WWE Draft Trades, Navigating Swerve and The Elite on AEW Dynamite, More Quick Takes

A largely lackluster first night for the 2024 WWE draft has left fans wondering what purpose the supposed roster "shakeup" serves this year, at least based on what has transpired so far.

Although the idea of doing a draft with SmackDown and Raw right now is unnecessary, maintaining the current rosters is an encouraging sign for certain stories in the months ahead. In lieu of a formal draft, exercising the option to trade talent between the brands would have been much more practical.

Meanwhile in All Elite Wrestling, Swerve Strickland finally finds himself among exclusive company in the main event scene after Dynasty. But his first night on Dynamite as AEW world champion was treated like an afterthought and overshadowed by The Elite's attack on Tony Khan at the end of the evening.

AEW doing something different in an effort to generate more interest in the product should be commended, but it shouldn't simultaneously come at the expense of Strickland as he thrives at the upper echelon of the card where he belongs.

This installment of Quick Takes will discuss how AEW can balance between Strickland and The Elite on Dynamite, what Drew McIntyre re-signing with WWE means for his immediate future, why Becky Lynch is the perfect fit as women's world champion right now, and more.

It's been one full year since the last installment of the WWE draft, yet enough has changed since then that a drastic roster shakeup coming out of WrestleMania 40 isn't necessary.

Randy Orton returned from injury last November and subsequently signed with SmackDown. CM Punk and Andrade made the jump from AEW to WWE and inked deals with Raw. The main roster was also recently bolstered by the additions of Naomi, Jade Cargill, Bron Breakker and Tiffany Stratton.

There was even a talent trade, with Kevin Owens and Jey Uso swapping shows in fall. Utilizing the ability to trade Superstars between brands—perhaps on a quarterly basis following tentpole pay-per-views—would be far more effective than holding an annual draft.

The positive takeaway of the current rosters mostly remaining intact on Night 1 is that the WWE hierarchy doesn't seem to be swapping stars simply for the sake of it. A vast majority of those who have stayed put likely have long-term stories that have yet to play out.

This includes Sheamus and Chad Gable continuing to chase the Intercontinental Championship, Liv Morgan's unfinished business with Becky Lynch and Rhea Ripley, Orton eventually rekindling his rivalry with Cody Rhodes, and so on.

If actual effort and thought was put into every roster move this year, then the draft could end up being seen as a success after all.

The emphasis AEW puts on in-ring action on a weekly basis is second to none. The Dynasty pay-per-view was a prime example of how exceptional wrestling can carry an entire event.

AEW has managed to put together a roster for the ages, but developing compelling stories with it has been a struggle in the past. That's why the attack The Elite led on AEW president Tony Khan on Wednesday's Dynamite shouldn't be seen as a death blow to the company.

Khan's role with the televised product should be kept to a minimum, and whether that will be the case remains to be seen. There's also the possibility of this storyline quickly losing steam not unlike other angles AEW has run in the past—a fate Undisputed Kingdom suffered recently.

However, it's at the very least an attempt to try something AEW hasn't ever explored. The Elite have run roughshod over the promotion before, but never have they taken complete control of Dynamite in the way they're seemingly about to.

If this can carry the promotion through the summer in the absence of MJF and Kenny Omega and elevate a few new names in the process, then the storyline could give it the momentum boost it desperately needs. Of course, the key is in the follow-up.

Drew McIntyre winning the World Heavyweight Championship—albeit briefly—from Seth Rollins at WrestleMania 40 was the first major indicator that he was sticking around despite reports indicating otherwise.

All signs pointed not to the Scot eyeing the exit but rather to him desiring a deal that made the most sense for his future. Evidently, he got what he wanted, with The Rock revealing on Instagram on Saturday that the 38-year-old had re-signed with WWE.

This virtually guarantees that when he returns from the elbow injury he's recovering from, per PWInsider, he will be world champion again.

McIntyre's home will be determined on Night 2 of the draft, though it would be nonsensical for him to leave Raw given his unfinished business with world heavyweight champion Damian Priest, who cashed in the Money in the Bank briefcase on him at 'Mania.

The red brand should also be where CM Punk winds up so they can resume their rivalry once they're both cleared to complete.

McIntyre should challenge Priest at Clash in the Castle in Glasgow, Scotland on June 15 and leave with the gold, getting the moment he was robbed of at the last installment of the event.

Becky Lynch's Women's World Championship Battle Royal win on the April 22 edition of Raw received a mixed reaction from fans online with the main criticism being that Liv Morgan would have made more sense for the spot.

Coming off Rhea Ripley's injury and Morgan taking credit for it in storyline, it was clear that she would be women's world champion eventually to ensure The Eradicator was fighting her for the title she was never defeated for once she returned.

Additionally, it was heavily implied that the roles would be reversed with the Australian organically turning babyface and Morgan embracing the boos by going heel.

That sets the stage for a Morgan vs. Lynch feud in the meantime, and the best way for the former to cement her villainous turn is by beating The Man for the prestigious prize as opposed to winning a mundane Battle Royal.

Lynch doesn't have to hold the gold for long, but giving her this run will only make Morgan's mean that much more.

It all depends on when Ripley is expected to be back, so fans shouldn't be surprised to see Morgan capture it closer to SummerSlam if not slightly sooner.

All of the buzz—both positive and negative—AEW has generated since the conclusion of the April 24 edition of Dynamite has had little to do with Swerve Strickland's AEW World Championship win at Dynasty.

That's due to the focus revolving around The Elite and Tony Khan, while Strickland's role on Dynamite was relegated to a throwaway match with Kyle Fletcher and no promo time.

He had the chance to talk and even defend his title on Saturday's edition of Collision, but being the side story on Dynamite can't become the norm for Strickland going forward. It would unfairly undermine his title run and everything he's done to get to where he is.

There can be a healthy balance between giving The Elite an ample amount of television time while also ensuring none of it comes at the expense of Strickland's storylines heading into Double or Nothing on May 26.

Logically, there should come a point when their respective stories intersect and Strickland is fighting to defend AEW as its champion, but not until later down the road.

For now, he deserves his spotlight and the opportunity to prove himself as the face of the franchise.

Graham Mirmina, aka Graham "GSM" Matthews, has specialized in sports and entertainment writing since 2010. Visit his website, WrestleRant, and subscribe to his YouTube channel for more wrestling-related content.