The 2024 WWE Draft starts this Friday on SmackDown and will conclude on Mondays Raw.
WWE has released the rules for the draft including which talent on which day is eligible to be drafted. The dust settles for the picks on May 6 which is the Raw after Backlash. NXT will be eligible with the Monday pool on Raw. Champions are not eligible other than the Womens Tag Team Champions. So that means Bayley, Becky Lynch, and Roxanne Perez will not be drafted.
First, lets list who is eligible when and then we will provide a mock draft of what we feel should be the results.
Eligible to be drafted on April 26 SmackDown
Alba Fyre, Isla Dawn, Maxxine Dupri, Bianca Belair, Shayna Baszler, Liv Morgan, Nia Jax, Michin, and Zoey Stark
Eligible to be drafted on April 29 Raw
NXT Superstars, Candice LeRae, Indi Hartwell, Chelsea Green, Piper Niven, Ivy Nile, Scarlett, IYO SKY, Dakota Kai, Asuka, Kairi Sane, Kayden Carter, Katana Chance, Elektra Lopez, Naomi, Natalya, Tegan Nox, B-Fab, Jade Cargill, Zelina Vega, Tiffany Stratton
Current Main Roster members not listed in the draft pools
Charlotte Flair (injured), Sonya Deville (injury), Shotzi (injured), Rhea Ripley (injured), Raquel Rodriguez (health), Alexa Bliss (maternity), Carmella (maternity), Trish Stratus, Valhalla, Nikki Cross, and Tamina
Lets get into the mock draft!!
Available to draft on SmackDown 4/26
I think it is about time we focus on the tag team division on ONE brand and it should be on Raw. That may be the best way to get the division solid and fully enjoyable. With that said, the team who have seen the least action since the last draft should stay together and move to Raw.
This one is interesting because we dont technically draft to NXT. If she isnt going to return to NXT to get some additional training in, then I dont see a point in moving her to SmackDown.
Bianca is one of the heavy hitters on the blue brand, so for that reason alone I think she should stay. I also want her as far away from Damage CTRL as possible, and even though we have seen Bianca vs. Bayley a million times, I rather that be there than Bianca vs. Damage CTRL. Plus, Bayley wont likely be champion for a whole year, so Bianca can go for the gold whoever is next champion. We also need to keep Bianca on SmackDown to have some strong players.
As much as I dont want any tag teams to split up, I have a feeling some are naturally drifting apart. I think Shayna and Zoey, who although work great as a team, need to be dominant as singles stars at this point. They even showed a Zoey promo highlighting her first year on the main roster. So I think a split is going to happen.
There really isnt any reason for Liv to move to SmackDown at this point. The rules state that champions cannot be drafted, so Liv going after Becky until Rhea comes back only makes sense. She also has been well established on the brand. Although I wouldnt mind seeing Liv vs. Bayley.
I think it is about time for Nia to dominate on SmackDown. It would be a fresh landscape for her and even though she has been hovering around the championship picture on Raw, she can do the same on SmackDown and Bayley is going to need some fresh opponents.
Michin is one that I absolutely think she return to NXT and win the title there. She is such an incredible talent and moving her to Raw where there is a bigger roster is going to make her get lost even more in the shuffle. I think calling up a few NXT women and taking Michin down to anchor the brand is a smart move. And only way to do that is as a free agent. We saw this happen with Baron Corbin.
As I have said earlier with Shayna, I fear this may be the end of the Shayna/Zoey partnership. I think both women need to shine as singles stars and Shayna in particular needs to get out of a tag team that shes always just thrown into.I still cant believe Shayna has never won singles gold on the main roster and I dont want to believe that ship had sailed. As for Zoey, I dont think she is singles champ ready yet, but she can certainly have a good feud as a singles talent if they push it.
Available to draft on Raw 4/29
And as a tag team! I know there was questions onto whether Indi would go about Candices heel turn, but they should stay together, dominate, and win the tag titles in 2024. Plus, as I said with Alba and Isla, all tag teams should be on Raw.
Keeping this team together and on Raw is a smart choice. This way, when Sonya comes back she could be added with them or go against them. Also, Piper and Becky had good chemistry in the recent battle royal where Becky became champ. She could add another element to the main title picture while Chelsea could go fro Queen of the Ring or MITB.
And with Maxxine. I think she helps balance Maxxine out and she can be there to help her against the newly turned Chad Gable. She is another one who could go after the singles title and still be in a tag team at this time.
She is obviously going to stick with her husband and the Final Testament. Right now they are doing their thing in NXT, but if they stay on the main roster, I dont see why they should be moved to Raw.
Moving all of Damage CTRL to Raw seems like the best idea. It is also the only title holders who are eligible to be moved so it leads me to believe it is going to happen. The possibilities of using Dakota and IYO in the main title picture is there also. And even Asuka and Kairi of course if/when they drop the tag titles.
Another tag team, another stay on Raw. They can easily become tag champs again this year and there is no logical reason to think of them as singles stars at this point. Breaking them up would be as big of a mistake as breaking up The IIconics, remember that?
Unless they intend on really shaking up the mens tag team division, I dont see any of the managers switching brands. She will stay with LDF.
My first thought was to move Naomi to Raw to have more big names there, however, where she is presented right now on SmackDown is good. Moving her to Raw would put her behind Liv right now for a title spot. She has a better shot at staying on SD if she wants a title.
Are they even still a team anyway? Much like Shayna and Zoey, I think this duo has ran its course. Move Tegan to SD where I think she could find a nice home and gain some traction.
Unless they intend on using her in the ring more, keeping her with Lashley and the Street Profits on SmackDown is logical.
This one may be unpopular among fans and readers, but I think Jade needs to start doing things on her own. I know she is currently with Bianca on SD and they look great together, and although I wouldnt mind them as tag champs, I just dont know. This one is a tough choice!
Once again, she will likely stay with LWO, but I much rather her move to Raw and be placed back with Andrade. Andrades return hasnt taken off as well as I would have hoped and his manager back could help that. She can also still stay a singles star.
I see Tiffy Time being a main talent through the rest of 2024. Keeping her on SmackDown with a small roster will keep her at the top where she belongs. Lets make her the newest and biggest star.
NXT Talent to be called up
Fallon Henley SmackDown
Blair Davenport Raw joins Alba and Isla
Gigi Dolin SmackDown
Lyra Valkyria Raw
Other possible names include Kiana James and Jacy Jayne. My only concern there is they are working with Izzi Dame and Jazmyn Nyx who arent ready to move up yet.
With all of this being said, here is how I see the rosters come May 6.
When they return
When they return
I expect hopefully Sonya, Carmella, and/or Alexa returning during this draft.
What are your thoughts?
