The excitement of the 2024 WWE Draft kicked off with the latest episode of SmackDown, marking the first round and unveiling seismic shifts across all three brands.
Commencing with a contract signing between Cody Rhodes and AJ Styles, the night set the stage for a flurry of picks that reshaped rosters.
Ahead of the draft, it was understood that current champions would remain on their respective brands. Hence, key figures like Rhodes, Bayley, Austin Theory, Grayson Waller, and Logan Paul were already cemented as part of SmackDown’s revamped lineup.
1. SmackDown’s Top Pick: Bianca Belair Leads the Charge
In a surprising turn, Bianca Belair emerged as SmackDown’s top pick, as Roman Reigns opted out of the draft.
Paired with Jade Cargill, she’s set to challenge for the Women’s Tag Team Titles at Backlash: France. Notably, NXT’s Carmelo Hayes also made waves with his selection, eclipsing established stars like Seth Rollins and Randy Orton.
2. Second and Third Round Shuffles
Randy Orton and Nia Jax made notable appearances in the second round, with Jax making an immediate impact by targeting Women’s World Champion Bayley.
The subsequent round focused on retaining key assets, with LA Knight and The Bloodline solidifying SmackDown’s ranks.
3. Closing Moves: AJ Styles and Andrade Join the Fray
In the final round, SmackDown secured two seasoned veterans: AJ Styles and Andrade. With the potential for renewed feuds like the LWO and Legado Del Fantasma, the stage is set for high-stakes clashes post-draft.
With a stacked men’s division featuring the likes of Styles, Rhodes, Orton, and more, along with a formidable women’s division led by Belair and Bayley, SmackDown promises electrifying matchups in the coming months.
