Now that Wrestlemania 35 is done and in the history books, everyone’s attention will be on the upcoming Superstar Shakeup as to who is going over to which brand.
We saw this past week on RAW a returning Sami Zayn and Lars Sullivan, who finally reemerged after dealing with personal mental health issues, and the trio of Drew McIntyre, Sullivan and Braun Strowman making appearances on Smackdown Live.
As the Shakeup means anyone from either brand can get switched over, as well as additions from NXT, 205 Live or even NXT UK, here’s a quick overview of who may be going over to which brand come next week.
Lars Sullivan to RAW
The Leviathan formerly of NXT has been missing in action since late last year and only returned this past week when he squashed a retired Kurt Angle and newly crowned Smackdown Tag Team Champions the Hardy Boyz. With Drew McIntyre and Strowman looking like they’re making a jump to the blue brand, RAW would need another monster heel to take their spot, and Sullivan seems more suited to the red brand.
Speaking of the aforementioned…
Drew McIntyre and / or Braun Strowman to Smackdown
Either one or both of these men transitioning over to Tuesday nights makes sense. Although he came up short against Roman Reigns at Wrestlemania, McIntyre has all but done everything he could on RAW save become Universal Champion. While a feud with Seth Rollins for that title would be something to watch, I sense that WWE would like to send McIntyre over to Smackdown instead. A more intriguing feud Rollins could have with the Universal title would be with his friend Reigns.
Likewise, Strowman has been a mainstay on RAW since 2016 when the brand split was initiated and a change of scenery would also be good for “the Monster Among Men” whose momentum has stalled many times, especially during his failed attempt to capture the Universal title at Crown Jewel. It looks like WWE has already teased a program pitting Strowman against United States Champion Samoa Joe.
Randy Orton to RAW
At first I was going to suggest AJ Styles would get shifted over to RAW, and that might still happen, but after his win against Orton at Wrestlemania it may be more likely that AJ will stay on Smackdown to once again challenge for the WWE title, this time against Kofi Kingston. Besides, word is that Styles may be out with an injury.
In Orton’s case, a trip back to RAW would certainly shake things up in a roster who could use a veteran like the Viper. Feuds against Rollins for the Universal title or Finn Balor for the Intercontinental Championship are potentially something to look forward to.
Mustafa Ali to RAW; Pete Dunne to Smackdown
It would most likely be the other way around with Ali staying on Smackdown and Dunne, fresh off reigning almost two years as WWE UK Champion, going to RAW for his official main roster debut. But I’m going to predict something different that reflects what is supposed to be a ‘shakeup’.
Having Ali on RAW where there is more air time for someone who can showcase a more high flying background, but then again the same could be said for Ricochet. However, I think Ricochet and his tag partner Aleister Black will go to the blue brand simply because of Black’s marriage to Zelina Vega.
As for Dunne, most people might believe he would debut at RAW, but I’m going out on a limb and say the former UK Champion will be drafted to Smackdown. If the blue brand is still focused on showcasing more wrestling in its two hour time frame, then Dunne could bring a unique style of British wrestling to Smackdown’s that the audience is not that familiar with, such as “joint manipulatons”.
Sasha Banks and Bayley to Smackdown; Asuka to RAW
Finally, let’s not leave out the women’s division. Obviously there will be some callups from NXT, but based on recent events this might be the most logical move that WWE can make. Sasha reportedly wanted to outright quit the company when she found out her and Bayley would be dropping the women’s tag team titles at Wrestlemania.
Banks has reportedly been given some time to reassess her role in WWE while Bayley is apparently out with an injury. Their names might be announced moving over to Smackdown but if so they are not likely going to be debuting on Tuesday nights so soon.
With regards to Asuka, if they’re bringing Io Shirai and Kairi Sane to Smackdown as a tag team which seems to be what is being teased for next week then keeping Asuka and putting all three of them together as a stable could be an idea worth exploring. But the most likely thing that would happen is that Asuka would be moved over to RAW if you move Sasha and Bayley to Smackdown. Another possibility is they move Asuka and put Ember Moon to Smackdown (she recently returned at Wrestlemania during the Women’s Battle Royale).
What do you think will happen with the Superstar Shakeup?
An average professional doing the 9-5 grind who really loves wrestling across all platforms. Here's hoping wrestlers finally get some basic workers rights in 2021.
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