WORLD WRESTLING ENTERTAINMENT 2008 DRAFT

photo: courtesy wwe.com

Monday, June 23, 2008 - SAN ANTONIO, TX

source: WWE.com - Just days before Night of Champions, seismic shifts took place across the WWE rosters, with ECW Champion Kane drafted to RAW, while SmackDown! gained WWE Champion 3H, giving that brand two World Championships. RAW, SmackDown! and ECW earned random draft picks competing in inter-brand bouts and 9 SuperStars changed home brands.

With five Superstars drafted to the brand throughout the night, RAW came away from the draft with a lot of new talent in their roster. First Rey Mysterio was drafted from SmackDown!, then John Cena defeated Edge to bring Batista back to Monday nights. Next, Mr. Money in the Bank 2008, CM Punk was drafted from ECW to RAW.

JBL defeated ECW’s Kofi Kingston to earn Raw another draft pick. When the random lottery machine ran, it was ECW Champion Kane who joined RAW along with his coveted title, though he will still defend it against Big Show at Night of Champions.

RAW lost Jeff Hardy, Umaga, and Mr. Kennedy along with Triple H. Jim Ross will also have a new home, having been drafted from Monday Night RAW to Friday Night SmackDown! Michael Cole will now sit in JR's seat on RAW.

United States Champion Matt Hardy was drafted from SmackDown! to ECW. read more on the draft.