Major Update On WWE's Plans For Tonight's Draft 2023 SmackDown

Here's what WWE has in store for tonight's SmackDown - and the 2023 Draft.

by Andy H Murray
NXT Vengeance Day 2023 Bron Breakker
WWE.com

WWE's 2023 Draft kicks off on tonight's episode of SmackDown - and the promotion is set to have a number of interesting names present for the roster reshuffle.

PWInsider reports that NXT standouts Bron Breakker and Cora Jade will both be at SmackDown, which takes place in Corpus Christi, Texas. The duo's function on the show remains to be seen, though both wrestlers have been the subject of Draft speculation, with Jade, 22, reportedly catching the eye in a Main Event match with Nikki Cross this Monday past, putting herself in main roster contention.

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Elsewhere, PWInsider reports that WWE Hall of Famer Teddy Long will be on-hand for both of WWE's 2023 Draft shows. Starting with tonight's SmackDown, the event concludes on Monday's Raw. Again, there is no word on Long's role.

Fightful Select reports that NXT's Ilja Dragunov has also been pitched for the draft, while acknowledging PWInsider's prior report on a pitch for Pretty Deadly, and WRKD Wrestling's on Tyler Bate. Cameron Grimes, meanwhile, has long been considered for a main roster call-up. The former Trevor Lee worked a SmackDown taping a few months ago. Fightful inquired about this with WWE, receiving the response that "WWE doesn't have NXT talent work the SmackDown tapings."

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Tonight's Draft is WWE's first since October 2021.

 
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Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.