More on Notable Talent Omission & Inclusions in WWE’s 2023 Draft Pool

As noted before, WWE recently released the full list of talents eligible talent to be drafted on each night of this year’s Draft ahead of Friday’s WWE Draft Night 1 themed SmackDown show.

Fightful Select reported that their sources provided some details regarding several of the notable omissions and inclusions in the talent pool for this year’s WWE Draft.

In regards to talent who are currently not injured, it was reported that the reason why Aliyah, Alexa Bliss, Shanky, and Uncle Howdy were not included in WWE’s list was due to WWE officials currently not having any creative plans for their returns. In regards to Uncle Howdy, it was reported that his current absence is very much tied to Bray Wyatt’s current absence from an unknown illness.

In regards to Jinder Mahal, it was reported that the reason why he was not listed was due to WWE officials had recently moved him from their main roster to their NXT roster as a full-time talent for their NXT brand.

In regards to Maryse, it was reported that her inclusion in the graphic used by WWE was simply due to her association with The Miz and not because they had any plans for her return.

In regards to Logan Paul, it was reported that WWE officials currently have plans to only use Paul sparingly and as a free agent type talent to give them flexibility for their plans for his bookings.

In regards to Gable Steveson, it was reported that WWE never had any real plans for him on their main roster despite him being drafted during their 2021 WWE Draft. Those spoken to reportedly stated that Stevenson still has a long way to go for his wrestling career training and him being drafted in 2021 was done as just a publicity stunt.

In regards to notable inclusions not shown in the graphic, it was reported that despite his injury, WWE officials currently expect McIntyre to return soon.

In regards to Trish Stratus’ inclusion, it was reported that WWE officials currently have plans for Startus to be an active talent for the company at least through this summer.

In regards to Brock Lesnar’s inclusion in this year’s draft pool, it was reported that his inclusion is a rarity due to the last time that his name officially appeared in a draft pool list was in 2019 and before that, the 2016 draft pool list.