2021 WWE Mock Draft
It’s time to shake things up again!
The 2021 WWE Draft begins Friday Oct. 1 on SmackDown and continues Monday Oct. 4 on RAW. Over the last year, SmackDown has felt like the clear ‘A’ show, with superstars such as Universal Champion Roman Reigns, SmackDown Women’s Champion Becky Lynch, Intercontinental Champion Shinsuke Nakamura, SmackDown Tag Team Champions the Usos, Bianca Beliar, Edge, Sami Zayn, Cesaro, Kevin Owens, Sasha Banks, the Street Profits and many others making SmackDown the much more consistent show than RAW.
In the actual WWE Draft, there are 12 total rounds, with five picks being made each round. The first four rounds take place on SmackDown, Round 5 takes place off the air after SmackDown on Talking Smack, Rounds 6–11 take place on RAW, and Round 12 takes place off the air after RAW on RAW Talk. For each night, there are only certain superstars eligible to be drafted.
For this mock draft, because it is unknown which superstars are going to be eligible on which night, there are going to be 11 rounds taking place on “TV” and a Supplemental Draft with only one round occurring “off television” to try and replicate the real WWE Draft as best as possible.
Per WWE, for every two draft picks SmackDown receives, RAW receives three picks since RAW is a three-hour broadcast, and SmackDown is only a two-hour broadcast. Tag Teams are also only one pick unless a network specifically only wants one member of a team at that time. For this mock draft, those rules will also be followed.
Now that the rules have been settled, let’s get to the draft!
FOX and SmackDown are on the clock with the №1 pick (how that was determined is explained below)!
Round 1:
- SmackDown: Roman Reigns (Universal Champion)
Analysis: To kick off the 2021 WWE Draft on the Oct. 1 episode of SmackDown, WWE needs to book a champion vs champion match between the WWE Champion Big E and the Universal Champion Roman Reigns. The winner will get their brands’ the №1 overall pick in the draft. After interference by the New Day and the Usos, Reigns will eventually take advantage and Spear E for the win, giving the blue brand the №1 pick for the first time since the WWE Draft returned in 2019, and of course FOX is going to reward the “Tribal Chief” by selecting him №1 overall. He is THE GUY. This is a no brainer.
2. RAW: Big E (WWE Champion)
Analysis: RAW counters by selecting the WWE Champion to ensure a main title stays on USA.
3. SmackDown: The Usos (SmackDown Tag Team Champions)
Analysis: You would think with how big of a say Reigns has on SmackDown, he’s going to want to ensure the “Bloodline” stays together, hence the reason why the tag team champions are selected so high. Without the “Bloodline”, there is no “Head of the Table”, and FOX knows it.
4. RAW: RK-BRO (RAW Tag Team Champions)
Analysis: There’s an argument to be made here that Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods get selected to ensure they stay beside the WWE Champion, but USA probably figures they can get them a little later, and they need to make sure the RAW Tag Team Champions stay on Monday nights, especially with the SmackDown Tag Team Champions being selected right before this pick.
5. SmackDown: Becky Lynch (SmackDown Women’s Champion)
Analysis: FOX knows how big Lynch is to audiences, and they are going to want to ensure “Big Time Becks” is a big feature of their program for the next year. The SmackDown Women’s Champion cannot head to Mondays, so SmackDown uses their last first-round pick on the franchise of the women’s division.
Round 2:
- RAW: Charlotte Flair (RAW Women’s Champion)
Analysis: If the “Man” isn’t the franchise of the women’s division, then Flair is, and the USA Network isn’t going to let both Flair and Lynch be on the same brand. Losing Flair would kill the RAW Women’s Division.
2. SmackDown: Drew McIntyre
Analysis: In the first superstar-switch of the night, SmackDown snags Drew McIntyre right underneath RAW. The FOX executives know he’s been struggling as of late on RAW, but they feel a fresh start on Friday nights will revitalize the man who carried RAW through the “Thunderdome Era”.
3. RAW: Bobby Lashley (W/ MVP)
Analysis: Pissed about losing McIntyre to Friday nights, RAW makes sure it doesn’t lose the former WWE Champion in the “All Mighty”. As his manager, MVP comes with Lashley to the red brand.
