2022 WWE Draft

The **2022 WWE Draft** was the 16th WWE Draftproduced by the American professional wrestling promotion WWE between their Rawand SmackDown brand divisions. The two-night event began with the October 1 episode of Friday Night SmackDown (in Baltimore, Maryland) and concluded with the October 4 episode of Monday Night Raw (in Nashville, Tennessee), with SmackDown airing on Fox and Raw on the USA Network. Unlike previous drafts, in which results took effect immediately, the results of the 2021 draft did not go into effect until the October 22 episode of SmackDown.

## Production

### 2022 draft rules

The rules of the 2022 draft were revealed by WWE correspondent Megan Morant on Twitter during the day before the first night of the draft on October 1. Over 60 wrestlers (including tag teams) were eligible to be drafted across the two nights, with half being eligible the first night and the other half eligible the second night; however, no draft pools were revealed for which wrestlers were eligible for each night. Tag teams were counted as one pick unless Fox or USA Network officials (who were promoted as draft decision makers)specifically only wanted one member of the team. Wrestlers from NXT were also eligible to be drafted to either Raw or SmackDown, while any non-NXT wrestlers who were not drafted became (kayfabe) free agents and could sign with the brand of their choice. Unlike previous drafts, in which results took effect immediately, results of the 2021 draft did not become effective until the October 22 episode of SmackDown, the night after the Crown Jewelpay-per-view and livestreaming event.

## Draft Pool

### Friday Night SmackDown

Notes
1. One stable was split up as a result of the supplemental draft: Veer stayed on Raw while his stablemates, Jinder Mahal and Shanky, were drafted to SmackDown.
2. Two tag teams were split up as a result of the supplemental draft: Tegan Nox was drafted to Raw while her tag team partner Shotzi stayed on SmackDown, and Taminawas drafted to Raw while her tag team partner Natalya stayed on SmackDown.

## Selections

### Night 1: Raw (April 11)

There were team rounds of draft picks during night 1 of the 2022 draft. six rounds of draft picks on raw. Four rounds were on raw talk. Like the first night, both brands had two picks each round. WWE officials Adam Pearce again announced the draft picks.

Notes
1. One stable was split up as a result of the second night: Xia Li was drafted to SmackDown while her Tian Sha stablemates, Boa and Mei Ying, remained on NXT.
2. One tag team was split up as a result of the second night: Ridge Holland was drafted to SmackDown while his tag team partner Pete Dunne remained on NXT.

#### Night 1 supplemental picks (April 15)

These picks were announced on the October 4 episode of Raw Talk.

Notes
1. One stable was split up as a result of the supplemental draft: Veer stayed on Raw while his stablemates, Jinder Mahal and Shanky, were drafted to SmackDown.
2. Two tag teams were split up as a result of the supplemental draft: Tegan Nox was drafted to Raw while her tag team partner Shotzi stayed on SmackDown, and Taminawas drafted to Raw while her tag team partner Natalya stayed on SmackDown.

### Night 2: SmackDown (April 15)

There were eight rounds of draft picks during night 2 of the 2022 draft. There were four rounds on smackdown. There were four rounds on taking smackdown. Unlike previous drafts in which Raw received three picks and SmackDown only received two, both brands had two picks each round. WWE officials Adam Pearce announced the draft picks.

Notes
1. One stable was split up as a result of the first night: Austin Theory was drafted to Raw while his Way stablemates, Johnny Gargano, Dexter Lumis, Candice LeRae, and Indi Hartwell, remained on NXT.

#### Night 2 supplemental picks (April 1–16)

These picks were announced on October 1 via WWE's social media accounts and on the October 2 episode of Talking Smack.

Notes
1. One tag team was split up as a result of the supplemental draft: Mace was drafted to SmackDown while his tag team partner T-Bar remained on Raw.

### Free agents

Several wrestlers were made free agents due to injury, inactivity, or simply not being drafted despite being an active member of the rosters. Free agents can (kayfabe) sign with the brand of their choosing. The chart is organized by date.