The 18th Draft in WWE history begins this week on April 26. A talent shuffle is typically anticipated. This year’s WWE Draft has stars from SmackDown, RAW, and NXT, which raises questions about who will be selected.
When is the WWE Draft 2024?
The American professional wrestling organization WWE uses a procedure called the WWE Draft while a brand implication, or brand split, is in place. The first brand expansion took place between 2002 and 2011, while the second and present brand separation started in 2016.Â
The wrestlers from NXT, the WWE’s experimental brand, have been able to be drafted to Raw or SmackDown since 2016. For the first time, NXT draft eligibility for wrestlers from Raw and SmackDown will be available in this year’s WWE draft.
The next 18th WWE Draft will be held in 2024 and will be put out by the American professional wrestling organization WWE through its Raw, SmackDown, and NXT brand divisions. SmackDown airs on Fox, while Raw airs on the USA Network.Â
The two-night event will start with the Friday Night SmackDown program on April 26 (filmed in Cincinnati, Ohio) and end with the Monday Night Raw show on April 29 (filmed in Kansas City, Missouri). This will be the inaugural draft for WWE, a division of TKO Group Holdings.
Some Potential Surprises at the 2024 WWE Draft
The 2024 WWE Draft will begin with SmackDown’s upcoming edition and continue with RAW this Week.WWE has made a deliberate decision to mimic one of the NFL’s greatest events of the year, with this year’s NFL Draft commencing on Thursday.
Stars switching brands play a huge part in the Draft. Last year, Gunther made the switch from SmackDown to RAW, while Bobby Lashley took a different route. It’s the first year Triple H has hosted the event without Vince McMahon, and he may have the next four shocks planned for the 2024 WWE Draft.
Famous individuals in the WWE Draft make comebacks
Superstar comebacks typically occur during specialist shows like RAW following major events like WrestleMania. When Tama Tonga made her SmackDown debut following ‘Mania 40, she startled everyone by teaming up with Solo Sikoa.Â
Following suit were Becky Lynch, Ronda Rousey, and Lacey Evans, who all went back to active service. As unexpected draft selections or in the fight royal to become the new Women’s World Champion, Bliss or Carmella may make an appearance.Â
Another name that might come up at the WWE Draft is Braun Strowman. He has not played since May 2023. Uncle Howdy has been the subject of teasers for the past few weeks. On SmackDown, any one of these four celebrities might spring a surprise.Â
The Day of Judgment or other divisions in WWE Draft 2024
The idea of teams or groups breaking up has always been hinted at throughout WWE Drafts. Three years ago, The New Day experienced Big E being apart from his friends. After winning the World Heavyweight Championship, Damian Priest is eligible for a separate draft from The Judgment Day.Â
He is a significant titleholder that RAW and SmackDown need and he will be the most likely selection in the WWE Draft this year. Another factor that can cause Judgment Day to be divided in some way is Rhea Ripley’s hiatus. Imperium, Damage CTRL, and Bobby Lashley’s group are among the groupings that might break apart.
While still champions, NXT Stars drafted in WWE Draft 2024Â
The choice of current NXT Champions was a grave error made in the WWE Draft of last year. A few weeks before the event in question, Indi Hartwell had won the NXT Women’s title, but she suffered an injury.Â
When they were chosen, Alba Fyre and Isla Dawn were the NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions. Except for a few exhibition matches, all three stars were in the dark. After giving up their belts to Ronda Rousey and Shayna Baszler, Fyre and Dawn vanished for several months.Â
According to Roxanne Perez, being picked is the only way she may lose the crown this time. She just recovered it, so it would be shocking if WWE made the same error as the previous year. Except for Ilja Dragunov, all of the NXT Champions have just claimed their championships.
Where can I enjoy live streaming of WWE Draft 2024?
The 2024 WWE Draft is an upcoming marquee event produced by the American professional wrestling promotion WWE. The WWE Draft 2024 will span across two nights in April. It will first take place on Friday Night SmackDown during its April 26 episode.Â
The event will then conclude on Monday Night Raw during its April 29 episode. WWE fans can watch the live broadcast of the WWE Draft 2024 on Fox (for SmackDown) and USA Network (for Raw). Tune in to SmackDown at 8 p.m. ET on April 26 and Raw at 8 p.m. ET on April 29 to catch all the action.