According to a new report, the 2021 WWE Draft will take place on August 30th and September 3rd.
This means that the draft will take place shortly after SummerSlam. WWE’s summer spectacular is moving from it’s traditional Sunday slot and will take place on Saturday August 21st at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
The report from Andrew Zarian of the Mat Men Podcast, also pours cold water on suggestions that WWE don’t have set plans in place for the draft.
Zarian notes that “WWE has big plans for some who will be switching brands following SummerSlam.”
Adding that he has heard that the goal is to give the draft a bigger feel than in recent years.
After initially tweeting the wrong dates, Zarian later clarified that the special shows will take place on August 30th and September 3rd.
**WWE DRAFT WILL BE AUG 30th and SEPT 3RD**
I made a total bone head move and looked at the wrong month on my calendar! Sorry guys!
— Andrew Zarian (@AndrewZarian) June 24, 2021
The report ties in with earlier suggestions that Big E could be heading to RAW after SummerSlam. The report from WrestleVotes, explained that while The New Day would be reunited, that doesn’t necessarily mean that they’ll team together. Upon arriving on RAW, Big E would be used to inject new life into the main event picture.
SummerSlam is being viewed as a hugely important show for WWE as they continue to welcome back live crowds. In a recent interview, Stephanie McMahon promised “a lot of surprises” at the event.
The WWE Draft sees talent moved between RAW and SmackDown respectively, while Superstars from NXT are often brought to the “main roster” too as part of the move. While the traditional format saw General Managers from each brand make the picks, the most recent editions have featured mock FOX and USA Network board rooms poring over their decisions before RAW gets three picks, due to being a three-hour show, for every two SmackDown picks.
Over the past two years, the WWE Draft has taken place in October – with 2019 actually seeing a Superstar Shake-Up in April too.
Inside The Ropes will bring you more information on the upcoming WWE Draft as and when it’s available.