As April draws to a close, WWE continues to feel the reverberations of WrestleMania XL, with Cody Rhodes’s ascension to the top spot as the Undisputed WWE Champion being the event’s focal point.
The forthcoming week holds immense significance for the Stamford-based promotion, serving as a linchpin for the remainder of the year’s WWE programming. However, details surrounding the Draft remain murky, with plans undisclosed to wrestlers until recently.
According to insights from Fightful Select, talents were kept in the dark about the Draft’s mechanics until Wednesday.
Beyond their scheduled bookings, performers lacked clarity on brand assignments or any other Draft specifics.
WWE maintained secrecy regarding whether specific stars would be drafted to particular brands or if a complete re-draft was imminent. Wrestlers learned of the Draft’s details only when they surfaced on social media, with some still uncertain about their brand destinations as late as Friday morning.
While Cody Rhodes seems entrenched on SmackDown with the blue brand’s championship, all champions, excluding the Women’s Tag Team Champions, find themselves in similar circumstances.
Notable stars like Roman Reigns, Randy Orton, Drew McIntyre, and CM Punk are draft-eligible, though some may be sidelined due to injuries or inactive status.
Amidst the uncertainty, several free agents, including John Cena, Logan Paul, Brock Lesnar, Omos, and MVP, who appeared prominently over the past year, could retain their status. However, Paul’s exclusive status with SmackDown as the United States Champion marks a notable exception.
Reports suggest Brock Lesnar remains a free agent, potentially poised for a brand switch depending on creative plans for the year. Lesnar’s recent appearances, notably at SummerSlam 2023 and a rare public outing with his daughter Mya, have fueled speculation about his WWE future.
Addressing concerns over Lesnar’s status, WWE Chief Content Officer Triple H affirmed that the Beast remains integral to the company’s plans despite lingering uncertainties stemming from alleged involvement in Vince McMahon’s scandal.
