Was There a WWE Draft in 2003?By Coder| September 29, 2023 Wrestling Blogs Was There a WWE Draft in 2003? Yes, there was a WWE Draft in 2003. The draft took place on March 22, 2003, during an episode of WWE’s flagship show, Monday Night Raw. This draft marked a significant shift in the landscape of professional wrestling as it allowed for the reorganization of talent between the two main brands at the time: Raw and SmackDown. What is a WWE Draft? A WWE Draft is an event where superstars from different wrestling brands are selected to compete exclusively on one specific brand. It is a way for WWE to freshen up storylines, create new rivalries, and give wrestlers opportunities on different platforms. The idea behind the draft is to create competition between the brands and provide fans with unique matchups they might not have seen before. It also allows for fresh storytelling possibilities and helps to maintain audience interest throughout the year. The 2003 WWE Draft The 2003 WWE Draft was particularly significant because it introduced a “brand extension” concept. This meant that Raw and SmackDown would become separate entities with their own unique rosters, championships, and storylines. During the draft, each brand’s general manager had an opportunity to select superstars from a pool of talent. The selection process was done through a lottery system where random numbers determined the order in which picks were made. Notable Picks Some notable picks from the 2003 WWE Draft include: Brock Lesnar: The then-WWE Champion Brock Lesnar was drafted to SmackDown, solidifying his status as the face of that brand. The Rock: The Rock was drafted to SmackDown, adding star power and mainstream appeal to the blue brand. Triple H: Triple H was drafted to Raw, allowing him to continue his dominance on a different stage. Kurt Angle: Kurt Angle was also drafted to SmackDown, adding his incredible wrestling ability to the brand’s roster. The Impact of the 2003 Draft The 2003 WWE Draft had a lasting impact on the company. It helped establish Raw and SmackDown as two distinct brands with their own identities, fan bases, and championships. It also allowed for fresh matchups and storylines that kept fans engaged throughout the year. The draft created opportunities for rising stars and gave them a chance to shine on a bigger stage. It also allowed established superstars to reinvent themselves and explore new feuds and alliances. Overall, the 2003 WWE Draft was a pivotal moment in professional wrestling history. It laid the foundation for the brand extension era and set the stage for future drafts that would shape WWE’s landscape for years to come.