Lucky for Cincinnati wrestling fans, night one of the WWE draft took place at the WWE Smackdown event at Cincinnati’s Heritage Bank Center on April 26. The night featured WWE favorites like Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Cody Rhodes, Rey Mysterio, CM Punk and more.

Keep scrolling for everything CityBeat saw during the wild night at Heritage Bank Center.

Photos by Bryan Houston

Cody Rhodes holds the Undisputed WWE Champion title | WWE Smackdown at Heritage Bank Center on April 26, 2024 Photo: Bryan Houston
Bronson Reed demonstrates strength by holding Johnny Gargano in the air | WWE Smackdown at Heritage Bank Center on April 26, 2024 Photo: Bryan Houston
Cody Rhodes takes to the sky to deliver a kick to Carmelo Hayes | WWE Smackdown at Heritage Bank Center on April 26, 2024 Photo: Bryan Houston
WWE Hall of Famers The Dudley Boyz put on their signature glasses to read their draft picks | WWE Smackdown at Heritage Bank Center on April 26, 2024 Photo: Bryan Houston
AJ Styles and undisputed WWE champion Cody Rhodes agree to terms for their upcoming match | WWE Smackdown at Heritage Bank Center on April 26, 2024 Photo: Bryan Houston
Cincinnati has two words for you — fans demonstrate the suck it chop during the DX Cam | WWE Smackdown at Heritage Bank Center on April 26, 2024 Photo: Bryan Houston
Latino World Order stands victorious before a sold-out crowd at Heritage Bank Center | WWE Smackdown at Heritage Bank Center on April 26, 2024 Photo: Bryan Houston
The ref counts as Tiffany Stratton and Naomi both struggle to get back to their feet | WWE Smackdown at Heritage Bank Center on April 26, 2024 Photo: Bryan Houston
Cody Rhodes (Smackdown) and Triple H (Raw) announce their first-round draft picks | WWE Smackdown at Heritage Bank Center on April 26, 2024 Photo: Bryan Houston
Carmelo Hayes looks around in confidence as Cody Rhodes struggles to break free | WWE Smackdown at Heritage Bank Center on April 26, 2024 Photo: Bryan Houston
Michelle McCool (Smackdown) and Torrie Wilson (Raw) announce their draft picks | WWE Smackdown at Heritage Bank Center on April 26, 2024 Photo: Bryan Houston
Cody Rhodes finds the strength to get back to his feet as the crowd cheers | WWE Smackdown at Heritage Bank Center on April 26, 2024 Photo: Bryan Houston
Ricochet pins Johnny Gargano to become the inaugural WWE Speed Champion | WWE Smackdown at Heritage Bank Center on April 26, 2024 Photo: Bryan Houston
WWE Smackdown Women’s Champion Bayley lets a young fan touch her belt | WWE Smackdown at Heritage Bank Center on April 26, 2024 Photo: Bryan Houston
Kevin Owens and Tama Tongo’s backstage brawl continues in the ring | WWE Smackdown at Heritage Bank Center on April 26, 2024 Photo: Bryan Houston
Asuka and Kairi Sane – The Kabuki Warriors – taunt their rivals | WWE Smackdown at Heritage Bank Center on April 26, 2024 Photo: Bryan Houston
Cody Rhodes prepares to deliver his finisher, the Cross Rhodes | WWE Smackdown at Heritage Bank Center on April 26, 2024 Photo: Bryan Houston
AJ Styles addresses the crowd during a match contract signing | WWE Smackdown at Heritage Bank Center on April 26, 2024 Photo: Bryan Houston
Rey Mysterio and Zelina Vega kneel over a fallen Dragon Lee | WWE Smackdown at Heritage Bank Center on April 26, 2024 Photo: Bryan Houston
