What was the 2011 WWE Draft?

The 2011 WWE Draft was the ninth and final overall WWE draft before the first WWE brand extension concluded. Produced by WWE, it took place on April 25, 2011, and involved exchanging personnel between the Raw and SmackDown brands to refresh rosters and enhance television ratings.

When and where did the 2011 WWE Draft take place?

The 2011 WWE Draft occurred on April 25, 2011, in Raleigh, North Carolina, at the RBC Center.

What was the primary objective of the 2011 WWE Draft?

The primary objective was to reassign wrestlers and other on-air personalities between WWE's Raw and SmackDown brands. This aimed to refresh the rosters, create new storylines, and boost the television ratings for WWE programming.

How was the 2011 WWE Draft broadcast?

The draft aired live for two hours on the USA Network during an episode of Raw. Additionally, a continuation of the draft took place online via WWE's official website the following afternoon, starting at 12:00 PM Eastern time.

What was the WWE Brand Extension and its connection to the draft?

The WWE Brand Extension, initiated in March 2002, divided WWE's roster into distinct brands, primarily Raw and SmackDown, with talent assigned to specific shows. Annual drafts, like the 2011 event, were held to facilitate the movement of talent between these brands.

Which WWE brands were the main participants in the 2011 WWE Draft?

The primary brands involved in the 2011 WWE Draft were Raw and SmackDown. The ECW brand, which had previously been part of the brand extension, was not included in this draft.

How many selections were made in the 2011 WWE Draft?

A total of 30 selections were made during the 2011 WWE Draft, resulting in 29 wrestlers being exchanged between the Raw and SmackDown brands.

How were the draft picks determined in the 2011 WWE Draft?

The televised portion of the draft utilized matches between representatives of Raw and SmackDown, where the winning brand earned draft picks. The continuation of the draft online was conducted randomly.

What was the net result of the 2011 WWE Draft on the rosters of Raw and SmackDown?

SmackDown's roster was expanded by 16 members, while Raw's roster gained 13 members as a result of the draft selections.

What was unique about John Cena's involvement in the 2011 WWE Draft?

John Cena was selected first overall by SmackDown and later, with the final televised pick, was drafted back to Raw. This made him the first person in WWE history to be drafted twice to different brands within the same draft event.

How did the 2011 WWE Draft differ from some previous drafts regarding brand participation?

The 2011 event marked the sixth time that only the Raw and SmackDown brands were involved in the draft, indicating the absence of other brands like ECW that had participated in earlier drafts.

Were championships transferred between brands during the 2011 WWE Draft?

Yes, championships could be transferred if the titleholder was drafted to a different brand. However, the WWE Divas Championship and the WWE Tag Team Championship were inter-brand titles and thus not part of the draft.

How were draft picks determined during the televised portion of the 2011 WWE Draft?

During the televised draft, matches were held between wrestlers representing Raw and SmackDown. The winner of each match earned draft picks, and then a computerized system randomly selected a wrestler from the opposing brand's roster for the winning brand.

What was the first match of the 2011 WWE Draft, and who won?

The first match was a 20-man battle royal. Big Show and Kofi Kingston, representing SmackDown, won by last eliminating Mason Ryan (Raw), earning SmackDown the first draft pick.

Who competed in the second match of the 2011 WWE Draft, and what was the result?

The second match was a singles match between Eve (Raw) and Layla (SmackDown). Eve won the match, earning Raw one draft pick.

How many draft picks were awarded from the singles match between Randy Orton and Dolph Ziggler?

The singles match between Randy Orton (SmackDown) and Dolph Ziggler (Raw) resulted in two draft picks being awarded to the winning brand, SmackDown.

Which team won the 6-man tag team match during the televised draft, and what was the outcome?

The team of The Miz, CM Punk, and Alberto Del Rio (Raw) defeated John Cena, Christian, and Mark Henry (SmackDown). This victory earned Raw one draft pick.