4. SmackDown: Seth Rollins
Analysis: Over the last decade, Seth Rollins has been one of the most trustworthy superstars in the whole company. He’s a household name who’s rarely injured, and he’s a good veteran to have. Not to mention the fact his wife is the SmackDown Women’s Champion, and he’s after Universal Champion Roman Reigns, this is a no brainer for the FOX executives who can’t believe he’s still on the board.
5. RAW: Bianca Beliar
Analysis: Knowing they now have back-to-back picks at the end of a round and the start of a new one, RAW executives can be a little more careful with their selection. RAW uses their last pick of Round 2 on Beliar, whose run on RAW in 2020 wasn’t successful, but she really found her footing on SmackDown over the last year, and she became a STAR when she won the Royal Rumble in January and the SmackDown Women’s Championship at Wrestlemania. Flair really didn’t have any credible challengers over the summer, and Beliar will change that in a huge way. A RAW Women’s Championship Wrestlemania encounter between Beliar and Flair is now on the table, and USA gets revenge on FOX for taking one of their big stars in McIntyre.
Round 3:
- RAW: Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods
Analysis: RAW waited patiently, and they were able to grab E’s boys at the start of Round 3 to complete the New Day trio.
2. SmackDown: Sasha Banks
Losing Beliar is a HUGE blow to SmackDown, so they have to make sure they grab another star to go alongside Lynch, and that person is the “Boss”.
3. RAW: The Street Profits
Analysis: To make Beliar ecstatic about going to the red brand, they pick up her husband in Montez Ford as the Street Profits head to Monday nights. The Profits have done everything they could on Fridays. It’s time for a change, and a RK-BRO-Street Profits feud would be something.
4. SmackDown: Shinsuke Nakamura (Intercontinental Champion) (W/ Rick Boogs)
Analysis: Pat McAfee bangs on the desk and starts dancing when SmackDown keeps their Intercontinental Champion and RICK BOOGSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
5. RAW: Damian Priest (United States Champion)
Analysis: With Nakamura off the board, RAW knows there’s only one thing to do: Pick up the current United States Champion and make sure the USA Network keeps a mid-card championship. What an elevation for Priest, by the way! He goes from being called up to the RAW roster at the 2021 Royal Rumble to being the last pick in the third round of the 2021 WWE Draft. Pretty impressive!
Round 4:
- RAW: Brock Lesnar
Analysis: In a shocker to everybody, the “Beast Incarnate” is still on the board in Round 4. RAW falls out of their chair when they see this, and they grab Lesnar as fast as they can submit the pick. Now Paul Heyman can keep Reigns and Lesnar happy by managing them both, and Lesnar can target WWE Champion Big E after failing to capture the Universal Championship from Reigns at Crown Jewel on Oct. 21. RAW lacked a big star that could go against Bobby Lashley during his WWE Title reign, and now they have that in Lesnar. Lesnar will be a huge shot in the arm for RAW.
2. SmackDown: Jeff Hardy
Losing out on the “Beast Incarnate” may have not made the FOX executives happy, but they get a popular superstar with their next pick in Jeff Hardy, whose last year on RAW was a complete bust. Hardy looked like a broken down, sad version of himself in between the red ropes in 2021, but in 2020, he was relevant on SmackDown. FOX is hoping he finds himself again on SmackDown.
3. RAW: Edge
Analysis: RAW knows the “Rated-R Superstar” is hurt, but they’ve got some intel he is returning soon to face Seth Rollins one last time at Crown Jewel, so they feel comfortable taking the veteran here. Just like Lesnar, Edge may not be around every week, but he’s going to bring a shot in the arm to RAW it didn’t have in 2021. Edge vs Lashley is a match I would love to see.
4. SmackDown: Finn Balor
SmackDown just brought Balor back in July. Even though he failed to take down the “Tribal Chief” at Extreme Rules, he’s a great worker and a popular superstar like Jeff Hardy. After losing Edge and Lesnar, SmackDown makes sure they retain the “Prince”.
5. RAW: Nikki A.S.H. and Rhea Ripley (Women’s Tag Team Champions)
Analysis: With all four picks of the fourth round being focused on men, RAW changes that with pick №5 by selecting the Women’s Tag Team Champions. RAW knows Ripley and Nikki won’t be champions for the whole year more than likely, but both superstars are good value to the women’s division regardless.
