Notable omissions and inclusions in WWE draft pool
The WWE Draft pools have been released, and featured some notable omissions and inclusions. In the event of some wrestlers, they’re sidelined with injuries and WWE likes to leave flexibility to apply returning talent to brands that need them the most.
Alexa Bliss- Alexa Bliss was sidelined due to a skin cancer procedure, and appeared on The Masked Singer. She hasn’t been factored into creative plans of late. Originally she was to be tied in to a Bray Wyatt story.
Aliyah: Had been sidelined due to an elevated first rib and AC sprain in September. Creative hasn’t had substantial plans for her, though they were told she was ready to return quite a while back. We haven’t heard if her absence to this point is injury related.
Big E - Big E has yet to return from his neck injury. There hasn’t been an update on his status in quite some time and isn’t factored in to creative plans.
Bray Wyatt- Bray Wyatt was overcoming an illness as of WrestleMania weekend, and wasn’t in the creative plans. However, he’s told people close to him he’s excited to make his way back whenever he’s able.
Carmella- Announced her pregnancy May 1.
Gable Steveson- Gable Steveson was picked in the 2021 Draft, which served as a major surprise to most in the company and on the roster. We’re told there has never been a creative plan for Gable Steveson, and even before returning to amateur wrestling, he was a long way off. Those we spoke to say the move was a publicity stunt.
Jinder Mahal - Mahal was considered full-time as an NXT talent now and was not included in the Draft pool listed. However, he was drafted back up with Indus Sher.
Lita- Based on what we’ve heard, Lita isn’t expected to have a heavy in-ring future, and the appearances with Becky Lynch were a means to the end to progress the Trish Stratus feud.
Logan Paul- Though Logan Paul has signed a new contract with WWE, he will be used sparingly. He’ll operate as a free agent to give WWE flexibility, though he’s primarily appeared on Raw. He was used in promotional materials for the Draft.
Maryse: This wouldn’t normally be notable, as she rarely appears. However, Maryse was included on the draft graphic with the Miz, but not on the listed draft pool.
Randy Orton- Orton underwent back fusion surgery last year after struggling for months with the injury. The last we checked, he’d been telling people close to him that he plans to return to wrestling, but WWE told us WrestleMania weekend he was still “quite a way off.”
Robert Roode- WWE expects Roode to be sidelined for the remainder of 2023 as he recovers from neck fusion surgery.
R-Truth: R-Truth is expected to miss most of 2023 while he recovers from a torn quad he sustained in late 2022.
Shanky- Shanky has not been factored into any creative plans since Triple H took over creative. He didn’t make the move to NXT with Jinder Mahal and has not been backstage of late.
Uncle Howdy- Uncle Howdy’s status is very much tied to that of Bray Wyatt. Howdy is portrayed by Bo Dallas.
NOTABLE INCLUSIONS:
Brock Lesnar: Lesnar is notably included in the Draft Pool, which is a rarity. The last draft he was included in was the comprehensive 2019 draft. Prior to that, he was included in the 2016 Draft. However, the morning of May 1, he was announced as a free agent.
Drew McIntyre: Despite questions regarding his status, Drew McIntyre is in the draft pools and expected to return to the road shortly for Raw
Riddick Moss: This is only notable in the fact that WWE has officially changed Madcap Moss’ name back to Riddick Moss.
Trish Stratus: The first time that Trish Stratus has been drafted since 2002, she’s expected to be active and a regular on WWE programming through at least the summer. Stratus was not included on the draft graphic.
This article first appeared on our premium service, Fightful Select and was republished here on Fightful. If you complain about it being "old news," you have to buy 100 Fightful Select subscriptions. Subscribe to get exclusive news every day, and a half-dozen weekly podcasts.
To directly support us and our continuing breaking news, interviews, and the like, subscribe to FightfulSelect.com. You'll get exclusive news sent to you directly before anyone else, and dozens of podcasts monthly including Alex Pawlowski's Sour Graps, Sean Ross Sapp's Q&A, Retro Reviews and more
