WWE SmackDown Results April 26, 2024, Updates, Winner – Draft 2024
WWE SmackDown episode of April 26, 2024, is set to feature Draft 2024 process which will see the fate of over 30 wrestlers being decided for the next year. Randy Orton, Seth Rollins, LA Knight, AJ Styles, Bianca Belair and more are eligible to be drafted on night 1 of the draft.
The build-up for Backlash 2024 will continue side-by-side. Cody Rhodes and AJ Styles will take part in a contract signing segment for Universal title match. Tune in below as we post results and live updates from WWE SmackDown April 26, 2024 episode.
RESULTS & UPDATES
The show opened with footage of Cody Rhodes signing merchandise backstage earlier in the day while we also see entrances of AJ Styles, Bianca Belair and Jade Cargill. We also saw the teams of RAW and SmackDown at work for the Draft.
Paul Heyman was interviewed backstage by Kayla Braxton. He informed us that “The Tribal Chief” Roman Reigns had withdrawn from Draft since he was not going to return in the imminent future.
We cut to NXT at WWE Performance Center where everyone was excited for the draft.
AJ Styles and WWE Universal Champion Cody Rhodes met in the ring for a contract signing segment for their match at Backlash. Styles brought up how they both are from Georgia fighting for the biggest prize in the game. He talked about both of them making it big and proving themselves outside of WWE. He also brought up Dusty Rhodes giving him an advice to stand on his own feet. Cody replied that every locker room respects Styles, but his respect would go sideways at Backlash. Styles exiting after claiming that Cody’s title reign will end at Backlash.
Triple H came out as Cody was exiting. He took Cody to the podium with him on the stage to announce SmackDown picks while he announced RAW picks for the first round 1. The picks for this round are as below:
- Bianca Beliar(SmackDown)
- Jey Uso(RAW)
- Carmelo Hayes(SmackDown from NXT)
- Seth Rollins(RAW)
Carmelo Hayes made his entrance after the draft picks were announced. He hyped himself up before asking to shoot his shot and challenge Cody Rhodes for tonight. Cody toyed around the idea before accepting the match.
LWO(Rey Mysterio & Dragon Lee) defeated Legado Del Fantasma(Berto & Angel) in a tag team match via pinfall after Lee hit Project Dragon on Berto.
After the match, Santos Escobar came out with Elektra Lopez. He showed the CCTV footage from the day Dragon Lee was attacked backstage before WrestleMania. It was Carlito who attacked Lee. We cut to the ring again where Carlito sent Rey Mysterio out before hitting Lee with a backstabber. Carlito ran out into the crowd as Rey returned.
Bron Breakker defeated Cedric Alexander in a singles match. This match lasted under a minute with Breakker quickly countering Cedric’s springboard move with a spear to get the pinfall.
We saw how Tiffany Stratton attacked Naomi and WWE Women’s Champion Bayley last week. Stratton cut off Nick Aldis outside his locker room and asked for her title shot. Aldis told her that she was booked against Naomi tonight and the winner would face Bayley at Backlash.
Michel McCool and Torrie Wilson came out to announce round 2 picks which are as below:
- Randy Orton(SmackDown)
- Bron Breakker(RAW)
- Nia Jax(SmackDown)
- Liv Morgan
Paul Heyman was in the parking lot as Solo Sikoa came in his SUV. Solo asked him if they were drafted already. Heyman tried to explain how Roman had withdrawn from the draft and the rest are yet to be drafted. Solo told Heyman to take care of it. Tama Tonga also joined them but Kevin Owens jumped on them quickly to start a brawl.
Kayla Braxton was in the ring to introduce Bianca Belair. Belair discussed draft briefly before talking about challening The Kabuki Warriors at Backlash. The Kabuki Warriors also came out only to be followed up by Jade Cargill. The two teams had a face off before we saw Owens and Tonga continuing their brawl into the ring. Solo joined Tama to beat up Owens. Randy Orton then came out to assist Owens.
Bubba Ray Dudley & D-Von Dudley came out to announce the round 3 picks of Draft, which are as below:
- LA Knight(SmackDown)
- Ricochet(RAW)
- The Bloodline(Solo Sikoa, Tama Tonga & Paul Heyman)(SmackDown)
- Sheamus(RAW)
Tiffany Stratton vs Naomi match ended in a no-contest after they both were counted out on the outside.
Nia Jax attacked Bayley at the ringside. Tiffany then took Bayley and Naomi into the ring and hit them with Prettiest Moonsault Ever.
Authors of Pain attacked Tyler Bate and Pete Dunne. Karrion Kross sent a message to the WWE roster with this attack. Scarlett and Paul Ellering were just watching on.
Teddy Long and JBL came out to announce the picks for round 4 of Draft, which are as below:
- AJ Styles(SmackDown)
- Alpha Academy(Chad Gable, Akira Tozawa, Otis & Maxxine Dupri)(RAW)
- Andrade(SmackDown)
- Kiana James(RAW from NXT)
Cody Rhodes defeated Carmelo Hayes in a singles match after hitting Crossrhoades.
After the match, AJ Styles got into the ring trying to sneak in an attack. But, Cody was able to see him before he could make a move. They ended the show with a handshake.