Angel and Berto of Legado del Fantasma make their entrance | WWE Smackdown at Heritage Bank Center on April 26, 2024 Photo: Bryan Houston
Carmelo Hayes looks in disbelief as Cody Rhodes kicks out | WWE Smackdown at Heritage Bank Center on April 26, 2024 Photo: Bryan Houston
Angel stretches Dragon Lee’s leg as Rey Mysterio looks on | WWE Smackdown at Heritage Bank Center on April 26, 2024 Photo: Bryan Houston
LA Knight counters a charging Ivar with a boot to the face | WWE Smackdown at Heritage Bank Center on April 26, 2024 Photo: Bryan Houston
Santos Escobar reveals Carlito as Dragon Lee’s attacker | WWE Smackdown at Heritage Bank Center on April 26, 2024 Photo: Bryan Houston
Chad Gable leaps on to Sheamus from the top turnbuckle | WWE Smackdown at Heritage Bank Center on April 26, 2024 Photo: Bryan Houston
Naomi lands both feet on Tiffany Stratton’s midsection | WWE Smackdown at Heritage Bank Center on April 26, 2024 Photo: Bryan Houston
Dragon Lee of Latino World Order makes his entrance | WWE Smackdown at Heritage Bank Center on April 26, 2024 Photo: Bryan Houston
LA Knight takes down Ivar with a diving clothesline | WWE Smackdown at Heritage Bank Center on April 26, 2024 Photo: Bryan Houston
One half of the World Tag Team Champions R-Truth | WWE Smackdown at Heritage Bank Center on April 26, 2024 Photo: Bryan Houston
Sheamus takes out Chad Gable with a Brogue Kick | WWE Smackdown at Heritage Bank Center on April 26, 2024 Photo: Bryan Houston
Johnny Gargano with a superkick to Bronson Reed | WWE Smackdown at Heritage Bank Center on April 26, 2024 Photo: Bryan Houston
LA Knight makes his entrance in a preshow match | WWE Smackdown at Heritage Bank Center on April 26, 2024 Photo: Bryan Houston
Ivar slams LA Knight’s head into the turnbuckle | WWE Smackdown at Heritage Bank Center on April 26, 2024 Photo: Bryan Houston
Dragon Lee and Rey Mysterio stand victorious | WWE Smackdown at Heritage Bank Center on April 26, 2024 Photo: Bryan Houston
Sheamus delivers heavy blows to Chad Gable | WWE Smackdown at Heritage Bank Center on April 26, 2024 Photo: Bryan Houston
Bron Breakker celebrates after his victory | WWE Smackdown at Heritage Bank Center on April 26, 2024 Photo: Bryan Houston
Bron Breakker celebrates after his victory | WWE Smackdown at Heritage Bank Center on April 26, 2024 Photo: Bryan Houston
A fan shows his appreciation for Triple H | WWE Smackdown at Heritage Bank Center on April 26, 2024 Photo: Bryan Houston
Ivar makes his entrance in a pre-show match | WWE Smackdown at Heritage Bank Center on April 26, 2024 Photo: Bryan Houston
Cody Rhodes with a chop to Carmelo Hayes | WWE Smackdown at Heritage Bank Center on April 26, 2024 Photo: Bryan Houston
Naomi and Tiffany Stratton go airborne | WWE Smackdown at Heritage Bank Center on April 26, 2024 Photo: Bryan Houston
Naomi mocks a fallen Tiffany Stratton | WWE Smackdown at Heritage Bank Center on April 26, 2024 Photo: Bryan Houston
Bron Breakker spears Cedric Alexander | WWE Smackdown at Heritage Bank Center on April 26, 2024 Photo: Bryan Houston
Randy Orton comes to Kevin Owens’ aid | WWE Smackdown at Heritage Bank Center on April 26, 2024 Photo: Bryan Houston
