WWE 2021 Draft start time and predictions

It’s the event all WWE fans have been waiting for as the 2021 Draft commences this evening (Friday).

It is a two-night extravaganza in which the company shakes things up and switches various superstars between Monday Night Raw and Friday Night SmackDown.

Last year, the 2020 WWE Draft saw Drew McIntyre climb to #1 pick for RAW, and Roman Reigns begin his legacy as the #1 pick for SmackDown.

The very same year, Seth Rollins, Bianca Belair, The Mysterios and Kevin Owens were drafted to SmackDown as well as AJ Styles, Kofi Kingston, Xavier Woods, The Miz & John Morrison and Jeff Hardy being drafted to Raw.

This year promises to follow in the footsteps of these historic moments… so tune into SmackDown tonight (1am BT SPORT) and Monday Night Raw on October 5 (1am BT SPORT) to see who will make the big moves.

It would be no surprise to see both brands select their premier champions as their number one pick, therefore it is likely new WWE champion Big E, who retained his title in a brutal steel cage match with Bobby Lashley this week, will be picked first by Raw.

Universal champion Roman Reigns has ruled the roost on SmackDown ever since returning to the company after a four-month hiatus last August.

He was selected first for the blue brand last year and it would not be a shock to see history repeat itself this year.

Drew McIntyre, who has been an integral part of Monday nights since winning the 2020 Royal Rumble and the WWE title twice, made it clear he wanted to be next in line for Big E’s championship at the conclusion of this week's episode of Raw.

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However, he featured alongside the SmackDown roster on WWE’s recent UK tour and having faced many of Raw’s top competitors over the last couple of years, it would be interesting to see the Scottish Warrior become a permanent member of the blue brand’s roster.

Cesaro, who is fresh off a fantastic year on Smackdown competing for the Universal title and a compelling feud with Seth Rollins, would do a stellar job bolstering the mid card and main event scene on Raw, as would the likes of Finn Balor and Kevin Owens.

Following Alexa Bliss’ crushing loss to Charlotte Flair at Extreme Rules this past Sunday and the champion’s evisceration of her doll Lily, a switch to the blue brand might be just what Alexa needs.

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After all, she did make her name on SmackDown, winning the title on multiple occasions, so will fans see her make an appearance tonight?

SmackDown women’s champion Becky Lynch looks set to enter a program with Bianca Belair and Sasha Banks, following The Boss’ return at Extreme Rules and interjecting herself in the title match between ‘The Man’ and the ‘EST’.

Therefore, with this set to be the women’s main event feud on Smackdown going forward, it would be a surprise to see either of those three head to Raw, but after all, you can never be certain with the WWE Draft.

NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 23: Kevin Owens celebrates his victory over Cesaro at the WWE SummerSlam 2015 at Barclays Center of Brooklyn on August 23, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by JP Yim/Getty Images) (GETTY)

WWE 2021 Draft predictions

• Drew McIntyre to Smackdown

• Kevin Owens to Raw

• Cesaro to Raw

• Jeff Hardy to SmackDown

• Alexa Bliss to Smackdown

• Eva Marie to SmackDown

• Finn Balor to Raw

• Jackson Ryker to SmackDown

• Ricochet to SmackDown

• Dolph Ziggler and Robert Roode to Raw

• John Morrison to SmackDown

• Asuka to SmackDown

• Dana Brooke to SmackDown

• Corbin to Raw

• Carmella to Raw

If you think we have missed any out, let us know in the comments section!