Who was the first overall selection in the 2011 WWE Draft?

John Cena was the first overall selection in the 2011 WWE Draft, chosen by the SmackDown brand.

Who was the final wrestler selected in the televised portion of the 2011 WWE Draft?

John Cena was also the final televised draft pick, selected by Raw to return to their brand.

Who was the first female wrestler drafted in the 2011 WWE Draft?

Kelly Kelly was the first woman drafted in the 2011 WWE Draft, and she was selected to the SmackDown brand.

Which notable wrestlers were drafted to a new brand for the first time in their WWE careers during the 2011 Draft?

Sheamus and Daniel Bryan were among the wrestlers drafted to a new brand for the first time in their WWE careers during the 2011 WWE Draft.

What was unique about Chris Masters' draft pick in 2011?

Chris Masters was drafted to Raw from SmackDown, but the pick was nullified because he was under a personal service contract to The Miz, not directly with WWE. He officially signed with Raw later on May 30, 2011.

Were the members of The Usos tag team drafted together in 2011?

No, Jimmy Uso and Jey Uso were drafted separately. Jimmy Uso was drafted to SmackDown from Raw, and Jey Uso was also drafted to SmackDown from Raw.

How did Big Show's status as a WWE Tag Team Champion affect his draft?

Big Show, who was a WWE Tag Team Champion, was drafted to Raw from SmackDown. As a champion, he was permitted to appear on both shows, similar to his tag team partner Kane.

What was the significance of Sheamus holding the WWE United States Championship during the draft?

As the WWE United States Champion, Sheamus's draft to SmackDown initially designated the title to that brand. However, the title later returned to Raw after Kofi Kingston won it at the Extreme Rules pay-per-view event shortly after the draft.

How did the 2011 WWE Draft impact the viewership of Raw?

The April 25 episode of Raw, which featured the draft, saw an increase in viewership. The first and second hours of the show achieved ratings of 2.0 and 1.9 respectively, an improvement from the previous week's 1.6 and 1.7.

When did the WWE Brand Extension officially end after the 2011 Draft?

The WWE Brand Extension officially ended on August 29, 2011, during an episode of Raw. It was announced that performers were no longer exclusive to their specific brands.

What reason was given for WWE ending the Brand Extension in 2011?

Stephanie McMahon explained in a 2013 interview that WWE decided to end the brand extension to allow their content to flow more seamlessly across television and online platforms.

When was the WWE Brand Split reintroduced after its initial end?

The WWE Brand Split was reintroduced in July 2016, beginning with SmackDown broadcasting live on Tuesdays.

What role did social media play in the aftermath of the 2011 WWE Draft?

Wrestlers used platforms like Twitter to share their reactions to the draft selections. Some expressed concerns about losing talent, while others conveyed determination or excitement about joining their new brands.

Which wrestler was drafted to Raw but never appeared for the brand due to contract issues?

Chris Masters was drafted to Raw from SmackDown, but the pick was nullified because his contract was with The Miz, not directly with WWE. He later officially signed with Raw on May 30, 2011.

How did the predetermined nature of the draft contrast with its presentation?

Although WWE presented the draft as random, the text clarifies that the results were predetermined as part of the ongoing storyline. The televised presentation simulated randomness for narrative purposes.

Which brand received more draft picks in the 2011 WWE Draft?

SmackDown received more draft picks, acquiring 16 new members for its roster, while Raw gained 13 members.

What was notable about the lighting in the RBC Center during the televised draft?

During the televised portion of the draft at the RBC Center, the arena featured red and blue lighting directed at the audience, similar to the presentation style of the WWE Superstars program.

Who officially announced the 2011 WWE Draft?

WWE officially announced the 2011 WWE Draft on the April 18 episode of Raw. A USA Network executive had also confirmed the event via a press release on the same day.

What was the purpose of the matches held during the televised draft?

