Powell Editorials WWE Draft scouting report: A look at where each wrestler on the Raw roster could end up, is John Cena headed to Smackdown? By Jason Powell Jun 17, 2008 - 04:10 PM CLICK FOR BIO Email This Article | Printer Friendly Page Send Us News & Results | Back to Main Listing The final WWE television show heading into Monday's draft has already been taped. With less than a week to go, we begin our multipart series on the WWE Draft with commentary on why it would or would not be a good idea to move each wrestler, along with some inside buzz and speculation on some the individuals. This article focusses on the male wrestlers on the Raw roster. Brian Kendrick: WWE has to get Kendrick and Paul London on the same brand as John Morrison and The Miz. These two have taken a huge step backward on Raw. I'd love to see them go back to Smackdown. Carlito: Can a WWE wrestler be drafted by TNA? He's clearly frustrated with his push. His program with Santino Marella appears to have ended, so it wouldn't surprise me to see him shipped off to Smackdown or even ECW. For that matter, it won't shock me to read, "WWE wishes Carlito the best in his future endeavors" one of these days. Charlie Haas: He's suddenly Vince McMahon's favorite host! Well, maybe not. I don't see much changing for Charlie unless one of the writers suddenly sees something in him. Chris Jericho: Y2J is suddenly the top heel on Raw. That could change with the draft, but he's holding the Intercontinental Title and I just don't see WWE moving him and the title belt to Smackdown and certainly not to ECW. Cody Rhodes: Dusty's kid appears to be tied to Ted DiBiase either as an opponent, a tag partner, or a stable mate. I don't see him leaving Raw. D.H. Smith: He hasn't been on television in a while, but WWE head of talent relations John Lauranaitis has referred to him as a future superstar many times. If WWE follows through with the second generation stable, then one can only assume that Smith will be involved. Hardcore Holly: Bob is in a similar position as Rhodes. It would take some of the luster off the pay-per-view tag title match if they split up the champs at the draft on Monday. The next year should be more important than one pay-per-view, but I don't see him heading to Raw. JBL: Mr. Mama Juana wanted to return to the ring on Smackdown. He has Vince McMahon's ear. That didn't seem to help much since he returned on Raw, but he's not really involved in a program with anyone right now, which makes him free to move back to the Friday night show. Nothing is official, but a Smackdown homecoming makes sense. Jeff Hardy: I'd like to see Jeff move to Smackdown where he could be pushed as one of the top babyfaces, but I haven't heard any buzz. My guess is that they'll keep the Hardys on separate brands. For what it's worth, Smackdown writer Michael Hayes has been a big backer of the Hardy brothers. John Cena: There are rumors that Cena is heading back to Smackdown. Nothing is official, but that would explain why they rushed into Triple H vs. Cena as the main event of the Night of Champions show when every indication had been that they were saving it for SummerSlam. Likewise, it would explain why Cena's storyline with Mickie James appears to have concluded. JTG: I'm all for sending Cryme Tyme to ECW where they can get more camera time and work on their in-ring skills along with other young wrestlers. Lance Cade: He was positioned as a heel who is climbing the ladder on Raw last night. Is that WWE's way of setting him up for a sendoff to Smackdown or even a more substantial role as a heel on ECW? Mr. Kennedy: A perfect example of why Smackdown mid-card wrestlers don't want to move to Raw. Granted, WWE was going to make him Vince McMahon's son, but he's been spinning his wheels ever since he was suspended and that storyline fell apart. I'd love to see him go back to Smackdown as a heel because this babyface run has been terrible. Paul Burchill: I don't see WWE splitting up the "brother and sister" act, so it would have to be a package deal if they were sent packing. Burchill would probably get a better push on one of the other two brands, but at least the Raw writers are giving him something to work with. I'm not sure if he'll ever get over while working three minute matches, but beats the shit out of playing a frickin' pirate. Paul London: See Kendrick. I