Why isn't Cody Rhodes listed for the WWE Draft 2024?

The WWE Draft 2024 will begin on the upcoming episode of Friday Night SmackDown and will continue on next week's episode of Monday Night RAW. The Draft pools for both nights have already been revealed by the Stamford-based company, and they feature several superstars from both rosters.

However, the current Undisputed WWE Champion, Cody Rhodes, is not listed in any of the pools in the WWE Draft 2024. It is because the Stamford-based promotion has come up with a new rule for the two-night extravaganza that will shake up both rosters this year.

The defending champions are protected in the WWE Draft this year as they are locked with their respective brands. Therefore, Cody Rhodes, being the Undisputed WWE Champion, is not eligible to be drafted by any brand in the upcoming WWE Draft.

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With The American Nightmare holding the top prize of SmackDown, he will stay with the blue brand. Hence, Rhodes is not listed in the WWE Draft pool this year. He is exclusive to Friday Night SmackDown, where he will make regular appearances as the champion.

Can Cody Rhodes still compete on RAW after WWE Draft 2024?

Cody Rhodes has been a part of WWE RAW ever since returning to the company in 2022. The American Nightmare dethroned Roman Reigns at WrestleMania XL to win the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship. With him holding the top prize of SmackDown, Rhodes moved to the blue brand.

However, his time on Monday Night RAW has come to an end, as he will be exclusive to SmackDown going forward. The American Nightmare may not make any further appearances on the red brand as the WWE Draft 2024 will split both rosters, ushering in a fresh beginning for all superstars.

Cody Rhodes is expected to remain on the blue brand as long as he is the Undisputed WWE Champion. The 38-year-old star will defend his title against the SmackDown Superstars, as he is now a world champion on the blue brand.

Therefore, The American Nightmare will no longer compete on Monday Night RAW going forward, as he is exclusively locked with Friday Night SmackDown.

About the author

Subhasish Deb is a writer for the WWE column at Sportskeeda, India's leading sports and esports platform. With three years of experience in sports journalism, he has been writing compelling stories and analyses, covering day-to-day aspects. His writing style is distinctive for its use of rhetorical devices, which allows him to elevate wrestling journalism beyond mere reporting.

Deb has been an avid WWE & Cricket fan since childhood and believes the blend of his love for sports and knowledge of writing led him to become a sports writer. Given his love and passion for this industry, he has worked for several top firms both as a seasoned writer and as an editor.

Apart from penning engaging articles, Deb has also done scriptwriting for a few local short films and has directed and produced one of them. When the spotlight dims, he loves to escape into the world of Web Series and Anime, indulging in the magic of storytelling.

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Edited by Pratyush Rai