WWE has announced a Draft is taking place next month. The move comes just months after the latest Superstar Shakeup, which was held after WrestleMania 35.
The rosters of Raw and SmackDown will be shaken up once again on the October 11th episode of Friday Night SmackDown on Fox. The Draft will continue three days later on the October 14th episodes of Raw.
The following is WWE’s official press release on the matter:
WWE DRAFT SET FOR FOX AND USA NETWORK ON OCTOBER 11 AND 14
The destiny of WWE’s Superstars will be determined during a two-night draft taking place live on Friday Night SmackDown® on October 11 at 8 pm ET on the FOX broadcast network and Monday Night Raw® on October 14 at 8 pm ET on USA Network.
On both nights of the draft, Superstars from Raw and SmackDown will appear along with personalities from FOX and NBCUniversal programming who will announce select picks from each brand. The draft will determine the Superstars that compete for Raw and SmackDown, which feature distinct casts, unique storylines and dedicated writing teams.
Friday Night SmackDown on October 11 will emanate from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas while Monday Night Raw on October 14 will take place at the Pepsi Center in Denver.
Raw and SmackDown are the #1 and #2 longest-running weekly episodic television shows in U.S. primetime history. The programs have aired more original episodes than The Simpsons, Gunsmoke, Lassie and Monday Night Football.
Raw will continue airing on USA Network while SmackDown moves to FOX beginning Friday, October 4.