2023 WWE Draft

{{Infobox sports draft

| name = 2023 WWE Draft

| image = File:2023 WWE Draft Placeholder poster.jpg

| caption = Promotional poster featuring wrestlers from the Raw and SmackDown brands

| sport = Professional wrestling

| dates = April 28 – May 1, 2023

| location = American Bank Center (April 28, 2023)
Dickies Arena (May 1, 2023)

| league = WWE

| teams = Raw
SmackDown
NXT (outgoing only)

| prev = 2021

| next = 2024

}}

The 2023 WWE Draft was the 17th WWE Draft produced by the American professional wrestling promotion WWE between their Raw and SmackDown brand divisions. The two-night event began with the April 28 episode of Friday Night SmackDown (in Corpus Christi, Texas) and concluded with the May 1 episode of Monday Night Raw (in Fort Worth, Texas), with SmackDown airing on Fox and Raw on the USA Network. This was the first draft held since 2021 and the first under the creative direction of Triple H. In addition, this was the last draft before the TKO Group Holdings acquisition. Draft results went into effect beginning with the May 8 episode of Raw.

Production

=Background=

The WWE Draft is a process used by the American professional wrestling promotion WWE while a brand extension, or brand split, is in effect. The original brand extension occurred from 2002 to 2011, while the second and current brand split began in 2016. During a brand extension, the company divides its roster into what they call brands and wrestlers exclusively perform for each brand's respective television show, albeit with some exceptions. The draft is used to refresh the rosters of the brand divisions, typically between the Raw and SmackDown brands, which are regarded as the main roster. Since 2016, wrestlers from WWE's developmental brand, NXT, have been eligible to be drafted to either Raw or SmackDown.{{cite web|url=https://dknation.draftkings.com/2021/9/27/22697214/wwe-draft-2021-rules-date-raw-smackdown-who-changes-brands-roman-reigns-drew-mcintyre-sasha-banks|title=WWE Draft, explained: Rules, date, Superstars likely to change brands, and more|date=September 27, 2021|last=Simon|first=Nick|work=DraftKings|access-date=April 15, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211025125227/https://dknation.draftkings.com/2021/9/27/22697214/wwe-draft-2021-rules-date-raw-smackdown-who-changes-brands-roman-reigns-drew-mcintyre-sasha-banks|archive-date=October 25, 2021|url-status=live}}

A draft was not held in 2022 and brand division enforcement became increasingly laxed, but on the April 7, 2023, episode of SmackDown, WWE executive Triple H announced the 2023 draft and stated that every WWE wrestler from Raw and SmackDown would be eligible for the draft, as well as select wrestlers from NXT.{{cite web|url=https://411mania.com/wrestling/triple-h-smackdown-wwe-draft-coming-soon/|title=Triple H Announces On Smackdown That WWE Draft Is Coming Soon|date=April 7, 2023|last=Thomas|first=Jeremy|work=411Mania|access-date=April 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408011236/https://411mania.com/wrestling/triple-h-smackdown-wwe-draft-coming-soon/|archive-date=April 8, 2023|url-status=live}} The following week, the dates for WWE's 17th draft were confirmed, with it beginning with the April 28 episode of Friday Night SmackDown and concluding with the May 1 episode of Monday Night Raw, with SmackDown airing on Fox and Raw on the USA Network. This subsequently repositioned the draft back in its traditional post-WrestleMania slot, after the last three drafts were held in October.{{cite web|url=https://411mania.com/wrestling/2023-wwe-draft-two-weeks-on-smackdown/|title=2023 WWE Draft Starts In Two Weeks On Smackdown|date=April 14, 2023|last=Thomas|first=Jeremy|work=411Mania|access-date=April 15, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230415011659/https://411mania.com/wrestling/2023-wwe-draft-two-weeks-on-smackdown/|archive-date=April 15, 2023|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/article/the-wwe-draft-returns|title=The WWE Draft returns!|date=April 17, 2023|last=Miller|first=Gregory|work=WWE|access-date=April 17, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230418005145/https://www.wwe.com/article/the-wwe-draft-returns|archive-date=April 18, 2023|url-status=live}} The drafting pools for which wrestlers were eligible to be drafted each night were revealed on April 27.{{cite web|url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/wwe-releases-superstar-eligibility-list-both-nights-2023-wwe-draft|title=WWE Releases Superstar Eligibility List For Both Nights Of 2023 WWE Draft|date=April 27, 2023|last=Defelice|first=Robert|work=Fightful|access-date=April 27, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230428022728/https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/wwe-releases-superstar-eligibility-list-both-nights-2023-wwe-draft|archive-date=April 28, 2023|url-status=live}} On Night 1 of the draft, Triple H announced that draft results would go into effect beginning with the May 8 episode of Raw, two days after the Backlash pay-per-view and livestreaming event.{{cite web|url=https://www.f4wonline.com/news/wwe/results/wwe-smackdown-live-results-wwe-draft-begins|title=WWE SmackDown live results: The WWE Draft begins|date=April 28, 2023|last=Bath|first=Dave|work=Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online|access-date=April 28, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230503011343/https://www.f4wonline.com/news/wwe/results/wwe-smackdown-live-results-wwe-draft-begins|archive-date=May 3, 2023|url-status=live}}

Selections

=Night 1: ''SmackDown'' (April 28)=

There were four rounds of draft picks on Night 1 with each brand receiving two picks each round; SmackDown went first due to Night 1 taking place as that night's episode of SmackDown. Draft selections were announced by various WWE Hall of Famers, including Triple H, who announced the first-round picks. The second round picks were announced by Rob Van Dam and Michael Hayes, the third round by John "Bradshaw" Layfield and Teddy Long, and the fourth by D-Generation X (Shawn Michaels and "Road Dogg" Jesse James).{{cite web|url=https://comicbook.com/wwe/news/wwe-draft-every-superstar-drafted-night-1-and-2-smackdown-raw/|title=Every Pick of the 2023 WWE Draft|date=May 2, 2023|last=Aguilar|first=Matthew|work=ComicBook.com|access-date=May 2, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230504002057/https://comicbook.com/wwe/news/wwe-draft-every-superstar-drafted-night-1-and-2-smackdown-raw/|archive-date=May 4, 2023|url-status=live}}

class="wikitable sortable" style="width: 100%"

! width="5%" |Round

! width="5%" |Brand pick #

! width="5%" |Overall pick #

! width="15%" |Wrestler(s)

! width="15%" |Pre-draft brand

! width="15%" |Post-draft brand

! width="25%" |Role

|The Bloodline
{{small|(Roman Reigns and Solo Sikoa with Paul Heyman)}}

|style="background:#ccf;"|SmackDown

|Male tag team and male manager
Undisputed WWE Universal Champion (Reigns)

|Cody Rhodes

|style="background:#ffd0bd"|Raw

|Male wrestler

|Bianca Belair

|style="background:#ffd0bd"|Raw

|style="background:#ccf;"|SmackDown

|Female wrestler
Raw Women's Champion

|Becky Lynch

|style="background:#ffd0bd"|Raw

|Female wrestler

|Street Profits
{{small|(Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford)}}

|style="background:#ffd0bd"|Raw

|style="background:#ccf;"|SmackDown

|Male tag team

|Imperium
{{small|(Gunther, Ludwig Kaiser, and Giovanni Vinci)}}

|style="background:#ccf;"|SmackDown

|style="background:#ffd0bd"|Raw

|Male stable
Intercontinental Champion (Gunther)

|Edge

|style="background:#ffd0bd"|Raw

|style="background:#ccf;"|SmackDown

|Male wrestler
WWE Hall of Famer

|Matt Riddle

|style="background:#ffd0bd"|Raw

|Male wrestler

|Bobby Lashley

|style="background:#ffd0bd"|Raw

|style="background:#ccf;"|SmackDown

|Male wrestler

|10

|Drew McIntyre

|style="background:#ccf;"|SmackDown

|style="background:#ffd0bd"|Raw

|Male wrestler

|11

|The O.C.
{{small|(AJ Styles, Luke Gallows, Karl Anderson, and "Michin" Mia Yim)}}

