Former Champion ‘Genuinely Surprised’ By WWE Draft Announcement

WWE

A backstage update has emerged on the announcement of NXT Women’s Tag Team Champion Kiana James’ WWE main roster call-up.

James was one of three NXT stars who were drafted to a main roster brand during the first night of the WWE Draft on the April 26 edition of SmackDown.

Kiana James being selected by the Raw brand was presented as a big surprise, both by the SmackDown commentators, and James herself during her interview immediately following the announcement.

Per Fightful Select, Kiana James hadn’t been told which brand she’d be on post-WWE Draft, so was legitimately surprised by her call-up.

It was reported that the video package that played following her call-up announcement had been prepared earlier in the week.

Former NXT Champion Carmelo Hayes was also called up during SmackDown, with Hayes selected by the blue brand, before competing in the main event of the show against Cody Rhodes.

Fightful reports that while WWE talent only found out their new home brands on the day of the WWE Draft, some had a pretty good idea that Hayes would be moving up as he was on the travel list and internal rundowns for SmackDown.

To read Triple H’s comments on Hayes joining the main roster, click here.

Baron Corbin was also moved back to the main roster, with the Lone Wolf drafted to SmackDown.

The Wolf Dogs were officially split up in the WWE Draft, with Breakker selected by Raw.

The real reason for this tag-team split has been revealed, which you can read more about right here.

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• Kiana James
• draft
• main roster
• call-up
• wwe

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