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The WWE Universe will be tuned into SmackDown for Night 1 of the 2024 Draft. After the rules were released on Wednesday, fans have a rough idea of how things will play out during the first four rounds of the Draft.
SmackDown will have the first of 16 picks on the night while RAW will get the first pick of 24 selections on Monday. WWE Legends will appear to make announce choices just as they did last year.
This Draft is also the first one completely under the control of Triple H in his New Era, so several things can happen. Here are some last-minute predictions for Night 1 of the WWE Draft on SmackDown.
#6. Backlash matches are made official and intensified
Cody Rhodes and AJ Styles will sign the contract for their title match at Backlash in France. The Phenomenal One earned a shot at the Undisputed WWE Championship by defeating LA Knight last week.
Styles poked The Megastar in the eye to set up the big win, so we might see Knight crash the contract signing. It could also tease a future matchup between Knight and The American Nightmare.
The match for the WWE Women's Title is also likely to be made official after Tiffany Stratton blindsided both Bayley and Naomi last week. With the rosters locking in after Backlash, Stratton and Naomi can both challenge for the title and potentially be drafted to RAW.
#5. The Bloodline attacks a new face drafted to SmackDown
Ever since WrestleMania 40 ended, Solo Sikoa has taken control of The Bloodline. With the absence of Roman Reigns, The Tribal Heir has taken it upon himself to rectify problems within the group. That includes punishment for losses and annihilating former enemies of the faction.
To make another big impact, Sikoa and Tama Tonga will attack another face during the WWE Draft edition of SmackDown. This could be LA Knight since he's in the draft pool for RAW or someone like Ricochet or Andrade if they are selected on Friday.
It would put the entire roster on notice (again) and line up a potential first feud for the new version of the group. Seth Rollins could be selected by the blue brand but warned by Sikoa due to his involvement leading up to WrestleMania 40.
#4. At least two NXT stars will be drafted over current main-roster performers
NXT will have a presence in the draft as fans have witnessed over the last few years. All three GMs have appeared on RAW, SmackDown, and NXT during the build-up to the event. That was the case on Night 1 of Spring Breakin'.
Since NXT stars are eligible on both nights, at least two performers will be picked from WWE's third brand. Ilja Dragunov and Lyra Valkyria are no longer Champions and names that make the most sense.
Both are at the top of NXT and could be drafted over a lesser-used main-roster wrestler like Tegan Nox or the duo of Cedric Alexander and Ashante Adonis.
#3. Trish Stratus returns to WWE on SmackDown
With WWE Legends set to announce picks, one wrestler who should appear is Hall-of-Famer Trish Stratus. She competed at WrestleMania 39 and last year's Money in the Bank match.
When she announces her draft pick, a new feud should emerge from her appearance. It could include a new enemy like Liv Morgan or Nia Jax since both are part of the SmackDown draft pool.
It could also lead to a showdown with Tiffany Stratton, a current member of SmackDown. Zoey Stark could be drafted to the blue brand and their feud could be revisited after Stark mentioned Trish in her promo before the battle royal on RAW.
#2. One or more big names switch brands
The main purpose of the WWE Draft is to reset the rosters of both brands. The easiest way to do this is to move prominent stars between RAW and SmackDown.
Roman Reigns moved to SmackDown four years ago and Vince McMahon had a segment to make it seem like the biggest movement in WWE history. To make a big impact in the New Era, at least two big names will switch brands on Night 1.
Among those possible moves could be Seth Rollins or Jey Uso moving to SmackDown. LA Knight or Bianca Belair could in turn be drafted by RAW.
#1. The Bloodline is the first pick of the 2024 WWE Draft
SmackDown has the first pick in the draft, so there are a few possibilities for the top pick. Bianca Belair has been on every poster lately instead of Bayley, so The EST could be the first pick, champions being protected makes her being a top candidate for the women's division even more likely.
Seth Rollins and LA Knight are also main-event stars who could be top selections. Since The Bloodline has ruled over SmackDown for four years, the group will likely be the first pick this year. Solo and Tama Tonga could even bully Nick Aldis to make it happen.
Roman Reigns is listed with the group. Without Champions involved, his inclusion was likely made to ensure the vicious group was the top pick of the entire WWE Draft.