|style="background:#ffd0bd"|Raw

|style="background:#ccf;"|SmackDown

|Mixed stable

|12

|The Miz

|style="background:#ffd0bd"|Raw

|Male wrestler

|13

|Damage CTRL
{{small|(Bayley, Dakota Kai, and Iyo Sky)}}

|style="background:#ffd0bd"|Raw

|style="background:#ccf;"|SmackDown

|Female stable

|14

|Shinsuke Nakamura

|style="background:#ccf;"|SmackDown

|style="background:#ffd0bd"|Raw

|Male wrestler

|15

|Alba Fyre and Isla Dawn

|style="background:#ffa;"|NXT

|style="background:#ccf;"|SmackDown

|Female tag team
NXT Women's Tag Team Champions

|16

|Indi Hartwell

|style="background:#ffa;"|NXT

|style="background:#ffd0bd"|Raw

|Female wrestler
NXT Women's Champion

==Night 1 supplemental picks: ''SmackDown LowDown'' (April 29)==

These wrestlers were included in the Night 1 draft pool, but were not drafted on SmackDown. Their draft selections were revealed on SmackDown{{'}}s post-show, SmackDown LowDown, the next day on WWE's social media and streaming platforms.{{cite web|url=https://411mania.com/wrestling/wwe-supplemental-draft-draft-pick-results-from-smackdown-lowdown-free-agents-revealed/|title=WWE Supplemental Draft Draft Pick Results From SmackDown LowDown, Free Agents Revealed|date=April 29, 2023|last=Harris|first=Jeffrey|work=411Mania|access-date=April 29, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230503114908/https://411mania.com/wrestling/wwe-supplemental-draft-draft-pick-results-from-smackdown-lowdown-free-agents-revealed/|archive-date=May 3, 2023|url-status=live}}

class="wikitable sortable" style="width: 100%"

! width="15%" |Wrestler(s)

! width="15%" |Pre-draft brand

! width="15%" |Post-draft brand

! width="25%" |Role

Apollo Crews

|style="background:#ffa;"|NXT

|style="background:#ffd0bd"|Raw

|Male wrestler

Candice LeRae

|style="background:#ffd0bd"|Raw

|Female wrestler

Chelsea Green and Sonya Deville

|style="background:#FEFEFA"|Raw (Green)
SmackDown (Deville)

|style="background:#ffd0bd"|Raw

|Female tag team

Dexter Lumis

|style="background:#ffd0bd"|Raw

|Male wrestler

Hit Row
{{small|(Ashante "Thee" Adonis, B-Fab, and Top Dolla)}}

|style="background:#ccf;"|SmackDown

|Mixed stable

JD McDonagh

|style="background:#ffa;"|NXT

|style="background:#ffd0bd"|Raw

|Male wrestler

Lacey Evans

|style="background:#ccf;"|SmackDown

|Female wrestler

Maximum Male Models
{{small|(ma.çé and mån.sôör with Maxxine Dupri)}}

|style="background:#ffd0bd;"|Raw

|Male tag team and female manager

Natalya

|style="background:#ccf;"|SmackDown

|style="background:#ffd0bd"|Raw

|Female wrestler

The Viking Raiders
{{small|(Erik and Ivar with Valhalla)}}

|style="background:#ccf;"|SmackDown

|style="background:#ffd0bd"|Raw

|Male tag team and female manager

Zoey Stark

|style="background:#ffa;"|NXT

|style="background:#ffd0bd"|Raw

|Female wrestler

=Night 2: ''Raw'' (May 1)=

There were six rounds of draft picks on Night 2 with each brand receiving two picks each round; Raw went first due to Night 2 taking place as that night's episode of Raw. Draft selections were again announced by various WWE Hall of Famers, including Triple H, who again announced the first round picks; several others from Night 1 returned to announce Night 2's selections. Booker T and his wife Queen Sharmell announced the round two picks, Shawn Michaels returned to announce the round three picks, round four were by Eric Bischoff and the returning Rob Van Dam, round five by Molly Holly and the returning "Road Dogg" Jesse James, and the sixth and final round were announced by the returning John "Bradshaw" Layfield and Teddy Long. WWE official Adam Pearce was supposed to announce the round three picks with Michaels but instead had to help break up a fight between Brock Lesnar and Cody Rhodes.{{cite web|url=https://tjrwrestling.net/news/wwe-2023-draft-results-night-2-raw/|title=WWE 2023 Draft Results Night 2 (Raw)|date=May 1, 2023|last=Canton|first=John|work=TJR Wrestling|access-date=May 1, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230502031503/https://tjrwrestling.net/news/wwe-2023-draft-results-night-2-raw/|archive-date=May 2, 2023|url-status=live}}

class="wikitable sortable" style="width: 100%"

! width="5%" |Round

! width="5%" |Brand pick #

! width="5%" |Overall pick #

! width="15%" |Wrestler(s)

! width="15%" |Pre-draft brand

! width="15%" |Post-draft brand

! width="25%" |Role

|Rhea Ripley{{efn|Although a member of The Judgment Day stable, Ripley was listed separately in the drafting pool, but The Judgment Day would stay together as they were all drafted to Raw.}}

|style="background:#ffd0bd;"|Raw

|Female wrestler
SmackDown Women's Champion

|Austin Theory

|style="background:#ffd0bd"|Raw

|style="background:#ccf;"|SmackDown

|Male wrestler
United States Champion

|Seth "Freakin" Rollins

|style="background:#ffd0bd"|Raw

|Male wrestler

|Charlotte Flair

|style="background:#ccf;"|SmackDown

|Female wrestler

|Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn

|style="background:#FEFEFA"|Raw (Owens)
SmackDown (Zayn)

|style="background:#ffd0bd;"|Raw

|Male tag team
Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions{{efn|The holders of the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship are allowed to appear on both brands for as long as they are champions.}}

|The Usos{{efn|Although members of The Bloodline stable, The Usos were listed separately in the drafting pool, but The Bloodline would stay together as they were all drafted to SmackDown.}}
{{small|(Jey Uso and Jimmy Uso)}}

|style="background:#ccf;"|SmackDown

|Male tag team

|The Judgment Day
{{small|(Finn Bálor, Damian Priest, and Dominik Mysterio)}}

|style="background:#ffd0bd"|Raw

|Male stable

|Latino World Order
{{small|(Rey Mysterio, Santos Escobar, Cruz Del Toro, Joaquin Wilde, and Zelina Vega)}}

|style="background:#ccf;"|SmackDown

|Mixed stable

|Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodríguez

|style="background:#ccf;"|SmackDown

|style="background:#ffd0bd"|Raw

|Female tag team
WWE Women's Tag Team Champions{{efn|The holders of the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship are allowed to appear on both brands for as long as they are champions.}}

|10

|Asuka

|style="background:#ffd0bd"|Raw

|style="background:#ccf;"|SmackDown

|Female wrestler

|11

|The New Day
{{small|(Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods)}}

|style="background:#ccf;"|SmackDown

|style="background:#ffd0bd"|Raw

|Male tag team

|12

|The Brawling Brutes
{{small|(Sheamus, Ridge Holland, and Butch)}}

|style="background:#ccf;"|SmackDown

|Male stable

|13

|Trish Stratus

|style="background:#ffd0bd"|Raw

|Female wrestler
WWE Hall of Famer

|14

|Karrion Kross with Scarlett

|style="background:#ccf;"|SmackDown

|Male wrestler and female manager

|15

|Ronda Rousey and Shayna Baszler

|style="background:#ccf;"|SmackDown

|style="background:#ffd0bd"|Raw

|Female tag team

|16

|LA Knight

|style="background:#ccf;"|SmackDown

|Male wrestler

|17

|Braun Strowman and Ricochet

|style="background:#ccf;"|SmackDown

|style="background:#ffd0bd"|Raw

|Male tag team

|18

|Shotzi

|style="background:#ccf;"|SmackDown

|Female wrestler

|10

|19

|Bronson Reed

|style="background:#ffd0bd"|Raw

|Male wrestler

|10

|20

|Pretty Deadly
{{small|(Elton Prince and Kit Wilson)}}

|style="background:#ffa"|NXT

|style="background:#ccf;"|SmackDown

|Male tag team

|11

|21

|Alpha Academy
{{small|(Chad Gable and Otis)}}

|style="background:#ffd0bd"|Raw

|Male tag team

|11

|22

|Rick Boogs

|style="background:#ffd0bd"|Raw

|style="background:#ccf;"|SmackDown

|Male wrestler

|12

|23

|Katana Chance and Kayden Carter

|style="background:#ffa"|NXT

|style="background:#ffd0bd"|Raw

|Female tag team

|12

|24

|Cameron Grimes

|style="background:#ffa"|NXT

|style="background:#ccf;"|SmackDown

|Male wrestler

==Night 2 supplemental picks: ''Raw Talk'' (May 1)==

These wrestlers were included in the Night 2 draft pool, but were not drafted on Raw. Their draft selections were revealed on Raw{{'}}s post-show, Raw Talk, which aired immediately after Raw on WWE's social media and streaming platforms.{{cite news|url=https://www.sescoops.com/news/more-picks-made-in-wwe-raw-talks-supplemental-draft|title=NXT Call-Ups and More Picks Made in WWE Raw Talk's Supplemental Draft|date=May 2, 2023|last=Lowson|first=Thomas|work=SEScoops|access-date=May 2, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230504222923/https://www.sescoops.com/news/more-picks-made-in-wwe-raw-talks-supplemental-draft|archive-date=May 4, 2023|url-status=live}}

class="wikitable sortable" style="width: 100%"

