Update on Omissions & Inclusions in Talent Draft Pools for This Year’s WWE Draft

As noted before, WWE recently released the draft pool for tonight’s 2024 WWE Draft Night 1 SmackDown show in Cincinnati, Ohio. WWE also recently released the draft pool for this Monday’s 2024 WWE Draft Night 2 show in Kansas City, Missouri.

Fightful Select’s Sean Ross Sapp reported that his sources stated that Rhea Ripley was omitted from WWE’s draft pools due to her sprained AC joint injury in her shoulder but she is currently expected to rejoin the RAW brand for her return.

In regards to other notable talent omissions, Sapp reported that the reason why Dexter Lumis was not included was due to WWE officials not having any known plans for him. Lumis last wrestled for WWE in May of 2023.

Sapp also reported that it is currently not known if WWE has any creative plans for Gable Steveson, who was also among those omitted from this year’s draft pool.

Erik’s omission reportedly was due to him still being expected to be out of action for the next few months due to his neck injury while Carmella and Alexa Bliss’ omissions was due to both still being on maternity leave from WWE.

In regards to notable inclusions in this year’s draft pool, Sapp reported that Braun Strowman was included due to WWE officials wanted to give him more flexibility for his return. Strowman has been out of action for WWE since May of 2023 due to a neck injury and neck fusion surgery.

Sapp reported that while Seth Rollins is currently expected to be out of action for some time due to his recent knee surgery, WWE officials still made the decision to include him in their draft pool for this year’s Draft.

Logan Paul not being included in the draft pools reportedly was due to WWE officials have Paul set to remain on their SmackDown brand.

Cody Rhodes’ omission from the draft pools reportedly was due to him officially switching from RAW to SmackDown since he is the current WWE Champion.