WWE News: Backstage reactions during last year's draft

What’s the story?

Popular WWE-based E! reality show Total Divas has returned for the second-half of its 6th Season, with its latest episode featuring a segment that highlights backstage footage of last year’s WWE draft. The footage includes a few interesting reactions from WWE Superstars including Dean Ambrose, John Cena, The Miz, Dolph Ziggler and Eva Marie.

In case you didn’t know...

The WWE brand extension that involves segments such as the annual draft is a kayfabe segregation of the WWE into different brands mainly RAW and SmackDown, with the catch being that the Superstars drafted to each brand will perform only for said brand unless special circumstances or situations require otherwise.

The heart of the matter

Some of the highlights from the footage are as follows- Summer Rae, Naomi and Natalya speculated as to who will be SmackDown Live’s first draft pick when Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan revealed it to be Dean Ambrose. The entire locker room heaved a comprehensive sigh as Ambrose reacted in typical ‘Lunatic Fringe’ fashion.

SmackDown host Renee Young celebrated the first acquisition of the blue brand, while Cesaro fist-bumped Ambrose in congratulation.

Daniel Bryan dispassionately announced the Miz and Maryse as the next SD Live draft picks, which led to the A-Lister sounding off:

“Yeah, you could have a little bit more excitement. I’m the Intercontinental champion. I made that guy (Bryan). Unbelievable! Took that long to get the Intercontinental champion on the show.”

Meanwhile the other Superstars seemed to be sulking in response to Miz’s self-adulation. Miz and Maryse walked off bidding adieu to the other Superstars.

If anyone knows how to put on a show, who better than the Showoff himself. On being announced as the next pick for SmackDown Live, Ziggler sarcastically screamed out- “Fifteen years later it’s my big break!”- leading to Naomi bursting out with laughter.

This was followed by Shane O’Mac and Bryan announcing John Cena as the next draft pick for SD Live. The Leader of the Cenation joked about getting a lower paycheque owing to him being the 4th round pick. Furthermore, he also promised to work his way to the top and wished the Raw Superstars the best of luck

Furthermore, in what is being touted by fans as the most hilarious Superstar reaction at last year’s draft, Eva Marie misunderstood the announcement regarding her wherein she rejoiced being drafted to Monday Night RAW only to later learn that she’d in fact been drafted to SmackDown.

Her goof-up led to a raucous roar of laughter and trolling courtesy her fellow WWE performers, with one of them going as far as saying-“You gotta read, girl. Read!”- Well, stating the obvious now, aren’t we? Marie acknowledged her mix-up and declared that All Red Everything is now All Blue Everything.

What’s next?

The WWE Superstar Shake-up promises to deliver Superstar transfers as is customary of the periodic drafts after WWE’s brand split last year. The Superstar Shake-up begins with the next episode of Monday Night RAW (4/10/17) that will air from the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum from Uniondale, NY.

Author’s take

Total Divas gave us an intriguing look at last year’s draft including an intimate look at the backstage tension during the draft. Loved the epic reactions from your favourite Superstars? Buckle up because with 2017’s Superstar Shake-up just around the corner, we as fans can expect a truckload of similar if not wilder fallout from the WWE locker room as we move forward in what promises to be an entertaining post-Mania phase.

Monday Night RAW or SmackDown Live- whose side are you on?

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