Ever since it started some three decades ago, the WWE has made professional wrestling very accessible to its fans. Wrestling enthusiasts have gotten used to their favorite wrestling superstars freely facing off with each other in two weekly TV shows, "Raw" and "SmackDown."
This week, however, WWE underwent a process that it said will usher in a "new era" for professional wrestling. For the first time ever, officials from both the "Raw" and "Smackdown" brands drafted wrestling superstars, who will exclusively perform for the brand they were chosen.
According to the 2016 Draft results posted on the WWE website, Seth Rollins, considered as one of the top professional wrestlers at the moment, and controversial Roman Reigns were among those drafted to the "Raw" brand.
Commissioner Stephanie McMahon and General Manger Mick Foley represented the "Raw" brand during the WWE 2016 Draft.
Brock Lesnar, The New Day, United States Champion Rusev, Kevin Owens, Chris Jericho, Sasha Banks and Divas Champion Charlotte were also drafted to the "Raw" brand.
WWE Champion Dean Ambrose and John Cena were meanwhile picked up the "Smackdown" brand, represented during the 2016 draft by SmackDown Live Commissioner Shane McMahon and SmackDown Live General Manager Daniel Bryan.
Also joining the "Smackdown" brand were AJ Styles, Randy Orton, Bray Wyatt, Becky Lynch, Natalya, Intercontinental Champion The Miz, Dolph Ziggler and Alberto Del Rio.
In a column for CNet.com, news editor Daniel Van Boom explained how these draft results will immense effects on how fans will view professional wrestling.
For one, "Smackdown" will now air live on Tuesdays--a change from the previous practice of taping it on Tuesdays then airing it on Thursdays. The change was reportedly triggered by the show's sliding ratings.
Van Boom also wrote in his column that the WWE is also planning something like two pay-per-view events per month on the WWE Network.