Round 5:
- RAW: Karrion Kross
Analysis: The USA executives have watched Kross since he was called up to RAW in the summer, and they see real potential in the former NXT Champion. They know it may be a little bit of a reach here, but they are not risking him to FOX. With back-to-back picks, they make the selection to kick off Round №5 and put him into the U.S. Title picture immediately.
2. SmackDown: Omos
Analysis: SmackDown has watched both Lesnar and Edge fall right out of their hands, and they’re not happy. They just saw RAW use a relatively high pick on Kross, and they see an opportunity to pick a gem here in Omos without the “Phenomenal One” by his side. The 7’3 freak of nature is a guy the FOX executives have been targeting, and they push him to the moon over the next year.
3. RAW: A.J. Styles
Analysis: RAW may have lost his colossus, but they’re not letting one of the best wrestlers of all time leave their brand. Styles is applaud SmackDown took Omos and not the man that built SmackDown LIVE, and he has a great year as a singles competitor on RAW, taking on the likes of Edge, Lashley, E and Lesnar.
4. SmackDown: Alexa Bliss
Analysis: SmackDown thinks this is a good time to secure their third woman of the night, and they go with the superstar who unsuccessfully challenged Flair for the RAW Women’s Title at Extreme Rules. SmackDown will rescue Bliss from the Fiend’s trance, and she will turn back into “Goddess” Bliss, eventually turning face and challenging Lynch for the top prize on Friday nights in the division.
5. RAW: The Alpha Academy
Analysis: RAW realizes they need some more tag teams on the roster, and they like what they saw from the Alpha Academy over on Friday nights. A rivalry with them and RK-BRO is something I want to see.
Round 6:
- RAW: Keith Lee
Analysis: The USA executives have seen Keith Lee work dark matches on Main Event, and they like his potential. Losing Omos hurts, so they need a legitimate big man to take on Kross, E, Lashley and maybe even Lesnar over the next year. Lee is another one of those picks RAW sees as a potential darkhorse.
2. SmackDown: Happy Corbin
Analysis: “Happy Corbin” provides good ratings for the blue brand in the mid-card division. Now half-way through the draft, SmackDown sees good value in retaining his services.
3. RAW: Kevin Owens
Analysis: Once KO could not take down the “Tribal Chief” at the Royal Rumble, he was a little lost on Friday nights, mostly feuding with Sami Zayn, Apollo Crews and Corbin. RAW sees him as a guy that just needs a fire lit under him, so they think they get a steel here! Turning Owens heel and having him feud with Edge to start wouldn’t be a bad idea at all. Yes, Owens’ contract is up in January, but USA executives feel they can convince him to stay if he’s booked well on RAW. Expect him to maybe even get a WWE Title shot against E before his contract is up.
4. SmackDown: Asuka
Analysis: Much like KO, ever since dropping the RAW Women’s Championship to Ripley at Wrestlemania, Auska has lost almost all momentum and hasn’t been on TV since Money in the Bank. With a roster of Becky Lynch, Sasha Banks and Alexa Bliss, SmackDown feels it has a slew of women Asuka can get in the ring with to once again reach main-event status. A feud with Lynch for the gold is also a good money-making feud.
5. RAW: Nia Jax
Analysis: RAW executives have seen Jax since she got called up to the red brand in the 2016 draft. They know her worth, and they feel this is a good spot for her, even with the elbow injury she suffered at the mercy of Shayna Baszler. Adding her alongside Flair, Beliar, Nikki and Ripley brings a good mix of styles to the women’s side of RAW.
Round 7:
- RAW: Sheamus
Analysis: We are now more than half-way through the 2021 draft, and Sheamus is still sitting out there?! A no-brainer for RAW who knows what he brings to the table. He’s a reliable veteran who can slide right into the U.S. Title or Tag Title picture at any time.
2. SmackDown: Shayna Baszler
Analysis: SmackDown feels like they can’t pass up the “Queen of Spades” at this point. RAW had an opportunity to snag her, and they passed. Baszler will turn face and want at the “Man” and the SmackDown Women’s Championship in a Wrestlemania 36 rematch, which would be good booking on FOX’s part. With her UFC background, Baszler also fits the “sports” mold FOX is looking for in their picks.
