It is NFL Draft season. Fans and players alike are watching with bated breath to see where the top college prospects will land for the 2025-2026 season. WWE has its own version of the Draft, and it can also spark excitement in what’s to come across the three brands. Looking at the current rosters, here are two moves that WWE Monday Night Raw, SmackDown, and NXT should make when it’s time to pick a name for the show.
WWE SmackDown
GUNTHER
Gunther is a threat, always a threat. Not only is he a threat to take any champion’s title at any moment, but he also proved that he’s a threat to the WWE Raw commentary team as shown with his attack on Michael Cole and Pat McAfee. While many expect this will eventually lead to a match with Goldberg, this could also be a step to get Gunther off Raw and over to SmackDown.
Gunther would be an interesting name for the Friday show. There are several feuds that come to mind, such as a long-term battle against Cody Rhodes, Drew McIntyre, or even someone like Jacob Fatu. This would also get him away from Ludwig Kaiser, allowing him to do something different.
Judgement Day
Moving all of Judgement Day would be a great step for the group. They’ve been a major force on Monday Night Raw for years and were consistently mixed in or around the main event. Bringing Liv Morgan, Raquel Rodriguez, Carlito, Finn Balor, JD McDonaugh, and Dominick Mysterio creates several new possibilities for the group and those around them.
For example, The Judgement Day taking on the Wyatt Sicks would be a great feud to spark some interest in everyone involved. Morgan versus Alexa Bliss would be the biggest of the group, but there are several different way things could go. Plus, SmackDown would be a fresh place to start the babyface turn of Mysterio and Balor’s splintering from the group.
Monday Night Raw
Trick Williams
Trick Williams is a tough move to the main roster. Is he main roster ready? Yes, at least in WWE’s idea of a main roster performer. He looks the part, can work the microphone, and works well in the ring based on WWE style. But the question surrounds whether or not he’d get an actual opportunity to show those talents?
Williams has done all he can in WWE NXT, so it makes sense to move him to the main roster. But it’s clear that Black men aren’t getting time as singles performers on the main roster. There are seven Black men on the roster, four of whom are in tag teams. Apollo Crews is injured but was last tagging with Baron Corbin. Carmelo Hayes is tagging with The Miz, and R-Truth is sparingly used. There’s a trend of how these individuals are used, and it makes sense that there’s hesitation to see Williams get the same treatment. Only time will tell, however.
Nathan Frazer and Axiom
WWE needs to do something to boost its tag team division. The answer to that need is Nathan Frazer and Axiom, also known as Fraxiom. These two performers have been the best tag team in North American professional wrestling, and all of wrestling in the eyes of some. They were hastily thrown together but have overcome that shoddy booking to become a beloved team, while also showing how well-developed their characters are as well. Frazer and Axiom are two fun performers, and they would have an impact as both singles stars and a duo.
WWE NXT
Zelina Vega
Zelina Vega should get some type of title run of her own. WWE created the midcard championships on SmackDown and Raw, but neither is being built up as a prized possession. Vega is currently playing a part there, but she could also be a strong member of the NXT women’s division. She’d be over with the fan base and could be booked as a top name in the division. These would be some fresh matchups, and if Vega can keep pace with some of the stars who are there now, she could be tagged as an NXT Women’s Champion.
Alpha Academy
Otis, Akira Tozawa, and Maxxine Dupri need something fresh. Moving them to NXT would work. Dupri would get valuable reps in the women’s division, hopefully becoming more serviceable in the ring. Otis could be booked as a monster heel or even as an over-babyface, showing different shades of his character. Tozawa could remind fans that he’s a wrestling machine, putting on some great matches with some of the performers like Wes Lee or Je’Von Evans. This would be a fun change that would help everyone involved.