The WrestleMania high is starting to fade, and now we are faced with the shaping of the 2019 WWE landscape, which was kicked off with the Superstar Shake-Up.
I’ve never been fan of the WWE Superstar Shake-Up honestly, but I get it. Rivalries have been exhausted and storylines have lost their luster, so it’s always great to keep things fresh.
However, this year’s Shake-Up has done more damage than good. Here are three reasons why WWE needs to abandon the Superstar Shake-Up, and one way to replace it, especially with the SmackDown move to Fox looming in the future.
Reason 1: It ruined the mystique of the Post-Mania Raw and SmackDown
I was there, the Raw and SmackDown after WrestleMania 35 (cues Flashback). I eagerly waited for the glimpses of how the rosters would change. We were teased with potential call-ups and changes, and, even though we got a bit of that, the shows felt like it fell flat.
One reason for this was the fact that everyone knew Ricochet and Aleister Black were being called up. It was presented to us for months. We all knew they were coming, so it felt inevitable rather than exciting.
WrestleMania is meant to be the culmination of year of wrestling: feuds, storytelling, and all. That’s why the Post-Mania Raws and SmackDowns functioned phenomenally as a time to spark something new and exciting. Yet, this year, we were constantly reminded to stay tuned for the Shake-Up next week.
You could say the use of Lars Sullivan and Lacey Evan helped add some build to the Shake-Up. Where would they go? Which show will deal the repercussions of their actions? Unfortunately, this intrigue could only go so far.
Or what about that Title vs Title match between Kofi Kingston and Seth Rollins? With the planned finish of that match resulting in a no-contest, it would have made a bigger impact with an interruption by a NXT call-up.
Bring someone up that we could truly get heat on, not the Bar (ugh).
Reason 2: The Shake-Up was poorly executed and confusing
Boy, could anyone keep up with the Superstar Shakeup? Even the announcers had trouble keeping track.
I will keep in mind that, according to John Pollock (h/t WrestleTalk), Raw reportedly had to be rewritten due to travel issues. But, wow. Both brands were a mess. I found myself constantly having to look online to find out who was coming and who was going. Lars Sullivan was one that was listed to be on Raw and SmackDown.
In addition, some of the changes that happened were only listed online during and after the show, and those will make a big impact in my eyes. Chad Gable and Liv Morgan were both sent to SmackDown.
Sure, are these superstars being separated from their teams bigger than Finn Bálor going to SmackDown? No. Yet, look at what actually happened.
We were asked to invest in the storyline that Gable and Roode were doing whatever they can to be on a winning streak, which led them to turning heel. Now, they are broken up. If they push Gable as a face, which I expect (and is the right move overall), it seems like the build-up on Raw was a waste.
Also, the Riot Squad is now one Rioter less. Now, I don’t understand why WWE can’t make certain stables work (RIP Sanity). The Riot Squad was a fantastic stable: Ruby Riot is a leader and can be a serious challenger for the title; Sarah Logan is a vicious competitor, which was showcased in her performance in the Women’s Battle Royal; and Liv Morgan was a great addition to round out the group with her quickness, energy, and character work.
Now, what will she do, especially with the women’s division being STACKED on SmackDown?
Reason 3: The Shakeup didn’t effectively balance the rosters.
Speaking of the women’s divisions, the imbalance of the two rosters causes me concern.
The women’s division for SmackDown completely outweighs Raw in terms of star power. Having the full Riot Squad could have created a force to be reckoned with on Monday Nights, but now Liv Morgan has to fight for herself in a division that will not be kind to her.
Look at who is now on SmackDown: Charlotte Flair, Ember Moon, Bayley, Carmella, Asuka and Kairi Sane, Mickie James, the IIconics, and Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville (I refuse to call them Fire and Desire).
SmackDown has a great mix of former champions, potential women single competitors, and formidable tag team options. How will Liv make an impact?
Raw? Some potential options, but recently we were given a Dana Brooke promo . . .
Besides her, we now have Lacey Evans in her first main roster feud with ‘The Man’, Becky “2Belts” Lynch. It’s not a good start when a call up’s first feud is with the champion. Evans had a limited run in NXT, and a not-so-great start in the Women’s Royal Rumble.
The men’s division also has some imbalance on it. Let’s look at some tag team changes first.
SmackDown lost The Usos, who are arguably the best tag team in the world, and who did they get in return? Heavy. Machinery. The Hardy Boyz can’t wrestle forever, and the show needs fresh tag teams.
In addition to The Usos, Raw got Ricochet and Aleister Black, and the War Raid-ugh- The Viking Experience. Don’t even get me started on how their call-up hurt NXT. (If you want to get me started, let me know in the comments).
Now, for the singles competitors, Raw has a crowded locker room. Monday Night received three big name superstars: AJ Styles, Rey Mysterio, and Andrade. These three will enter a program where they can either compete for the Universal Title and the United States title (it is assumed Joe will go there) against the likes of men like Seth Rollins, Drew McIntyre, Bobby Lashley, Baron Corbin, The Miz, and Sami Zayn.
So what can be done if the Superstar Shake-Up isn’t viable anymore?
Replace the Superstar Shake-Up by going back to the Draft Format
Yes. I said it. Bring back the WWE draft. I know this can be divisive, but, with Fox wanting SmackDown to be more sports-oriented, having a draft every year can be the fix needed moving forward.
Having a draft right after WrestleMania will help direct that momentum in the right direction necessary for the upcoming year.
The draft would have to be executed equally between the two brands. The last draft gave extra picks to Raw every round, making it an uneven distribution. Having the draft event on one of the shows (or spanning the two shows) would allow the picks to have significance, with storylines wrapping up and certain matches to highlight the draft.
The point is having the draft makes the picks hold weight. We all hated it, but, when the Dudley Boys were drafted to different shows in 2002, we saw the heartbreak and were able to live in that moment with the two legends.
Remember, in the 2009 draft, when the Miz and John Morrison were split up? We were able to get a moment with them, before the Miz established himself as a heel and Morrison a face. The draft created moments and storylines.
An element I believe can add intrigue to the draft is, for every round, NXT should be allowed to have a pick. This pick will be primarily utilized to protect certain superstars from being called up, and potentially bring certain superstars back to Full Sail (Look everyone, it’s Tyler!).
This will also add a bit of substance to NXT call-ups rather than random decisions.
Once the draft is done, any additional shifts can be reported as free agent signings to fill out all rosters. This can even be made into storyline. Remember when Heath Slater’s free agency became one of the most intriguing storylines on Smackdown? It arguably saved his career, for a bit.
The point I’m making is, coming off the biggest event in Wrestling/Sports Entertainment, the next year for WWE needs to be established strongly to keep the previous momentum and create some more for the road ahead.