WWE 2K19: A New Era

[ElliotM]

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<div style="margin:auto; width:650px; background-color:#212121; padding:25px; color:#ffffff; text-align:center;"><div style="font:22px Roboto;"><b>WWE Draft 2019: The All-New Era Begins</b></div></div>

 

<img src="https://i.imgur.com/CwFDDL9.png"><div style="margin:auto; width:650px; background-color:#212121; padding:25px; color:#ffffff; text-align:justify;margin-top:-15px;"><div style="text-align:justify; font:22px Roboto;"><b>Renee Young kicks off WWE Draft with the first batch of picks for both Monday Night Raw and Friday Night SmackDown</b></div>

The WWE Network officially went live to broadcast a special 2-hour broadcast, airing the official WWE Draft. Renee Young wasted little time welcoming everyone to the show and kicked things off by revealing the first batch of WWE superstars to be drafted to their new homes of either Monday Night Raw or Friday Night SmackDown. Ten superstars were re-housed by the Network Representatives, USA and FOX. See below for the full list of draft picks during the first round.

 

<div style="margin:auto; width:325px; color:#ffffff; text-align:justify; float:left;"><b>WWE Raw Draft Picks</b>

Becky Lynch (Raw Women's Champion)

Roman Reigns

Ricochet (United States Champion)

The New Day (WWE Tag Team Champions)

Bobby Lashley</div><div style="margin:auto; width:325px; color:#ffffff; text-align:justify; float:left;"><b>WWE SmackDown Draft Picks</b>

Drew McIntyre

Charlotte Flair

Braun Strowman

The Miz (Intercontinental Champion)

The Hardy Boyz</div>

 

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<img src="https://i.imgur.com/MUNpjGP.gif"><div style="margin:auto; width:650px; background-color:#212121; padding:25px; color:#ffffff; text-align:justify;margin-top:-15px;"><div style="text-align:justify; font:22px Roboto;"><b>Alexa Bliss wins Women's Open Opportunity Battle Royal</b></div>

To kick off the in-ring action, the Women's Open Opportunity Battle Royal began with women from all across the company vying for the opportunity to showcase their skills for the Network Representatives that are in control of drafting the new rosters. A sea of superstars entered the ring and bodies began to fly. A notable moment was when Nia Jax asserted her dominance, disposing of five superstars in a row before being eventually eliminated by Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville. However, Fire and Desire were also dispatched by The IIconics. Natalya then aligned with Ember Moon to get rid of the Australian pair, leaving them along with Alexa Bliss as the final three. After a hard-fought battle, Natalya took an unfortunate tumble over the ropes when Ember Moon accidentally delivered a dropkick that was originally intended for Little Miss Bliss. Taking advantage of the situation, Bliss ran up behind The War Goddess and sent her crashing to the floor, securing herself the victory. Little Miss Bliss has just landed herself a sure spot in the next round of the WWE Draft with such an impressive performance, and she made sure that Ember Moon knew about it, mocking her adversary as she left ringside.</div>

 

<img src="https://i.imgur.com/DS0mMSa.gif"><div style="margin:auto; width:650px; background-color:#212121; padding:25px; color:#ffffff; text-align:justify;margin-top:-15px;"><div style="text-align:justify; font:22px Roboto;"><b>Luke Harper makes a shocking return to capture the Hardcore Championship during Robert Roode vs. Chad Gable</b></div>

Everyone is wanting to make an impact, but nobody expected the shocking return of Luke Harper. The former Bludgeon Brother emerged during the Hardcore Championship bout scheduled between Robert Roode and Chad Gable, decimating anything that stood in his path. Several other superstars joined the fray during the match, hoping to capture the gold, but it was then that Harper returned and cleared the entire ring of the competition. The Backwoods Brawler delivered a sickening superkick to the side of Robert Roode's face and flattened Chad Gable with a Discus Clothesline that almost beheaded the young superstar. With that, Harper was able to score a pinfall and capture the Hardcore Championship for himself. Who's going to stop this barbaric individual when he has everything at his disposal to hurt you? This will undoubtedly make trying to capture the Hardcore Championship a bit more difficult going forward.</div>

 

<img src="https://i.imgur.com/uPCVzFH.png"><div style="margin:auto; width:650px; background-color:#212121; padding:25px; color:#ffffff; text-align:justify;margin-top:-15px;"><div style="text-align:justify; font:22px Roboto;"><b>Renee Young hosts the second round of picks for both Monday Night Raw and Friday Night SmackDown</b></div>

After an explosive first round of draft picks, and a couple of adrenaline-fuelled matches, it was time for the second round of picks for the Network Representatives as the executives of both the USA Network and FOX got their respective groups together to secure some more talent for their shows. See the full list of second round draft picks below.

