The first night of the 2024 WWE draft kicked off with a bang on SmackDown, featuring major draft picks that left fans buzzing with anticipation. The draft, presided over by Triple H and Cody Rhodes, saw significant talent exchanges between Monday Night Raw and SmackDown.
In the first round, Monday Night Raw welcomed Jay Uso and Seth Rollins, while SmackDown added Bianca Belair and Carmelo Hayes to its roster. Hayes made an impactful debut by facing off against Cody Rhodes in the main event, despite ultimately falling short. However, his performance showcased a promising future on the blue brand.
Round two witnessed Randy Orton and Nia Jax moving to SmackDown, with Liv Morgan and Braun Breaker joining Raw. Breaker’s dominant debut against Cedric Alexander signaled his arrival as a force to be reckoned with on the main roster.
The third round saw LA Knight and The Bloodline drafted to SmackDown, with Roman Reigns opting out of draft eligibility as per Paul Heyman’s announcement. Raw secured Sheamus and Ricochet, further solidifying their roster.
In the final round, SmackDown acquired Andrade and AJ Styles, while Raw received the Alpha Academy and Kiana James. These picks set the stage for intriguing matchups and storylines in the weeks to come.
However, amidst the excitement of the draft, concerns arose over Cody Rhodes’ injury during his match against Carmelo Hayes. Rhodes, the reigning Undisputed Champion, appeared to injure his right shoulder following a hard landing. Reports suggest that Rhodes is being evaluated by WWE medical staff to determine the severity of the injury.
Rhodes’ injury raises questions about the future of his championship reign and his scheduled title defense against AJ Styles at Backlash 2024. With the potential for Rhodes to be sidelined, there’s uncertainty surrounding the trajectory of the Undisputed Championship and SmackDown’s main event scene.
Fans are anxiously awaiting updates on Rhodes’ condition and hoping for a speedy recovery to avoid any disruption to his reign as champion. As the draft continues and Backlash approaches, the WWE landscape remains dynamic, with unexpected twists and developments keeping audiences on the edge of their seats. Stay tuned for further updates on both the draft and Rhodes’ injury as the WWE saga unfolds.