The matches were held between representatives of Raw and SmackDown to determine which brand would earn draft picks. If a wrestler had already been drafted earlier, they would represent their new brand in subsequent matches.

Who was the final overall selection in the 2011 WWE Draft?

Sheamus was the final overall selection, the 30th pick, in the 2011 WWE Draft, and he was drafted to SmackDown.

What was the specific note regarding Alex Riley's draft pick in 2011?

Alex Riley was drafted to SmackDown from Raw, but this pick was nullified because he was under a personal service contract to The Miz, not directly to WWE. He later officially signed with Raw on May 30, 2011.

How did the brand changes resulting from the draft affect the scheduled matches for the Extreme Rules pay-per-view?

Despite wrestlers changing brands due to the draft, the matches scheduled for the upcoming Extreme Rules pay-per-view event remained official and were contested by the wrestlers representing their respective brands at the time of the event.

What was the original purpose of the WWE Brand Extension when it was first implemented?

The original purpose of the WWE Brand Extension was to create distinct television brands, Raw and SmackDown, assigning talent to specific shows to differentiate programming and rosters.

How many female wrestlers were drafted in 2011, and when did their selections occur?

Five female wrestlers were drafted in the 2011 WWE Draft, and all of them were selected during the online continuation of the draft after the televised portion had concluded.

What was the significance of the end of the Brand Extension in 2011?

The end of the Brand Extension meant that wrestlers were no longer exclusive to Raw or SmackDown. This allowed championships previously exclusive to one brand to become available to wrestlers from any show, effectively merging the rosters.

What does the term 'kayfabe' refer to in the context of WWE brands?

In the context of WWE brands being (in terms of kayfabe) independent, 'kayfabe' refers to the portrayal of wrestling events and characters as real or genuine within the fictional universe of professional wrestling.

Which two brands were the sole participants in the 2011 WWE Draft, and what does this signify historically?

Raw and SmackDown were the sole participants in the 2011 WWE Draft. This marked the sixth occurrence of this pairing, highlighting the evolution of the Brand Extension which had previously included the ECW brand.

What was the outcome of the first televised match in the 2011 WWE Draft?

The first televised match, a 20-man battle royal, was won by SmackDown representatives Big Show and Kofi Kingston. This victory secured the first draft pick for SmackDown.

Which wrestler, holding the WWE United States Championship, was drafted to SmackDown from Raw?

Sheamus was drafted to SmackDown from Raw while holding the WWE United States Championship.

What is the significance of the 2011 WWE Draft being described as the 'ninth and final overall WWE draft before the first WWE brand extension ended'?

This description indicates that the 2011 draft was the last event of its kind under the original brand extension model. Following this draft, the brand extension was eventually dissolved before being reintroduced later in a different format.

Which wrestler was drafted to Raw but never appeared for the brand because his contract was released?

Chris Masters was drafted to Raw, but his pick was nullified because his contract had been released by WWE, meaning he never officially appeared for the Raw brand as a result of that specific draft selection.

What was the note associated with Alberto Del Rio's draft pick in 2011?

Alberto Del Rio was drafted to Raw from SmackDown along with his personal ring announcer, Ricardo Rodriguez, as a single draft pick.

2011 Wwe Draft Wiki: The 2011 WWE Draft: A Strategic Roster Reshuffle

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Background & Purpose

Brand Extension Context

The 2011 WWE Draft represented the ninth iteration of WWE's strategic roster reshuffling, occurring before the initial Brand Extension concluded. This initiative, first implemented in March 2002, established distinct identities for WWE's primary television programs, Raw and SmackDown, assigning personnel exclusively to one brand or the other. This structure aimed to foster competition and provide fresh narratives.

Strategic Objectives

The primary objectives of the annual WWE Draft were twofold: to invigorate television ratings by introducing new matchups and storylines, and to refresh the competitive landscape for each brand. By moving talent between Raw and SmackDown, WWE sought to maintain audience engagement and capitalize on emerging performer potential.

