Welcome back, ladies and gentlemen, for the latest installment of my analysis of this business we all know and love!
Today, we are going to be analyzing the 2023 WOW Draft featuring PWI, AEW, and WWE!
First and foremost, let’s analyze the exemptions of each company:
WWE: Murrey took on an interesting approach for his first draft outside of Mmouse Enterprises. He elected to only exempt TWO superstars! Yes, that means that he exposed his champions outside of his world champion as well! This bold approach has never been willingly adapted before now, and here we find an intriguing group for his only protected choices: World Champion Damian Priest and badboy Dominik Mysterio.
Why would he choose them over everyone else when he had an option of exempting one four-person stable as well as either ten individuals, ten tag teams, or some mixture in between? Well, Murrey sees gold in this talent of his, and he apparently believes that Dom and Damian are the key to a bright future for WWE in the coming season. Dom and Dam (I need to copyright that) had a great run in the beginnings of the reformed company so far this year, and they are poised to continue said dominance going forward. I am, frankly, excited to see what’s up!
AEW: Megan Mouse, on the other hand, didn’t pass up her chance to exempt 25% of her roster, plus a four-person stable, as she picked a great array of talent to protect –
The Stable Exemption = Inner Circle (Jericho, Guevara, Proud & Powerful)
This pick should come as no surprise, considering that BWM Inc. has invested a great deal of money and time into building this stable. The Stable Exemption idea was first proposed by Mmouse Enterprises a couple of years ago, but Benny rejected it. Good to see that Megan was a lot more reasonable going into this draft. It paid off for AEW in the end, too, as this group – which I view as vital to AEW’s future – is promising and strong.
25. Armageddon –
This should never be surprising, except that Megan had a solid chance to get rid of Armageddon, and thus her threat, but I digress. In all seriousness, Armageddon has worked for BWM Inc. since 2002 and there is no end in sight to such!
24. Sasha Banks –
Alexa Bliss wants to see her long-lost rival, but it will have to remain at episodes of Starrcade every year since AEW made the smart choice here exempting the “Boss”. Besides, you wouldn’t sacrifice your Knockout’s Champion, would you?
23. Ronda Rousey –
Mickey has wanted the Baddest Woman on the Planet since 2019, but he will have to wait again as Ronda was preserved for the Elite.
22. Nyla Rose –
Nyla had a decent run in PWI in 2021-2022, but she was sent to AEW last year, and now she will be guaranteed to remain there for at least another year. Can’t wait to see what we can expect from the Native Beast!
21. Living Dead Girl –
The Phenom of the Women’s Division killed it as PWI’s first Women’s Champion of this era, but she was drafted by AEW last year. Even so, I was surprised to see her exempted considering that Megan didn’t really use her in the few events they’ve held since last summer. Let’s see if the monster among women can make her presence known once again in 2023-2024!
20. Athena Star –
No one should ever doubt that Athena will retire under the BWM Inc. banner. It was surprising when Jesse Hash was sent to PWI last summer, but Megan nor Benny will ever let her wrestle anywhere else!
19. Chyna –
The Ninth Wonder of the World stole the show on Dynamite a few months ago, and I am honestly curious as to when she will find herself in the actual title picture. Rumor has it, though, that AEW initially signaled an interest in trading her for Rhea Ripley, but we will address that soon enough.
18. Charlotte Flair –
This woman has been impressive in the few times we’ve seen her active so far, but she has been wasted by the administration in BWM Inc., in my opinion.
17. Asuka –
The history-making Empress of Tomorrow has been stealing the show since the beginning of the era, and unfortunately for PWI, she was not on the market this go-around. Good move, AEW!
16. Authors of Pain –
Megan’s henchmen couldn’t be put at risk. Afterall, she needs them to shield her from Armageddon.
15. Hulk Hogan –
The Real American has NEVER been exempted in any draft, and Megan ended that 15-year streak with a stroke of her pen. She saw that the ratings have been very favorable every time Hogan is on-screen, and she knew what was at risk in the event that she let him go un-exempted.
14. Kevin Nash & Scott Hall –
The Outsiders were essential in partnership with Hogan as exempted stars, though Megan took an arguably necessary risk leaving Savage to be vulnerable.
13. Luke Harper & Erick Rowan –
The Bludgeon Brothers aren’t going anywhere. A powerful team with a great history so far, and I really hope we get to see what they can do in the near future.
12. Lucha Brothers –
Mmouse Enterprises has been interested in these guys for years, and the talented duo was kept out of the pool once again in 2023. Argh!
