One of the more exciting times for WWE fans around the globe usually comes just after WrestleMania in the form of the Superstar Shake-Up.
It’s a time where anything can happen and GMs on both brands battle for the rights to bring new talent to their shows in order to, you’ve guessed it, shake things up.
Monday Night Raw went first in the proceedings, let’s see who they’ve drafted and how it will help their show.
- Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn
Both undrafted after they lost at WrestleMania and wrestled to a no contest for a spot on Raw the week before, acquiring Owens and Zayn was undoubtedly the pick of the round for the red team as they’ve got two world class stars eligible of having five star matches with at least half of the roster. Also, as they were not previously assigned to Smackdown, I guess Raw wouldn’t have to give them two superstars back in return? Genius from Stephanie McMahon.
- Ziggler and McIntyre
Again, another duel pick-up for Raw. Ziggler from Smackdown and McIntyre from NXT. Does this mean that somebody has to get drafted from Raw to NXT? If so, nice knowing you, Curt Hawkins. With just Ziggler appearing alone, the reaction was luke warm at best, with his best years seemingly behind him. However, the reintroduction of McIntyre to the main roster could mean that big things are going to be happening with this pairing. Maybe a new partnership with the Miztourage? The Zigtourage doesn’t have the same ring to it, though.
- Bobby Roode
Veteran of the game for almost 20 years, and a move to Raw could mean a lot more interesting feuds than the Orton/Mahal/Rusev trap he was stuck in on Smackdown. Just please, keep him away from Mahal. If he can elevate himself, would be a great move for him and the Raw brand.
4. Jinder Mahal
Acquiring the United States Champion, and then having him lose the belt immediately really downgraded the move on this list. However, as he lost the title, we knew that Hardy or Rollins was moving to Smackdown Live, and it turned out to be the former. So sad that we aren’t going to see any more Brother Nero stuff on Raw. It was funny that one time.
- Riott Squad
With Paige going off to be the GM of Smackdown, Raw needed a trio to put the female roster to the sword. Absolution are undeniably better than these three, but three heads are better than two. Sarah Logan is still awful.
- Breezango
Arguably the most entertaining move of the night, Breezango will really bring the comedy to Monday nights. Hopefully this can lead to other teams being a bit more serious.
- Chad Gable
This could be a really positive move, after American Alpha 2 didn’t get too far off of the ground. A feud with him and Jason Jordan could be a thing upon Jordan’s return. Maybe we’ll find out that Gable is Angle’s real son, and he can portray him much better. Honestly though, this move stinks of just jobbing to the likes of Kane. Poor Chad. He deserves better.
- Baron Corbin
Strowman. Kane. Lesnar. Bobby Lashley. The Big Show.
How is this former Andre the Giant memorial battle royal winner supposed to get over as a big man in this division?
- Mojo Rawley
How is this former Andre the Giant memorial battle royal winner supposed to get over?
- Zack Ryder
How is the guy who put over the guy above who can’t get over, supposed to get over? Woo woo woo, just go away.
- The Ascension
Just have them do stuff with Breezango. Anything more and they’re getting moved down this list.
- Mike Kanellis
What is a Mike Kanellis?
- Natalya
I have so many questions. Why would you want her? Why is she now a face? Why is she best friends with Ronda Rousey? When will Ronda Rousey not need a tag partner for a match? Why is Tyson Kidd still with her? When will he leave her for Cesaro? Why is she still on our screens?
#GetNatalyaOffOurScreens
Get it trending.
Moving on to Smackdown’s business, and what a set of deals they managed to line up! By far the better business of the two brands. Who’s their top pick?
1. Samoa Joe
My god, what a move for Smackdown! The excitement is uncontainable for what Joe could do for the blue brand. Matches with AJ, Bryan, Nakamura, Orton, Benjamin, and so many more mean that this is arguably the best move of anyone. My biggest problem is that it means that if Roman does win the Universal Championship at the Greatest Royal Rumble event, then Joe isn’t winning it at Backlash. That is literally the only down side.
