As the WWE universe still buzzes from the high-octane drama of WrestleMania season, a major shakeup is on the horizon with the impending WWE Draft set to begin on April 26th on WWE SmackDown. This year’s draft not only promises to redefine storylines but also introduces a significant change to the rules concerning the fate of current champions.
In a recent announcement via WWE’s official X account, the organization revealed the logistics for the upcoming draft. Unlike previous years, this edition includes a pivotal rule that world champions, such as newly crowned WWE Champion Cody Rhodes and WWE World Heavyweight Champion Damian Priest, will remain locked into their current brands. This shift marks a departure from past drafts where champions had the flexibility to move between brands, heightening the stakes for current and prospective champions alike.
The draft will commence this Friday on SmackDown with the blue brand receiving the first pick and continuing over the next two weeks. SmackDown is set to make four rounds of picks totaling 16 selections, while RAW will have six rounds and 24 picks when it resumes on Monday. Notably, while women’s tag-team champions are still eligible to switch brands, single-title holders like Rhodes and Priest, along with other major names such as Sami Zayn, Logan Paul, Bayley, and Becky Lynch, will stay put for now.
This rule change adds a layer of strategy to the draft, as brands will now need to plan around these locked-in champions, potentially altering their approach to building a balanced and competitive roster. The continuity provided by keeping champions on their brands could lead to deeper storylines and more developed feuds.
🚨BREAKING NEWS 🚨
The official #WWEDraft rules are here!
NIGHT 1 THIS FRIDAY on #SmackDown!
NIGHT 2 MONDAY, APRIL 29 on #WWERaw! pic.twitter.com/ROLIad5XGF
— WWE (@WWE) April 24, 2024
Among the anticipated moves in the draft are potential main roster call-ups and shifts. Ilja Dragunov has already declared his eligibility for the draft, and his move from NXT could be made official during this process. Other notable NXT talents like Carmelo Hayes and even recently released Cameron Grimes, who still remains eligible for selection, might find new homes on Raw or SmackDown. Additionally, the draft could see the much-speculated debut of Jacob Fatu, adding an exciting element to the mix.
The WWE Draft has historically been a cornerstone event for the company, setting the stage for the year’s narratives and showcasing the strategic planning behind WWE’s storyline development. With the new rules in place and a roster brimming with talent ready to make their mark, this year’s draft is poised to be one of the most impactful yet.
What are your thoughts on the new stipulation involving the champions? How do you think this will affect the dynamics of WWE programming moving forward? Share your excitement and predictions for surprise draft picks in the comments below!