WWE RAW & SMACKDOWN
SUPERSTAR SHAKEUP REACTION
Wednesday, April 18, 2018
This week we examine the roster changes on both RAW and Smackdown. The great, good, bad and pathetic will return next week.
New Additions
Jinder Mahal (with Sunil Singh)
Bobby Lashley
Ruby Riott, Liv Morgan and Sarah Logan
Kevin Owens
Sami Zayn
Zack Ryder
Authors of Pain
Ember Moon
No Way Jose
Breezango
Natalya
Mojo Rawley
Dolph Ziggler
Baron Corbin
Mike Kanellis
The Ascension
Bobby Roode
Chad Gable
Drew McIntyre
Bobby Lashley
Ruby Riott, Liv Morgan and Sarah Logan
Kevin Owens
Sami Zayn
Zack Ryder
Authors of Pain
Ember Moon
No Way Jose
Breezango
Natalya
Mojo Rawley
Dolph Ziggler
Baron Corbin
Mike Kanellis
The Ascension
Bobby Roode
Chad Gable
Drew McIntyre
Moves I liked
I must say, the RAW portion of this years shakeup was surprisingly underwhelming for the most part, and we really didn't see a blockbuster move that many anticipated. I was quite pleasantly surprised that they didn't gut Smackdown of some of the top performers that we love watching on the "B show". Instead, it seems that RAW may have just taken many of the lower end performers from the Smackdown brand and brought them over to the three hour show. I can see the benefit of such a move, as it presents the main performers that they want to highlight on RAW, more lower end talent they can beat in strong fashion, without diminishing the push of any talents you want to see rise up.
The key acquisitions I liked were Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn. I love these two guys and Owens is a bonafide main eventer who can challenge Roman, Stroman or anybody else in ammain event feud. Sammi has really elevated himself and the pairing makes for great TV. I would love a Stroman vs Owens feud and a Zayn vs Rollins feud for the IC title. Hell, Zayn vs Balor should be great as well.
I also like the call up Drew McIntyre and the pairing with Dolph Ziggler. Ziggler needs something and he's far too talented just to be wasted. I know many are tired of him and I am too, but teaming him with Drew could be a great thing. McIntyre has all the potential in the world and should be a main eventer sooner rather than later. I could see a feud with Lashley being a good one down the road.
The key acquisitions I liked were Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn. I love these two guys and Owens is a bonafide main eventer who can challenge Roman, Stroman or anybody else in ammain event feud. Sammi has really elevated himself and the pairing makes for great TV. I would love a Stroman vs Owens feud and a Zayn vs Rollins feud for the IC title. Hell, Zayn vs Balor should be great as well.
I also like the call up Drew McIntyre and the pairing with Dolph Ziggler. Ziggler needs something and he's far too talented just to be wasted. I know many are tired of him and I am too, but teaming him with Drew could be a great thing. McIntyre has all the potential in the world and should be a main eventer sooner rather than later. I could see a feud with Lashley being a good one down the road.
MOVES I DON'T LIKE
Baron Corbin is not the guy to build around. I know Vince loves hi, but he's not that guy. I have no desire to see him in the main event scene and hopefully he's not in the plans to be world champion or something. Also, Natty is the big womens acquisition? What? I don't care if her and Ronda are cool and they wanted to move her over to work with her. I get that and they could still have done that and still moved over another big women's star like Becky or Charlotte. Instead we Natty and the Riot Squad. Smh.
While I understand many of the choices that were made, I just think far too many mid to lower midcard talents were moved during the shakeup. Some of these guys like Chad Gable could have excelled on the Smackdown roster, but instead I'm afraid will get lost in the shuffle on RAW. And the tag team division is extremely weak.
While I understand many of the choices that were made, I just think far too many mid to lower midcard talents were moved during the shakeup. Some of these guys like Chad Gable could have excelled on the Smackdown roster, but instead I'm afraid will get lost in the shuffle on RAW. And the tag team division is extremely weak.
WHAT'S NEXT
The plan for awahie has been for Reigns to take the title from Lesnar, and I'm sure that is still happening. But clearly teh fans don't want Roman as their babyface champion. they need to pull the trigger on Stroman before it's too late. He's been treading water for awhile now, and I would hate to see his momentum die down before they decide to make the move. There are some big guys on RAW now, which is the clearly the direction they were aiming for with the moves they made. Which leads me to believe they are gearing up for a Stroman run on top against guys who look like they can physically stand tall with him (Owens, Lashley, Corbin, McIntyre, Jinder). We will see how it turns out.
New Additions
The Miz
Jeff Hardy
Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville
Samoa Joe
Big Cass
Asuka
Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson
IIconics
Cesaro and Sheamus
R-Truth
Eric Young, Alexander Wolfe and Killian Dain
Andrade ‘Cien’ Almas and Zelina Vega
Jeff Hardy
Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville
Samoa Joe
Big Cass
Asuka
Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson
IIconics
Cesaro and Sheamus
R-Truth
Eric Young, Alexander Wolfe and Killian Dain
Andrade ‘Cien’ Almas and Zelina Vega
Moves I liked
Man Ole Man, Smackdown is loaded with talent. Normally, RAW gets the better of the draft or Shakeup, and Smackdown is left with a bunch of guys they have to rebrand or give an "opportunity" (Jinder). But this year was totally different. I assumed that either AJ Styles, Nakamura, or Daniel Bryan had to be sent to RAW. But not only did they keep them all, they added Samoa Joe!!!! That's four of the best in ring guys this business has ever seen!! Wow. I assumed Balor or Rollins would be sent over, but instead they sent over one of the most popular guys on the roster, Jeff Hardy, and one of the best heels, the Miz!! Then to cap it off, they added Andrade Cien Almas, who is absolutely stellar in the ring. They are loaded!
MOVES I DON'T LIKE
After I just mentioned how RAW appears to be loading up the roster with big guys, ad keeping the workers for Smackdown, they go and bring back Big Cass for Tuesday's? I don't like it. And of course I hated the attack on Daniel Bryan. They have no business having any type of contact and Bryan should be concentrating on finishing up his business with the Miz, and on to bigger and better things.
Much like on RAW, outside of bringing Asuka over, I don't think they did the women's division any favors. Sure the IIconics are a good gimmick but they are nothing in the ring. Then you go and add Absolution, and basically switch them with the Riot Squad. Again, nothing in the ring. Charlotte can't have great matches with any of these people outside of ASuka and Becky. Sasha or Bayley should have made the the jump to mix things up. Plus, they just started something on Monday with Ronda and Natty vs Absolution, and now it's over before it starts.
Much like on RAW, outside of bringing Asuka over, I don't think they did the women's division any favors. Sure the IIconics are a good gimmick but they are nothing in the ring. Then you go and add Absolution, and basically switch them with the Riot Squad. Again, nothing in the ring. Charlotte can't have great matches with any of these people outside of ASuka and Becky. Sasha or Bayley should have made the the jump to mix things up. Plus, they just started something on Monday with Ronda and Natty vs Absolution, and now it's over before it starts.
WHAT'S NEXT
AJ vs Nakamura is the main program and I'm so glad they are keeping it string. Heel Nakamura has been sensational, and I really think this has legs. I want Bryan to quickly to move away from Big Cass and be inserted into a program with these two as soon as possible. Joe should be right there as well. I think this is going to be a great!!!
Final Thoughts: This years Shakeup lived up to the hype and team blue came out the winner!