- Asuka
We saw what she can do against Charlotte at WrestleMania, and what she did to the entire Raw brand, and while she came up short against Ric’s daughter, I’m sure that will be a feud that runs as long as The New Day and The Usos have. Endless great matches, plus there could be some fun shenanigans between her and the Iiconics. Urgh, why is it spelled with two Is?
- The Miz
The feud we’ve all wanted for the past two years – Daniel Bryan vs. The Miz. Anybody who isn’t excited for that needs to sit down in a corner and think about their life choices really carefully. The story that can be told there gives me chills. Magnifique!
- The Bar
Quality feuds on Smackdown’s tag team division mean that they’re about to get a whole lot more exciting. The Bar vs. The Bludgeon Brothers vs. The New Day vs. The Usos in a fatal four way is something we need to see. Also, nice stunt of WWE to show them jetting off on tour with Raw the day before, leading us to believe they wouldn’t be leaving Monday nights.
- Andrade “Cien” Almas w/ Zelina Vega
We’ve seen what they can do on NXT, now it’s time to see what they will do on the main roster. Think it’s the better move for Almas as Smackdown is undoubtedly the wrestling show compared to Raw as the entertainment show. Lots of interesting competitors to feud with, will be very interesting to see where his road starts.
- Jeff Hardy
You trade Jinder Mahal, who loses the title to Jeff Hardy, and you trade Jeff back. Lord knows how we’re meant to think that went in the boardroom, but that is one hell of a deal for Smackdown. They no longer need to hinder Jinder. Was it a little disappointing to not see Rollins come out on Tuesday, sure; but Jeff is still a quality athlete who’s high flying style will make for an interesting set of matches.
- Sanity
This trio is going to run roughshod over the entire division. Wolfe and Dain as the brute force with Young as the leader is a great stable and that’s been shown on NXT. Shame that Nikki Cross hasn’t joined them, but guess she had unfinished business on the women’s division of NXT.
- Big Cass
Can’t believe he’s so far down the list, as all of these have been amazing moves so far. Already seen him improve leaps and bounds since his move from being in a tag team, and very interesting to see what will happen between him and Bryan. Thought Bryan vs. Miz was the immediate plan, unless The Miz has upgraded who he works with.
- Gallows and Anderson
Will be interesting to see how well these two get on over on the blue brand. After slipping down the ranks quite quickly to the rank of comedy team, maybe they’ll get a chance to showcase what they can do against the likes of The Usos and The New Day.
- Sonya Deville & Mandy Rose
With the Iiconics debuting just last week, the introduction of another duo is probably a bit too soon. Will be interesting to see how they slot into this division, and whether Paige will help them move up the ladder now that she’s GM.
- R-Truth
The Natalya of the male division. Why would anybody want to hire this man? He doesn’t know what day of the week it is, nor what show he’s on. I dare Shane to put this guy on his Survivor Series team. He’ll come out wearing a red shirt, no doubt. I was harsh calling him Natalya earlier. At least he has some entertaining moments.
So, what to take away from this set of moves?
The state of Raw’s tag team division
Genuinely curious to see how losing The Bar and The Club will affect Raw. Obviously they were the best tag wrestlers on the roster, and now they’ve left the revival as basically the sole real tag team that isn’t part of the job squad, or a jumbled together pair of singles wrestlers.
Smackdown is the show for in-ring wrestling fans
Obviously, wrestling has multiple facets and can be entertaining in numerous ways, but inside the ring, Smackdown has AJ, Nakamura, Bryan, Joe, Almas, Orton, the whole tag division, Asuka, Charlotte, Becky Lynch to name but a few, compared to Roode, Owens, Zayn, Rollins, Balor and then we’re already looking at Reigns in terms of technical ability.
Kurt Angle hates Stephanie so much he let everyone worth anything go to Smackdown
After Steph undermined him by letting Owens and Zayn come back to Raw, Angle has had enough of this [insert expletive here]. Let Joe and Asuka go, along with the new United States champion Jeff Hardy, and then let the former tag champs, who have a championship match at The Greatest Royal Rumble go as well. Raw is now at risk of only having three belts because Steph angered Kurt. Imagine if he gets fired only for Jarrett to take his place. The levels there would be amazing.