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WWE SmackDown: 5 Biggest Winners From The Superstar Shake-Up

By Trace Johnson

DUESSELDORF, GERMANY - FEBRUARY 22: Roman Reigns reacts during to the WWE Live Duesseldorf event at ISS Dome on February 22, 2017 in Duesseldorf, Germany. (Photo by Lukas Schulze/Bongarts/Getty Images)
DUESSELDORF, GERMANY - FEBRUARY 22: Roman Reigns reacts during to the WWE Live Duesseldorf event at ISS Dome on February 22, 2017 in Duesseldorf, Germany. (Photo by Lukas Schulze/Bongarts/Getty Images) /
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2. Finn Balor

Many felt like a move to SmackDown was needed for Finn Balor during last year’s superstar shake-up.  It might have been a year late, but that move finally came true last night when the Intercontinental Champion made his official blue brand debut and opened the possibility for a new life of sorts.

Balor just hasn’t quite recovered from the injury that cost him the Universal Championship at SummerSlam 2016, but through all of the ups and downs on Raw since then, he is still one of the most popular superstars on the roster with the talent to match.  His debut on the blue brand last night saw him compete and win a stellar match with Ali, and that is only the tip of the iceberg as to who else Balor can face on Tuesday nights.

This suggests that Samoa Joe might have to lose his United States Championship to a Raw superstar now that the Intercontinental Champion is also on SmackDown.  If Balor will ever win another world title in the WWE, it feels like it has to come on the blue brand and that is just one reason why this move is a great one for both the brand and Balor individually.

1. Roman Reigns

Times have changed drastically for Roman Reigns over the past few months, there’s no doubt about that.  The Big Dog went from a hated, hand-chosen babyface that the fans resented to a worldwide inspiration and true good guy after his valiant battle with Leukemia and subsequent return to the WWE.

Reigns’ return from injury saw a mini-Shield reunion of sorts and a decent WrestleMania match with Drew McIntyre, but things just didn’t feel the same on the red brand for him.  A move to the blue brand felt like a real possibility, and after interrupting and laying out fellow new SmackDown addition Elias and Mr. McMahon, The Big Dog was officially a new member of the Tuesday night roster.

Next. 5 Best Possible Feuds For Roman Reigns On SmackDown. dark

Things just weren’t going to be the same for Reigns on Raw, so a change of scenery over to SmackDown feels like the perfect move.  It gives the blue brand a top, main event talent and it gives Reigns the chance to get a fresh start against different competition.  This was a tremendous move for all parties involved and The Big Dog will be looking to make SmackDown his yard now.