WRESTLER SHAKEUP ON WWE RAW, WILL CONTINUE ON SMACKDOWN

In one word, the start of the WWE Superstar Shakeup last night was strange.

Considering it was not a “draft” and WWE noted that all superstar changes would occur via trades, deals and other moves between the Raw and SmackDown Live brands, one would have expected some explanations about how every new wrestler wound up on his or her respective new show.

Nope.

Instead, WWE simply had these superstars appear on Raw without any explanation for how or why they got there. Neither general manager Kurt Angle for Raw, Daniel Bryan for SmackDown spoke about the shakeup on the program, and the two top names to move to Raw are a No. 1 contender and championship holder.

The only person confirmed as staying on Raw was Seth Rollins, who Angle spoke about directly in the ring while assuring him that Stephanie McMahon would not force Rollins’ departure.

Here’s what happened last night with a list of the former SmackDown superstars you will now see each week on Raw. Smackdown will have their turn tonight live on the USA Network.

New Raw superstars

Bray Wyatt: As the No. 1 contender for the WWE title (contested on SmackDown), he will still fight champion Randy Orton for the title in a “House of Horrors” match at the Raw pay-per-view Payback in three weeks.

Intercontinental champion Dean Ambrose: Raw already has the United States championship with Kevin Owens on the roster but added Ambrose and what was long the company’s No. 2 title on Monday. If Owens does not flip to SmackDown tonight, this will be a strange move. Even flipping the entire cruiserweight division to SmackDown would not suffice.

Alexa Bliss: This may well be a glimpse at the Bliss-for-Charlotte Flair swap that has been rumored. Flair lost to Nia Jax on Raw, perhaps signaling her departure, and Bliss fits in well with the women on Raw.

The Miz & Maryse: The couple actually opened Raw still impersonating John Cena and Nikki Bella only to be interrupted by Ambrose.

Mickie James: Thought WWE might switch over Carmella to reunite with Enzo Amore & Big Cass. Nope.

Kalisto: Will be interesting to see if WWE moves him into the cruiserweight division.

Apollo Crews: Though SmackDown was supposed to be the show of opportunity, he never got one, in large part due to his lack of character and mic work.

Heath Slater & Rhyno: Basically an irrelevant switch, but if SmackDown gets a more solid tag team in return, that would be a win.

Curt Hawkins: irrelevant

Elias Samson (via NXT): Raw added The Revival from NXT last Monday, and though this was not part of the “Superstar Shakeup,” Samson did walk out last night on Raw with his guitar.



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