WWE Draft 2024: Night 1 went down on the recent episode of SmackDown this past Friday night. I’m here to review what happened on the Night 1 of WWE Draft 2024. I will also be sharing everything you need to know heading into the Night 2 of the Draft this Monday.
This year’s Draft had a little twist to it as both brands had the opportunity to save their current champion even before the draft had begun.
Following is the list of superstars that were retained by their current brands:
RAW Retained:
World Heavyweight Champion Damian Priest
Women’s World Champion Becky Lynch
Intercontinental Champion Sami Zayn
World Tag Team Champions Awesome Truth (The Miz and R-Truth)
SmackDown Retained:
Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Cody Rhodes
WWE Women’s Champion Bayley
United States Champion Logan Paul
WWE Tag Team Champions A-Town Down Under (Austin Theory and Grayson Waller)
Round 1:
SmackDown – Bianca Belair
Raw – Jey Uso
SmackDown – Carmelo Hayes
Raw – Seth “Freakin” Rollins
The first round of the 2024 draft began with Smackdown picking up The EST Bianca Belair without wasting any time. Bianca has been on a roll over the last 4 years, and WWE is doing everything to shove her down the audience’s throat.
Smackdown also picked the former NXT Champion Carmelo Hayes, and I think after his match with Cody. He is ready to unleash his talent upon the brand. Everyone needs to better be ready because Melo don’t miss.
Raw played their card very brilliantly, as they picked Jey Uso in their first pick, making him the overall second pick of this year’s draft. Raw also picked Seth “Freakin” Rollins as their second pick, which I think is huge.
I think that RAW had the better picks, as they instantly went on to pick their top guys without wasting any time.
Round 2:
SmackDown – Randy Orton
Raw – Bron Breakker
SmackDown – Nia Jax
Raw – Liv Morgan
On the first pick of the 2nd round of the WWE Draft 2024: Night 1 SmackDown instantly picked Rand Orton without wasting any time making sure they had all the eyes on them along with the viper on their side. Although Randy and Nick Aldis had some issues in the past as once delivered an RKO to Nick as well which also cost him a lot of money. Nick proved that he is all business and no beef.
SmackDown also picked Nia Jax which I think is a huge decision to improve the women’s division.
On the other hand, Raw first picked Bron Breakker for themself, Bron who has made a huge name for himself on NXT in the past years. I think he has great potential to dominate a RAW roaster. After that RAW picked my current favourite superstar in the Women’s division Liv Morgan.
I think as per the picks this round got tided as both brands picked absolutely powerhouses for themselves.
Round 3:
SmackDown – LA Knight
Raw – Ricochet
SmackDown – The Bloodline (Solo Sikoa, Tama Tonga, and Paul Heyman)
Raw – Sheamus
During the 3rd round of the WWE Draft 2024: Night 1 SmackDown just went all in and picked the megastar they need for their brand known as LA Knight YEAHHHH.
Smackdown also retained one more huge pick as secured The Bloodline (Solo Sikoa, Tama Tonga, and Paul Heyman) for them.
On the other hand, Raw also picked some amazing picks for themself in the forms of Ricochet and Sheamus. Two men who a capable of doing insane things inside the ring that one can only imagine.
Round 4:
SmackDown – AJ Styles
Raw – Alpha Academy (Chad Gable, Otis, Akira Tozawa, and Maxxine Dupri)
SmackDown – Andrade
Raw – Kiana James
In the final round of WWE Draft 2024: Night 1 SmackDown simply nailed it by picking AJ Styles right off the bat and then securing the returning Andrade for themself as well.
Raw went on the pick the Alpha Academy (Chad Gable, Otis, Akira Tozawa, and Maxxine Dupri) on their first pick and then secured Kiana James from NXT as well.
Announced via WWE social media channels on Friday night:
SmackDown – The O.C.
SmackDown – Baron Corbin
SmackDown – Cedric Alexander and Ashante Thee Adonis
Raw – Shayna Baszler
Raw – Zoey Stark
Raw – Alba Fyre and Isla Dawn
Raw – Ivar
The following picks were announced via WWE social media channels on Friday night which were not included during the main show.
Breaking News:
Moments before the smackdown went on air Roman Reigns withdrew himself from the draft making him a free agent.
This is all that went down on the Night 1 of the WWE 2024 Draft. Let us know in the comment what you think about it and I will catch you up after the Night 2 following the upcoming Monday Night RAW.
