The upcoming 2024 WWE Draft is heralded as a pivotal event in the company’s history, marking the dawn of a new era under Triple H’s stewardship. With the introduction of new title belts for champions across both brands, anticipation is high for significant changes in the WWE terrain.
As SmackDown prepares to host the draft, several decisions and announcements have sparked discussions and raised eyebrows among fans and insiders alike. Let’s go into four key mistakes and challenges surrounding this year’s draft.
#4. Scheduling Conflicts: The timing of the draft, coinciding with the NFL Draft, has led to scheduling conflicts and awkward positioning of feuds, impacting the build-up to premium live events like Backlash. Better planning could have avoided these issues.
#3. Use of GMs and WWE Legends: While WWE Legends typically add nostalgic flair to the draft, this year’s announcement could have been enhanced by involving GMs Adam Pearce and Nick Aldis, adding depth to their roles beyond mere announcements.
#2. Surprises and Omissions: The inclusion of surprise picks like Braun Strowman, despite his long absence due to injury, raises eyebrows. Inconsistencies in omitting injured performers like Charlotte Flair and Rhea Ripley from the draft pool add to the confusion.
#1. Protected Champions: The decision to protect current champions from the draft eliminates the potential for major shake-ups and title switches between brands, diminishing the event’s unpredictability and fan excitement.
Despite these challenges, the 2024 WWE Draft promises significant changes and surprises as it unfolds, shaping the terrain of WWE programming for the foreseeable future.