9 WWE Superstars who were #1 picks in the Draft

#2 WWE Draft 2016 - Seth Rollins

In 2016, Vince McMahon announced that RAW and SmackDown would once again be separate WWE brands with exclusive rosters. He handed over the reins of RAW to his daughter Stephanie McMahon, while his son, Shane McMahon received control of SmackDown.

SETH ROLLINS! EVERYBODY SCREAM!#RawReunion #MizTV @WWERollins pic.twitter.com/P8kzAvvnpz

— WWE (@WWE) July 23, 2019

In addition to this, it was revealed that SmackDown would no longer be a taped show. As its new name suggested, 'SmackDown Live' was set to be telecast live, just like RAW.

The Draft was meant to split the roster proportionally, with the three-hour RAW getting three picks for every two picks of SmackDown Live, which would have a two-hour runtime.

The Draft was announced when the Authority, the faction headed by Stephanie and Triple H, was at the height of its power. Seth Rollins was their poster boy and it was no surprise when they chose The Architect to be #1 pick.

Dean Ambrose was WWE Champion, which was the only world championship present in the company. He was set to take on Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins in July 24th's Battleground in a Triple Threat match.

RAW, therefore, drafted both the challengers while SmackDown Live drafted the Lunatic Fringe. Ambrose retaining caused RAW to unveil the WWE Universal Championship.

Despite being the #1 pick, Rollins would have to wait almost three years, until Wrestlemania 35, to win the Universal Championship for the first time.

SETH ROLLINS pins @WWERomanReigns!! ROLLINS IS THE NEW WORLD HVT. CHAMPION!! #WrestleMania pic.twitter.com/EwTvupkXav

— WWE (@WWE) March 30, 2015