WWE Draft 2024 is fast approaching, and it is all set to take place on the April 26, 2024, episode of Friday Night SmackDown, and April 29, 2024, episode of Monday Night RAW. During this, several SmackDown superstars will be drafted to RAW and vice versa.
Apart from that, many NXT superstars might also get called up to the main roster. Previously, during the 2023 WWE Draft, several NXT stars were promoted to the main roster including Indi Hartwell, Alba Fyre, Isla Dawn, JD McDonagh, Zoey Stark, Grayson Waller, and more.
WWE has unveiled the draft pools for both nights of the 2024 #WWEDraft which begins this Friday: pic.twitter.com/ZAHpmqv4Xd
— Wrestle Ops (@WrestleOps) April 24, 2024
With that, it remains to be seen which NXT stars will get a chance to showcase their skills on the main roster as we advance. Meanwhile, here are five NXT superstars who might get promoted to the main roster during the 2024 WWE Draft.
1. Carmelo Hayes
Christian Brigham, aka Carmelo Hayes, previously became a part of WWE in 2021. Since then, he has been showcasing excellent in-ring skills while performing in the NXT brand division. Hayes has won several championships.
This includes winning the NXT Championship once, the NXT North American Championship twice, the NXT Cruiserweight Championship once, and many more. Thus, it can be understood that he has accomplished a lot in NXT and might be promoted to the main roster soon.
Meanwhile, Hayes recently faced Trick Williams in a Steel Cage Match on the April 16, 2024 episode of NXT. However, the outcome of the match saw Williams defeat Hayes. Interestingly, after the match, the fans began chanting “Thank you, Melo.” It was as if they were certain that it was his final match in NXT.
And that’s all it’s gonna be. #WWENXT pic.twitter.com/6XfSNOS8pT
— Carmelo Hayes (@Carmelo_WWE) April 17, 2024
Moreover, after the match, Hayes took his ‘X’ handle to make a post. He wrote, “And that’s all it’s gonna be.” Thus, it seems Carmelo might have hinted at his farewell from NXT. Henceforth, he might soon get promoted to the main roster during the upcoming Draft.
2. Ilja Dragunov
Ilya Rukober, aka Ilja Dragunov, previously became a part of WWE in 2019. Since then, he has impressed many with his in-ring skills while performing in the NXT brand division. He has also bagged many championships to his name.
This includes winning the NXT Championship once and the NXT United Kingdom Championship once. However, Dragunov has been performing on NXT for a long time now, so this might now be the chance for him to showcase his skills on the main roster.
With that, it is worth mentioning that Dragunov was recently involved in a feud with Trick Williams. With that, the two faced each other at Spring Breakin’ 2024, with the NXT Championship on the line. However, the outcome of the match saw Williams defeat Dragunov to win the title.
Meanwhile, it is to be noted that the match had a stipulation. According to that, if Williams had lost against Dragunov, he would’ve been forced to leave NXT. However, that clearly did not happen. But it might very well happen that instead of Trick, Ilja might leave NXT and get promoted to the main roster.
3. Baron Corbin
Thomas Pestock, aka Baron Corbin, currently showcases his skills in the NXT brand division of WWE. Meanwhile, he previously became a part of WWE in 2012; thereafter, he was assigned to the NXT brand division. Moving ahead, he made his main roster debut at WrestleMania 32.
During that, he participated in many storylines and feuds and won the Men’s Money in the Bank ladder match in 2017. He also won the United States Championship once. However, he went undrafted during the 2023 WWE Draft.
With that, he was declared a free agent. Meanwhile, he later made his return to NXT and has been a part of the brand division since then. Now, Fightful Select recently reported that Corbin is expected to be promoted to the main roster during the upcoming Draft.
Per @CoreyBrennanFF of Fightful, the plan is for Baron Corbin to be drafted back to the main roster during the 2024 WWE Draft
The right move. He went back to NXT and completely evolved. Looking forward to seeing where he ends up pic.twitter.com/YQUpyPrm12
— Cory (@Cory_Hays407) April 24, 2024
However, it remains unclear which brand he will be drafted to. Thus, it seems Corbin’s time in NXT might soon come to an end. It will be interesting to see how his second main roster run will be.
4. Lyra Valkyria
Aoife Cusack, aka Lyra Valkyria, previously became a part of the Stamford-based promotion in 2020. Since then, she has been showcasing remarkable in-ring prowess in the NXT brand division. While her promo skills are still under development, she has often received praise from the WWE Universe for her in-ring skills.
Meanwhile, it is worth mentioning that previously, Lyra Valkyria had a big opportunity. She was involved in a feud with one of the top female superstars in WWE, Becky Lynch. With that, Lyra defeated Roxanne Perez and Indi Hartwell to face Becky Lynch.
Thus, Valkyria and Lynch faced each other at NXT Halloween Havoc 2023, with the NXT Women’s Championship on the line. Finally, Lyra defeated Lynch to win the title. It was an outstanding match, which helped Lyra gain more attention from the fans.
Thus, it might now be time for her to leave NXT behind and make her main roster debut. Also, it is worth mentioning that Becky Lynch is currently the Women’s World Champion in WWE. Thus, Valkyria might once again reignite her feud with Lynch following her main roster debut and might challenge The Man for the Women’s World Championship. It will indeed provide Lyra with a huge career push.
5.Roxanne Perez
Carla Gonzalez, aka Roxanne Perez, previously became a part of the Stamford-based promotion in 2022. Thereafter, she was assigned to the NXT brand division. Thus, it can be understood that Perez has been attached to WWE for the past two years. Meanwhile, during this short period of time, she has accomplished a lot.
She became the NXT Women’s Champion not once but twice. Also, she won the NXT Women’s Tag Team Championship with Cora Jade. However, not too long ago, during an interview, Perez shared her desire to join the RAW or SmackDown brand divisions during the upcoming WWE Draft.
Also, during another interview, she opened up about who she would like to face upon her main roster debut. She mentioned that there are many, and named Bayley, Rhea Ripley, Becky Lynch, Iyo Sky, and Dakota Kai. Thus, it seems Perez has strong intentions to get promoted to the main roster.
Meanwhile, at the 2024 Spring Breakin’, she defeated Lyra Valkyria and Tatum Paxley in a triple-threat match to retain the NXT Women’s Championship. That might raise the question of how she might get drafted with the title. However, it is possible for a NXT champion to get promoted to the main roster.
This is because, during the 2023 WWE Draft, when Indi Hartwell was drafted to the main roster, she was still the NXT Women’s Champion. Also, Alba Fyre and Isla Dawn were the NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions when they got called up to the main roster. Thus, there’s a chance that Roxanne’s desire to get promoted to the main roster might actually come true.
However, only time will tell if any of the above-mentioned superstars will get drafted to the main roster. Whatever the case, fans will definitely look forward to the 2024 WWE Draft. Also, fans will look forward to seeing what surprises Triple H has in store for them.