Welcome to NewsSaurus’ live coverage of WWE SmackDown on April 26th. As the NFL draft unfolds, WWE initiates its own draft to reshuffle talent across Raw, SmackDown, and NXT.
With the company’s inaugural premium live event in France just over a week away, the spotlight also shines on the buildup to the May 4th show. Amidst draft picks and pay-per-view anticipation, the blue brand’s Superstars take center stage in a series of electrifying matches. Let’s dive into the highlights from Friday’s episode of SmackDown.
Cody Rhodes vs AJ Styles: Contract Signing
Before diving into any real action or draft picks, Paul Heyman announced that Roman Reigns had withdrawn from the draft.
Later, in the arena, Corey Graves presided over the contract signing between Cody Rhodes and AJ Styles for their Backlash match next weekend.
Styles expressed anticipation for their first encounter and mentioned his annoyance with LA Knight, now resolved. He acknowledged the parallels in their paths and expressed respect for Rhodes, citing Dusty Rhodes’ influence on his championship mindset. Rhodes reciprocated the respect but emphasized his determination to win at Backlash. The segment concluded with a peaceful handshake.
While the segment lacked excitement, it strategically kept Rhodes and Styles apart until their match, ensuring a focused buildup despite its uneventful nature.
WWE DRAFT 2024 Night 1 Round 1:
In a move mirroring the NFL Draft, WWE kicked off their 2024 roster shakeup on SmackDown. 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 drafted Bianca Belair
- Raw drafted Jey Uso
- SmackDown drafted Carmela Hayes
- Raw drafted Seth Rollins
Dragon Lee and Rey Mysterio vs. Angel and Berto
Hayes made his intentions clear, expressing a desire for a shot at Rhodes. The American Nightmare initially played it cool but ultimately accepted the challenge.
Following the break, Dragon Lee and Rey Mysterio teamed up against Angel and Berto. Lee and Berto set a brisk pace from the start, with Lee showcasing his high-flying prowess early on.
Despite not lasting long after the break, the match concluded cleanly with Mysterio and Lee emerging victorious. Santos Escobar and Elektra Lopez appeared, with Escobar reiterating that he wasn’t behind the attack on Lee.
Footage revealed Carlito as the assailant, and he struck Lee again after the reveal, swiftly fleeing through the crowd to evade Mysterio. While the match offered some entertaining moments, its brevity limited its impact, and Carlito’s turn, though expected, sets the stage for future developments, albeit without indicating his alignment with Legado.
Result: Mysterio and Lee defeated Angel and Berto
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.
- SmackDown drafted Randy Orton
- Raw drafted Bron Breakker
- SmackDown drafted Nia Jax
- Raw drafted Liv Morgan
Bron Breakker vs. Cedric Alexander
Bron Breakker wasted no time asserting his dominance on SmackDown. In a lightning-fast match, he obliterated Cedric Alexander with a thunderous Spear in under 30 seconds, leaving the crowd stunned and Alexander flat on his back.
Result: Breakker defeated Alexander
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.
- SmackDown drafted LA Knight
- Raw drafted Ricochet
- SmackDown drafted Sikoa, Tonga and Heyman
- Raw drafted Sheamus
Tiffany Stratton vs. Naomi
In the subsequent match, Naomi squared off against Tiffany Stratton, with Bayley providing commentary. Naomi wasted no time, launching into Tiffy with a Thesz press right from the outset.
While this bout wasn’t for a title shot, a victory for Tiffany over the No. 1 contender would certainly bolster her case for a future opportunity.
As the match unfolded, Jax ambushed Bayley from the crowd, prompting Naomi to intervene. However, before any resolution could occur, Naomi found herself driven into the ring post, prompting the referee to halt the match.
While the inconclusive outcome and time constraints posed limitations, the chemistry between Tiffany and Naomi was evident. Although the finish protected Tiffany, it left something to be desired in terms of closure.
Result: No contest
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 drafted AJ Styles
- Raw drafted Alpha Academy
- SmackDown drafted Andrade
- Raw drafted Kiana James
Carmelo Hayes vs. Cody Rhodes
In this week’s main event, Rhodes faced off against Hayes, who had earlier issued the challenge to the new SD Superstar.
The match kicked off with an intense lockup followed by a flurry of fast-paced offense. Despite Hayes showcasing his agility with a well-executed springboard attack, Rhodes swiftly gained control, causing Hayes to retreat momentarily as the action paused for a commercial break.
The bout served as a remarkable platform for Hayes to display his skills, making it a fitting climax to the inaugural night of the draft. Following a missed springboard move by both competitors, Rhodes capitalized quickly, securing the victory with his signature finisher. However, Rhodes appeared to be nursing a shoulder injury as the match concluded, yet he acknowledged Hayes with respect.
Result: Rhodes defeated Hayes
The first night of the draft brought about several expected picks, but the unexpected promotion of James from NXT was a refreshing surprise.
Despite most matches being cut short due to the draft segments, the main event delivered, showcasing Hayes’ potential as a rising star.
Hayes demonstrated his talent, underscoring his potential to become a top-tier star with the right booking from WWE. It’s crucial for the company to capitalize on his momentum moving forward.
Next week’s Raw promises to intensify the draft with more picks for both brands. With notable names still available, significant changes may await WWE’s flagship shows.