can't imagine Morrison and Miz are going to bring the WWE Tag Titles to Raw since the World Tag Titles are already in play, so here's hoping London and Kendrick head back to Smackdown since Brian Gewirtz clearly has nothing for them on Raw. Randy Orton There were rumblings that he was a candidate to move to Smackdown before he broke his collarbone. And now there are rumblings that Batista could join him on Raw in a new Evolution faction that would likely feud with Triple H and Shawn Michaels. Would Evolution vs. DX be money at the box office? Robbie McAllister: Well, the Highlanders aren't doing much on the Raw roster. I'm just not sure where they'd fit in unless one of the writers has an idea for them. Rory McAllister: See Robbie. Santino Marella: The writers have too much fun writing his material to let him go to Smackdown. He seems like a Brian Gewirtz guy and I don't think he'd be as comical if he left Raw. Shad: See JTG. Shawn Michaels: This move makes a lot of sense in that HBK could have fresh money feuds with Edge, Undertaker, and MVP if they all stay put. I don't see it happening, though. I think Shawn is at a point in his career where he can call a few shots and I don't think he wants to switch brands unless his best buddy is going with him. And don't forget about those DX vs. New Evolution rumors. Snitsky: I hope he goes to one brand and those ridiculous yellow teeth go to another. Does he realize that those teeth made him a comedy act and killed any chance he had of getting over as a monster? He needs a fresh start. Then again, it seems like that's the case every time WWE holds a draft. I could see an ECW run. Super Crazy: What in the hell is he still doing on Raw? He has a background in ECW and he'd fit in nicely on that roster. Ted DiBiase: He's just getting started on Raw and it looks like they actually have something in mind for him. Trevor Murdoch: Rumor had it a couple weeks ago that Murdoch and Cade would not end up on the same brand. Trevor would probably get more chances on ECW. I just hope they drop the country crooner gimmick no matter where he ends up. Triple H: Michael Hayes was never shy about telling Hunter that he'd love to see him jump to Smackdown. However, Hunter has always been reluctant to make the switch and I don't see that changing now. In fact, I spoke with one former writer who said it was taboo to even suggest the idea in front of Stephanie McMahon-Levesque at one time. Umaga: Vince McMahon stated at the recent shareholders meeting that Umaga is likely heading to Smackdown. I don't see why not. He's worked with just about everyone on Raw, and Undertaker is going to need some bigger opponents to work with once he returns. I just hope they get Umaga another manager. Val Venis: I've been waiting for WWE to repackage Val and give him a push for years. I give up. William Regal: Believe it or not, he's still listed on the Raw roster at WWE.com even though he was fired from a storyline standpoint. Did the web team just forget to replace him or did they leave him there intentionally with the hope of avoiding speculation that he'd been legitimately fired? I'd be surprised if WWE moved him to a new brand while he's serving a suspension. Don't get me wrong, I could see him working for one of the other brands once he comes back, but I'll be surprised if WWE brings up his name at the draft. BOOKMARK DOT NET AND ADD US TO YOUR RSS • HELP DOT NET: TAKE OUR ADVERTISER DEMO SURVEY CLICK TO RETURN TO MAIN LISTING OR SELECT A LINK BELOW FROM THIS CATEGORY Powell Editorials Latest Twelve Articles TNA Impact Hitlist: Sting, Kurt Angle, Booker T, Awesome Kong, ODB, Christian Cage, A.J. Styles, Sheik Abdul Bashir ECW Hitlist: Eight-man tag main event, Super Crazy, John Morrison and The Miz, Ricky Ortiz, Gavin Spears, Matt Striker WWE Raw Hitlist: Randy Orton returns to bicker with C.M. Punk, Rey Mysterio and Candice Michelle back in action, Shawn Michaels, Chris Jericho, Honk-A-Meter WWE Smackdown Hitlist: Triple H vs. Shelton Benjamin, Jeff Hardy vs. MVP, The Brian Kendrick, Vickie Guerrero, R-Truth, Natalya, Maryse, Michelle McCool, Maria TNA Impact Hitlist: Sting promo, Samoa Joe, Kevin Nash vs. Kurt Angle, Karen Angle, Kip James, Jay Lethal, Sonjay Dutt ECW Hitlist: Matt Hardy vs. John Morrison, Evan Bourne vs. The Miz, Finlay vs. Mike Knox, Matt Striker's color commentary