WWE Superstars Reveal the Hardest Part About Switching Brands

Night one of the 2023 WWE Draft is in the books, and the movement between all three brands is already sending shockwaves through the wrestling world!

While we’re already lamenting the fact that our reigning RAW Women’s Champion Bianca Belair will be shipped away to SmackDown, our pain is alleviated by the fact that it looks like – due to Roman Reigns being drafted to SmackDown as well – the World Heavyweight Championship will be coming to Monday nights. It’s common to go through a range of emotions during the WWE Draft from a fan’s perspective – but surprisingly, there are real-world ramifications for WWE Superstars when draft season rolls around! As it turns out, getting drafted to a new brand is a lot more than just learning how to cope with red or blue lighting inside an arena. 

USA Network cameras caught up with The Miz and Nikki Cross once more ahead of the 2023 WWE Draft and asked them the most challenging parts about switching brands. Miz opened our eyes to a new side of him that seems to be laser-focused on climbing the ladder as soon as he knows his destination. 

RELATED: The Miz, Nikki Cross Share Thoughts on Intercontinental Title As WWE Gets Set For Pivotal Draft

“The hardest part about switching brands is getting acclimated to your environment… it feels brand new, it feels fresh,” Miz said. “And you have to see kind of, not necessarily where you fit in, but how you can manage yourself to get to a top level or to evolve yourself. It’s a great opportunity to look at your atmosphere and go, ‘Okay, this is a new way to introduce myself. How do I want to do that? And how can I succeed at it?’”

As always, Miz’s professionalism shines through in his answer. As one of the only WWE Superstars with extensive experience competing on both RAW and SmackDown, Miz has set the bar for how to thrive whenever a curve ball is thrown in a Superstar’s direction. 

On the other hand, Nikki Cross put everything in perspective for the younger members of the WWE Universe. “Going to a different show, it’s like, you’re like the new kids at high school,” she explained. “You’re starting all over again. You know everyone, you know? You know everyone! And it almost becomes like, you know, your home.”

That’s a sentiment familiar with millions of fans worldwide, as Nikki puts how switching brands feels in a way anyone can understand. Still, it sounds stressful!

And while Nikki Cross technically still awaits her fate (it will be decided tonight), The Miz already knows where he’ll be wrestling for the foreseeable future – Monday Night Raw. And it sure seems like Miz manifested the future he wanted because, after all the talk of him needing the Intercontinental Championship back, GUNTHER and the rest of Imperium were drafted to the red brand as well!

Now, the WWE Universe gets to see firsthand if The Miz can put his money where his mouth is and take the Intercontinental title away from the dominant GUNTHER – we suspect it’ll only be a matter of time before the two Superstars lock up on RAW in a matchup that will genuinely be must-see television. 

For those unaware, the 2023 WWE Draft continued through Saturday morning as more draft picks were announced long after SmackDown went off the air:

We don’t want to sound cocky, but based on the draft results so far, we’re doing quite well with our pre-draft predictions – with Bianca heading to SmackDown and AJ Styles making his shocking return, WWE is well on its way to shuffling the deck in the wildest ways possible. Of course, the WWE Universe can look forward to more exciting developments tonight on RAW as the 2023 WWE Draft is slated to finish by the end of the broadcast.

With so many WWE Superstars still waiting for their names to be called, it’s shaping up to be a can’t-miss episode of Monday Night RAW!

Catch up on all things WWE Universe on Peacock.