2006 WWE draft | |
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![]() Paul Heyman represented ECW during the 2006 WWE draft. | |
General information | |
Sport | Professional wrestling |
Date(s) | May 29, 2006 |
Location | Tacoma, Washington |
Overview | |
League | World Wrestling Entertainment |
Teams | ECW Raw (outgoing only) SmackDown! (outgoing only) |
The 2006 World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) brand extension draft, also known as the 2006 ECW draft, [1] was the fourth WWE draft that took place at the Tacoma Dome in Tacoma, Washington, on May 29. The draft aired on WWE's flagship program Raw . The draft featured former Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) owner Paul Heyman receiving two total draft picks from the existing SmackDown! and Raw rosters for the newly created ECW brand. [2] [3]
After World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. bought all the assets of Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) from its parent HHG Corporation in 2003, the company began releasing DVDs promoting the original ECW. [4] Soon afterwards, the company promoted shows for ECW alumni entitled, One Night Stand in 2005 and in 2006. [4] On May 25, 2006, WWE announced the launch of a new brand, ECW, a revival of original promotion. [5] The new brand would later debut its television show on the Sci Fi Channel on June 13, 2006. [6] In preparation for the launch of the new ECW television show, ECW representative Paul Heyman would receive two draft picks from the existing Raw and SmackDown! rosters.
Pick No. | Brand (to) | Employee | Role | Brand (from) |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | ECW | Rob Van Dam | Male wrestler | Raw |
2 | ECW | Kurt Angle | Male wrestler | SmackDown! |
Fifteen days after the draft ECW would hold its premiere episode on June 13, 2006. [6] Although not drafted, Tazz later defected from SmackDown! to ECW, Big Show from Raw to ECW, and Randy Orton from SmackDown! to Raw. In August 2006, after a few appearances, Kurt Angle requested and was granted his release from his WWE contract. [7]
On February 2, 2010, WWE Chairman Vince McMahon announced that ECW would air its final episode on February 16, 2010. [8] The ECW brand was disbanded after the final show, with every ECW wrestler becoming a free agent, eligible to join either the Raw or SmackDown brands. [9] The original brand extension would end in August 2011. [10]