Welcome to the Daily Drop for Tuesday, April 30. This is the last day of the month before we spring into May, and there are a few big stories to cover this morning.
Before we get going, WWE finished up the 2024 Draft on RAW. There is a lot to unpack. Now only do we have new rosters, but there are also zero free agents this year.
This was Triple H’s first year calling all those shots as the final decision maker, and we saw a few notable NXT call-ups in the process including Carmelo Hayes, Blair Davenport, Ilja Dragunov, Dijak, and Kiana James. Nobody knew about their draft destinations, just like as in previous years, as they tried to capture organic reactions on camera.
Let’s get into the Daily Drop today!
WWE:
WWE NXT Card for 4/30:
- Oba Femi (c) vs. Ivar – NXT North American Championship Match
- Axiom & Nathan Frazer (c) vs. Authors of Pain (Akam & Rezar) – NXT Tag Team Championship Match
- Natalya vs. Lola Vice – NXT Underground Match
- Tyson Dupont & Tyriek Igwe vs. The O.C. (Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson) – Tag Team Match
- Thea Hail vs. Jacy Jayne – Singles Match
Patrick Mahomes on WWE RAW: Super Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes showed up in Kansas City for RAW this week. He aligned himself with Logan Paul as a heel, and many thought this was a confusing decision for him in the city that he’s brought three Super Bowl rings. Dave Meltzer noted on Wrestling Observer Radio that this appearance was not through WWE, but Logan Paul’s Prime company, so they needed to work together for the segment. In the end, Kansas City still loves their GOAT QB.
Was @PatrickMahomes about to GET THESE HANDS from Braun Strowman during the #WWEDraft on #WWERaw?! pic.twitter.com/MviEP9ZNeR
— WWE (@WWE) April 30, 2024
QR Codes: WWE fans got even more QR Code clues this week on RAW. Something is coming, and all signs point toward Uncle Howdy and a possible stable may follow. Stay tuned on this one, because that story could break out in the blink of an eye.
Uncle Howdy's message from tonight's QR Code.
Seems like we're getting closer and closer to his return. ? #WWERAW pic.twitter.com/YNQYH15TzG— ?????? (@WrestlingCovers) April 30, 2024
The Monster Returns: Braun Strowman was drafted to RAW as part of the 2024 WWE Draft. This marks his return after a year-long absence due to a neck surgery. He made his return later that night as he helped Jey Uso when he was about to take a shot with a fist full of Super Bowl rings. Strowman also had words with Patrick Mahomes, which was a fun and tense moment on the show.
Giulia Visa Issues: Although she signed with WWE, Giulia does not have her visa in place just yet. The former top STARDOM talent needs to get that in line before a WWE debut can properly go down. Giulia was around for WrestleMania 40 weekend, and she made an appearance in the crowd during Stand & Deliver on April 6. She could perform in Toronto for NXT Heatwave at the Scotiabank Arena on July 7, but she will need to get her visa issues sorted out before working in the U.S.A.
AEW:
Tony Khan On Weinstein Comment: Nobody will soon forget how Tony Khan said that WWE is the “Harvey Weinstein of pro wrestling” while on the NFL Network. He doubled down on that comment by emphasizing how AEW is the better of the two companies.
Reason Behind Attack: Tony Khan’s beat-down at the hands of The Elite is still getting attention, especially thanks to the neck brace that TK was sporting all over afterward. During Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer stated that “for sure” one of the big reasons behind that attack was to give Khan a reason to sport a neck brace on television during the 2024 NFL Draft so he could gain attention for AEW.
Adam Copeland on Metalingus: While speaking on AEW Unrestricted, the WWE Hall of Famer noted how his entrance music took on a life of its own in AEW, which he really thought was cool, especially that fans knew the lyrics to his song.
“It’s taken on a life of its own which is so cool. It’s so fun to have it be that interactive, I guess, and for me to connect with something and it feels like people over the years have really kind of actually paid attention to the lyrics and went, ‘Oh! Oh wow!’”
Kamille Is All Elite: After expressing interest in WWE, Kamille signed with AEW. She made a comment on social media that a deal has been signed since February, and that led to a report that she inked a deal with Tony Khan and is expected to debut soon. Kamille, who helped Billy Corgan’s NWA as their Women’s Champion for the longest time, could be a big addition for the women’s roster.
Max Caster Has No Regrets: Caster was suspended from AEW in 2021 when he took a dig at Simone Biles’ decision to step out of competition due to her mental health. Looking back as he spoke to Isiah Kassidy’s YouTube channel.
“I don’t know if I regret it. That kind of helped my career, more than anything, believe it or not. Again, right or wrong, helped The Acclaimed, and it helped me a lot, and it gave me a reputation, and one that I like to live up [laughs].”
Upcoming PPV’s and PLE’s:
Here are the upcoming major wrestling events
- Saturday, May 4: WWE Backlash France (PLE)
- Sunday, May 26: NXT Battleground (PLE)
- Sunday, May 26: AEW Double or Nothing (PPV)