Night one of the 2024 WWE Draft saw two wrestlers from NXT join the main roster.
Carmelo Hayes was drafted to SmackDown, while Kiana James went to Raw. Hayes was taken with the third overall pick in the first round. James was the last pick of the fourth round.
After being drafted, Hayes faced Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Cody Rhodes in the main event of SmackDown. Rhodes won the non-title match with Cross Rhodes. The story was that, even though he lost, Hayes earned Rhodes' respect in the process.
Hayes had one reign as NXT Champion and two reigns as NXT North American Champion during his time with the brand.
Shawn Michaels, who runs NXT, tweeted about Hayes joining SmackDown:
@Carmelo_WWE is a champion in every sense of the word who helped lay the foundation of everything this new era of #WWENXT has become.
#SmackDown just picked up a game changer, and I couldn’t be more proud. #WWEDraft
An interview with James from the WWE Performance Center aired after she was drafted. Michaels appeared and congratulated her on being called up to Raw.
James has played a heel businesswoman character in NXT.
The WWE Draft concludes with night two taking place on Raw this coming Monday. NXT wrestlers are also eligible to be selected that night. It's expected that former NXT Champion Ilja Dragunov will be among those drafted.
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