3. RAW: Cesaro
Analysis: Cesaro received a mini push as a singles competitor in early 2021 after being in tag teams with Tyson Kidd, Sheamus and Shinsuke Nakamura for the last half decade. The “Swiss Superman” engaged in a rivalry with the “Drip God” Seth Rollins that led to Cesaro picking up his first ever Wrestlemania one-on-one victory. A month later, Cesaro found himself in the main event picture, battling Reigns for the Universal Championship. Cesaro looked like a stud even in the loss, but he has yet to recover. Over the last few months, he’s been hanging in limbo on SmackDown. His most recent appearance came on the Aug. 27 SmackDown when he defeated Chad Gable by disqualification after Otis interfered in the matchup and took out Cesaro with a splash. Heading to RAW could give Cesaro a fresh start, and he could reunite with his former Bar partner. A heel Bar vs RK-BRO would be a hell of a feud.
4. SmackDown: The Mysterio’s
Analysis: As much as it looks like Rey and Dominik Mysterio are going to break up soon, and they may very well do so in the draft to avoid a heel turn by Dominik, I’m totally against that logic. I believe Rey and his son need to be a tag team a little more and lose more matches, causing Dominik to snap on his dad during the Royal Rumble match, so we can get the dream match of Rey vs Dominik at Wrestlemania 38. There’s such good long storytelling here that can happen, and WWE can prolong the turn of Dominik by getting the Mysterio’s back in the SmackDown title picture for the fall.
5. RAW: Commander Azeez
Analysis: With their last pick in the seventh round, RAW goes after just Commander Azeez and not Apollo Crews. USA Executives have seen the rift lately on SmackDown between Crews and his Commander, and they decide to take a chance on Azeez, who with the likes of Keith Lee, Sheamus, Otis and Karrion Kross, could bring a real big man presence to the red brand.
Round 8:
- RAW: John Morrison
Analysis: When Morrison returned to WWE in early 2020, he rapidly aligned himself again with his best friend the Miz, and the “Greatest Tag Team of the 21st Century” was reborn. Miz and Morrison spent almost 18 months as a full tag team. In that time, they held the SmackDown Tag Team Championships, and then they were drafted to RAW last year, where they feuded with Bad Bunny, Damian Priest and Ricochet. Over the last few months off their team, Morrison became the goofball of the tandem, caring more about spraying competitors with squirt bottles and being “America’s Moist Wanted” than winning. Miz finally had enough of Morrison and turned on him on the RAW after SummerSlam. The next week, Morrison and Miz were supposed to compete, but it never came about because the Miz got casted on Dancing with the Stars. Morrison wrestled Omos on the Aug. 30 episode of RAW, and Omos tossed him around the ring like a puppy tosses his chew toy. We haven’t seen Morrison since, but when he does return, I expect him to be a reliable mid-card babyface, and RAW doesn’t have many of them at this point, and the USA Executives know Morrison’s abilities well.
2. SmackDown: Miz
Analysis: With Morrison gone to the red brand, FOX scoops up Miz and after Dancing with the Stars is over, they are hoping Miz becomes the monster heel again he once was in the Intercontinental Championship picture. When you think of the IC Title, Miz is the man you think of as he has held the prestigious gold nine times, and another reign with the belt is just what the doctor ordered for the former MTV star. If Miz does get drafted to SmackDown in the draft, it would continue his streak of always switching brands in the draft since his debut in 2007.
3. RAW: Carmella
Analysis: With Corey Graves on commentary, and RAW short on women heels, this makes all the sense in the world for the USA Executives. They pick up a reliable worker and make their №1 commentator happy now that he and his girlfriend are back on the same brand.
4. SmackDown: Liv Morgan
Analysis: Since July, Morgan and Carmella have gone at it on the blue brand and following Morgan’s big win over Carmella at Extreme Rules, it’s time for those two ladies to separate brands and move on. I could see Morgan getting a SmackDown Women’s Championship match by the end of the year if Morgan truly is gaining momentum on Friday nights.
5. RAW: Mansoor and Mustafa Ali
Analysis: As it stands at this point in the draft, the current RAW Tag Team division has the following teams: RK-BRO, New Day, the Street Profits and the Alpha Academy. While that’s a good foundation, RAW realizes they need to build the back end of the division, so they use this pick on a team that has some potential in Mansoor and Mustafa Ali.
