The WWE Superstar Shakeup is officially over, and there are a few moves that could end up hurting some Superstars and the product.
When the rosters are split between Raw and SmackDown Live, the product and rivalries tend to get pretty stale after a while. This is why the WWE implemented a Superstar Shakeup after WrestleMania to move some Superstars around and freshen up the product.
Overall, it seems like the Shakeup was a resounding success, and it gives us a lot to look forward to as fans. We got to see some more NXT call ups, and we got some trades that will set up some highly anticipated feuds down the line.
While Ziggler to Raw may not seem too exciting, his new pairing with NXT call up Drew McIntyre makes for an intriguing relationship to watch for on coming episodes of Raw. SmackDown ended up getting some fresh faces, too, in the forms of NXT’s SAnitY and Andrade Almas.
As if that’s not enough, we FINALLY get to build towards the heated feud of The Miz vs. Daniel Bryan now that The Miz is once again a member of the blue brand. Meanwhile, Raw decided to hire none other than Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens, stars of the Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens Show!
So, obviously, there is a lot to be excited about heading into the Summer thanks to the Superstar Shakeup. However, there were a few questionable decisions that occurred during the event.
Now, the stocks of some brands, divisions, and Superstars could be on their way down thanks to these Superstar Shakeup moves.
Credit: WWE.com
3. The Bar –> SmackDown Live
Okay, so if we’re looking into the future, moving The Bar, Sheamus and Cesaro, to SmackDown Live will probably pay off. They already faced and defeated most of Raw’s tag teams and are in need of new competition.
SmackDown Live‘s smaller roster also provides the opportunity for both of them to have successful singles’ runs if they choose to split in the near future. After all, SmackDown already has some elite tag teams in the form of The New Day, The Usos, The Bludgeon Brothers, and the new arrivals SAnitY.
That being said, their move to SmackDown was a poor choice solely due to timing issues. They lost the Raw Tag Team Championships at WrestleMania, so they deserve a rematch at the belts, and they are going to get it.
In Saudi Arabia, at the Greatest Royal Rumble event, The Bar are squaring off against the oddball team of Matt Hardy and Bray Wyatt for the Raw Tag Team Championships. This could be a good match, but since it is the RAW Tag Team Championships, and The Bar are on SMACKDOWN, it kind of gives away the result of the match.
I look forward to seeing what The Bar will do on SmackDown, but the Superstar Shakeup has taken all of the suspense out of their championship match at the Greatest Royal Rumble since Bray and Matt are the only members of Raw in the Raw championship match.
Photo by WWE.com
2. Bobby Roode –> Raw
He was once a very successful act in NXT as the brand’s top heel, but ever since he debuted on the main roster, Roode’s spark has kind of fizzled out as he took on the role of a babyface. Despite this, he found a decent midcard role in the United States Championship WrestleMania feud.
SmackDown had a lack of top faces with only AJ Styles, Nakamura (until recently), Orton, and the newly reinstated Daniel Bryan above Roode on the card. However, his spot in the pecking order will now drastically change on Raw.
Even though Roode was involved in the 5-on-5 main event of Raw, he was the least over Superstar on his team. With Seth Rollins, Finn Bálor, Roman Reigns, Braun Strowman, Bobby Lashley, and a (possibly) returning Dean Ambrose, it’s unlikely that Roode will find much success on the show as a face.
As time goes on, it becomes more and more apparent that the only things that are really over when it comes to Bobby Roode are his entrance and “Glorious” chant. His aura is starting to wear off, and he will undoubtedly get less screen time compared to the other top Superstars on the show. So, it would only be a matter of time until he fades away unless something changes.
I’m hoping this Superstar Shakeup and change of scenery will also bring a change of character for Roode. Bobby is at his best as a stuck up heel, and I think that is his only chance for survival now that he is on the red brand.
Photo Source: WWE.com via Twitter
1. Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson –> SmackDown Live
This move really baffled me and despite days to think about and analyze it, it still makes no sense to me at all. Within the last few months, Gallows and Anderson finally joined forces with Finn to form the Bálor Club.
This seemed to help everyone involved as it got Gallows and Anderson into more meaningful feuds while Finn was taken more seriously. It also set up some dream scenarios like a Finn heel turn or a match against The Shield.
It seemed like WWE was all in with the Bálor Club after providing the background of the faction and promoting them as a big deal. So, for the Superstar Shakeup to come along and split the trio out of nowhere came as quite a shock, and it brings more potential negatives than positives.
Sure, Finn will be fine on his own, but there were so many possibilities for his character to grow with his Club members backing him up. Regardless, Finn will continue to make the Bálor Club a worldwide phenomenon for everyone.
The people I’m really concerned about are Gallows and Anderson. Ever since they lost the Tag Team Championships to The Hardy’s after WrestleMania 33, the duo faded into the background of Raw‘s tag team division.
They had no direction or credibility as a team until they finally teamed up with Finn. I’m afraid that same fate is going to await the Good Brothers on SmackDown Live. After all, it will be pretty difficult climbing up a division that already consists of The New Day, The Bar, The Usos, SAnitY, The Bludgeon Brothers, and even Rusev Day.
Next: Raw The Better Show After Shakeup
Hopefully, they will be able to find a spot on the blue brand, possibly reuniting with Styles. As for Raw, they may have lost some Good Brothers, but they may have gained some Major Brothers now that Ryder and Hawkins are on the same brand.