10 New Directions For WWE After The 2024 Draft

6. Carmelo Hayes Tearing Up SmackDown

King GUNTHER WWE
WWE.com

Carmelo Hayes might beat him to the punch, to be fair.

Hayes already showed everyone what he's capable of with a sparkling showing vs. (a very giving) Cody Rhodes on last week's SmackDown. He can be proud of that, and the ex-NXT man can sleep soundly knowing there's way more to come as 2024 progresses. This is just the start for one of HBK's most impressive proteges.

It was wise of Triple H to split ex-NXT Champs like Ilja and Carmelo in the Draft. Putting them on Raw and SmackDown respectively gives both the chance to shine individually without commentators having to constantly bring up that 'they came up in the Draft together'. That would've lumped the pair together in a way.

There are obvious similarities in terms of how they'll be presented. Both will be protected, and both will eventually go after midcard titles like the Intercontinental and United States belts. Beyond that, main events await. That all depends on how much time Dragunov and Hayes are given to forge connections with casual fans, of course.

Contributor

Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.