The WWE, as we know it, is about to undergo a major facelift.Again.For the first time since 2011, the WWE will implement a brand extension (or brand split), separating its roster into two competing shows: the flagship three-hour Raw on Monday nights, and SmackDown, which will air live for the first time after moving to a new night on Tuesday.This weeks debut of SmackDown Live (8 p.m. ET, USA Network) will be a special one with the return of the WWE Draft.In some ways, the change of direction within the promotion is a return to old, with the WWE having utilized a draft of some form on an annual basis between 2002 and 2011. This one, however, feels fresh and new, with the WWEs decision to withhold key details (including the title structure and how the two brands will intertwine on pay-per-view) adding to the anticipation for fans and performers.Every time that Ive done a draft, it has always been the most nerve-wracking, unexpected thing I have ever been involved with in the WWE, The Miz, the WWEs Intercontinental champion, told ESPN.com. It changes not only your life and your career but it just changes everything about the dynamic of WWE in general.While its sometimes hard to decipher between whats truth and whats a work when WWE performers speak outside of the ring, both The Miz and WWE womens champion Charlotte said on Monday that they remain in the dark about their future ahead of Tuesday night. The feeling, the Miz said, is reminiscent of his first draft in 2006.We had a show called ECW and there was a supplemental draft the next day, The Miz said. I found out on WWE.com that I was being drafted and was like, Oh, all my friends knew before I did. Thats how secretive it is. No one knows exactly where they are going. Not one superstar.One of the main reasons for excitement entering this years draft is the promotions depth, helped by an influx of young talent from developmental third brand NXT. With the brand split creating a need for more proven talent, the WWE has also made a pointed effort to acquire top superstars from rival promotions such as A.J. Styles, Kevin Owens, Finn Balor and Shinsuke Nakamura.What that means is a much bigger emphasis on the keyword at hand -- opportunity -- which is something that was echoed by Charlotte, the daughter of two-time WWE Hall of Famer Ric Flair, who has become the face of the rebranded WWE womens division.I think it keeps everyone on their toes, Charlotte said. Its opportunity -- there are more slots and there are more players. Im just more excited to see what brand Im going to be with, and then look at it as an opportunity to make the most of it and become a major player. Especially with new talent coming up from NXT, thats definitely going to mix things up a bit.WWE released a partial set of draft rules on Sunday. With more time to fill more than three hours, Raw will not only receive the first overall pick, it will make three selections for every two of SmackDown Live, which remains two hours long. In addition, tag teams will count as one pick unless a commissioner or general manager of a specific brand wants only one member.The WWE also announced a total of six selections will be made from the NXT roster. Paul Heyman, the on-screen advocate for Brock Lesnar, told ESPN.com in June that the NXT factor will be one of the biggest components to the drafts impact.You are going to have a whole bunch of new opportunities for people to move up into the main event mix just by the very nature of Raw and Smackdown having an exclusive roster, Heyman said. As we saw with the debut of The Shield a few years ago, you can get a lot of people into that mix very, very fast if they seize the moment of opportunity which is given.From a storyline standpoint, the two brands will take on different identities with sibling rivals Stephanie (Raw) and Shane McMahon (SmackDown) serving as commissioners. The babyface-run SmackDown will play the underdog, helped by the addition of retired fan favorite Daniel Bryan as general manager. Mick Foley, meanwhile, will be the GM of Raw, which will likely have a more heel-centric approach due to Stephanie McMahons membership in The Authority.WWE chairman and patriarch Vince McMahon has preached to his on-screen hope that his children and their respective shows would truly compete against each other, which mirrors WWEs real-life expectations for the brand split.SmackDown has to come across as a brand that is truly competing with Monday Night Raw, Heyman said. If the brand is not competitive with WWE in terms of talent, production, look, presentation and just in terms of the manner in which the announcers get to describe the product, its doomed. But I dont see it going down that way.Vince thrives on competition. Just like he did in 2002, when there is no one out there competing with Vince McMahon, he will create his own competition.McMahon bought out chief rival WCW in 2001 and created the original brand extension the following year in hopes of manufacturing an in-house version of The Monday Night Wars. While the results were never quite as intended, the time appears ripe to try it again, provided the WWE has learned from its mistakes after the first go around.A major byproduct of splitting up the rosters, according to The Miz, is the pride for your brand that extends into the locker room.We are so competitive here in the WWE, The Miz said. You want to be No. 1 and want to beat the other person whether you are looking at ratings, merchandise sales or people coming to the building. You are looking at who is really reacting to the superstars better. You are looking at every little aspect of everything there is.Although the scripted draft will