11. The Samoan Connection –
Yokozuna and Umaga have been dominant thus far in this era, and Yokozuna is looking more fit than ever. At his age, the multi-time tag champion (in numerous eras) is still going strong. The Bloodline remains strong!
10. Roman Reigns –
The Tribal Chief has planted his flag with the Elite and it isn’t clear if that will ever end!
9. Jon Moxley –
Mox is one of the best in the industry, and PWI will always regret losing him!
8. Randy Orton –
Orton has done a great many things in the industry, but he has ALWAYS called BWM Inc. “home”!
7. Malaki Black –
The House of Black has been a strong unit in AEW so far, and I don’t expect that to change any time soon.
6. Kenny Omega –
Omega is one of the top prospects in the business and PWI is bound and determined to nab him…but not yet.
5. Bryan Danielson –
Daniel Bryan’s suspicious twin (I kid, I kid) has been a great addition to AEW so far, and I just know that the explosion between him and Styles is coming soon!
4. Cody Rhodes –
Mickey wants Cody on our roster so bad that he is willing to do some regrettable things for that goal to come true. The American Nightmare is the future of the industry, no doubt about it!
3. MJF w/ Wardlow –
I am not going to talk about it. LEAVE ME ALONE!!
2. Brock Lesnar –
This is just embarrassing. Lesnar should have been exempted by PWI last year, but Mickey wanted to keep him on the Ascendant Class roster. My family can be stupid sometimes.
1. AJ Styles –
PWI knows that we will never get to see Styles in our ring, but we can dream, right? Styles currently reigns as the AEW Champion and it would have been disastrous to lose him now.
PWI:
25. HCW Extreme Champion, Austin Theory –
Theory had a stand-out performance in HCW and PWI these past year, and I see nothing but a bright future for him as we look to the 7th Season.
24. Granddaddy Duxen –
The most sought-after superstar by PWI for two decades finally came home last year, and he will remain here for at least one more year!
23. The Undisputed Era –
Adam Cole and Roderick Strong had a very dominant year in PWI in the tag division this past year. After they dropped the gold at The Epic to FTR, we have seen them take a break, but I have a feeling that said break will near its end soon.
22. Bayley –
The Role Model has been on a war path this past season, but management had a major decision to ponder later in the draft.
21. Shayna Baszler –
Shayna had a major win at Motivation X and she is not looking back as she trucks forward!
20. Rhyno –
Rhyno had the shocking moment of Motivation this past Sunday when he Gored Scott Nash on behalf of his worst enemy, Dragonfly. What’s next for the Man-Beast?
19. Jesse Hash –
Hash earned this spot after being drafted to PWI last year and conquering CM Punk at Motivation!
18. CM Punk –
PWI tried for three years to get Punk in draft’s past until capturing him last year. He had a hell of a run in PWI thisa past season, despite losing to Hash in the end.
17. The Young Bucks –
Tag Team wrestling’s most desired team went to PWI last year via a major post-draft trade and I have a feeling that things are only going to get better from here!
16. The Bella Twins –
The former tag champions are Premier for at least one more year. Nikki and Brie have both had great years in PWI, and now we will see what they can do with the pressure on them following their Motivation losses.
15. FRED –
The green monster has been firmly planted in PWI for at least another year, much to the chagrin of Mickey…wait a second.
14. Bray Wyatt –
The Eater of Worlds has been on an incredible run in PWI from the start. However, I have my doubts as to whetehr he can recover from the firepit.
13. Finn Balor –
Finn defeated Bray this past Sunday, and now the sky is the limit!
12. Liv Morgan –
The 2023 Women’s Premier Athlete took a shocking turn after her Cell match this past Sunday. Are we going to see a more ruthless side of her?
11. Karrion Kross and Scarlett –
The Men’s 2023 Premier Athlete and his temptress will be stalking the halls of PWI for another year!
10. Seth Rollins –
The former Immunity Champion has found a new home in PWI, and there is no end in sight to this run!
9. Slammer –
While injured, Slammer is here because Alexa Bliss mandated such in the rules.
8. Alexa Bliss –
Alexa mandated that she be exempt at every draft as well, but something’s different with her after her run-in with Bray a few weeks ago.
7. Women’s Ascendant Champion, Emma –
Champions are always going to take precedence for each draft as exemptions. Having said that, Emma will be forced to relinquish the gold this week as she has reached the mandated point to do so.
6. Men’s Ascendant Champion, Tommaso Ciampa –
Ciampa has been on an incredible run as Ascendant Champion, and his close call at Uprising solidified his status as the future of the business.
