3 WWE Stars Raw Can’t Lose in Superstar Shake-Up

Rob Wolkenbrod

Heading into the WWE Superstar Shake-Up, who can’t Raw afford to lose?

Every year, after WrestleMania, there tends to be a lull in action in WWE. We get the post-pay-per-view, which rarely opens eyes and serves as the beginning o the bridge to SummerSlam. Sometimes, there’s a hidden gem in the aftermath of the Show of Shows, but that can be few and far between.

Well, before we get to the WWE Payback and Backlash, we’re headed for a roster change. Vince McMahon appeared on the post-WrestleMania edition of Raw to announce a “Superstar Shake-Up.” It allows the General Managers of Raw and SmackDown Live to trade and sign Superstars, which could make for an interesting series of events. This is set to take place on both Monday and Tuesday night, with personnel from the shows appearing on both nights.

Heading into this, no names have been confirmed by the WWE to be on the move, nor have they done their own online speculation. However, it’s likely some Superstars will be thrown around before the show.

The Superstar Shake-Up will set the tone for WWE programming for the spring and summer months, creating new feuds and adding a fresh spark to Raw and SmackDown. It’s needed after nine months of repetitive matches and a lack of new things being introduced to the viewers, with the exception of the NXT call-ups.

For Raw, everyone will be available. However, there are potentially consequences for moving one Superstar or another. There are ones they should keep, for the sake of the show, and continue building around. Who should that be?

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3. The Cruiserweight Division

We’re not quite starting off with just one WWE Superstar, but an entire division, as in the Cruiserweight division. As of this writing, WWE hasn’t put these talents off limits for the Superstar Shake-Up.

At Survivor Series 2016, we saw the Cruiserweights on the line in a title match, with Kalisto challenging Brian Kendrick. The winner would get these wrestlers for their respective show. Kendrick won, so nothing happened.

Well, with everyone being up for grabs on Monday and Tuesday night, that will go for the 205 pound and under stars. However, if WWE ever thought of moving them, it would be the wrong idea.

Raw at three hours obviously makes it a long show. Only so many Superstars can appear and take up time, especially those that appear multiple times and become overexposed. While the Cruiserweights haven’t been perfect, they fill in a gap or two of the show to break from the regular action and consume 15-20 minutes of those 180.

This isn’t needed on SmackDown with their shorter time span to get others on the show. The Cruiserweights are also around for 205 Live, which is more than enough exposure for a week on main roster programming.

Raw keeping the Cruiserweights may be guaranteed, but if there is a chance of them switching shows, it shouldn’t be considered.

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2. Sasha Banks

Both WWE Women’s divisions can use a makeover. Through nine months of the brand split, almost every possible feud has been done on each show, which led to repetitive matches like Charlotte Flair vs. Sasha Banks, Flair vs. Bayley, Alexa Bliss vs. Naomi, and Bliss vs. Becky Lynch. It took some of the air out of the Women’s divisions, especially heading into WrestleMania 33. That may be solved over the next two nights, however.

One woman who shouldn’t be moving from Raw is Banks, despite her facing Flair and Banks more times than someone can count. It’s due to her unfinished business with a particular hugger.

Banks teased a heel turn in the months leading up to WrestleMania. She helped Bayley win the Raw Women’s Championship from a Flair, which screamed “heel” from start to finish. No babyface helps her friend cheat to win, unless it’s a specially-built storyline. Even how the Boss talked with Bayley on Raw Talk seemed indicative.

Other minor instances seemed to show these two heading for a feud, maybe after WrestleMania. That hasn’t developed yet, but there’s still ample opportunity for it to happen. Of course, that means keeping both women on the same brand, and with Bayley being the Raw Women’s Champion, Banks would have to stick around.

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1. Roman Reigns

Raw not being able to afford losing Roman Reigns seems like a no-brainer, right? Well, that’s because it is, but his name did get floated around in the Superstar Shake-Up.

Like him or not, Reigns is the centerpiece of Raw. He draws the biggest reactions, as seen by the latest episode of the Flagship Show, if needed clarification had been needed.

It’s become Reigns’ show, even with him not being WWE Universal Champion after three tries. He’s being built into the next John Cena, if he’s not already there, so WWE has made him the centerpiece of Monday nights. Without him, we have a failed babyface in Seth Rollins and the recently-returned Finn Balor, who only has one month of main roster experience under his belt.