If WWE wasn’t already giving the first live SmackDown on July 19 the full-court press, they sure are now. Both before and after next Tuesday’s SmackDown, which will feature the highly-anticipated brand extension draft, the WWE Network will host live analysis shows, which will both be titled WWE Draft Center Live.
The pre-show will begin at 7 p.m. ET and the post-show will obviously air immediately following the conclusion of SmackDown. Draft Center Live continues a new trend of event programming on the WWE Network that began with last week’s Cruiserweight Classic Bracketology special.
Not only will there be a pre- and post-show, but Draft Center Live is meant to serve as a “second screen experience” and a companion to the onscreen draft during SmackDown. From WWE.com:
As if the WWE Draft on SmackDown Live’s Tuesday night premiere on USA Network July 19 wasn’t big enough, the WWE Universe will also be able to watch a special WWE Draft Center Live second screen experience at 8/7 C — exclusively on WWE Network — as well as a SmackDown Live Pre-Show at 7/6 C across all digital platforms.
While Superstars like Seth Rollins, John Cena, Charlotte and the rest of the roster anxiously anticipate their fate with the clock ticking toward one of the most critical nights in WWE history, the action will begin with the SmackDown Live Pre-Show, featuring expert analysis on what may unfold throughout the evening.
Then, as the WWE Universe tunes in to the WWE Draft on SmackDown Live, fans will also have the opportunity to enhance their experience with the WWE Draft Center Live, a special supplemental show airing exclusively on WWE Network during the SmackDown broadcast. The revolutionary telecast will allow the WWE Universe to get inside the Draft in a way unlike any other as the lives of Superstars change forever – exclusively for WWE Network subscribers. This unique and original experience will also continue on after the WWE Draft on USA Network concludes, giving the WWE Universe an extended look at all that the WWE Draft will have to offer. Subscribe to WWE Network today to be part of this incredible experience!
Watch it all unfold on Tuesday, July 19 beginning at 7/6 C, when SmackDown goes LIVE with the SmackDown Pre-Show, the WWE Draft Center and of course, the WWE Draft itself!
In past years, the televised WWE Drafts occasionally featured supplemental draft picks that were announced via WWE.com. It’s possible that WWE Draft Center Live will include some “less important” draft picks in the post-show. As with the rest of the brand split, everything is very much up in the air at the moment. But if Bracketology is any indication, there WILL be a news ticker.