5. Women’s Tag Team Champions, The Agency –
Sharon Carter and Mockingbird have seized the Women’s Tag Division with the help of Stacy Keibler. Who on Earth can stop them?
4. Tag Team Champions, The Attraction –
Teo and Attitude have been exempted by PWI ever since both wound up here 4 years ago. For the first time in 20 years, they are champion together and I am loving it!
3. Women’s Immunity Champion, Paige –
Paige came back to PWI last year in the draft and has been in control of her own destiny ever since. There is a review underway, though, as her cash-in attempt at Motivation may have been her third and final attempt, thus forcing her to abdicate!
2. Women’s Champion, Becky Lynch –
Becky has been on the run of a lifetime ever since Rising last December when she toppled Angelina Love for the gold and survived Alexa one month later. I honestly don’t see her ever being available for any draft again.
1. PWI Undisputed Champion, Dragonfly –
Dragonfly has arguably established himself many times over as the greatest of all time. Is there any serious question as to why he is the first exemption?
Stable Exemption – The Pinnacle (Immunity Champion: Shawn Spears, FTR, and Jade Cargill)
The power stable alternative to AEW’s Inner Circle. Spears assembled this rock-solid group, and I am convinced that there is no stopping them!
THE 2023 DRAFT
Before the draft began, Murrey, Megan, and Lawrence Mason (filling in for Mickey) took part in a series of Rock-Paper-Scissors games to determine the order of the draft. AEW won, with PWI coming second, and WWE third. It was agreed that there would be 30 rounds with WWE having the option to bow out after round 8 due to the size of their roster.
Round One (AEW = The Usos, PWI = AJ Lee, WWE = Viking Raiders):
The Usos being the first pick was a slight shocker, and it definitely sent a shockwave through PWI. Mason knew that Mickey has desired adding Lee to the Women’s Roster for a long time, but this was the first time when she wasn’t exempted by BWM Inc.
Lee will absolutely make waves in PWI, but WWE was the wildcard in the draft over all. They came in and shocked everyone by picking tghe War/Viking Raiders! This added to the WWE Tag Division, but it also meant that PWI was down two tag teams!
Round Two (AEW = Ricky Starks, PWI = Thunderosa, WWE = Kevin Owens)
AEW and PWI came after WWE in this round and really shook things up! Starks is a bright prospect for the future of the industry who has had a number of show-stealing performances under the Murrey Entertainment banner, and he has been especially great as part of Team Taz. This was a steal!
PWI grabbing Thunderosa – whom was grabbed from under PWI’s nose by Camden Cross last year – was a shot across the bow of sorts and signals how serious PWI remains about the Women’s Division.
WWE, though, fired back in their own right by picking Kevin Owens, who may have lost to Granddaddy Duxen at Motivation, but remains one of the best in the business today!
Round Three (AEW = Rhea Ripley, PWI = Lance Archer, WWE = Ricochet)
AEW avoided having to trade Chyna for Rhea when they nabbed Rhea Ripley (who stood out again for the PWI just like her last run in the company). PWI then struck back by drafting the powerful Lance Archer, whom has been on our radar for at least three years. WWE continued its unorthodox trend by drafting Ricochet, but it shouldn’t have been shocking considering the style of wrestling you find with Murrey.
Round Four (AEW = Adam Page, PWI = Darby Allin, WWE = Johnny Gargano)
Each company lost and gained in this round, and it was all about the future! Page was a premier part of PWI, but he will continue to find success with the Elite of Wrestling! Allin was a shock pick, and WWE continued to build their new foundation!
Round Five (AEW = Bianca Belair, PWI = Candice LeRae, WWE = Santos Escobar)
AEW have been signaling their interest in Belair again since yesterday, and PWI have been smarting from losing LeRae last year. Santos going to WWE, though, especially hurt PWI. Mickey is not going to happy about that one.
Round Six (AEW = Orange Cassidy, PWI = Shotzi, WWE = Matt Riddle)
This was the first time in this draft that any company opted to save a member of their own roster, and it was also the first time (maybe ever) that one company was a target for all three picks! WWE lost a gold mine in Cassidy and a solid Women’s talent in Shotzi. Even so, they made the right decision by saving Matt Riddle from PWI possibly stealing him.
Round Seven (AEW = Trish Stratus, PWI = Riott Squad, WWE = Rey Mysterio)
Trish goes back to AEW after a great two year stint in PWI, Riott Squad returns to PWI, and Rey joins his son in WWE!
