WWE Superstar Shake-Up: Grading Every Superstar’s Outcome From 2018

The Ascension from SmackDown Live to Raw

Since moving to the main roster in 2014, The Ascension have yet to recreate their NXT success. Despite being the longest reigning NXT Tag Team Champions in history, Konnor and Viktor haven’t captured gold in their five years on the main roster. Once drafted to SmackDown when the brand split returned in 2016, their mediocre run didn’t change much.

Their biggest main roster moments haven’t actually been in-ring, but rather their role in The Fashion Files along with Breezango. Unfortunately, even that wonderful hilarity came to a halt when they were moved to Raw.

Grade: F, Bring back The Fashion Files, because that’s literally the only time since they arrived on the main roster that I’ve cared about The Ascension. Their move in last year’s Shake-Up did them no good, so they get a failing grade.

Bobby Roode & Chad Gable from SmackDown Live to Raw

These were separate moves, but became intertwined over time. Bobby Roode has a strong first year on the main roster as a part of SmackDown Live which included a reign as United States Champion. Chad Gable spent the majority of his time on SmackDown Live teaming with Jason Jordan and then Shelton Benjamin after Jordan moved to Raw.

In last year’s Shake-Up, both of these stars moved to WWE Raw and struggled at first so stand out in a crowded mid-card. In September of last year they formed a team, going on to capture the Raw Tag Team Titles which they held for two months.

Grade: B+, Roode and Gable had a bit of a rough start after moving to Raw, but once they joined forces things took a turn for the better. The duo has been a staple of Raw’s tag team division, and had a solid year as a result.