ultimately play out however WWEs creative team decides, the true reflection it provides regarding each performers overall value wont be lost on the participants.The Miz, who slipped into character long enough to declare he expects to be selected first overall, looks at the top draft choice as essentially the highest honor in sports entertainment. He also didnt take kindly to news that he was drafted 17th overall in a recent ESPN.com mock draft.You can look at it as the No. 1 pick is basically the most important [superstar] and will be the hub of Raw or SmackDown Live, The Miz said. But being No. 17 is a slap in the face to me. So if Shane or Stephanie thinks that I should be 17 then I might as well just call it a career because I value myself so much higher.There are going to be a lot of people very angry and a lot of people very happy with their draft position. Make no mistake about it -- we are all in competition to be No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3. We all want to be a high draft pick. No one wants to be the last guy picked -- Mr. Irrelevant, if you will.Charlotte, who said she was honored by being selected No. 2 overall in the ESPN.com mock draft, considers it an illustration of just how far the WWE womens division has come in a short time, referencing the pride she takes in having her title changed from diva to superstar.It just goes to show that the women are a huge part of what we do and are being focused on more and more storylines, Charlotte said. Usually there are two matches on Raw and now with the brand split, who knows? Im looking to main event a pay-per-view and I know thats how all the women in the locker room feel. To be No. 2 among a giant roster just goes to show the women are important.Iman Marshall Womens Jersey . Andrew Luck lost his favourite target and the Indianapolis locker room lost one of its most revered leaders when Reggie Wayne was diagnosed Monday with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee that will cost him the rest of the season. Justin Tucker Jersey .ca NHL Power Rankings for the second straight week, ahead of the Pittsburgh Penguins and Colorado Avalanche. http://www.cheapravensshoponline.com/Youth-Jonathan-Ogden-Ravens-Jersey/ . First off, the fans ripped the Cubbies introduction of a fuzzy new kid-friendly mascot named "Clark". Iman Marshall Ravens Jersey . -- In a span of seven Washington Redskins offensive plays, Justin Tuck sacked Robert Griffin III four times. Ben Powers Jersey . -- Nate Robinson has played for seven teams, so beating one of them is no longer a rare occurrence.INDIANAPOLIS -- The NBA season kicks off on Wednesday night for the Indiana Pacers and Dallas Mavericks.New faces in both places breed renewed optimism entering the 2016-17 season.The Pacers parted with head coach Frank Vogel after last season, and team president Larry Bird said he wanted to redefine the way his team plays. The overhaul also brought point guard Jeff Teague, power forward Thaddeus Young and center Al Jefferson to the Pacers, who tout superior athleticism and depth than previous seasons.Indianas franchise player Paul George is looking forward to testing the new-look team in the regular season.I dont want to jump the gun and say this is the best team Ive been on, but its shaping up to be, George said. Ive got a new group with unbelievable talent.The Pacers face another of their former coaches, Rick Carlisle, who is entering his ninth season with the Mavericks. Indianas new coach, Nate McMillan brings a style of play to the franchise that might not be recognized.I think our roster puts us in a position to play any style, McMillan said. We want to play with a lot more ball movement. Our guys have to commit to running.Theres a lot of talk about George, Myles Turner and the new Pacer players, but former Maverick Monta Ellis will have a lot to say about the teams success this season after his most diligent offseason in several years.I rededicated myself this summer in the gym, Ellis told NBA.com. Last year was tough. I let the team down. Its a new beginning and I wanted to be part of that.Ellis is hoping to help the Pacers defeat his former team on opening night. Last season, hhe averaged 18.dddddddddddd0 points per game against the Mavericks.For Dallas, the new faces on the team include two NBA champions from Golden State- Harrison Barnes and Andrew Bogut. The Mavericks havent made it out of the first round of the playoffs since winning a championship in 2011, and they will be relying heavily on these new additions to get over that hump.Theyre champions, said Mavericks star Dirk Nowitzki. Theyre great players and theyre part of a championship team, so they know how to play and they know how to win.A lot of eyes will be on Barnes in particular after signing a $94 million contract. His preseason performance brought heaps of criticism in Dallas.Theres going to be bigger expectations and Ill have a larger role on this team, Barnes told ESPN.com. But the biggest thing Ive learned in my four years Ive been in the league is that winning is the biggest priority.One of the issues for the Mavericks moving forward will be the aging point guards. Despite the talent, Deron Williams, Devin Harris and J.J. Barea are all on the wrong side of 30. As the NBA continues to play a faster game, the Mavs could struggle keeping up at that position.Last year, the Mavericks and Pacers had identical offensive numbers.Dallas averaged 102.3 points per game, while the Pacers averaged 102.2. In Wednesdays matchup, look for a high scoring contest as each team will try to get out and run on opening night.The Pacers won both games against the Mavericks last season. ' ' '