Round Eight (AEW = WALTER, PWI = Brian Cage, WWE = Street Profits)
WALTER was being primed for a major run on the main roster of PWI, but AEW spotted him before PWI could make the save. PWI replaced one beats with anotehr by grabbing Brian Cage from WWE, (further tearing up Team Taz), and WWE continued to build their tag division by grabbing the talented Street Profits!
Round Nine (AEW = Jurassic Express, PWI = Brothers Metal, WWE = Bobby Lashley)
The Tag Team ruled the moment for three consecutive picks, but that trend ended with WWE picking Lashley. Lashley was always viewed by PWI management as valuable, but he was a victim of being surrounded by World Championship talent. On the other hand, AEW grabbing Jungle Boy and Luchasaurus enraged the PWI Board of Directors so much that they authorized Mason to grab Metalhead and Heavymetal!
Round Ten (AEW = The Rock, PWI = Pac, WWE = Otis & Gable)
Megan decided on bringing The Rock back to BWM Inc., but Lawrence shot back with a pick that PWI has long wanted: the Bastard Pac. Otis & Gable marked only the second save by any company, but it also oddly enough ensured that all three companies had talented picked in the draft.
Round Eleven (AEW = RVD, PWI = Britt Baker, WWE = Pete Dunne)
Rob Van Dam was reunited with Rock under the BWM Inc. Banner, Britt Baker came back to PWI (that should be interesting), and Pete Dunne became “Butch” as Murrey called his name in the draft!
Round Twelve (AEW = Gail Kim, PWI = The IIconics, WWE = Sheamus)
For the first time this era, PWI didn’t prioritize saving Gail Kim, and we paid the price for it. Our response? Re-welcoming Peyton Royce and Billie Kaye to the PWI! WWE then elected to steal Sheamus from usin their continued construction of a great roster!
Round Thirteen (AEW = Powerhouse Hobbs, PWI = Cameron Grimes, WWE = The New Day)
Hobbs going to AEW officially sealed the deal on Team Taz’s fate, and Cameron Grimes being picked up by PWI ensured that we won’t see another installment of the Grimes and Riddle saga any time soon. The New Day (Kofi Kingston and Big E) being selected by the WWE further damaged PWI’s tag division for the sake of building WWE’s!
Round Fourteen (AEW = Drew McIntyre, PWI = Beer Money Inc., WWE = Bronson Reed)
Drew being picked was unfortunately purely meant for trading leverage (he deserves better). PWI was absolutely serious about picking the former HLW Tag Champions in James Storm and Robert Roode. WWE kept an eye on their future by grabbing Ascendant powerhouse Bronson Reed!
Round Fifteen (AEW = The Elite, PWI = Wade Barrett, WWE = Braun Strowman)
While Miz and Morrison are no longer together, they are a legacy tag team and the pick was absolutely permissible (remember, AEW also drafted them last year, but they were traded back for Ziggler and Henry). PWI brought Wade back to PWI (where he started in this era), and WWE grabbed the Monster of All Men!
Round Sixteen (AEW = Cesaro, PWI = Aiden English, WWE = Dolph Ziggler)
Cesaro going to AEW will be very good for him as PWI management had run out of stuff for him. PWI grabbed the comical Aiden English (who was subpoenaed by the Edge Court a couple days ago), and WWE stole a great pick in Ziggler!
Round Seventeen (AEW = Sean Olson, PWI = HBK, WWE = Shinsuke Nakamura)
Olson heading to AEW stung PWI a LOT, especially after Olson left Motivation looking pretty strong. Yet, PWI grabbed the iconic HBK who last worked with the company in 2014. Another sting against PWI, though, was WWE’s Nakamura pick. Ouch!
Round Eighteen (AEW = Angelina Love, PWI = Mark Henry, WWE = Lacey Evans)
Losing two incredible talents from the Women’s Division in a single round really sucked for PWI. Love is a multi-time former Women’s Champion here, and Lacey is really just beginning. But, hey, at least we got the World’s Strongest man back!
Round Nineteen (AEW = Dark Order Stable, PWI = Hurricane Helms, WWE = Connor McGregor)
AEW executed their right to a single stable of four pick by selecting Dark Order (Anna Jay, Evil Uno, Stu Grayson, and John Silver). We chose Hurricane Helms, who recently debuted in WWE, and WWE selected Connor (who is probably happy to be far away from Lesnar).
