2016 WWE Mock Draft Part Two: General Managers, NXT Talent and Undertaker

July 18, 2016

Mauro Ranallo and Corey Graves – Smackdown

I am a huge fan of Graves and both Bryan and I agree that his addition to Smackdown MUST happen. Out with Lawler and Byron and in with fresh, interesting and intelligent perspectives. We know Mauro and Michael will stay put, but a fresh voice will help drive forward the idea that Smackdown is changing for the better. He is ready and Byron can easily be used backstage in a matter of roles. His work on NXT is very old school Lawler, playing the heel but respecting the talent in the ring. He brings an enthusiastic and young voice. Him and Mauro can be really, really good together.

Michael Cole and Daniel Bryan – RAW

Josh stole my thunder (not to be confused with the legendary WCW show), and picked Mauro and Graves, but I’ll again go a little off the path and take Daniel Bryan to pair with Michael Cole. I was extremely impressed by Daniel Bryan’s color commentary during the CWC, and think that he could bring a breath of fresh air into Michael Cole’s delivery. JBL is such a watered down heel that he doesn’t even support most of the people that he should, so I think that you have to go in a new direction.

GM: Paul Heyman RAW

This may be logistically difficult given that Lesnar is on Smackdown in this scenario, but I think that you could spin it that Stephanie stole Heyman from Shane and Smackdown to have Lesnar run wild on the competition. Plus, you have the added history of Stephanie and Heyman’s previous relationship on Smackdown that could make for a great historical perspective. Plus, with Lesnar to UFC seeming like a real possibility, I think that you have to get Heyman on TV more often, and this is certainly a way.

GM : Edge – Smackdown

When I think of Smackdown succeeding, I think of what Edge brought to Smackdown. With his involvement on the WWE Network, this could be a great time for him to return to television in an “Authority figure” role. Shane will pick a face (even though it most likely will be Daniel Bryan) but the popularity of Edge from 10 years ago and most recent on the network opens the opportunity of success for Smackdown. He has won it all and done it all, aside from having power. I loved his work with Vickie Guerrero and can utilize that opportunity to seize a brand that he made “HIS” for such a long time. Fun fact: Bryan and I embraced when the Rated R Superstar cashed in at New Years Revolution. High school friends jumping up and down, luckily I did not drop the F bomb… THIS TIME.

Josh controls most of the creative writing and ideas for the show on a weekly basis, as well as an on-air talent.
Aside from working with WrestleZone, Isenberg began his career in Broadcast Journalism interning at ESPN and worked with CBS Radio for three years. He has also had the opportunity to interview some of the best athletes and performers alive, including Andrew McCutchen, Ben Roethlisberger, Chris Jericho, Billy Gunn, Karl Anderson, Matt Hardy, Steven Strasburg and others.
Currently, Josh Isenberg works for Major League Baseball in their Advanced Media Productions. He grew up in Pittsburgh and went to Point Park University, which is where Chair Shot Reality is filmed each week.
His life outside of his obsession with wrestling include being a savant for Seinfeld, NFL, NBA, MLB and many television shows. He also has an undying love for musicals, which includes many shows he was a part of in high school. Some of his favorite wrestling moments can be linked to such superstars as Edge, The Rock, Bret Hart, Shawn Michaels and The Great Khali.

Follow @JoshIsenberg4