dead After the Draft, the ECW brand was left without a world championship, after the ECW Champion Kane was drafted to Raw. As a result of pre-draft stipulations, champions took their championships to their new brand and made them property of that brand. SmackDown, however, lost their secondary championship, after United States Champion Matt Hardy was drafted to the ECW brand, in the process making the title ECW property, but gained another top-tier championship when WWE Champion Triple H was drafted to the SmackDown brand, in the process making the title SmackDown exclusive for the first time since 2005. The result of Triple H being drafted was the loss of the Raw brand's world championship. http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/wwedraft2008/supplementalchanges Supplemental Changes Vermillion James June 25, 2008 WWE 2008-06-26 Also, with many of the champions changing brands, will the titles find themselves in their new homes permanently after Night of Champions? https://web.archive.org/web/20080626221225/http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/wwedraft2008/supplementalchanges June 26, 2008 live After the draft, the ECW Championship moved back to ECW when Mark Henry defeated Kane and Big Show in a Triple Threat match at Night of Champions, leaving Raw without any top-tier championships. http://www.wwe.com/shows/nightofchampions/matches/7188540/results/ Worlds Strongest Extreme Champion Rote Andrew June 29, 2008 WWE July 5, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080704124609/http://www.wwe.com/shows/nightofchampions/matches/7188540/results/ July 4, 2008 On the June 30, 2008 episode of Raw, the Raw brand regained a world championship, after Money in the Bank contract holder, CM Punk, cashed in his contract and defeated the World Heavyweight Champion, Edge.http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/results/ A Draft Disaster Sitterson Aubrey June 23, 2008 WWE June 25, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080514184356/http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/results/ May 14, 2008 dead Lastly, the United States Championship returned to SmackDown after Shelton Benjamin defeated Matt Hardy at The Great American Bash pay-per-view on July 20.http://www.wwe.com/shows/thegreatamericanbash/matches/uschampionship/results/ The Great American Bash: Midas Touch DiFino Lennie July 20, 2008 WWE August 29, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080730020046/http://www.wwe.com/shows/thegreatamericanbash/matches/uschampionship/results/ July 30, 2008 live Trevor Murdoch and Big Daddy V were both later released from WWE prior to their first appearances on SmackDown after being drafted.http://www.wwe.com/inside/news/murdochreleased Trevor Murdoch Released July 3, 2008 WWE June 25, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080707185340/http://www.wwe.com/inside/news/murdochreleased July 7, 2008 livehttp://www.wwe.com/inside/news/WWErelease0808 WWE releases six Superstars, referee Nick Patrick August 8, 2008 WWE August 13, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080813080408/http://www.wwe.com/inside/news/WWErelease0808 August 13, 2008 live Chuck Palumbo was also later released from the WWE prior to his first appearance on Raw after being drafted. Umaga died in 2009 from an accidental drug overdose, while Big Daddy V died in 2014 of heart failure. The draft helped increased the television ratings of Raw, which was one of the main purposes of the draft. The television rating for the three hours was 3.40 TVR, as it earned 2.78 TVR for the first hour, 3.46 TVR for the second hour, and 3.95 TVR for the final hour. In its regular time slot, the show would have garnered a 3.7 rating.http://www.wrestleview.com/news2008/1214380166.shtml More on 6/23 Monday Night Raw rating Martin Adam June 25, 2008 WrestleView.com June 26, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080628083954/http://www.wrestleview.com/news2008/1214380166.shtml June 28, 2008 live Both ratings were higher than the week's previous rating of a 3.3 TVR.http://www.wrestleview.com/news2008/1213740896.shtml Final 6/16 Monday Night Raw rating Martin Adam June 17, 2008 WrestleView.com June 26, 2008 January 10, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090110183023/http://www.wrestleview.com/news2008/1213740896.shtml live See also List of WWE personnel Footnotes References General http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/06232008/mainarticle/ A Draft Disaster (Televised draft and match results) Sitterson Aubrey 2008-06-23 WWE 2008-07-23 2011-04-28 https://web.archive.org/web/20110428154159/http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/06232008/mainarticle live http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/wwedraft2008/supplementalchanges Supplemental Changes (Supplemental draft results) Vermillion James 2008-06-25 WWE 2008-07-23 https://web.archive.org/web/20080723082615/http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/wwedraft2008/supplementalchanges 23 July 2008 live Specific 30em External links 2008 WWE draft official website https://web.archive.org/web/20080620115603/http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/wwedraft2008/ 2008-06-20 Wwe Draft, 2008 Category:WWE Draft Category:ECW (WWE brand) Category:Professional wrestling shows in San Antonio Category:21st century in San Antonio Category:2008 in Texas Category:June 2008 in the United States pl:WWE Draft#WWE Draft 2008