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It has been a little over five years since WWE brought back the brand split. We have seen a lot of changes in the product since then, for better or worse. Looking back at that period is an interesting venture.
The WWE Draft was brought back in 2016 to split the roster across RAW and SmackDown. It took place on July 19th - the first episode of SmackDown since it became permanently live.
30 picks were made on the show, as most of WWE's biggest stars went early. The rest of the Draft played out during a WWE Network special, without too much fanfare. The format seemed to indicate who would be getting pushed on RAW and SmackDown, with a lot of the early picks being justified.
However, both brands did unearth a few gems from their post-show picks. A few WWE Superstars, who were drafted after SmackDown, rose above their unflattering positions to become stars in the company. This even includes the very last pick of the entire ordeal.
One could even say they overachieved, based on the low expectations set for them at the start of the brand split in 2016. Some of them proved their doubters wrong relatively quickly, while others took years to finally succeed in WWE.
This list looks at five afterthoughts from the 2016 WWE Draft, who became stars in the company.
#5 Apollo Crews (No. 45 in the 2016 WWE Draft)
Having debuted on the WWE main roster a few months earlier, Apollo Crews' low position in the 2016 WWE Draft was somewhat surprising. He was picked directly after Summer Rae, who did not make a single appearance as a RAW Superstar.
Regardless, Crews initially struggled on SmackDown. He was an exception to the generally well-booked show, before moving to RAW. The Nigerian star was part of Titus Worldwide on the red brand but would take a few more years to fulfill his potential in WWE.
Apollo Crews got a push in 2020 under the management of Paul Heyman, who oversaw a United States Championship victory. However, his true ascent came the following year. Crews turned heel and defeated Big E to become Intercontinental Champion at WrestleMania 37
While not a main-eventer, Apollo Crews has carved out a solid place for himself on the card. He has improved leaps and bounds since his disappointing start as a WWE Superstar in 2016.
#4 The Usos (No. 32 in the 2016 WWE Draft)
While not a complete afterthought in WWE at the time, The Usos were pretty stale at the start of the brand split in 2016. Their face act had run its course, which was proven when Golden Truth was picked ahead of them in the WWE Draft. Jimmy and Jey Uso would turn their fortunes around pretty quickly.
The Usos turned heel on SmackDown a few months after being drafted there, eventually winning the Blue Brand's Tag Team Championship just before WrestleMania 33. Their legendary rivalry with The New Day, later in 2017, turned Jimmy and Jey into major stars.
Despite some struggles away from the ring, The Usos remain one of the most prominent names in WWE today. They might be the best tag team in the world and are currently a part of the company's biggest storyline, alongside Roman Reigns.
The brothers are the current SmackDown Tag Team Champions and look set on having a long reign with them. The Usos very quickly took advantage of the "land of opportunity" following the 2016 WWE Draft, establishing themselves as a permanent force.
#3 Braun Strowman (No. 48 in the 2016 WWE Draft)
The WWE Draft broke up a few teams in 2016, with The Wyatt Family being among the casualties. Bray Wyatt and Erick Rowan were drafted separately to SmackDown, and Braun Strowman made his way to RAW. It was a sink or swim situation for the man-mountain.
Strowman instantly got a haircut and passed the test with flying colors. He was one of the first success stories of the 2016 brand split. The Monster Among Men was WWE's most over-babyface in 2017 through his insane strength and intensity, along with a brutal feud against Roman Reigns.
However, the company never pulled the trigger on a Universal Title run for him during that period. Despite being cooled off, Braun Strowman remained a big star for WWE. He became Universal Champion at WrestleMania 36, serving as a last-minute replacement for Reigns against Goldberg.
Despite being released by WWE around two months ago, there is no denying Strowman overachieved in the company. Many predicted he would flop without The Wyatt Family, but made it on his own. He might even return to the company sooner rather than later.
#2 Carmella (No. 59 in the 2016 WWE Draft)
As the very last pick of the 2016 WWE Draft, Carmella was not quite tipped to succeed on SmackDown following her call-up from NXT. However, things changed quickly for her. While she was initially a babyface when she debuted, Carmella showed signs of promise through a heel turn a month later.
Her character grew during a long rivalry with Nikki Bella, while a partnership with James Ellsworth would pay off. Carmella won the first-ever Women's Money in the Bank Ladder Match in 2017 - technically the first two.
She would hold the contract for close to 10 months, before cashing it in on Charlotte Flair on the SmackDown after WrestleMania 34. Carmella remained the SmackDown Women's Champion until SummerSlam, where she played her part in the budding story between Charlotte and Becky Lynch.
Since then, Carmella has remained a steady figure on SmackDown as both, a face and a heel. She can be classed as one of the more reliable female stars in WWE, having excelled as a character. Carmella certainly has come a long way since being the 59th and final pick of the 2016 WWE Draft.
#1 Alexa Bliss (No. 47 in the 2016 WWE Draft)
Possibly the biggest breakout star from the latter stages of the WWE Draft in 2016, Alexa Bliss was seemingly called up to SmackDown to make up the numbers in the blue brand's women's division. However, she would rise to the top of the ranks in less than five months.
Bliss defeated Becky Lynch to win the SmackDown Women's Championship after a stellar few months as a vicious heel. She was a revelation, furthering her stock every day as Champion. Little Miss Bliss enjoyed more success after moving to RAW, eventually becoming a five-time Women's Champion.
She is a top-tier character in WWE and has earned the company's trust, as evidenced by her non-wrestling roles when she was out injured. Bliss even became the host of WrestleMania 35 - a role reserved for the biggest names and celebrities.
While the Goddess has improved in the ring over the years, her promo work remains great. And while her current character is questionable, one cannot fault Alexa Bliss' performance. She has become one of WWE's biggest female stars over the past five years, despite being among the final 15 picks in the 2016 Draft.
