WWE Draft 2024 results: Stars, NXT talent selected on 'Friday Night SmackDown'
It's time for the WWE roster to be shaken up.
The 2024 WWE Draft began as the Raw, SmackDown and NXT rosters are set to change dramatically during the weekend. Nearly half of the picks in this year's draft were made Friday night before the rest of the selections take place Monday. Not every star was eligible to be selected Friday, but there were still some big names that switched brands, and a few rising young stars saw themselves promoted to the main roster.
Here is what happened during night one of the WWE Draft "Friday Night SmackDown":
Round 1 picks
First overall pick: Bianca Belair to SmackDown
Second overall pick: Jey Uso to Raw
Third overall pick: Carmelo Hayes to SmackDown
Fourth overall pick: Seth Rollins to Raw
Round 2 picks
Fifth overall pick: Randy Orton to SmackDown
Sixth overall pick: Bron Breakker to Raw
Seventh overall pick: Nia Jax to SmackDown
Eighth overall pick: Liv Morgan to Raw
Round 3 picks
Ninth overall pick: LA Knight to SmackDown
10th overall pick: Ricochet to Raw
11th overall pick: The Bloodline (Solo Sikoa, Tama Tonga and Paul Heyman) to SmackDown
12th overall pick: Sheamus to Raw
Round 4 picks
13th overall pick: AJ Styles to SmackDown
14th overall pick: Chad Gable to Raw
15th overall pick: Andrade to SmackDown
16th overall pick: Kiana James to Raw
What else happened on 'Friday Night SmackDown'?
- SmackDown began with Cody Rhodes and AJ Styles signing the contract for their Undisputed WWE Universal Championship match at Backlash France. Afterward, Rhodes announced the picks for the first round for SmackDown, which led to a confrontation from Carmelo Hayes. Hayes challenged Rhodes to a match later in the night, which Rhodes accepted.
- Dragon Lee and Rey Mysterio defeated Angel and Berto, but afterward, Santos Escobar revealed the footage of who attacked Lee before WrestleMania. It was LWO member Carlito, much to the confusion of Lee and Mysterio. Carlito then attacked both stars before leaving the arena, much to the delight of Escobar.
- Bron Breakker defeated an unnamed competitor in a squash mash before he was drafted to Raw.
- Kevin Owens tried to get payback against Solo Sikoa and Tama Tonga for their attack on him last week. The advantage eventually favored The Bloodline, but Randy Orton came to the aid of Owens to get the others away from the ring.
- Tiffany Stratton and Naomi battled for the right to challenge Bayley for the WWE Women's Championship, but Nia Jax interrupted the match by attacking Bayley and Naomi. Stratton got the last laugh by attacking them both afterward, but no No. 1 contender is decided.
- Cody Rhodes defeats Carmelo Hayes, but the NXT newcomer puts up an impressive performance against the champion.
When is the WWE Draft 2024?
The 2024 WWE Draft will take place Friday, April 26 and Monday, April 29.
Where will the WWE Draft 2024 take place?
The two-day event will begin on "Friday Night SmackDown" from Heritage Bank Center in Cincinnati, Ohio. The draft will conclude on "Monday Night Raw" from T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri.
How to watch WWE Draft 2024
"Friday Night SmackDown" on April 26 will be broadcasted on Fox at 8 p.m. ET.
How does the WWE Draft work?
The draft will consist of Raw and SmackDown each making selections for who they want on their rosters, similar to professional sports leagues. Whichever brand a star is drafted by is the show that star will exclusively appear on for the remainder of the year.
On Friday, there will be four rounds with 16 total picks. SmackDown will pick first. The rosters will be locked on May 6 after Backlash.
Who is eligible for the 2024 WWE Draft?
All non-champion stars are eligible to be selected in the draft, including NXT personnel. For Friday, there are 20 available stars and stables to be among the 14 picks. The eligible stars on Friday are:
- AJ Styles
- Alba Fyre and Isla Dawn
- Alpha Academy (Chad Gable, Otis, Akira Tozawa and Maxxine Dupri)
- Andrade
- Bianca Belair
- Bron Breakker
- Cedric Alexander and Ashante "Thee" Adonis
- Ivar
- Jey Uso
- LA Knight
- Liv Morgan
- Nia Jax
- Randy Orton
- Ricochet
- Seth Rollins
- Shayna Baszler
- Sheamus
- The Bloodline (Roman Reigns, Solo Sikoa, "MFT" Tama Tonga and Paul Heyman)
- The O.C. (Luke Gallows, Karl Anderson and Michin)
- Zoey Stark
'Friday Night SmackDown' schedule
The WWE Draft won't be the only thing happening on "Friday Night SmackDown." Here is what else is scheduled to happen inside Heritage Bank Center:
- Cody Rhodes, AJ Styles sign contract for Undisputed WWE Title Match at Backlash France.
- Solo Sikoa and Tama Tonga appear after vicious attack on Kevin Owens last week.
- Rey Mysterio and Dragon Lee vs. Angel and Berto.