! width="15%" |Wrestler(s)

! width="15%" |Pre-draft brand

! width="15%" |Post-draft brand

! width="25%" |Role

Akira Tozawa

|style="background:#ffd0bd"|Raw

|Male wrestler

Dana Brooke

|style="background:#ffd0bd"|Raw

|Female wrestler

Emma

|style="background:#ccf;"|SmackDown

|style="background:#ffd0bd"|Raw

|Female wrestler

Grayson Waller

|style="background:#ffa"|NXT

|style="background:#ccf;"|SmackDown

|Male wrestler

Indus Sher
{{small|(Jinder Mahal, Sanga, and Veer Mahaan)}}

|style="background:#ffa"|NXT

|style="background:#ffd0bd"|Raw

|Male stable

Johnny Gargano

|style="background:#ffd0bd"|Raw

|Male wrestler

Los Lotharios
{{small|(Angel and Humberto)}}

|style="background:#ccf;"|SmackDown

|style="background:#ffd0bd"|Raw

|Male tag team

Nikki Cross

|style="background:#ffd0bd"|Raw

|Female wrestler

Odyssey Jones

|style="background:#ffa"|NXT

|style="background:#ffd0bd"|Raw

|Male wrestler

Piper Niven

|style="background:#ffd0bd"|Raw

|Female wrestler

Riddick Moss

|style="background:#ccf;"|SmackDown

|style="background:#ffd0bd"|Raw

|Male wrestler

Tamina

|style="background:#ffd0bd"|Raw

|style="background:#ccf;"|SmackDown

|Female wrestler

Tegan Nox

|style="background:#ccf;"|SmackDown

|style="background:#ffd0bd"|Raw

|Female wrestler

Xia Li

|style="background:#ccf;"|SmackDown

|style="background:#ffd0bd"|Raw

|Female wrestler

=Free agents=

Within WWE's storylines, a "free agent" refers to a contracted wrestler who has not been assigned to one of the company's three brands—Raw, SmackDown, or NXT—and can in turn appear on any brand. The following wrestlers were included in the draft pools but ultimately became free agents, either through contractual negotiations or going undrafted. Their status as free agents were announced via the post-shows, SmackDown LowDown and Raw Talk.

class="wikitable sortable" style="width:100%"
Wrestler(s) !Pre-draft brand !Date !Role !Notes
Baron Corbin \|style="background:#ffd0bd"\|Raw \|May 1, 2023 \|Male wrestler \|Went undrafted during Night 2. Declared as a free agent during Night 2's supplemental draft, but would later be assigned to NXT in August.
Brock Lesnar \|style="background:#FEFEFA"\|Free agent{{efn\|During the 2021 draft, Lesnar was made a free agent, allowing him to appear on either brand, although he had primarily appeared on Raw since October 2022.}} \|May 1, 2023 \|Male wrestler \|During Night 2 of the draft, Triple H announced that Lesnar, who was initially included in the Night 2 draft pool, renegotiated his free agent status so that he could continue to appear for both brands.
Cedric Alexander and Shelton Benjamin \|style="background:#ffd0bd"\|Raw \|May 1, 2023 \|Male tag team \|Went undrafted during Night 2. Declared as free agents during Night 2's supplemental draft. Benjamin, however, was released from his WWE contract on September 21, 2023. After several months as a free agent, Alexander was assigned to SmackDown in November 2023.{{cite web \|title='Free agent' WWE star officially joins brand \|date=29 November 2023 \|url=https://wrestletalk.com/news/free-agent-wwe-star-brand-smackdown-cedric-alexander/ \|publisher=WrestleTalk \|access-date=29 November 2023}}
Dolph Ziggler \|style="background:#ffd0bd"\|Raw \|April 29, 2023 \|Male wrestler \|Went undrafted during Night 1. Declared as a free agent during Night 1's supplemental draft; however, he was released from his WWE contract on September 21, 2023. Now wrestles in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) and New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) as Nic Nemeth.
Elias \|style="background:#ffd0bd"\|Raw \|May 1, 2023 \|Male wrestler \|Went undrafted during Night 2. Declared as a free agent during Night 2's supplemental draft; however, he was released from his WWE contract on September 21, 2023. Now wrestles in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) as Elijah.
Mustafa Ali \|style="background:#ffd0bd"\|Raw \|April 29, 2023 \|Male wrestler \|Went undrafted during Night 1. Declared as a free agent during Night 1's supplemental draft. He was later assigned to NXT in August, but was released from his WWE contract on September 21, 2023. Now wrestles in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) and New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW).
Omos with MVP \|style="background:#ffd0bd"\|Raw \|April 29, 2023 \|Male wrestler and male manager \|During Night 1's supplemental draft, it was revealed that MVP negotiated their free agent status to maximize Omos' visibility on both brands.
Von Wagner \|style="background:#ffa;"\|NXT \|April 29, 2023 \|Male wrestler \|Though not initially included in the Night 1 draft pool, Wagner was revealed as one of the select NXT wrestlers available to be drafted on SmackDown LowDown. He was declared as a free agent during Night 1's supplemental draft. However Wagner still remains in NXT. Wagner was released from his WWE contract on April 19, 2024.
Xyon Quinn \|style="background:#ffa;"\|NXT \|May 1, 2023 \|Male wrestler \|Though not initially included in the Night 2 draft pool, Quinn was revealed as one of the select NXT wrestlers available to be drafted on Raw Talk. He was declared as a free agent during Night 2's supplemental draft. Quinn was released from his WWE contract on April 19, 2024.

class="wikitable sortable" style="width:100%"

Wrestler(s)

!Pre-draft brand

!Date

!Role

!Notes

Baron Corbin

|style="background:#ffd0bd"|Raw

|May 1, 2023

|Male wrestler

|Went undrafted during Night 2. Declared as a free agent during Night 2's supplemental draft, but would later be assigned to NXT in August.

Brock Lesnar

|style="background:#FEFEFA"|Free agent{{efn|During the 2021 draft, Lesnar was made a free agent, allowing him to appear on either brand, although he had primarily appeared on Raw since October 2022.}}

|May 1, 2023

|Male wrestler

|During Night 2 of the draft, Triple H announced that Lesnar, who was initially included in the Night 2 draft pool, renegotiated his free agent status so that he could continue to appear for both brands.

Cedric Alexander and Shelton Benjamin

|style="background:#ffd0bd"|Raw

|May 1, 2023

|Male tag team

|Went undrafted during Night 2. Declared as free agents during Night 2's supplemental draft.
Benjamin, however, was released from his WWE contract on September 21, 2023.
After several months as a free agent, Alexander was assigned to SmackDown in November 2023.{{cite web |title='Free agent' WWE star officially joins brand |date=29 November 2023 |url=https://wrestletalk.com/news/free-agent-wwe-star-brand-smackdown-cedric-alexander/ |publisher=WrestleTalk |access-date=29 November 2023}}

Dolph Ziggler

|style="background:#ffd0bd"|Raw

|April 29, 2023

|Male wrestler

|Went undrafted during Night 1. Declared as a free agent during Night 1's supplemental draft; however, he was released from his WWE contract on September 21, 2023. Now wrestles in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) and New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) as Nic Nemeth.

Elias

|style="background:#ffd0bd"|Raw

|May 1, 2023

|Male wrestler

|Went undrafted during Night 2. Declared as a free agent during Night 2's supplemental draft; however, he was released from his WWE contract on September 21, 2023. Now wrestles in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) as Elijah.

Mustafa Ali

|style="background:#ffd0bd"|Raw

|April 29, 2023

|Male wrestler

|Went undrafted during Night 1. Declared as a free agent during Night 1's supplemental draft. He was later assigned to NXT in August, but was released from his WWE contract on September 21, 2023. Now wrestles in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) and New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW).

Omos with MVP

|style="background:#ffd0bd"|Raw

|April 29, 2023

|Male wrestler and male manager

|During Night 1's supplemental draft, it was revealed that MVP negotiated their free agent status to maximize Omos' visibility on both brands.

Von Wagner

|style="background:#ffa;"|NXT

|April 29, 2023

|Male wrestler

|Though not initially included in the Night 1 draft pool, Wagner was revealed as one of the select NXT wrestlers available to be drafted on SmackDown LowDown. He was declared as a free agent during Night 1's supplemental draft. However Wagner still remains in NXT. Wagner was released from his WWE contract on April 19, 2024.

Xyon Quinn

|style="background:#ffa;"|NXT

|May 1, 2023

|Male wrestler

|Though not initially included in the Night 2 draft pool, Quinn was revealed as one of the select NXT wrestlers available to be drafted on Raw Talk. He was declared as a free agent during Night 2's supplemental draft. Quinn was released from his WWE contract on April 19, 2024.

=Wrestlers not included in either draft pool=

The following are wrestlers who were not included in either draft pool, as they had been inactive for extended periods leading up to the draft (largely due to injury).

class="wikitable sortable" style="width:100%"
Wrestler(s) !Pre-draft brand !Reason for omission (if any) !Subsequent status !Date !Role !Notes
Logan Paul \|style="background:#FEFEFA"\|Free agent \|Part-time contract \|style="background:#FEFEFA"\|Free agent \|April 29, 2023 \|Male wrestler \|Paul makes limited appearances per year. His last appearance before the draft was at WrestleMania 39 Night 1 on April 1, 2023. On April 29, Fightful confirmed that Paul would continue as a free agent.{{cite web\|url=https://411mania.com/wrestling/note-on-why-bray-wyatt-wasnt-included-in-wwe-draft-and-other-notable-omissions/\|title=Note On Why Bray Wyatt Wasn't Included In WWE Draft and Other Notable Omissions\|date=April 29, 2023\|last=Lee\|first=Joseph\|work=411Mania\|access-date=October 23, 2023\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230430033732/https://411mania.com/wrestling/note-on-why-bray-wyatt-wasnt-included-in-wwe-draft-and-other-notable-omissions/\|archive-date=April 30, 2023\|url-status=live}}
Tommaso Ciampa \|style="background:#ffd0bd"\|Raw \|Inactive due to a hip injury \|style="background:#ffd0bd"\|Raw \|June 19, 2023 \|Male wrestler \|Last appeared on the September 19, 2022, episode of Raw. Returned on the June 19, 2023, episode in a match against The Miz.
Gable Steveson \|style="background:#ffd0bd"\|Raw \|Inactive due to training for the 2024 Olympics \|style="background:#ffa"\|NXT \|July 25, 2023 \|Male wrestler \|Steveson was drafted to Raw in the 2021 draft, but was still training at the WWE Performance Center. In addition to training, he had made a couple of appearances on WWE TV programs, with his last appearance before the draft occurring on the December 9, 2022, episode of SmackDown for Kurt Angle's birthday celebration. He then returned on the June 20, 2023, episode of NXT and began making occasional appearances before deciding he would join NXT on the July 25 episode.
Robert Roode \|style="background:#ffd0bd"\|Raw \|Inactive due to neck surgery \|Producer \|August 5, 2023 \|Male wrestler \|Last appeared on the June 6, 2022, episode of Raw. In August 2023, he began working behind the scenes as a producer with his first official show being that year's SummerSlam.{{cite web\|url=https://www.f4wonline.com/news/wwe/report-bobby-roode-to-work-as-producer-at-wwe-summerslam\|title=Report: Robert Roode to work as producer at WWE SummerSlam\|date=August 4, 2023\|last=Carey\|first=Ian\|work=Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online\|access-date=September 21, 2023\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230807142259/https://www.f4wonline.com/news/wwe/report-bobby-roode-to-work-as-producer-at-wwe-summerslam\|archive-date=August 7, 2023\|url-status=live}}
Bray Wyatt \|style="background:#ccf;"\|SmackDown \|Was inactive due to contracting COVID-19, which exacerbated an existing heart issue \|Deceased \|August 24, 2023 \|Male wrestler \|Last appeared on the February 24, 2023, episode of SmackDown. On August 24, 2023, Wyatt unexpectedly died from a heart attack.{{cite web\|last=Lambert\|first=Jeremy\|title=Bray Wyatt (Windham Rotunda) Cause Of Death Given\|url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/bray-wyatt-windham-rotunda-cause-death-given\|date=August 24, 2023\|work=Fightful\|access-date=August 25, 2023\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230825023249/https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/bray-wyatt-windham-rotunda-cause-death-given\|archive-date=August 25, 2023\|url-status=live}}
Aliyah \|style="background:#ccf;"\|SmackDown \|Inactive for unknown reasons \|Released \|September 21, 2023 \|Female wrestler \|Last appeared on the September 12, 2022, episode of Raw. Released from her WWE contract on September 21, 2023.
Shanky \|style="background:#ccf;"\|SmackDown \|Inactive for unknown reasons \|Released \|September 21, 2023 \|Male wrestler \|Last appeared on the July 22, 2022, episode of SmackDown. Returned at the Superstar Spectacle event in India on September 8, 2023, but no brand designation was assigned; however, he was released from his WWE contract on September 21, 2023.
Randy Orton \|style="background:#ffd0bd"\|Raw \|Inactive due to a back injury \|style="background:#ccf"\|SmackDown \|November 25, 2023 \|Male wrestler \|Last appeared on the May 20, 2022, episode of SmackDown. Returned at Survivor Series: WarGames on November 25, 2023, as part of Cody Rhodes' team in the men's WarGames match, but no brand designation was assigned.{{cite web\|url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/randy-orton-return\|first2=Colin\|last2=Tessier\|title=Randy Orton Announced As Final Member Of Team Rhodes In Men's WarGames Match At WWE Survivor Series\|date=November 20, 2023\|first1=Skylar\|last1=Russell\|work=Fightful\|access-date=November 20, 2023}} On the December 1 episode of SmackDown, he was revealed as a free agent prior to a contract signing that happened that night, where he signed with SmackDown.{{cite web\|url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/randy-orton-signs-wwe-smackdown-121-smackdown\|title=Randy Orton Signs With WWE SmackDown On 12/1 SmackDown\|date=December 1, 2023\|first=Jeremy\|last=Lambert\|work=Fightful\|access-date=December 1, 2023}}
R-Truth \|style="background:#ffd0bd"\|Raw \|Inactive due to a torn quadricep \|style="background:#ffd0bd"\|Raw \|November 27, 2023 \|Male wrestler \|Last appeared on the November 1, 2022, episode of NXT. Returned at Survivor Series: WarGames on November 25, 2023, during a cross-branded backstage segment but no brand designation was assigned.{{cite web\|url=https://411mania.com/wrestling/r-truth-makes-wwe-return-at-survivor-series/\|title=R-Truth Makes WWE Return at Survivor Series\|date=November 25, 2023\|last=Lee\|first=Joseph\|work=411Mania\|access-date=November 26, 2023}}
Big E \|style="background:#ccf;"\|SmackDown \|Inactive due to a neck injury \|Commentator \|April 6, 2024 \|Male wrestler \|Last appeared on the March 11, 2022, episode of SmackDown. Beginning at WrestleMania XL, Big E began making regular appearances as a pre- and post-show panelist for PLEs.
Bo Dallas/Uncle Howdy \|style="background:#ccf;"\|SmackDown \|Was originally inactive due to Bray Wyatt's absence, but took extended time off following Wyatt's death. \|style="background:#ffd0bd"\|Raw \|June 17, 2024 \|Male wrestler \|Last appeared on the March 3, 2023, episode of SmackDown. Returned on the June 17, 2024, episode of Raw, now portraying both Howdy and his original persona of Bo Dallas.
Alexa Bliss \|style="background:#ffd0bd"\|Raw \|Inactive due to skin cancer treatment and maternity leave{{cite web\|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/2023/05/30/wwe-alexa-bliss-husband-ryan-cabrera-pregnant-due-december/70269881007/\|title=WWE star Alexa Bliss, husband Ryan Cabrera reveal they are expecting 1st child in December\|date=May 30, 2023\|last=Mendoza\|first=Jordan\|work=USA Today\|access-date=May 31, 2023\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230531014708/https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/2023/05/30/wwe-alexa-bliss-husband-ryan-cabrera-pregnant-due-december/70269881007/\|archive-date=May 31, 2023\|url-status=live}} \|style="background:#ccf;"\|SmackDown \|February 1, 2025 \|Female wrestler \|Last appeared at the Royal Rumble on January 28, 2023. Returned at the Royal Rumble on February 1, 2025, and was subsequently assigned to SmackDown on February 7.
Carmella \|style="background:#ffd0bd"\|Raw \|Inactive due to maternity leave{{cite web\|url=https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Culture/wwe-star-leah-van-dale-announces-pregnancy-miscarriages/story?id=98832170&cid=social_twitter_abcn\|title=WWE star Leah Van Dale announces pregnancy following miscarriages: 'I'm very happy'\|date=May 1, 2023\|last=Najib\|first=Shafiq\|work=ABC News\|access-date=May 1, 2023\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230501115726/https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Culture/wwe-star-leah-van-dale-announces-pregnancy-miscarriages/story?id=98832170&cid=social_twitter_abcn\|archive-date=May 1, 2023\|url-status=live}} \|Released \|February 21, 2025 \|Female wrestler \|Last appeared on March 31, 2023, for the WrestleMania 39 set reveal. Her WWE contract expired in February 2025 and was not renewed.

class="wikitable sortable" style="width:100%"

Wrestler(s)

!Pre-draft brand

!Reason for omission
(if any)

!Subsequent status

!Date

!Role

!Notes

Logan Paul

|style="background:#FEFEFA"|Free agent

|Part-time contract

|style="background:#FEFEFA"|Free agent

|April 29, 2023

|Male wrestler

|Paul makes limited appearances per year. His last appearance before the draft was at WrestleMania 39 Night 1 on April 1, 2023. On April 29, Fightful confirmed that Paul would continue as a free agent.{{cite web|url=https://411mania.com/wrestling/note-on-why-bray-wyatt-wasnt-included-in-wwe-draft-and-other-notable-omissions/|title=Note On Why Bray Wyatt Wasn't Included In WWE Draft and Other Notable Omissions|date=April 29, 2023|last=Lee|first=Joseph|work=411Mania|access-date=October 23, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230430033732/https://411mania.com/wrestling/note-on-why-bray-wyatt-wasnt-included-in-wwe-draft-and-other-notable-omissions/|archive-date=April 30, 2023|url-status=live}}

Tommaso Ciampa

|style="background:#ffd0bd"|Raw

|Inactive due to a hip injury

|style="background:#ffd0bd"|Raw

|June 19, 2023

|Male wrestler

|Last appeared on the September 19, 2022, episode of Raw. Returned on the June 19, 2023, episode in a match against The Miz.

Gable Steveson

|style="background:#ffd0bd"|Raw

|Inactive due to training for the 2024 Olympics

|style="background:#ffa"|NXT

|July 25, 2023

|Male wrestler

|Steveson was drafted to Raw in the 2021 draft, but was still training at the WWE Performance Center. In addition to training, he had made a couple of appearances on WWE TV programs, with his last appearance before the draft occurring on the December 9, 2022, episode of SmackDown for Kurt Angle's birthday celebration. He then returned on the June 20, 2023, episode of NXT and began making occasional appearances before deciding he would join NXT on the July 25 episode.

Robert Roode

|style="background:#ffd0bd"|Raw

|Inactive due to neck surgery

|Producer

|August 5, 2023

|Male wrestler

|Last appeared on the June 6, 2022, episode of Raw.
In August 2023, he began working behind the scenes as a producer with his first official show being that year's SummerSlam.{{cite web|url=https://www.f4wonline.com/news/wwe/report-bobby-roode-to-work-as-producer-at-wwe-summerslam|title=Report: Robert Roode to work as producer at WWE SummerSlam|date=August 4, 2023|last=Carey|first=Ian|work=Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online|access-date=September 21, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230807142259/https://www.f4wonline.com/news/wwe/report-bobby-roode-to-work-as-producer-at-wwe-summerslam|archive-date=August 7, 2023|url-status=live}}

Bray Wyatt

|style="background:#ccf;"|SmackDown

|Was inactive due to contracting COVID-19, which exacerbated an existing heart issue

|Deceased

|August 24, 2023

|Male wrestler

|Last appeared on the February 24, 2023, episode of SmackDown.
On August 24, 2023, Wyatt unexpectedly died from a heart attack.{{cite web|last=Lambert|first=Jeremy|title=Bray Wyatt (Windham Rotunda) Cause Of Death Given|url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/bray-wyatt-windham-rotunda-cause-death-given|date=August 24, 2023|work=Fightful|access-date=August 25, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230825023249/https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/bray-wyatt-windham-rotunda-cause-death-given|archive-date=August 25, 2023|url-status=live}}

Aliyah

|style="background:#ccf;"|SmackDown

|Inactive for unknown reasons

|Released

|September 21, 2023

|Female wrestler

|Last appeared on the September 12, 2022, episode of Raw.
Released from her WWE contract on September 21, 2023.

Shanky

|style="background:#ccf;"|SmackDown

|Inactive for unknown reasons

|Released

|September 21, 2023

|Male wrestler

|Last appeared on the July 22, 2022, episode of SmackDown.
Returned at the Superstar Spectacle event in India on September 8, 2023, but no brand designation was assigned; however, he was released from his WWE contract on September 21, 2023.

Randy Orton

|style="background:#ffd0bd"|Raw

|Inactive due to a back injury

|style="background:#ccf"|SmackDown

|November 25, 2023

|Male wrestler

|Last appeared on the May 20, 2022, episode of SmackDown.
Returned at Survivor Series: WarGames on November 25, 2023, as part of Cody Rhodes' team in the men's WarGames match, but no brand designation was assigned.{{cite web|url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/randy-orton-return|first2=Colin|last2=Tessier|title=Randy Orton Announced As Final Member Of Team Rhodes In Men's WarGames Match At WWE Survivor Series|date=November 20, 2023|first1=Skylar|last1=Russell|work=Fightful|access-date=November 20, 2023}}
On the December 1 episode of SmackDown, he was revealed as a free agent prior to a contract signing that happened that night, where he signed with SmackDown.{{cite web|url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/randy-orton-signs-wwe-smackdown-121-smackdown|title=Randy Orton Signs With WWE SmackDown On 12/1 SmackDown|date=December 1, 2023|first=Jeremy|last=Lambert|work=Fightful|access-date=December 1, 2023}}

R-Truth

|style="background:#ffd0bd"|Raw

|Inactive due to a torn quadricep

|style="background:#ffd0bd"|Raw

|November 27, 2023

|Male wrestler

|Last appeared on the November 1, 2022, episode of NXT.
Returned at Survivor Series: WarGames on November 25, 2023, during a cross-branded backstage segment but no brand designation was assigned.{{cite web|url=https://411mania.com/wrestling/r-truth-makes-wwe-return-at-survivor-series/|title=R-Truth Makes WWE Return at Survivor Series|date=November 25, 2023|last=Lee|first=Joseph|work=411Mania|access-date=November 26, 2023}}

Big E

|style="background:#ccf;"|SmackDown

|Inactive due to a neck injury

|Commentator

|April 6, 2024

|Male wrestler

|Last appeared on the March 11, 2022, episode of SmackDown.
Beginning at WrestleMania XL, Big E began making regular appearances as a pre- and post-show panelist for PLEs.

Bo Dallas/Uncle Howdy

|style="background:#ccf;"|SmackDown

|Was originally inactive due to Bray Wyatt's absence, but took extended time off following Wyatt's death.

|style="background:#ffd0bd"|Raw

|June 17, 2024

|Male wrestler

|Last appeared on the March 3, 2023, episode of SmackDown.
Returned on the June 17, 2024, episode of Raw, now portraying both Howdy and his original persona of Bo Dallas.

Alexa Bliss

|style="background:#ffd0bd"|Raw

|Inactive due to skin cancer treatment and maternity leave{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/2023/05/30/wwe-alexa-bliss-husband-ryan-cabrera-pregnant-due-december/70269881007/|title=WWE star Alexa Bliss, husband Ryan Cabrera reveal they are expecting 1st child in December|date=May 30, 2023|last=Mendoza|first=Jordan|work=USA Today|access-date=May 31, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230531014708/https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/2023/05/30/wwe-alexa-bliss-husband-ryan-cabrera-pregnant-due-december/70269881007/|archive-date=May 31, 2023|url-status=live}}

|style="background:#ccf;"|SmackDown

|February 1, 2025

|Female wrestler

|Last appeared at the Royal Rumble on January 28, 2023.
Returned at the Royal Rumble on February 1, 2025, and was subsequently assigned to SmackDown on February 7.

Carmella

|style="background:#ffd0bd"|Raw

|Inactive due to maternity leave{{cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Culture/wwe-star-leah-van-dale-announces-pregnancy-miscarriages/story?id=98832170&cid=social_twitter_abcn|title=WWE star Leah Van Dale announces pregnancy following miscarriages: 'I'm very happy'|date=May 1, 2023|last=Najib|first=Shafiq|work=ABC News|access-date=May 1, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230501115726/https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Culture/wwe-star-leah-van-dale-announces-pregnancy-miscarriages/story?id=98832170&cid=social_twitter_abcn|archive-date=May 1, 2023|url-status=live}}

|Released

|February 21, 2025

|Female wrestler

|Last appeared on March 31, 2023, for the WrestleMania 39 set reveal.
Her WWE contract expired in February 2025 and was not renewed.

Aftermath

=Post-draft moves=

The day after the draft on May 2, it was revealed that ring announcers Mike Rome and Samantha Irvin, who announced for Raw and SmackDown, respectively, would switch brands beginning May 8.{{cite web|url=https://www.f4wonline.com/news/wwe/ring-announcers-change-brands-in-wwe-draft-samantha-irvin-mike-rome|title=Ring announcers change brands in WWE Draft|date=May 2, 2023|access-date=May 3, 2023|work=Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online|last=Currier|first=Joseph|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230503151304/https://www.f4wonline.com/news/wwe/ring-announcers-change-brands-in-wwe-draft-samantha-irvin-mike-rome|archive-date=May 3, 2023|url-status=live}}

Despite being drafted to Raw, Dana Brooke appeared on the June 6 episode of NXT to compete in a battle royal to determine the next challenger for the NXT Women's Championship. During her entrance, she was referred to as a Raw roster member, but during the battle royal itself, the commentators referred to her as a free agent. An official change to her status was not announced and her WWE.com profile still listed her as a member of Raw.{{cite web|url=https://www.f4wonline.com/news/nxt/dana-brooke-competes-in-womens-battle-royal-on-wwe-nxt|title=Dana Brooke competes in women's battle royal on WWE NXT|date=June 6, 2023|last=Rose|first=Bryan|work=Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online|access-date=June 9, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230607082743/https://www.f4wonline.com/news/nxt/dana-brooke-competes-in-womens-battle-royal-on-wwe-nxt|archive-date=June 7, 2023|url-status=live}} Furthermore, although Los Lotharios (Angel and Humberto) were drafted to Raw, they would also appear in NXT on the June 13 episode, stating they would be going after the NXT Tag Team Championship (their individual ring names would also revert to Angel Garza and Humberto Carrillo, respectively, in July), they later returned to the main roster on the December 22 episode of SmackDown.{{cite web|last=David|first=JP|date=July 13, 2023|title=WWE confirms name change for two top stars|url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/wwe/news-wwe-confirms-name-change-two-top-stars|access-date=July 25, 2023|website=Sportskeeda|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230713013539/https://www.sportskeeda.com/wwe/news-wwe-confirms-name-change-two-top-stars|archive-date=July 13, 2023|url-status=live}} Other main roster wrestlers would appear in NXT, and hold championships, with WWE president Nick Khan stating this cross-over of talent from Raw and SmackDown to NXT was intentional, as he said there was potential for NXT to become WWE's third brand again while still developing younger wrestlers.{{cite web|url=https://comicbook.com/wwe/news/wwe-raw-tag-team-los-lotharios-makes-shocking-appearance-nxt-going-for-tag-titles/|title=WWE Raw Tag Team Makes Shocking Appearance in NXT, Going for Tag Titles|date=June 13, 2023|last=Aguilar|first=Matthew|work=ComicBook.com|access-date=June 15, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230614025223/https://comicbook.com/wwe/news/wwe-raw-tag-team-los-lotharios-makes-shocking-appearance-nxt-going-for-tag-titles/|archive-date=June 14, 2023|url-status=live}}

On August 5, WWE announced a change to the on-air commentary teams that would begin with the August 7 episode of Raw. Raw's team of Corey Graves and Kevin Patrick moved to SmackDown while SmackDown commentator Wade Barrett moved to Raw, with Michael Cole, who was on SmackDown with Barrett, doing commentary for both shows.{{cite web|last=Otterson|first=Joe|url=https://variety.com/2023/tv/news/wwe-commentary-team-michael-cole-wade-barrett-raw-kevin-patrick-corey-graves-smackdown-1235688211|title=WWE Commentary Shakeup: Michael Cole, Wade Barrett Move to 'Raw,' Cole to Also Remain on 'SmackDown' (Exclusive)|work=Varietydate=August 5, 2023|date=5 August 2023 |access-date=August 5, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230805160607/https://variety.com/2023/tv/news/wwe-commentary-team-michael-cole-wade-barrett-raw-kevin-patrick-corey-graves-smackdown-1235688211|archive-date=August 5, 2023|url-status=live}}

At Payback on September 2, 2023, Jey Uso, who had "quit" WWE a month prior after a fallout with his brother Jimmy Uso and The Bloodline as a whole, was reinstated but as a member of Raw.{{cite web|url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/jey-uso-returns-wwe-payback-joins-wwe-raw-roster|title=Jey Uso Returns At WWE Payback, Joins WWE Raw Roster|date=September 2, 2023|last=Lambert|first=Jeremy|work=Fightful|access-date=September 4, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230903023426/https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/jey-uso-returns-wwe-payback-joins-wwe-raw-roster|archive-date=September 3, 2023|url-status=live}} On the following episode of Raw, WWE official Adam Pearce revealed that a member of the Raw roster was traded to SmackDown so that Jey could join Raw.{{cite web|url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/adam-pearce-announces-smackdown-will-get-trade-compensation-jey-uso-94-wwe-raw|title=Adam Pearce Announces SmackDown Will Get Trade Compensation For Jey Uso On 9/4 WWE Raw|date=September 4, 2023|last=Tessier|first=Colin|work=Fightful|access-date=September 4, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230905024345/https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/adam-pearce-announces-smackdown-will-get-trade-compensation-jey-uso-94-wwe-raw|archive-date=September 5, 2023|url-status=live}} The following month on the October 13 episode of SmackDown, after Triple H announced that Pearce—who had officiated for both Raw and SmackDown since January 2020—would now just be the general manager of Raw with former National Wrestling Alliance wrestler Nick Aldis introduced as SmackDown's general manager,{{cite web|url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/nick-aldis-named-general-manager-wwe-smackdown|title=Nick Aldis Named General Manager Of WWE SmackDown|work=Fightful|date=October 13, 2023|access-date=October 13, 2023|last=Lambert|first=Jeremy|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231014073700/https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/nick-aldis-named-general-manager-wwe-smackdown|archive-date=October 14, 2023|url-status=live}} Aldis revealed that Kevin Owens had been traded to SmackDown for Jey,{{cite web|url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/kevin-owens-joins-wwe-smackdown-jey-uso-trade-now-complete|title=Kevin Owens Joins WWE SmackDown, Jey Uso Trade Now Complete|date=October 13, 2023|last=Lambert|first=Jeremy|work=Fightful|access-date=October 13, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231014082518/https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/kevin-owens-joins-wwe-smackdown-jey-uso-trade-now-complete|archive-date=October 14, 2023|url-status=live}} in turn splitting the team of Owens and Sami Zayn.{{cite web|url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/kevin-owens-my-bittersweet-move-wwe-smackdown-effectively-ends-my-partnership-sami-zayn|title=Kevin Owens: My 'Bittersweet' Move To WWE SmackDown Effectively Ends My Partnership With Sami Zayn|date=October 13, 2023|last=Tessier|first=Colin|work=Fightful|access-date=October 13, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231014052034/https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/kevin-owens-my-bittersweet-move-wwe-smackdown-effectively-ends-my-partnership-sami-zayn|archive-date=October 14, 2023|url-status=live}}

Shortly after the draft, NXT's Dragon Lee began making appearances on the main roster and had his main roster debut match on SmackDown in October. He was subsequently promoted to the main roster on the SmackDown brand.{{Cite web |last=Thompson |first=Andrew |date=October 9, 2023 |title=Dragon Lee listed as member of WWE SmackDown roster |url=https://www.postwrestling.com/2023/10/09/dragon-lee-listed-as-member-of-wwe-smackdown-roster/ |access-date=December 1, 2023 |website=POST Wrestling |language=en-US}} After a successful in-ring debut on Raw the week prior, NXT's Diamond Mine (Brutus Creed, Julius Creed, and Ivy Nile) were promoted to the main roster on the Raw brand on November 6, 2023.{{cite web|url=https://www.f4wonline.com/news/wwe/creed-brothers-ivy-nile-called-up-to-wwe-raw-roster|title=Creed Brothers & Ivy Nile called up to WWE Raw roster|date=November 6, 2023|last=Renner|first=Ethan|work=Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online|access-date=November 9, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231107075641/https://www.f4wonline.com/news/wwe/creed-brothers-ivy-nile-called-up-to-wwe-raw-roster|archive-date=November 7, 2023|url-status=live}}

At SmackDown: New Year's Revolution, NXT's Tyler Bate made his main roster debut. Afterwards, Bate confirmed via WWE's Instagram page that he was now an official member of the SmackDown roster. NXT's Elektra Lopez were promoted to the main roster on the SmackDown brand on January 26, 2024. Following Royal Rumble appearances, NXT's Tiffany Stratton and Bron Breakker were subsequently promoted to the main roster on the SmackDown brand. During this time, the SmackDown stable The Brawling Brutes was disbanded as Ridge Holland later moved back to the NXT brand, while Butch would return to using his original ring name Pete Dunne and started a tag team with Bate under the name New Catch Republic.

=Championships=

Prior to the draft on the April 24 episode of Raw, Triple H unveiled a new World Heavyweight Championship for the brand that did not select Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns, as he and his titles would become exclusive to the brand that drafted him. As a result of SmackDown drafting Reigns, the World Heavyweight Championship became exclusive to Raw. Despite the title becoming exclusive to Raw, SmackDown wrestlers competed in the tournament to crown the inaugural champion (which was reportedly due to WWE's attempt to retain viewership for the May 12 episode of SmackDown, which went head-to-head with the 2023 NBA playoffs). At Night of Champions, Raw's Seth "Freakin" Rollins defeated SmackDown's AJ Styles to become the inaugural World Heavyweight Champion.{{cite web|url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/seth-rollins-becomes-inaugural-wwe-world-heavyweight-champion-wwe-night-champions|title=Seth Rollins Becomes Inaugural WWE World Heavyweight Champion At WWE Night Of Champions|date=May 27, 2023|last=Lambert|first=Jeremy|work=Fightful|access-date=May 28, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230527183140/https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/seth-rollins-becomes-inaugural-wwe-world-heavyweight-champion-wwe-night-champions|archive-date=May 27, 2023|url-status=live}}

On Night 1 of the draft, reigning NXT Women's Tag Team Champions Isla Dawn and Alba Fyre were drafted to SmackDown. That same night, they were scheduled to defend the championship against Kayden Carter and Katana Chance on the May 2 episode of NXT, but during Night 2 of the draft, Carter and Chance were drafted to Raw. On NXT, Dawn and Fyre retained the title and they claimed they would defend the NXT Women's Tag Team Championship across all three brands. On that same episode, reigning NXT Women's Champion Indi Hartwell relinquished her title due to being drafted to Raw and also due to a leg injury.{{cite web|url=https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2023/05/02/5-2-nxt-report-wellss-live-report-on-draft-fallout-dragon-lee-vs-jd-mcdonagh-fyre-and-dawn-vs-carter-and-chance-more/|title=5/2 NXT Report: Wells's report on draft fallout, Dragon Lee vs. JD McDonagh, Fyre and Dawn vs. Carter and Chance, more|date=May 2, 2023|last=Wells|first=Kelly|work=Pro Wrestling Torch|access-date=May 2, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230503022013/https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2023/05/02/5-2-nxt-report-wellss-live-report-on-draft-fallout-dragon-lee-vs-jd-mcdonagh-fyre-and-dawn-vs-carter-and-chance-more/|archive-date=May 3, 2023|url-status=live}} On the June 9 episode of SmackDown, the issue of the NXT Women's Tag Team Championship being on SmackDown would be addressed as reigning WWE Women's Tag Team Champions Ronda Rousey and Shayna Baszler challenged Dawn and Fyre to a championship unification match, which was accepted and scheduled for the June 23 episode.{{cite web|url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2023/06/09/wwe-friday-night-smackdown-results-6-9-barnetts-review-of-jey-usos-decision-asuka-presented-with-the-wwe-womens-championship-belt-mitb-qualifiers-featuring-butch-vs-baron-corbin-sant/|title=WWE Friday Night Smackdown results (6/9): Barnett's review of Jey Uso's decision, Asuka presented with the WWE Women's Championship belt, MITB qualifiers featuring Butch vs. Baron Corbin, Santos Escobar vs. Mustafa Ali, Michin vs. Bayley, and Shotzi vs. Iyo Sky|date=June 9, 2023|last=Barnett|first=Jake|work=Pro Wrestling Dot Net|access-date=June 9, 2023}} Rousey and Baszler won to become the unified WWE Women's Tag Team Champions, thus making the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship available to NXT again. The NXT Women's Tag Team Championship was subsequently retired in the process, with Dawn and Fyre recognized as the final champions.{{cite web|last=Mahjouri|first=Shakiel|title=WWE SmackDown results, recap, grades: The Usos make the first move in 'Civil War' vs. Roman Reigns, Solo Sikoa|url=https://www.cbssports.com/wwe/news/wwe-smackdown-results-recap-grades-the-usos-make-the-first-move-in-civil-war-vs-roman-reigns-solo-sikoa/live/|date=June 23, 2023|work=CBSSports|access-date=June 23, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230624095349/https://www.cbssports.com/wwe/news/wwe-smackdown-results-recap-grades-the-usos-make-the-first-move-in-civil-war-vs-roman-reigns-solo-sikoa/live/|archive-date=June 24, 2023|url-status=live}}

As a result of the draft, Raw and SmackDown's secondary championships switched brands, as Intercontinental Champion Gunther was drafted to Raw while United States Champion Austin Theory was drafted to SmackDown, and there were no title changes by the time draft results went into effect on May 8. Despite their namesakes, the women's championships would also switch brands, with Raw Women's Champion Bianca Belair drafted to SmackDown and SmackDown Women's Champion Rhea Ripley drafted to Raw. This same incident occurred during the 2021 draft, but the night that draft's results went into effect, the women's champions swapped titles to keep the branded championships on their respective brands.{{cite web|url=https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2021/10/22/10-15-wwe-smackdown-results-kellers-report-and-analysis-of-crown-jewel-fallout-and-first-look-at-the-new-post-draft-roster/|title=10/22 WWE SmackDown Results: Keller's report and analysis of Crown Jewel fallout and first look at the new post-draft roster|date=October 22, 2021|last=Keller|first=Wade|work=Pro Wrestling Torch|access-date=October 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211024022124/https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2021/10/22/10-15-wwe-smackdown-results-kellers-report-and-analysis-of-crown-jewel-fallout-and-first-look-at-the-new-post-draft-roster/|archive-date=October 24, 2021|url-status=live}} This did not happen between Belair and Ripley when the 2023 draft results went into effect on May 8.{{cite web|last=Keller|first=Wade|title=WWE Raw Results (5-8-2023): Keller's report with analysis of World Title Tournament matches, Backlash fallout, Trish|url=https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2023/05/08/wwe-raw-results-5-8-2023-kellers-report-with-analysis-of-world-title-tournament-matches-backlash-fallout-trish/|date=May 8, 2023|work=Pro Wrestling Torch|access-date=May 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230509113247/https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2023/05/08/wwe-raw-results-5-8-2023-kellers-report-with-analysis-of-world-title-tournament-matches-backlash-fallout-trish/|archive-date=May 9, 2023|url-status=live}} The issue of the Raw and SmackDown women's championships being on the opposite brands would be resolved a month after the draft following the Night of Champions event. On the June 9 episode of SmackDown, reigning Raw Women's Champion Asuka was presented with a new championship belt and the title reverted to its original name of WWE Women's Championship, while on the June 12 episode of Raw, reigning SmackDown Women's Champion Rhea Ripley was also presented with a new championship belt and the title was renamed as the Women's World Championship.{{cite web|url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/rhea-ripley-crowned-women-s-world-champion-given-new-title-belt-612-wwe-raw|title=Rhea Ripley Crowned Women's World Champion, Given New Title Belt On 6/12 WWE Raw|date=June 12, 2023|last=Defelice|first=Robert|work=Fightful|access-date=June 12, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230613002641/https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/rhea-ripley-crowned-women-s-world-champion-given-new-title-belt-612-wwe-raw|archive-date=June 13, 2023|url-status=live}}

=Other post-draft changes=

Although Maxxine Dupri was drafted to Raw as the manager of Maximum Male Models (ma.çé and mån.sôör), she would leave the team and join with Alpha Academy (Chad Gable and Otis), who were also drafted to Raw. The two teams had been at odds before the draft where Dupri tried to get Otis to join Maximum Male Models.{{cite web|url=https://www.wrestlinginc.com/1299684/maxxine-dupri-officially-joins-alpha-academy-wwe-raw/|title=Maxxine Dupri Officially Joins Alpha Academy On WWE Raw|date=May 30, 2023|last=Mohan|first=Sai|work=Wrestling Inc.|access-date=May 31, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230530112340/https://www.wrestlinginc.com/1299684/maxxine-dupri-officially-joins-alpha-academy-wwe-raw/|archive-date=May 30, 2023|url-status=live}}

In August 2023, Lacey Evans left WWE due to the expiration of her contract.{{cite web|url=https://www.pwinsider.com/article/174377/lacey-evans-update.html|title=Lacey Evans Update|last=Johnson|first=Mike|date=August 16, 2023|website=PWInsider|access-date=August 17, 2023|archive-date=August 17, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230817021654/https://www.pwinsider.com/article/174377/lacey-evans-update.html|url-status=live}} Edge would also leave WWE upon the expiration of his contract at the end of September and subsequently joined rival promotion All Elite Wrestling under his real name of Adam Copeland.{{cite web|url=https://411mania.com/wrestling/adam-copeland-aew-debut-full-time-dynamite/|title=Adam Copeland On His AEW Debut, Will Be Full-Time & Debut On This Week's Dynamite|date=October 2, 2023|last=Thomas|first=Jeremy|work=411Mania|access-date=October 2, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231002060727/https://411mania.com/wrestling/adam-copeland-aew-debut-full-time-dynamite/|archive-date=October 2, 2023|url-status=live}} During the summer, Shayna Baszler turned on Ronda Rousey, splitting their team, and after Rousey lost a match to Baszler at SummerSlam in August, it was reported that Rousey had left WWE, which was later confirmed in late October when her WWE.com profile was moved to the alumni section.{{cite web|url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/ronda-rousey-moved-alumni-section-wwe-website|title=Ronda Rousey Moved To Alumni Section Of WWE Website|date=October 28, 2023|last=Lambert|first=Jeremy|work=Fightful|access-date=November 9, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231028183747/https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/ronda-rousey-moved-alumni-section-wwe-website|archive-date=October 28, 2023|url-status=live}} She subsequently had a few matches on the indies, including a match in Ring of Honor.{{cite web|url=https://www.f4wonline.com/news/aew/ronda-rousey-not-planning-to-join-aew-focused-on-being-a-full-time-mom|title=Ronda Rousey not planning to join AEW, focused on being a full-time mom|date=December 1, 2023|last=Currier|first=Joseph|work=Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online|access-date=December 1, 2023}}

Bray Wyatt was not included in either draft pool and had been off WWE programming since February 2023 due to an undisclosed illness. On August 24, 2023, Wyatt unexpectedly died of a heart attack, with the illness revealed as COVID-19 which exacerbated an existing heart issue. Just prior to his passing, it was reported that he was making positive progress towards a return. His accomplice Uncle Howdy had been inactive due to Wyatt's medical hiatus, but following Wyatt's death, Howdy's status was unknown.{{cite web|url=https://www.pwmania.com/update-on-bo-dallas-wwe-status-and-the-uncle-howdy-character|title=Update On Bo Dallas' WWE Status And The Uncle Howdy Character|date=October 17, 2023|author=PWMania.com Staff|work=PWMania|access-date=October 19, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231017165828/https://www.pwmania.com/update-on-bo-dallas-wwe-status-and-the-uncle-howdy-character|archive-date=October 17, 2023|url-status=live}}

Following WWE's acquisition by Endeavor, which was finalized on September 12 and saw WWE merge with Ultimate Fighting Championship to become divisions of a new company called TKO Group Holdings, WWE announced a new broadcasting deal that would move SmackDown back to the USA Network in October 2024. As a result of the merger and broadcasting deal, WWE released a number of wrestlers from all three brands, including some WWE Performance Center recruits, in late September.{{cite web|url=https://www.cbssports.com/wwe-roster-cuts-matt-riddle-dolph-ziggler-among-more-than-20-superstars-released-after-new-tv-deal-announced/|title=WWE roster cuts: Matt Riddle, Dolph Ziggler among more than 20 superstars released after new TV deal announced|date=September 22, 2023|last=Mahjouri|first=Shakiel|work=CBSSports|access-date=September 21, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230924230652/https://www.cbssports.com/wwe/news/wwe-roster-cuts-matt-riddle-dolph-ziggler-among-more-than-20-superstars-released-after-new-tv-deal-announced/|archive-date=September 24, 2023|url-status=live}} These included Dolph Ziggler, Shelton Benjamin, Elias, Mustafa Ali, Emma, Riddick Moss, Aliyah, Top Dolla, Rick Boogs, Dabba-Kato, Shanky, Maximum Male Models (ma.çé and mån.sôör), Quincy Elliot, Dana Brooke, Yulisa León, Ikemen Jiro, Matt Riddle, Bryson Montana, Daniel McArthur, Kevin Ventura-Cortez, Alexis Gray, Brooklyn Barlow, Abule Abadi-Fitzgerald, Melanie Brzezinski, Alexis Lete, Alivia Ash, Gina Delucia, Giovanna Eburneo and Sarah Baer.{{cite web|url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/wwe-releases-mustafa-ali-emma-rick-boogs|title=WWE Releases Dolph Ziggler, Shelton Benjamin, Mustafa Ali, Emma, Rick Boogs, Riddick Moss, And More|date=September 22, 2023|orig-date=September 21, 2023|author=Fightful Staff|work=Fightful|access-date=September 22, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230925170452/https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/wwe-releases-mustafa-ali-emma-rick-boogs|archive-date=September 25, 2023|url-status=live}} In April 2024, WWE released a number of wrestlers from all three brands, including Xia Li,{{Cite web |last=Defelice |first=Robert |title=Xia Li Confirms Her WWE Departure, Thanks WWE For Time In The Company |url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/xia-li-confirms-her-wwe-departure-thanks-wwe-time-company |access-date=April 24, 2024 |website=Fightful}} Jinder Mahal,{{Cite web |last=Lambert |first=Jeremy |date=April 19, 2024 |title=Jinder Mahal Tweets 'I Quit', Changes Bio To 'Free Agent - 90 Days' |url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/jinder-mahal-tweets-i-quit-changes-bio-free-agent-90-days |access-date=April 24, 2024 |website=Fightful}} Veer Mahaan,{{Cite web |last=Tessier |first=Colin |date=April 20, 2024 |title=Veer Released By WWE |url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/veer-released-wwe |access-date=April 24, 2024 |website=Fightful}} Sanga,{{Cite web |last=Tessier |first=Colin |date=April 20, 2024 |title=Sanga Released By WWE |url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/sanga-released-wwe |access-date=April 24, 2024 |website=Fightful}} Xyon Quinn,{{Cite web |last=Lambert |first=Jeremy |date=April 19, 2024 |title=Xyon Quinn Released By WWE |url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/xyon-quinn-released-wwe |access-date=April 24, 2024 |website=Fightful}} Von Wagner,{{Cite web |last=Lambert |first=Jeremy |date=April 22, 2024 |title=Von Wagner Released By WWE |url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/von-wagner-released-wwe |access-date=April 24, 2024 |website=Fightful}} Cameron Grimes{{Cite web |last=Tessier |first=Colin |date=April 23, 2024 |title=Cameron Grimes Announces He Has Been Released By WWE |url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/cameron-grimes-announces-he-has-been-released-wwe |access-date=April 24, 2024 |website=Fightful}} and Guru Raaj from their contracts.

Notes

References

WWE Draft

Category:WWE Draft

Category:Professional wrestling in Texas

Category:April 2023 in the United States

Category:May 2023 in the United States

Category:Events in Fort Worth, Texas

Category:Professional wrestling shows in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex