WWE Draft 2009: The silent or the loud killer?

In about a few weeks, the WWE Draft will commence. For 3 hours, WWE stars will be traded and drafted back and forth between 3 different brands. Nowadays, this usually means one brand is getting pumped up for some serious ratings while the others get the shaft. Where does this leave ECW? It leaves them where it always does: on the verge of complete destruction, or at least an overhaul. Usually around this time, a handful of stars get sent to ECW to re-launch themselves, when, in reality, it's their punishment for not being appealing enough. However, this year, I want to take this time to point out what really matters in the draft concerning ECW: who will or might be leaving.

I'm going to say this clearly and openly so everyone reading this has an understanding of what's going on: ECW is not a factor to the WWE's general success, according to the pundits backstage. In other words, ECW doesn't matter to them. Its only purpose is to make new stars for the other two brands. Plain and simple. If you don't know this by now, you should. If you do know this, then I need to emphasize this next point: if certain stars of this current ECW are removed via the draft, this plan of the WWE's will fail. The reason: you can't have a show to make stars on if no one is watching it. You can't watch a show if there's nothing to watch on it. So, with that said, the following wrestlers need to stay intact on ECW as a unit or the quality of ECW will diminish greatly: Christian, Evan Bourne, and the Miz and John Morrison. If this crop of wrestlers are removed all at once, say goodbye to ECW. Why is this important? It's not because they are the most appealing ECW stars out there, excluding Finlay. It's because they are the most likely of all the ECW stars to actually find a home on another brand. The possibility of departure is way too high.

Evan Bourne is a high-flying, high-speed, wrestling dynamo that wows the crowd with his tactics almost any chance he gets. Whether you've seen him before elsewhere, or you're seeing him for the first time in general, he is a sight to see, no question. At this point in time, he is comparable to Rey Mysterio as one of the top cruiserweights in the WWE today. In fact, I'll go out on a limb and say that he'll be a fine replacement when Rey retires. The Miz and Morrison are probably the hardest-working wrestlers in the WWE today (on 3/22, I'll discuss that fully). They throw themselves into their roles as cocky heels to the point where it's a guilty pleasure to watch them wrestle if you hate them. They're young, talented, motivated, and willing to go the extra mile to make the show a good one. Quite frankly, they are the backbones of the mid-cards on each brand as well as each brand's tag division. That's quite a feat. Lastly, Christian is the new "hero" of ECW (as I've said before a few weeks ago). Just as RVD, C.M. Punk, and Matt Hardy, it's Christian's job to be the top face and representative of ECW on a number of occasions. His track record is enough to get him there and his cult following is close to that of Matt or Jeff Hardy's.

Now, this evidence is more than enough to keep these guys on ECW, without a doubt. However, this evidence is more than enough to guarantee them spots on the other brands. They all have the talent for upward movement anywhere they go. This is why ECW needs them. They need to keep this show afloat. Heck, they are keeping the show afloat. If they all disappear, where are you going to go to see new stars? Who is going to bring up these new stars via some television matches? WWE Superstars? As foolish as that sounds, I wouldn't be surprised.

Yes, there is a new show coming out called WWE Superstars, which, in truth, is just an old show making its return to television. Yes, it's coming in April. Yes, it's supposed to be a place to see the lesser-known WWE stars get their exposure. Yes, it's on a television network with lots of affiliates. So, why not cast off the show that hasn't been the WWE's cup of tea from day one for a show that has? Yes, there have been many people saying that it won't be another brand or that other brands will be cut down because of it. But, I distinctly remember Vince McMahon saying that he didn't want to dedicate any more man-hours to taping television. Now, he reneges on that idea. The common answer is that we are in a recession and more money needs to be made. But, I think we know the real answer. Ultimately, it will replace ECW. That's how I see it. It's doing the exact same thing ECW plans to do, and it is drawing its cover well as a show that might not be a replacement. But, isn't that what you should expect: the least expected?

Now, I could be wrong and ECW may lose a handful of unimportant stars or low-quality ones to other shows, killing the brand silently. That would make sense as well. However, a loud death sounds like something that's more than likely to happen. Who truly knows the situation involved? All I know is that if the aforementioned block of wrestlers is taken out of ECW, the quality of said show might very well go with it. I also know that you shouldn't put it past the WWE to try and replace ECW. They have brought about other tremendous changes before.

So, folks, get your draft scorecards ready. There might be some huge changes coming via the draft. Once can only hope that ECW doesn't fade away in the process. If it does, consider it Vince's biggest, most elaborate revenge plot he has ever hatched: the destruction of a brand that forced him to change the way he did business. It's quite an egotistical move, but, remember, Vince is the guy who claims people chant "ECW" because he told them to. Sheesh!