Los Angeles, California – Round one of the 2024 WWE Draft saw some surprising selections and strategic moves by both SmackDown and Raw. The draft, which took place with much anticipation and excitement, kicked off with some unexpected twists right from the start.
Paul Heyman announced that Roman Reigns had voluntarily removed himself from consideration for this year’s draft, setting the stage for a brand new top pick. With Reigns out of the picture for the time being, the draft took an intriguing turn as the previous top pick was no longer in contention. This decision fueled speculation and excitement among fans, especially since Reigns had been dominating the draft for the past couple of years as a key member of the prominent group, The Bloodline.
Triple H made the opening picks for each brand, accompanied by WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. This year’s draft introduced a new rule where champions were protected, leading to surprises and unexpected selections. The first round saw the historic moment of the first-ever NXT star, Carmelo Hayes, being called up to the main roster, adding an element of unpredictability to the draft.
Interestingly, despite the surprises in the first round, all other picks saw wrestlers remaining on the brand they had been previously working on. This led to speculation and excitement among fans about how the remaining rounds of the draft would unfold, especially with the assurance that champions were now protected.
As the draft continues, fans eagerly await to see how their favorite superstars will be allocated to either SmackDown or Raw, and the impact these selections will have on future storylines and rivalries in the WWE. Stay tuned for more updates on the draft and the latest developments in the world of professional wrestling.