Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose (Photo : WWE/YouTube)
The WWE re-introduced the brand extension last year via the WWE draft as the main roster was split into Monday Night Raw and SmackDown Live. It is expected that the WWE will hold another draft this year and the latest WWE rumors have revealed the possible date of the big event.
According to Steve Carrier of Ringside News, WWE chairman Vince McMahon spoke about the brand extension during the Fourth Quarter conference call on Thursday, February 9. He revealed that the brand split has worked quite well, especially for SmackDown Live.
Vince also brought up the possibility of WWE superstars switching brands this year, which means the WWE draft, is going to happen. He used his favorite superstar, Roman Reigns, as an example of one superstar moving from Monday Night Raw to SmackDown Live.
The WWE chairman also pointed out the fact that they are having difficulty creating new stars for the future. However, he believes that the brand extension is a great platform for young superstars to develop into someone the company can count on.
As for the date of the WWE draft this year, the 71-year-old billionaire did not mention the schedule of the big event. However, Bryan Alvarez of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter (subscription required) reported that the WWE draft will likely take in June well after WrestleMania 33 and before SummerSlam.
If this year's WWE draft takes place, it will the company's 11th in history since the first-ever back in 2002. Three past WWE drafts were held in the month of June while others were held in late April. Last year's WWE draft took place on July 19 at the DCU Center in Worcester, Massachusetts.
There is still no word on the how many draft picks each brand will have but the WWE does not need to make a major shakeup on its roster. Monday Night Raw is doing okay while SmackDown Live has thrived as a great show despite having the lesser roster.
The only sure thing the WWE can do is to give Monday Night Raw and SmackDown Live three draft picks to get talents from NXT. Many superstars in the developmental could help improve the shows like Shinsuke Nakamura, Bobby Roode, Tye Dillinger, The Revival and Asuka.
It should be noted that these are just rumors at the moment and nothing has been confirmed. Check out the video below for the recap of the 2016 WWE Draft.