Round 9:
- RAW: Humberto Carrillo and Drew Gulak
Analysis: Out of all of the tag teams on RAW’s roster, only the Alpha Academy is a heel team, so RAW uses two straight picks on two up and coming tag teams. Carrillo and Garza were just thrown together two weeks ago, and they already have chemistry, destroying Mustafa Ali and Mansoor on the Sept. 20 edition of RAW. RAW isn’t going to let this tag team that just started on their brand potentially leave for SmackDown.
2. SmackDown: Apollo Crews
Analysis: With Azeez off to RAW, and Crews still on the board, SmackDown snatches him here to see if they can get him back on track. We saw him early on in 2020 talking to Paul Heyman and the “Tribal Chief”. Maybe that’s where he goes for help.
3. RAW: Eva Marie
Analysis: RAW adds the beautiful Eva Marie as they hope she can find success over the next year as her return has not been successful.
4. SmackDown: The Viking Raiders
Analysis: Losing the Street Profits and Alpha Academy to RAW, along with the potential breakup of the Mysterio’s really weakens SmackDown’s Tag division, and with RAW passing on the Viking Raiders multiple times in the last few picks, SmackDown see’s an opportunity to get a team who could put on good matches with the Usos and entertain the fans with turkey legs!
5. RAW: Jinder Mahal, Shanky and Veer
Analysis: Another pick, another tag team for RAW.
Round 10:
- RAW: Ricochet
Analysis: To kickoff the penultimate “TV” round of this mock draft, RAW selects a high flyer in Ricochet, a man who USA Executives cannot believe is still on the board. Ricochet has always had the talent, and they are hoping this year he can figure it out and contribute regularly to a mid-card division that is now loaded with challengers for Priest and his U.S. Title.
2. SmackDown: Natalya and Tamina
Analysis: The SmackDown Women’s division is loaded. Lynch headlines the division as champion, but with Sasha Banks, Alexa Bliss, Asuka, Shayna Bazler and Liv Morgan also on the roster, Lynch has no shortage of challengers. The issue is all these women are single competitors, and SmackDown realizes it needs a team to compete for the Women’s Tag Team Titles. That’s where Natalya and Tamina come in. The former champs are veterans who would be looking to bring the gold back to Friday nights.
3. RAW: Doudrop
Analysis: Eva Marie thought she disposed of Doudrop but not so fast! RAW adds her as much needed depth to their women’s babyface room, which currently includes Bianca Beliar and the current Women’s Tag Team Champions in “Super Brutality”.
4. SmackDown: The Dirty Dawgz
Analysis: Ziggler and Roode are good workers who will now get a bigger opportunity on the blue brand with the Alpha Academy off to RAW. The Dirty Dawgz are also two great individuals who seem to also be focused on Nakamura and the Intercontinental Championship.
5. RAW: MACE AND T-BAR
Analysis: With the Dirty Dawgz being selected by SmackDown, RAW picks up the last heel tag team remaining on the board in MACE AND T-BAR. With Mansoor and Mustafa Ali, Humberto Carrillo and Angel Garza, Jinder Mahal, Shanky and Veer and MACE AND T-BAR, RAW feels really good with the depth they picked up in the tag team ranks late in the draft.
Round 11:
- RAW: Reggie (24/7 Champion)
Analysis: Before it’s too late, USA Executives make sure the 24/7 Championship stays on the brand that created it.
- SmackDown: Toni Storm
Analysis: Toni Storm really has taking a liking to Nakamura and Rick Boogs on SmackDown, and the blue brand could be a place where she shines if given the right opportunity. The late rounds are all about value, and Toni Storm is the definition of value.
- RAW: Zelina Vega
Analysis: RAW adds to their heel room in their women’s division and ensures Carmella and Vega can compete together for the Women’s Tag Titles.
- SmackDown: Shotzi and Nox
Analysis: Speaking of Women’s Tag Titles, SmackDown can’t afford to let Natalya and Tamina be their only true tag team on the brand.
