The 2024 WWE Draft kicked off with a bang on SmackDown, mirroring the NFL Draft format to shake up the rosters! Before diving into any real action or draft picks, Paul Heyman announced that Roman Reigns had withdrawn from the draft. Here’s a breakdown of the high-stakes decisions made by Triple H in the first draft of the Renaissance Era:
WWE Draft 2024 Night 1 Round 1:
Triple H and Cody Rhodes revealed the first-round picks, for both Smackdown & Raw respectively, setting the stage for a night of high-stakes decisions.
- SmackDown Retains “The EST”: Bianca Belair stays on the blue brand, a potential sign of a dominant reign to come.
- Jey Uso Heads to Raw: A Uso brother rivalry could ignite as Jey joins Raw, leaving Jimmy on SmackDown.
- Carmelo Hayes Stays Strong on SmackDown: NXT Breakout Star Carmela Hayes bolsters the SmackDown Men’s division.
- Seth “Freakin” Rollins Lands on Raw: The Monday Night Messiah adds star power and unpredictable energy to Raw.
WWE Draft 2024 Night 1 Round 2:
WWE Draft 2024 got a blast from the past! Former WWE superstars Torrie Wilson and Michelle McCool stepped up to the podium, bringing nostalgia and star power as they announced the second-round draft picks.
- Randy Orton Stays on SmackDown: The Viper remains a threat on the blue brand.
- Bron Breakker Heads to Raw: The powerhouse rookie joins Raw, potentially setting up a rivalry with Seth Rollins.
- Nia Jax Lands on SmackDown: The Irresistible Force adds muscle to the SmackDown women’s division.
- Liv Morgan Joins Raw: The former Riott Squad member seeks her Revenge Tour and new opportunities on Raw.
WWE Draft 2024 Night 1 Round 3:
The nostalgia meter exploded as the Dudley Boyz, former tag team champions and ECW icons, stormed the ring for the third-round draft picks. The crowd erupted in chants of “ECW! ECW!” as Bubba Ray and D-Von Dudley, notorious for their brutal brawls, delivered the next wave of roster changes, adding a touch of hardcore history to the WWE Draft.
- LA Knight Strengthens SmackDown: The “Million Dollar Man” adds charisma and in-ring skills to the blue brand.
- Ricochet Joins Raw’s High-Flying Ranks: The One and Only brings his dazzling acrobatics to Monday nights.
- The Bloodline Expands to SmackDown: Solo Sikoa, Tama Tonga, and Paul Heyman join Roman Reigns, solidifying their dominance.
- Sheamus Stays on Raw: The Celtic Warrior continues his Raw tenure.
WWE Draft 2024 Night 1 Round 4:
WWE Draft Night 1 wrapped up with Teddy Long and JBL announcing the final picks for SmackDown and Raw. The action continues on Monday Night Raw, where the remaining superstars will find their new homes!
- SmackDown Retains AJ Styles: The Phenomenal One remains a pillar of the blue brand.
- Alpha Academy Joins Raw’s Tag Team Fray: Chad Gable & Otis add depth to Raw’s tag team division.
- Andrade Stays on SmackDown: El Idolo continues his journey on SmackDown.
- Kiana James Lands on Raw: NXT 2.0’s rising star Kiana James joins the Raw women’s roster.
While the televised portion of Night 1 focused on the top picks, WWE later revealed more selections via social media on Friday night. Here’s the full breakdown:
SmackDown:
- The O.C. (Luke Gallows, Karl Anderson & Michin)
- Baron Corbin
- Cedric Alexander and Ashante “Thee” Adonis
Raw:
- Shayna Baszler
- Zoey Stark
- Alba Fyre and Isla Dawn
- Ivar
This additional information paints a clearer picture of the revamped rosters and sets the stage for exciting rivalries to unfold on both Raw and SmackDown.
WWE Draft 2024 Night 2:
The action continues on Monday Night Raw as the remaining superstars await their fate! Who will find new homes, and what rivalries will ignite? Stay tuned for more updates on the 2024 WWE Draft!