The 2024 WWE Draft wrapped up on the latest episode of RAW, serving as the go-home show for Backlash France.
While it wasn’t the most groundbreaking edition of the annual roster shuffle, there were still notable highlights and drawbacks to dissect.
Best: Gunther’s Premier Pick
Gunther’s selection as the number one pick on Night Two of the WWE Draft signals a significant vote of confidence from the company.
With his eye on the 2024 King of the Ring tournament, Gunther’s trajectory on RAW promises exciting prospects, possibly leading to a world title opportunity in the future.
Worst: Logan Paul Segment’s Disconnect
The segment featuring Logan Paul and Jey Uso felt disjointed and lacked coherence, seemingly inserted merely to integrate Paul into the Draft announcement process.
While Braun Strowman’s return injected some excitement, the sequence overall felt forced and failed to capitalize on potential narrative avenues.
Best: NXT Call-Ups Inject Freshness
The inclusion of NXT talents like Ilja Dragunov, Lyra Valkyria, and Blair Davenport in the Draft brought a breath of fresh air to RAW and SmackDown’s rosters.
Despite Dragunov’s delayed selection, their arrivals promise to invigorate the respective women’s divisions and add depth to the overall lineup.
Worst: Lack of Significant Movement
Beyond the NXT call-ups, the Draft saw minimal movement among established stars, failing to deliver the anticipated roster upheaval.
The absence of a comprehensive reshuffle dampened the excitement, leaving fans underwhelmed by the limited changes across brands.
Best: McIntyre-Punk Feud Heating Up
The escalating rivalry between Drew McIntyre and CM Punk emerged as a standout storyline, with the duo’s verbal sparring igniting anticipation for their eventual clash.
McIntyre’s frustration over Punk’s Draft placement and Punk’s subsequent provocation set the stage for a compelling showdown, teasing a potentially epic encounter at SummerSlam 2024.
As the aftermath of the Draft unfolds and storylines evolve, WWE fans await eagerly for the promised fireworks and surprises that lie ahead on both RAW and SmackDown.
