Fightful Select has shared additional backstage notes from last night’s episode of SmackDown, which featured Night One of the 2024 WWE Draft.
Most of the roster was kept in the dark until last night, and the talent was not informed about which roster they would be heading to. Some even discovered their status during the show. The Superstars listed in the RAW pool are still on tenterhooks, waiting to find out where they will be drafted.
According to the report, Carmelo Hayes was widely expected to be drafted to SmackDown, as he was listed for the show that day. Hayes was also mentioned on internal rundowns throughout the afternoon.
WWE NXT Superstar Kiana James was genuinely surprised by the call-up and was not informed which brand she would be drafted to. However, it was noted that WWE had already prepared her video package earlier this week. An NXT talent even gushed about James, hailing her as one of the best in-ring workers in the NXT women’s division.
During last night’s broadcast, the roster changes were evidently strategic, focusing on retaining familiar talents and introducing fresh faces.
The report highlights the importance WWE placed on this strategy, as indicated by the line about “preserving” the rosters. It also anticipates more roster switches on RAW this Monday and additional NXT talents being drafted, hinting at the ongoing shakeup of WWE’s main roster.
While Bron Breakker is moving to RAW, his former Wolf Dogs tag team partner, Baron Corbin, was drafted to SmackDown.
The report notes that WWE drafted them to separate brands because Breakker is seen as a potential major singles star. Meanwhile, Corbin will sport a renewed look now that he is back on SmackDown. Corbin was present at SmackDown last night. As noted, WWE later released a video showing him interacting with Breakker at the event.
And finally, WWE NXT star Wendy Choo attended the NXT party at the WWE Performance Center last night during the Draft. She is expected to return soon.