 

<div style="margin:auto; width:325px; color:#ffffff; text-align:justify; float:left;"><b>WWE Raw Draft Picks</b>

Randy Orton

Alexa Bliss

Dolph Ziggler

Luke Harper (Hardcore Champion)

The Viking Raiders</div><div style="margin:auto; width:325px; color:#ffffff; text-align:justify; float:left;"><b>WWE SmackDown Draft Picks</b>

Samoa Joe

Shinsuke Nakamura

Asuka

Rey Mysterio

Andrade</div>

 

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<img src="https://i.imgur.com/OGe2zlI.gif"><div style="margin:auto; width:650px; background-color:#212121; padding:25px; color:#ffffff; text-align:justify;margin-top:-15px;"><div style="text-align:justify; font:22px Roboto;"><b>The Undisputed ERA def. British Strong Style & The Street Profits (NXT Showcase Match)</b></div>

Monday Night Raw and Friday Night SmackDown may be undergoing a competitive draft, but don't let that distract you from the return of WWE NXT. The black and yellow brand will return alongside Raw and SmackDown as an equally entertaining product, featuring some of the most talented athletes in the industry today. And to showcase that, this Triple Threat Tag Team Match was scheduled featuring three teams that have been secured by the WWE NXT brand. This match was explosive from start to finish as all three teams looked to impress heading into the NXT Season Premiere that will air alongside the premieres of both Raw and SmackDown. The Street Profits looked to close in on a victory when they hit a Spinebuster/Frog Splash combination on Kyle O'Reilly, but Bobby Fish prevented the pinfall from being made. The newly reunited British Strong Style delighted the WWE Universe with some classic offence, and even took a page out of the legendary Hall of Famer's book, The Legion of Doom, with a Doomsday Device. However, it was when O'Reilly and Fish were able to isolate Bate and deliver Total Elimination that ended the match and secured them the victory. Adam Cole and Roderick Strong joined their Undisputed allies in celebration, showing that they are intent on taking over WWE NXT, and nobody can stop them.</div>

 

<img src="https://i.imgur.com/62MHMLZ.png"><div style="margin:auto; width:650px; background-color:#212121; padding:25px; color:#ffffff; text-align:justify;margin-top:-15px;"><div style="text-align:justify; font:22px Roboto;"><b>Renee Young hosts the final round of picks for both Monday Night Raw and Friday Night SmackDown</b></div>

It's time for the final round of draft picks for both Monday Night Raw and Friday Night SmackDown, and it couldn't be more tense for the WWE superstars awaiting their call. The rest of the un-drafted roster will be housed immediately following the event on WWE.com, but to be an official pick of one of the Networks will undoubtedly be an incredible boost. As explained previously, the competitors in the two World Championship Matches (Daniel Bryan, AJ Styles, Seth Rollins & Finn Bálor) are ineligible to be drafted and will be given their new home immediately following SummerSlam. See below for the final set of draft picks.

 

<div style="margin:auto; width:325px; color:#ffffff; text-align:justify; float:left;"><b>WWE Raw Draft Picks</b>

Sasha Banks

Aleister Black

Kevin Owens

Rusev

The Usos</div><div style="margin:auto; width:325px; color:#ffffff; text-align:justify; float:left;"><b>WWE SmackDown Draft Picks</b>

Bayley

Sami Zayn

Cesaro

Ali (Cruiserweight Champion)

The Revival</div>

 

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<img src="https://i.imgur.com/SXFbEdW.gif"><div style="margin:auto; width:650px; background-color:#212121; padding:25px; color:#ffffff; text-align:justify;margin-top:-15px;"><div style="text-align:justify; font:22px Roboto;"><b>Rusev wins Men's Open Opportunity Battle Royal</b></div>

Earlier in the night, Alexa Bliss secured a big victory in the Women's Open Opportunity Battle Royal, a victory that proved to be key to her being chosen by the Network Representatives for USA as she was drafted to Monday Night Raw shortly after. For the main event of this Network Exclusive broadcast, the Men's Open Opportunity Battle Royal would take place featuring a who's who of WWE superstars from all across the company. All vying for a spot at the top of the mountain, many superstars came and went in this over-the-top-rope elimination bout. It Was Braun Strowman who dominated a lot of the match, throwing superstars out left and right before coming into contact with Bobby Lashley and Baron Corbin, whom he had trouble with this past week on WWE Raw. The Monster Among Men was able to send The Lone Wolf over the ropes, and eventually dropped Lashley moments later with a powerslam over the ropes. Believing he had won the match, Strowman celebrated, only to be taken by surprise as Rusev emerged from out of nowhere having been knocked out of the ring earlier in the match, sending Strowman over and out, eliminating him and taking the win for himself. The WWE Universe were in shock as The Bulgarian Brute stole the victory, leaving Strowman stunned on the outside. Rusev's recent run of momentum on ECW had proved to be worth every second as he stood tall over the rest of the roster. What does this mean for The Bulgarian Brute as he joins the Monday Night Raw roster?</div></div>

 

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