WWE Undisputed Champion Cody Rhodes | WWE Smackdown at Heritage Bank Center on April 26, 2024 Photo: Bryan Houston
Tiffany Stratton makes her entrance | WWE Smackdown at Heritage Bank Center on April 26, 2024 Photo: Bryan Houston
Cedric Alexander makes his entrance | WWE Smackdown at Heritage Bank Center on April 26, 2024 Photo: Bryan Houston
The American Nightmare Cody Rhodes | WWE Smackdown at Heritage Bank Center on April 26, 2024 Photo: Bryan Houston
Carmelo Hayes strikes Cody Rhodes | WWE Smackdown at Heritage Bank Center on April 26, 2024 Photo: Bryan Houston
Carmelo Hayes makes his entrance | WWE Smackdown at Heritage Bank Center on April 26, 2024 Photo: Bryan Houston
A fan in Hollywood Hogan cosplay | WWE Smackdown at Heritage Bank Center on April 26, 2024 Photo: Bryan Houston
Ricochet celebrates his victory | WWE Smackdown at Heritage Bank Center on April 26, 2024 Photo: Bryan Houston
Rey Mysterio with a frog splash | WWE Smackdown at Heritage Bank Center on April 26, 2024 Photo: Bryan Houston
Angel and Berto flip Dragon Lee | WWE Smackdown at Heritage Bank Center on April 26, 2024 Photo: Bryan Houston
Tiffany Stratton charges Naomi | WWE Smackdown at Heritage Bank Center on April 26, 2024 Photo: Bryan Houston
Randy Orton strikes Solo Sikoa | WWE Smackdown at Heritage Bank Center on April 26, 2024 Photo: Bryan Houston
Ricochet lifts Johnny Gargano | WWE Smackdown at Heritage Bank Center on April 26, 2024 Photo: Bryan Houston
WWE Fans show off their signs | WWE Smackdown at Heritage Bank Center on April 26, 2024 Photo: Bryan Houston
Finn Balor striking the Miz | WWE Smackdown at Heritage Bank Center on April 26, 2024 Photo: Bryan Houston
CM Punk addresses the crowd | WWE Smackdown at Heritage Bank Center on April 26, 2024 Photo: Bryan Houston
WWE Speed Champion Ricochet | WWE Smackdown at Heritage Bank Center on April 26, 2024 Photo: Bryan Houston
Rey Mysterio on the attack | WWE Smackdown at Heritage Bank Center on April 26, 2024 Photo: Bryan Houston
Fans show their discontent | WWE Smackdown at Heritage Bank Center on April 26, 2024 Photo: Bryan Houston
LA Knight and Ivar face off | WWE Smackdown at Heritage Bank Center on April 26, 2024 Photo: Bryan Houston
CM Punk address the crowd | WWE Smackdown at Heritage Bank Center on April 26, 2024 Photo: Bryan Houston
Fans show off their signs | WWE Smackdown at Heritage Bank Center on April 26, 2024 Photo: Bryan Houston
Fans show off their signs | WWE Smackdown at Heritage Bank Center on April 26, 2024 Photo: Bryan Houston
Fans show off their signs | WWE Smackdown at Heritage Bank Center on April 26, 2024 Photo: Bryan Houston
LA Knight dives on to Ivar | WWE Smackdown at Heritage Bank Center on April 26, 2024 Photo: Bryan Houston
The Phenomenal AJ Styles | WWE Smackdown at Heritage Bank Center on April 26, 2024 Photo: Bryan Houston
Dragon Lee takes flight | WWE Smackdown at Heritage Bank Center on April 26, 2024 Photo: Bryan Houston
Ivar defies gravity | WWE Smackdown at Heritage Bank Center on April 26, 2024 Photo: Bryan Houston
A WWE fan poses | WWE Smackdown at Heritage Bank Center on April 26, 2024 Photo: Bryan Houston
WWE fans | WWE Smackdown at Heritage Bank Center on April 26, 2024 Photo: Bryan Houston
WWE fans | WWE Smackdown at Heritage Bank Center on April 26, 2024 Photo: Bryan Houston