The 2024 WWE Draft didn’t result in many significant changes to the rosters of Raw and SmackDown, much to the disappointment of fans. However, the post-WrestleMania absences of top stars like Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns have created a land of opportunity for other WWE superstars. This lack of movement in the draft was done to avoid disrupting current storylines and to maintain consistency with the company’s top stars.
Despite the lack of major changes in the draft, the slightly altered rosters combined with the absence of marquee stars have allowed several WWE talents to rise up the ranks. Two notable NXT call-ups, Ilja Dragunov and Carmelo Hayes, have made an impact on Raw and SmackDown respectively. Hayes, in particular, has been spotlighted on SmackDown, proving himself to be a formidable talent by pushing WWE Champion Cody Rhodes to the limit and advancing in the King of the Ring tournament.
Former AEW star Jade Cargill has quickly become a cornerstone of SmackDown, winning the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship and advancing in the Queen of the Ring tournament. Working alongside Bianca Belair, Cargill is being positioned as a major force in the women’s division. Jey Uso has emerged as one of the top babyfaces on Raw, engaged in a World Heavyweight title rivalry with Damian Priest and solidifying his position as a main event singles star on the red brand.
Liv Morgan has benefited from Rhea Ripley’s injury, embarking on a slow-burn heel turn and feuding with Becky Lynch. With the opportunity to take the next step in her career, Morgan is poised to make a significant impact in the women’s division. Solo Sikoa has taken over as the leader of The Bloodline in Roman Reigns absence, leading a new incarnation of the faction with Tama Tonga and Tonga Loa. WWE may build towards a massive feud between the original Bloodline and the New Bloodline, with Sikoa being pushed as the top antagonist on SmackDown.
Despite the lack of significant changes in the 2024 WWE Draft, the absence of top stars has allowed other talents to step up and make a name for themselves. With rising stars like Carmelo Hayes, Jade Cargill, Jey Uso, Liv Morgan, and Solo Sikoa, WWE has a pool of talent ready to fill the void left by absent superstars. The post-WrestleMania landscape of Raw and SmackDown presents a land of opportunity for these up-and-coming talents to shine and establish themselves as key players in the WWE. Fans can expect to see exciting developments and rivalries as these stars continue to rise through the ranks and make their mark on the company.