Round Twenty (AEW = Steve Austin, PWI = Goldberg, WWE = Beth Phoenix)
AEW taking Austin was interesting, only because he recently lost to Corbin, but the man has a long history in the business. Then, PWI got some justice by grabbing Goldberg (remember that a few months ago, HCW traded Goldberg to AEW so that AEW would leave Thunderosa alone…and see how that worked?). WWE then picked Beth Phoenix, whom has had an incredible run in PWI these past few years!
Twenty-First Round (AEW = Keith Lee, PWI = The Allure, WWE = Lita)
Lee has been great in PWI, but AEW will likely give him the attention and push that he deserves. The Allure (Amber Gallows and Velvet Sky) came back to PWI, and WWE grabbed the legendary Lita!
Twenty-Second Round (AEW = Best Friends, PWI = Miro, WWE = Team Kick)
AEW took a promising tag team from WWE to reunite them with Cassidy, Miro came back to PWI to be reunited with his wife, and Team Kick left PWI as a unit to enter WWE!
Twenty-Third Round (AEW = Tay Conti, PWI = Natalya Neidhart, WWE = Raquel Gonzales)
Taynara Conti was a priority signee last year for PWI, and she performed very well here, but now I have no doubt that she will thrive being in AEW and reuniting with her husband. Natalya, meanwhile, will be coming back to PWI and avoiding another run-in with Beth Phoenix in the meantime. Finally, WWE took the rookie Raquel Gonzales, sealing this as the first ever round with all women being picked in a three way battle!
Twenty-Fourth Round (AEW = Ember Moon, PWI = Lex Luger, WWE = Carmella)
Ember Moon is going back to the company that made her a star in the first place, and I am happy for her. Lex Luger is coming back to PWI after a multi-year vacation, and Carmella is leaving PWI for the first time in her mainstream career as she joins WWE!
Twenty-Fifth Round (AEW = Io Shirai, PWI = Kris Statlander, WWE = Elias)
Io Shirai is a former PWI Women’s Champion whom has been mired in our midcard ever since she dropped the title, so it is a great thing for her to get drafted to a new company. Kris Statlander will not be reunited with her friends in AEW, though, as she tests the waters in PWI, and Elias escapes the Ascendant Class and makes his way for WWE!
Twenty-Sixth Round (AEW = SCU, PWI = Nikki Cross, WWE = Andrade)
SCU has barely had a chance to thrive in WWE, but they will do very well in their new and elite home! Nikki Cross was also great last time she was in PWI, and I am excited to see her come back. As for Andrade, I am intrigued as to WWE’s reason for picking him here.
Twenty-Seventh Round (AEW = Harlem Turtles, PWI = Big Cass, WWE = Buddy Murphy)
I was very sad to see AEW take the Harlem Turtles, as they truly are the greatest team of all time. Big Cass was an interesting pick by PWI, and Buddy Murphy will fit right in with WWE!
Twenty-Eighth Round (AEW = Los Guerreros, PWI = Ted Dibiase, WWE = Samoa Joe)
Eddie and Chavo were incredibly honored in PWI, and they helped to kick off our great tag division here as the first champions for us in this era, but they will truly thrive in AEW! Ted Dibiase was a curious pick for PWI, and I wonder what he will do here. WWE grabbed Samoa Joe and I am eager to see what he does there!
Twenty-Ninth Round (AEW = Christian Cage, PWI = Matt Cardona, WWE = Sonya Deville)
Cage going to join his nemesis in AEW is appropriate, I suppose, and Cardona leaving his ex-wife behind in WWE is very stunning. As for WWE, after resisting earlier, they grabbed Sonya Deville and finished their women’s picks for the night!
Thirtieth Round (AEW = Chelsea Green, PWI = Mystico, WWE = Bret Hart)
The final round of the WOW Draft for 2023 was fascinating. AEW prevented PWI from reuniting Green with Cardona and English, PWI picked Dragonfly and Krusader’s young cousin, and WWE picked a legend in Bret Hart to finish the draft! Great Draft!
TRADES
After the draft, the following trades took place:
PWI traded Candice LeRae for former PWI Champion, Kurt Angle!
PWI traded Darby Allin and CM Punk for the long-sought after Randy Orton!!
PWI traded Bayley for the long-desired Charlotte Flair!!
FINAL THOUGHTS, FOR NOW
My thoughts for now is that this draft was the biggest game-changing draft so far. So much was changed in the landscape, and WWE may have arguably won the night after gambling everything.
This is going to be fun.
See you at Starrcade!
World Of Wrestling: Murrey Universe 