WWE: Former Retribution Members Given Name Changes, WWE Draft Update, Updated SD Ratings

WWE Changes Ring Names for Two Former Retribution Members

WWE officials reportedly recently changed the ring names of former Retribution members Reckoning and Slapjack, according to PWInsider.

Mike Johnson reported that both will now be working under their previous WWE ring names of Mia Yim and Shane Thorne respectively.

Johnson also reported that WWE could also still change their minds depending on if they come up with a new creative idea or direction for them.

---

2021 WWE Draft Status Update

Andrew Zarian reported in a recent episode of The Mat Men Wrestling podcast that WWE officials recently changed their scheduling plans for this year’s WWE Draft special.

Zarian reported that his sources within WWE stated that the current plans are for this year’s WWE Draft to now take place on either October 1st for SmackDown and October 4th for RAW or October 4th for RAW and October 8th for SmackDown. WWE officials previously had plans for this year’s Draft to take place on August 30th and September 3rd.

Zarian also reported that WWE officials also are currently planning for this year’s RAW season premiere episode to take place on October 4th.

---

Updated WWE Friday Night SmackDown Ratings

This past Friday’s episode of WWE Friday Night SmackDown drew a final viewership of 1,986,000 on FOX, according to Wrestlenomics. This was up compared to the initial overnight number of 1,881,000 viewers on the network.