Backstage Notes on the WWE Draft, Nixed Plans for the First Pick, More

As of last week, Brock Lesnar was scheduled to be the #1 pick in the WWE Draft but ended up being #8, going to RAW. WWE officials wanted Lesnar at #1 due to the UFC 200 win over Mark Hunt and the publicity it brought. WWE Champion Dean Ambrose was scheduled to be #2 for SmackDown, followed by Seth Rollins for RAW and John Cena for SmackDown.

Draft changes were brought on by Roman Reigns failing a WWE Wellness test that caused Ambrose to win the WWE Title, John Cena cutting back on his schedule and Lesnar’s failed UFC drug tests. These changes did not alter any end result of who ended up on what brand, but all three did lead to shifting around the order of some of the picks.

Lesnar was originally booked to appear live on the Draft show but was pulled. Him being pulled from the show had nothing to do with the failed drug tests as the decision was made a while before the failures were made public. WWE has stated that Lesnar’s next appearance will be at SummerSlam next month but he was originally scheduled to return to TV in August to appear on RAW for the SummerSlam build. It appears he and Randy Orton will be doing their SummerSlam match with no real angles.

Breaking Draft/SmackDown News, Big WWE Draft Announcer Rumor, Dana Brooke – Triple H Report, Bad News for Reigns’ Push?, HHH Low-Balling WWE Stars on Money?, Big News on a WWE Team Splitting Up, WWE Star Speaking Out Against the Company Soon?, WHY Roman Reigns Failed a WWE Wellness Test, Big Backstage WWE Draft Updates, New Members of The Club, WWE Star Gets Heat for Sloppy Work, , Interesting Dean Ambrose News, Possible AJ Styles Title Plans, Major Tag Team Division Changes Coming?, WWE Ribbing Top Stars on TV, Must See New Lana & AJ Lee & Maryse, Lots of New GIFs & Exclusives, More

Source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter