Two top NXT stars locked in for main roster promotion at the upcoming WWE Draft: Reports

Carmelo Hayes and Ilja Dragunov are likely to be called to the main roster during the WWE Draft.


Two top NXT stars locked in for main roster promotion at the upcoming WWE Draft: Reports

WWE Draft (via WWE)

The WWE Draft will take place on the March 26 edition of SmackDown and three days later, on Monday Night Raw. Following a successful WrestleMania, changes are expected for all three of WWE’s live brands. As such, a new update has shed light on the plans for this year’s edition of the Draft.

According to Fightful Select, Ilja Dragunov and Carmelo Hayes from NXT are reportedly “a lock” for a move to the main roster. While it is a yearly tradition to call up wrestlers, the 2024 Draft is looking different. The report further states that WWE is planning to establish NXT as the third brand rather than a developmental one. 

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As for the other NXT talent, their status at the moment is unknown. Dragunov debuted on Raw last week, defeating Shinsuke Nakamura in convincing fashion. Meanwhile, Hayes has already tested the waters on SmackDown, during the road to WrestleMania. Further, it will be interesting to see whether Trick Williams joins his friend-turned-rival on the same brand.

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Talent on Raw and SmackDown will also be ‘eligible’ to move to NXT. Therefore, adding another twist to this year’s WWE Draft. Fans will have to wait and see how WWE shapes up its roster, with a bunch of surprises lying in wait almost two weeks ahead.

CM Punk advertised to appear on both nights of the WWE Draft

Since being sidelined with injury, CM Punk has still been able to involve himself in the mix. In fact, WWE has done a splendid job at utilizing The Second City Saint. Days after announcing the dates for this year’s WWE Draft, the promotion announced that Punk would appear on both nights.

CM Punk
CM Punk (via WWE)

However, the former WWE Champion’s role has not been clarified yet. At WrestleMania, Punk was the special guest commentator for the World Heavyweight Championship match. Following Drew McIntyre‘s win over Seth Rollins, the Best in the World proceeded to attack and subsequently cost The Scottish Warrior his newly won title.

Punk didn’t stop there, as on Raw the next night, he continued to torment McIntyre. He once again ‘broke’ the Chosen One’s dreams by distracting him in a high-stakes main event match. Needless to say, the two men will most likely settle their differences as soon as CM Punk is medically cleared.

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