This years WWE SuperStar Shake-Up is providing real excitement, with more superstars than ever itching for a move rumours are running wild! Will Daniel Bryan who made an in ring return at WrestleMania move to Monday Nights, will top NXT superstar Andrade Almas make the jump to the main roster? and where oh where will Finn Balor and Seth Rollins end up?
A few of us @ProWrestlingJournal got together to predict who we think deserves a move and who likely will move, so take a look and see if you agree or disagree. Enjoy!
David Dodgson@DodgeeWriter
The Miz – RAW to SDLive
In my mind, this just has to happen. The Miz has been monumental in his role over the last two years, helped in no small part by two things: his run(s) with the Intercontinental Title, and his epic rant against Daniel Bryan on Talking Smack.
That generated a huge amount of interest, both in terms of Miz’s character as he moved from being despised heel to appreciated heel, and the intrigue about the angle with Bryan. Where was it going (indeed, where could it go?) with Bryan retired. Well, as we all now well know, Daniel Bryan is back, and this is an in-ring rivalry that fans are just dying to see.
So why Miz to Smackdown and not Bryan to RAW? After so long on the show in a non-wrestling capacity, Daniel Bryan needs a run on the Blue Brand as a super star. As for The Miz, while he has (as he often reminds us) elevated the IC title and made it relevant, after two years either with the belt or in the title picture, it is time for him to move on. Over on Smackdown, he could revive the flailing US Title in a similar manner. Or he could, and maybe even should, be inserted into the WWE Championship picture in an intertwining feud between himself and Bryan, and AJ and Shinsuke.
Becky Lynch – SDLive to RAW
For superstars in the women’s divisions (and the same applies to tag teams and cruiserweights), if you are not involved in the title scene as either champ or challenger, it is hard to stay in the spotlight. That is what has happened to Becky Lynch. She was the inaugural champion on the blue brand but since her rivalry with Alexa Bliss ended (over a year ago now), she has been kicking her heels.
All the ‘firsts’ for the women’s division have been a double-edged sword as well. While it has been great to more of a committed spotlight on female wrestling in WWE, a multitude of multi-person matches like Money in the Bank and the Royal Rumble have limited opportunities for individuals to shine even further.
So, what we be different on RAW? There is also only one title to compete for there. Well, there is also more TV time and with the likes of Bayley, Sasha Banks, Ember Moon, and the hottest new arrival in town Ronda Rousey all on the Red Brand, there are also plenty of enticing matches to be had outside of the title scene. A brand switch could be exactly the kick up the lass Becky needs to get her career back on track.
Velveteen Dream – NXT Call Up
Velveteen Dream was the breakout star of NXT in 2017. When he debuted, I was not especially impressed by what seemed to be yet another vain heel gimmick. However, it quickly became apparent that the Dream was something more. There are touches of 1990s Goldust in there along with flashes of Rick Rude, yet it is all brought to together into a character that is unique.
Dream’s programme with Aleister Black was one of the most engaging on WWE TV last year, with his flamboyance and mind games standing in stark contrast to the stoic Dutchman. As an in-ring performer, he still needs some work but as a story-teller and engaging figure, he is the real deal.
But where to? As someone who plays so well of no-nonsense characters, it would make sense to turn Smackdown from the Blue Brand to the Velvet Brand. Dream will shine when pitted against the likes of the aggressive Mojo Rawley, the loner Baron Corbin, and the stale Randy Orton. Or it could all go horribly wrong and he could wind up thrust into programmes with fellow ‘flamboyant’ superstars like the Show-Off Dolph Ziggler, and the Glorious Bobby Roode. Handled well though, Velveteen on the main roster could literally be a Dream.
Nathan Bones@FretlessNathan
Finn Balor – RAW to SDLive
Not only does the leader of the Balor Club seem set for a move to the blue brand, but I feel that it would benefit him enormously; promising new feuds and intriguing character development. Coming up short in the triple threat match at Mania against Seth Rollins and The Miz, Finn seems to have done all he can on Raw (at least for now). There is currently a lot of traffic in Raw’s babyface upper echelon with the returns of Bobby Lashley and Jeff Hardy, as well as the main event stranglehold from Roman Reigns. With this in mind, the Irishman could either get lost in the upper midcard shuffle or else, slip down the card entirely. For these reasons, the jump to the Tuesday show makes sense.
The wealth of physical, athletic talent on Smackdown, as well as the lack of emphasis on in-ring promos play well to Balor’s strengths. Finn could easily be plugged into a David vs Goliath midcard feud with newly-minted US Champion Jinder Mahal, a crisp “workrate fest” with Randy Orton or a battle of entrances with Bobby Roode. After an initial bedding-in period, a hot feud with (presumably by then) WWE Champion Shinsuke Nakamura could be on the card; perhaps with The Demon being resurrected for that extra main event “sizzle”. The holy grail of his move to Smackdown Live would inevitably be the return match with AJ Styles; but that’s another article all of itself. That would indeed be “Too Sweet”…
Daniel Bryan – SDLive to RAW
Being pitted against AJ Styles on the post-Mania edition of Smackdown Live was no accident; it merely telegraphs to me that Bryan is almost certainly Raw-bound. I t was a match that gave away everything and nothing on free TV in the first (and possibly only) WWE match between the two uber-babyfaces. It served to get the match in the ring as a spectacle in front of a receptive audience and garner Nakamura even more heel heat as he interfered in this dream match. Having two similarly beloved talents (AJ and Bryan) on the same brand will merely split the fan support and distract from AJ’s burgeoning feud with “The Artist”.
As for Bryan’s chances on Raw, the possibilities are endless. Pushed correctly and to his true potential, he could easily have a Universal Title run in him; so long as he’s kept away from Roman Reigns to prevent an unnecessary burial. On the contrary, the money programme for Bryan in this run would be a resumption of his chalk-and-cheese rivalry with The Miz that began in Autumn 2016 on Smackdown Live. The way I see it, The Miz wins the Money in the Bank contract; presumably cashing in on Roman Reigns. This would set the stage for a successful challenge from Bryan, who finally get his moment in the sun and a decent, properly-booked title run. In the words of a certain Mr Danielson: “fight for your dreams”.
Charlotte Flair – SDLive to RAW
Hot off the heels of breaking Asuka’s streak at Wrestlemania (as well as the subsequent cheap loss of her Women’s Title to Carmella two nights later), now seems as good a time as any for the “Queen” to make the jump across to the red brand. With Raw’s dethroned top-dog Alexa Bliss seemingly moving in the opposite direction and Ronda Rousey otherwise-occupied with Stephanie McMahon, Charlotte could easily slot into fresh programmes with Nia Jax, Ember Moon and Mickie James; to name just a few. This would help keep her strong whilst injecting further quality and experience into the division.
For me, Charlotte’s trajectory over the next year leads in only one direction; the main event of Wrestlemania 35 against Ronda Rousey. How they get there is pure speculation at this point; one just assumes there’s a long-term booking strategy at play. My take: natural heel Charlotte has her head turned by a manipulative Stephanie and recruited to act as a “final boss” for Rousey to overcome at the Grandest Stage. Ric Flair’s preternaturally talented daughter and the “baddest women on the planet” in the Wrestlemania main event? I smell money.
Ciaran James@TheCiaranJames
Andrade “Cien” Almas – NXT to SDLive
Is there anyone more worthy of a promotion to the main roster than Andrade Almas? In the last year he has gone from NXT mid-carder to arguably on of WWE’s premier performers. Since August 2017 he has rose to prominence with a string of strong performances, even earning himself a 5 star match rating from the Wrestling Observer Newsletter for his match with Johnny Gargano in January 2018. Another addition to his act was Zelina Vega, who since being paired with the CMLL has become one of the companies’ top acts. Alongside Vega, who acts as his mouthpiece Andrade has evolved into a super worker, his can adapt to any style and his versatility is amazing to see. A move to SDLive is where his future lies, the brand needs more top talent and Almas with Vega will add great depth to the blue brand, slotted into the midcard/US title scene he could really elevate the division, top feuds with Ziggler, Orton, Styles, Bryan and others await him. There is no one more equipped right now than Almas, he’s at the top of his game and his confidence is sky high. For Andrade not to be drafted to the main roster would be criminal.
Finn Balor – RAW to SDLive
Many superstars are being lost in the shuffle, no one more so than Finn Balor, you could argue that he appeared at WrestleMania, however he didn’t have a chance at winning. RAW is so stacked that they struggle to get everyone on the show, therefore people often get thrown together to work 3 or 4 way matches. Finn, since returning to RAW has feuded with just about everyone, he has been kept away from the ‘big boys’ and focused mostly on the IC title scene. A move to SDLive would allow Balor the time to shine, he would be treated as one of the stars of the show and could work with similar styled talent as himself. If he were paired again with Gallows & Anderson, who also would suit being moved to the blue brand, there are so many feuds waiting to happen, especially with current WWE Champion AJ Styles. Balor has huge potential, he may not be the best vocally but on a two-hour show which relies more on work rate he could be just the right fit.
Charlotte – SDLive to RAW
With what happened on the SDLive AfterMania, the chances of Charlotte now moving to Monday nights is extremely high. This I feel is because of one reason, that reason being Ronda Rousey who made her official in ring debut at WrestleMania. The stage has been set Ronda and Charlotte to go head to head, with Ronda’s amazing debut performance and Charlotte’s decisive victory over Asuka these two women are now destined to meet. Charlotte has been good for SDLive, however without the required opposition her options are limited, on RAW she has Ember Moon, Nia Jax and presumably the returning to RAW Becky Lynch to feud with. Charlotte may return the all-conquering queen but she is set to return to the dark side, a turn on Becky Lynch, alliance with Stephanie and an eventual collision with Ronda at WrestleMania 35 are all possibilities. With Carmella now SDLive Women’s Champion and Asuka most likely to move, SDLive will recover allowing Charlotte to return to RAW.
Luke Dorsch@LukeDorsch
Rusev – SDLive to RAW
If there is one person that WWE misuses on a more regular basis I certainly cannot find one. If they don’t do something with Rusev now they will regret it. Rusev sells merchandise, he’s ridiculously over with the entire audience, he’s on Total Divas w/ Lana, and the guy can work. Apparently, he’s already asked for his release recently and was thrown into the pointless US Title match at Mania but it isn’t enough. So, send him and his mouthpiece Aiden English to Monday Night RAW and give him a fresh start.
Naomi – SDLive to RAW
She’s a former SmackDown Women’s champion and she did fairly well with the title before dropping it to Natalya who was always going to drop it to Charlotte Flair. She hasn’t really been used in any kind of angle since dropping the title at SummerSlam and I think it would give her career a great shot in the arm. Fans like her, and she has one of the better entrances and working w/ women wrestlers like Alexa Bliss and Sasha Banks and Nia Jax is just what she needs right now. Plus she won the inaugural Women’s Battle Royal at WrestleMania so a move like this could keep her momentum going.
Baron Corbin – SDLive to RAW
Vince seems to be very high on Baron Corbin’s career but they pulled the plug on him last year when he won the MITB match, he has seemingly done all he can do on SD Live at this point, feuding with AJ Styles over the US title and winning said title. At this point he could get lost in the shuffle over on Tuesday night, so I think they send him over to RAW and make a big splash with the lone wolf, possibly setting up a feud with Braun or one of the other babyface’s like Seth Rollins or eventually Roman Reigns.
Finn Balor – RAW to SDLive
It seems as though the leader of the “Balor Club” may be feuding w/ Seth Rollins for the IC title in the coming months but, I think it’s time for a fresh start for Finn Balor. He was sort of a main event player since he returned from his injury last year but nothing at the level he was at initially. He was in a pointless and meaningless feud with Bray Wyatt, and he has largely been forgotten at the top of the roster. He had his best match of the year with AJ Styles and was booked very strongly, fans would love to see that match again, plus just the buzz of having a guy like that switch brands would be great for his career in the long run.
Hideo Itami – 205 Live to SDLive
The former KENTA was hurt during most of his tenure in NXT and once he recovered he never really got a chance to get over the way he was originally thought to. He ended up turning heel towards the end of his run there battling Kassius Ohno and Aliester Black before being written off NXT television and showing up on 205 Live and not really making an impact there. So, with his fellow countryman Shinsuke Nakamura recently turning heel at WrestleMania now would be a great time for Nakamura to have a buddy to fall back on. Itami and Nakamura either teaming with one another as heel’s or Itami coming to SD Live as a babyface there is tons of potential there for him, and it may be his last and best chance to make the impact that he was always supposed to make.
Karl Anderson & Luke Gallows – RAW to SDLive
They’ve been pretty much stuck at the midlevel of the RAW tagteam division since The Hardy’s returned last year, aside from teaming with their buddy and fellow Bullet Club alumni Finn Balor a few times on RAW they’ve been misused. These guys are great and can easily get over with the audience, plus their other friend AJ Styles is already on SD Live and if Finn Balor also went to Tuesday nights we could easily have a great faction on our hands. That would be just “TOO SWEET”!!
Oney Lorcan – NXT to 205Live
The former Biff Busick has long been one of my favorite wrestler’s going back to his CZW days, I’ve always enjoyed his work and his hard hitting style. He’s really over with the smarter NXT audience for years now, but he seems to just do jobs for guys they want to get over. He’s in a going nowhere tagteam with Danny Birch (Martin Stone) and still the fans want to cheer him. He’s made appearances on 205 Live in the past but he isn’t a staple of the roster at this point where he certainly should be. Put him in a feud with Drew Gulak and the fans will appreciate him. It’s time for Lorcan to be given a real opportunity in the company.
Lio Rush – NXT to 205Live
I hesitate to write this because I feel he needs more time in developmental but he is certainly too small to work on SD Live or RAW but given his natural athletic ability he is ahead of the curve. His mouth (tweets) may or may not have gotten him a little heat backstage with the release of Tanielle Dashwood (Emma) last year but he seems to be listed among active talent on the NXT roster, just not someone we see on NXT television all that much. Regardless, if Lio isn’t being used at Full Sail, put him on the road so he can learn from guys like Cedric Alexander and Drew Gulak who have the knowledge and experience to help Lio along the way.
Fabian Aichner – NXT to 205Live
Aichner participated in the inaugural CruiserWeight Classic back in 2016 before seemingly adding some muscle mass to his frame taking him out of that division. He may not want to be stuck in the CruiserWeight role at this point in his career but I think it may be just what he needs. The NXT powers that be may want him in developmental for a while longer but he has a very exciting style, and given his great physique and high flying offense he can begin to fill the void left by Neville’s departure last year. Now, don’t get it twisted, Aichner is nowhere near the level of a performer like Neville in promo’s or in-ring ability, but given time and the right coaching he could be a top tier heel on 205 Live.
Unfortunately I’m probably way off on most or all of my picks but I really feel especially with Finn Balor and Gallows and Anderson that a move to SmackDown is just what the doctor ordered for their careers. Gallows and Anderson can have some great matches with Rowan and Harper, The Uso’s, and Shelton Benjamin and Chad Gable. Finn Balor can jump into any upper mid-card or main event program that they could think up for him, or simply form a faction with Gallows, Anderson, and Styles. I also feel strongly about Rusev going to RAW, and I truly feel that if WWE doesn’t do something with him soon, they’ll lose a top talent. Their loss may just be New Japan’s or Impact’s gai