Event Logistics

Officially announced in April 2011, the 2011 WWE Draft was scheduled to take place in Raleigh, North Carolina, at the RBC Center. The event was broadcast live on the USA Network, with a supplementary draft continuing online the following day. This dual-platform approach allowed for broader participation and extended the narrative impact of the roster changes.

Key Selections & Dynamics

Landmark Picks

The 2011 Draft featured 30 selections, resulting in 29 wrestlers changing brands. Notably, John Cena was the first overall pick, moving to SmackDown, and later the final televised pick, returning to Raw. This marked him as the first performer to switch brands twice within a single draft event. Rey Mysterio's move to Raw and Daniel Bryan's initial assignment to SmackDown were also significant shifts for established performers.

Female Talent Movement

The draft saw five female performers change brands. Kelly Kelly was the first woman to be drafted, moving to SmackDown. Alicia Fox also moved to SmackDown, while Natalya and Beth Phoenix were drafted to Raw. These selections highlighted the growing importance of the women's division within WWE's brand strategy.

Championship Implications

Championships typically followed the drafted superstars. However, the WWE Divas Championship and WWE Tag Team Championship were inter-brand titles, meaning they were not exclusive to either Raw or SmackDown and thus played no direct role in the draft selections. Sheamus, as the WWE United States Champion, moved to SmackDown, with the title later transitioning back to Raw.

Determining Draft Picks

Televised Competition

The televised portion of the draft on Raw utilized matches between brand representatives to determine draft picks. The outcome of these contests dictated which brand secured the rights to select talent from the opposing roster. This competitive framework added a layer of narrative tension to the proceedings.

The following matches determined the draft picks during the live broadcast:

Pick No.	Results	Stipulations
1	Big Show and Kofi Kingston (SmackDown) won by last eliminating Mason Ryan (Raw)	20-man battle royal for one draft pick
2	Eve (Raw) defeated Layla (SmackDown)	Singles match for one draft pick
3	Kofi Kingston (SmackDown) defeated Sheamus (Raw)	Singles match for one draft pick
4	Randy Orton (SmackDown) defeated Dolph Ziggler (Raw)	Singles match for two draft picks
5	Rey Mysterio (Raw) defeated Wade Barrett (SmackDown)	Singles match for two draft picks
6	The Miz, CM Punk and Alberto Del Rio (Raw) defeated John Cena, Christian and Mark Henry (SmackDown)	6-man tag team match for one draft pick

Online Draft Selections

Following the televised broadcast, the draft continued on WWE's official website. This online component featured 22 additional selections, with 13 picks allocated to Raw and nine to SmackDown. While the televised portion utilized match outcomes, the online selections were conducted through a randomized system, adding an element of unpredictability.

The following selections were made via WWE.com on April 26, 2011:

Pick No.	Brand (to)	Employee	Brand (from)	Notes
9	SmackDown	Daniel Bryan	Raw
10	Raw	Jack Swagger	SmackDown
11	SmackDown	The Great Khali	Raw
12	SmackDown	Jimmy Uso	Raw	Member of The Usos
13	Raw	Kelly Kelly	SmackDown
14	Raw	JTG	SmackDown
15	SmackDown	Alicia Fox	Raw
16	SmackDown	William Regal	Raw
17	SmackDown	Yoshi Tatsu	Raw
18	Raw	Drew McIntyre	SmackDown
19	SmackDown	Natalya	Raw
20	Raw	Curt Hawkins	SmackDown
21	Raw	Chris Masters	SmackDown	Contract released prior to appearance.
22	SmackDown	Jey Uso	Raw	Member of The Usos
23	Raw	Kofi Kingston	SmackDown
24	SmackDown	Ted DiBiase	Raw
25	SmackDown	Tyson Kidd	Raw
26	SmackDown	Tamina	Raw
27	Raw	Tyler Reks	SmackDown
28	SmackDown	Alex Riley	Raw	Pick nullified due to contract status; officially signed with Raw later.
29	Raw	Beth Phoenix	SmackDown
30	SmackDown	Sheamus	Raw	WWE United States Champion

Immediate Reactions

Social Media Buzz

Following the draft selections, various WWE performers took to social media platforms, particularly Twitter, to express their reactions. Many commented on the significant talent shifts, such as John Cena and Randy Orton moving to SmackDown, and their own transitions to new brands.

