The anticipation is building for one of WWE’s premier television spectacles: the 2024 Draft. This year’s event is set to unfold over two action-packed nights, starting with SmackDown and wrapping up on Monday Night RAW. With SmackDown’s soaring popularity, the first night is expected to draw a particularly large audience.
Tonight’s SmackDown is coming to fans live from the Heritage Bank Center in Cincinnati, Ohio. The arena is buzzing with excitement as approximately 11,000 fans are projected to fill the seats, marking a noticeable increase from RAW’s last visit to the venue over a year ago. This surge in attendance is partly credited to the presence of CM Punk, the Straight Edge Superstar. Despite being sidelined with an injury, Punk’s scheduled appearance for both nights of the Draft has undoubtedly contributed to the heightened interest.
The specifics of CM Punk’s role in tonight’s event remain a mystery, but his influence on the show is undeniable. There are several actions that Punk should ideally take to make the most of his appearance on Friday Night SmackDown. Among these, the most straightforward would be for Punk to initiate the 2024 WWE Draft. His star power alone is a magnet for viewers, and if he were to announce the first-round picks, it could set an electrifying tone for the night.
Another key moment that fans are looking forward to is a potential face-off between CM Punk and Cody Rhodes, the Undisputed WWE Champion. Rhodes, fresh off his monumental victory over Roman Reigns at WrestleMania XL, is preparing for his first title defense against AJ Styles at Backlash France. A confrontation with Punk could hint at a future blockbuster feud, with Punk eyeing Rhodes’ WWE Title upon his return to the ring.
In addition to these pivotal moments, CM Punk is expected to engage in some verbal sparring with Drew McIntyre, keeping their rivalry alive in the lead-up to Punk’s comeback. Moreover, a segment with Paul Heyman could foreshadow future developments, especially given Heyman’s precarious standing with The Bloodline and his history with Punk. A reunion between the two could offer Heyman a new direction should his current alliances crumble.
As the WWE universe gears up for the Draft, all eyes will be on CM Punk and the potential shake-ups his presence could bring to the landscape of WWE. Whether he’s kicking off the Draft, confronting champions, or stirring up rivalries, Punk’s impact on SmackDown is poised to be a highlight of this year’s event.
