WWE Superstar Shakeup 2019: Do Not Move These NXT Stars

The Undisputed Era

This is a very difficult option as The Undisputed Era have been one of the more impressive factions in professional wrestling since they joined the WWE back in 2017. What originally started as Adam Cole, Bobby Fish and Kyle O’Reilly were already among the best performers on the brand when they attacked Drew McIntyre at NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn III. Even with all the success they have enjoyed while on NXT, a call up to the main brands may not be in this group’s best interests.

As with Johnny Gargano, there is one big caveat about this recommendation. The Undisputed Era could thrive on SmackDown. Imagine a scenario where they are inserted to feud with The New Day, where Adam Cole is the rival to Kingston and the remaining group battle in tag team matches. With multiple facets that work alone or in a group, this would be an exciting addition to the blue brand; where storylines and the tag team division matter.

Sadly, that wouldn’t quite work if the group was called up to Raw. Any combination of O’Reilly, Fish and Strong would immediately be the best tag team on the brand and tag team wrestling has fallen by the wayside. Yes, Cole would be an intriguing foil to Seth Rollins, and the backstory with McIntyre is already there. But WWE Creative has made the decision that Roman Reigns is the namesake of this show and it would be hard to see Cole being elevated in a way that would make him a viable heel.

Two of Cole’s biggest strengths are his ability to tell stories during matches and putting on quality work from bell to bell. Those are two things that do not seem to be priorities on the main two brands which would limit his ceiling and that of the rest of The Undisputed Era at the same time.