Wrestler Sentiments

Mark Henry conveyed determination regarding his move to SmackDown, aiming for championship success. Rey Mysterio expressed pride in representing Raw, mirroring his previous tenure with SmackDown. John Cena highlighted the historical significance of being drafted first and last in the same event, setting a unique precedent.

Surprise and Anticipation

Big Show expressed surprise at his draft selection but looked forward to the transition to live television broadcasts. These varied reactions underscored the personal and professional impact of the draft on the WWE roster, generating anticipation for future storylines.

Impact and Evolution

Viewership and Promotion

The 2011 WWE Draft significantly boosted viewership for Monday Night Raw. The episode saw an increase in ratings compared to the previous week, indicating the draft's effectiveness in capturing audience attention and driving engagement with the brand's programming.

End of Brand Extension

By August 29, 2011, WWE announced the dissolution of brand exclusivity for performers. This meant that talent was no longer restricted to Raw or SmackDown, and championships became available across all shows. This move marked the end of the initial brand extension era, allowing for a unified roster.

Reintroduction of Brand Split

The unified roster approach was relatively short-lived. In July 2016, WWE reintroduced the brand split, with SmackDown beginning its live broadcast on Tuesdays. This strategic decision, according to Stephanie McMahon, was aimed at improving content flow across television and digital platforms, demonstrating WWE's adaptive business model.

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References

In addition to the United States, Raw is broadcast in various countries.[1]

This wrestler was originally a Raw member but represented SmackDown after being drafted earlier in the evening.

This wrestler was originally a SmackDown member but represented Raw after being drafted earlier in the evening.

The draft pick was nullified due to Riley being under a personal service contract to The Miz, and not an official WWE contract. Riley officially signed with Raw on May 30, 2011.

A full list of references for this article are available at the 2011 WWE Draft Wikipedia page

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This page was generated by an Artificial Intelligence and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. The content is based on a snapshot of publicly available data from Wikipedia and may not be entirely accurate, complete, or up-to-date.

This is not professional advice. The information provided on this website is not a substitute for professional sports analysis, event planning, or media consultation. Always refer to official WWE resources and consult with qualified professionals for specific insights into the sports entertainment industry.

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The 2011 WWE Draft

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Background & Purpose 📜

🏢 Brand Extension Context

🎯 Strategic Objectives

📍 Event Logistics

Key Selections & Dynamics 🔄

🌟 Landmark Picks

👩 Female Talent Movement

🏆 Championship Implications

Determining Draft Picks ⚔️

📊 Televised Competition

💻 Online Draft Selections

Immediate Reactions 🗣️

💬 Social Media Buzz

💪 Wrestler Sentiments

😮 Surprise and Anticipation

Impact and Evolution 📈

📺 Viewership and Promotion

🔚 End of Brand Extension

🔄 Reintroduction of Brand Split

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📜 Important Notice

Dive in with Flashcard Learning!

Background & Purpose

Brand Extension Context

Strategic Objectives

Event Logistics

Key Selections & Dynamics

Landmark Picks

Female Talent Movement

Championship Implications

Determining Draft Picks

Televised Competition

Online Draft Selections

Immediate Reactions

Social Media Buzz

Wrestler Sentiments

Surprise and Anticipation

Impact and Evolution

Viewership and Promotion

End of Brand Extension

Reintroduction of Brand Split

Teacher's Corner

True or False?

Test Your Knowledge!

Gamer's Corner

Discover other topics to study!

References

Feedback & Support

Disclaimer

Important Notice