- RAW: Elias
Analysis: With the last “televised” pick of the 2021 WWE Mock Draft, RAW selects Elias — a man who claims he is dead — but a man who has so much potential if used right. Elias from 2017–2019 was one of the hottest superstars on RAW and interacted with John Cena twice at Wrestlemania during his peak. RAW knows he’s talented, and if he gets his new character right, this could be a home run pick for them with the last pick in the “TV” portion of the draft.
Supplemental Draft:
- RAW: R Truth
Analysis: Immediately on RAW Talk following the last portion of the “TV” Draft, RAW snags R Truth to give Reggie someone to chase the 24/7 Title. Truth provides a great comical aspect that can only be fit in over the three-hour RAW show.
- SmackDown: Lucha House Party
Analysis: They haven’t been used lately, but SmackDown needs one more babyface tag team and gives Lucha House Party a chance.
- RAW: Cedrick Alexander
Analysis: USA Executives saw how talented Alexander was in the Hurt Business. They’re hoping he can somehow rekindle that magic.
- SmackDown: Io Shirai
Analysis: There always seems to be a gem found in the Supplemental Draft, and the former NXT Champion may be that gem for FOX and SmackDown.
- RAW: Jaxson Ryker
Analysis: Ryker is picked for Main Event purposes on Peacock.
Free Agents:
RAW: Sami Zayn, Shetton Benjamin, Akria Tozawa, Drew Gulak, Dana Brooke and Lacy Evans (When she returns from pregnancy)
Analysis: The perfect storyline coming out of this draft would be if Zayn doesn’t get drafted, proving there really is a conspiracy theory against him. WWE could even promote him as being “forgotten” and signing him as the “biggest free agent in WWE history”. RAW and SmackDown get into a bidding war, and the winner eventually turns out to be RAW, who put him in a U.S. Title feud with Priest. Benjamin is in the same boat as Alexander — his former Hurt Business teammate. Tozawa and Gulak chase Reggie and Truth for the 24/7 Title. Dana Brooke is depth to a low babyface room of women on RAW as mentioned in the Doudrop pick, and Evans will return to her feud with Flair upon her return.
SmackDown: Naomi and Bayley (When she returns from injury)
Analysis: Naomi signing with SmackDown post draft is going to play into her storyline with Sonya Deville, and Bayley will return to SmackDown when she returns from her torn ACL. She’ll be going after Lynch and the SmackDown Women’s Title.
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Draft Results:
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RAW:
Singles:
Faces: Big E (WWE Champion), Damian Priest (United States Champion), Edge, Cesaro, John Morrison, Ricochet, Reggie, R Truth, Jaxson Ryker, Shelton Benjamin,
Heels: Bobby Lashley, Brock Lesnar, Karrion Cross, A.J. Styles, Keith Lee, Kevin Owens, Sheamus, Commander Azeez, Elias, Akira Tozawa, Drew Gulak, Cedrick Alexander, Sami Zayn,
Tag Teams:
Faces: RK-BRO (RAW Tag Team Champions), Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods, Street Profits,
Heels: Alpha Academy, Mansoor and Mustafa Ali, Humberto Carrillo and Angel Garza, Jinder Mahal, Shanky and Veer, MACE AND T-BAR,
Women:
Faces: Bianca Beliar, Nikki A.S.H. and Rhea Ripley (Women’s Tag Team Champions), Doudrop, Dana Brooke,
Heels: Charlotte Flair (RAW Women’s Champion), Nia Jax, Carmella, Eva Marie, Zelina Vega, Lacey Evans (post pregnancy),
SmackDown:
Singles:
Faces: Drew McIntyre, Shinsuke Nakamura (Intercontinental Champion), Jeff Hardy, Finn Balor,
Heels: Roman Reigns (Universal Champion), Seth Rollins, Omos, “Happy Corbin”, Miz, Apollo Crews,
Tag Teams:
Faces: Mysterio’s, Viking Raiders,
Heels: Usos (SmackDown Tag Team Champions), Dirty Dawgz, Lucha House Party,
Women:
Faces: Alexa Bliss, Asuka, Liv Morgan, Toni Storm, Shotzi and Nox, Io Shirai, Naomi,
Heels: Becky Lynch (SmackDown Women’s Champion), Sasha Banks, Shayna Baszler, Natalya and Tamina, Bayley (post injury)
