Superstar Shakeup Predictions

Team Young Lion
Apr 10, 2017
6 min read

As we approach tonight's Raw, the Young Lion team weighs in with some ideas on what we would like to see happen during the "superstar shakeup". A mix of realistic trade options that could benefit each superstar and the brand they would be moving to, as well as some fantasy trades that we know most likely will not happen but couldn't resist the temptation of just throwing it out there. Feel free to post your trade proposals in the comment section below.

Michael Yoe

1. The Good Brothers (Karl Anderson & Luke Gallows) for The Usos

- This proposal has a contingency. The only way this happens is if A.J. Styles somehow stays on SmackDown Live. I feel like a "Club" reunion is inevitable but I'm not convinced that it is going to happen on Raw now that Balor is back. Bringing The Good Brothers to SD is an instant boost to the lacking tag team competition they currently offer, and sending The (new look) Usos over to Raw sets up an eventual Usos/Hardys feud. We all know WWE loves their Usos, and this is a fantasy match-up that they probably didn't think would ever happen.

2. Sami Zayn for Baron Corbin

- As much as it hurts me to say, Sami needs to get away from KO. He is unfortunately getting lost in the shuffle on Raw, and with Finn's return it doesn't help his case. Pair him with Nakamura. What better way to boost both of them at the same time, by having them possibly repeat their MOTY quality battle at NXT: Takeover Dallas last year. There are a lot of WWE fans that didn't witness that match, and anyone that did see would have no complaints to seeing it again.

3. Charlotte for Alexa Bliss

- This is an obvious possibility, with Dave Meltzer reporting that this most likely will happen. Doesn't change the fact that this would be a great move. Charlotte is the queen, and with the argument of only Asuka, is the best female wrestler in the company (if not the world). She is too big a talent to keep on Raw, and sending her to SmackDown not only lets her show that with the likes of Naomi, Mickie James and Becky Lynch, it also gives her another route to build her title reigns without constantly trading back and forth with Sasha and Bailey.

4. The New Day for Tyler Breeze, Heath Slater and Fandango

- The New Day to SD makes total sense. They are the most entertaining group in the business, and WWE needs to share the wealth. As a die-hard NXT fan and long time advocate of "prince pretty", I am so desperate for Tyler Breeze to have a change of scenery in hopes he has an opportunity to shine. Despite any backstage setbacks, he is such a waste of talent and I would love to see Raw embrace him as a singles competitor. That being said, pair him with former 3 Man Band front man Heath Slater, and dancing phenomenon Fandango, and you can easily run with Difranco's idea from his Re-Branding Mashup piece where the three of them start a "new" 3 Man Band; a boy band called "3 Count".

5. Roman Reigns for A.J. Styles

- It's gotta happen right? Move Reigns to SD to extend his hatred with the fans across both brands, while keeping him separated from Brock until next year's WrestleMania. This also allows Balor to take back the Universal Title that he never lost from Brock at SummerSlam, and sets up one of the biggest (IMHO) matches for next year's WrestleMania: a Universal Championship match between Balor and Styles. Two of the best in the business, that have never squared off. I just teared up thinking about it.

The Commish

1. Seth Rollins for Luke Harper

- Coming in hot. Both Rollins and Harper need to separate from their recent pasts. Rollins moving to SD immediately gets him away from HHH and Stephanie, while Harper coming to Raw gets removes him from any Wyatt association. This alone will help each of them to start fresh as main-event caliber characters.

2. The Ascension for Cesaro & Sheamus

- The Ascension (and their SRW counterparts) really have a chance to get over on Raw. Cesaro & Sheamus whom have already gotten over on Raw will be welcomed with open arms by the fans of SD, and will add a much needed main-event level of talent to SD's tag team roster.

3. Austin Aries for Kalisto

- I know Aries has a rematch against Neville, but I'd rather see him bump right up to the SmackDown main event roster. Also, bringing Kalisto over to Raw could easily refresh himself on the 205 roster and instantly be a major contender.

4. A.J. Styles for Roman Reigns

- Me and Mikey Yoe are on the same page as usual. Sending Reigns to SD keeps Reigns away from Lesnar seeing that they most likely are going to battle it out in New Orleans next year. And with Styles being the Shawn Michaels of the WWE right now, you can literally put him up against anyone on Raw's roster and they both will look incredible. Not to mention, The Good Brothers would welcome Styles to Raw with open arms. "Biz Cliz" on Raw??

5. Shane McMahon for Stephanie McMahon

- Why not truly freshen up the rosters and personalities of each brand by putting an "angry for being seperated from her husband" Stephanie along side an already over Daniel Bryan? And the pairing of Shane McMahon and Kurt Angle on Raw?! I can see them trying to one-up each other every week for the crowds attention and admiration. It's a win-win and it writes itself.

Buchanan

(short and sweet)

1. Cesaro & Sheamus for American Alpha

2. Nakamura for Samoa Joe

3. A.J. Styles for The New Day

4. Emma for Peyton Royce & Billie Kay

5. Roman Reigns for Baron Corbin

Mike Difranco

1. Enzo & Big Cass for American Alpha

- SmackDown needs tag team help. Enzo and Cass are the hottest tag team going. Plus Raw isn’t big enough for both Enzo and Cass as well as the New Day. Also with the recent call up of the Revival, Raw would be in for some great tag team matches between American Alpha and the Revival.

2. Seth Rollins for the Miz and Maryse

- The Miz is hot right now, so hot “he could take a dump, wrap it in tin foil, put some fish hooks in it and sell it to the queen of England as earings”. Yeah he’s Mugatu hot. Putting him on Raw to go up against Kevin Owens in some US title matches would be perfect for the brand. Not to mention there’s no love loss between him and Daniel Bryan. Speaking of love loss, Stephanie would have no qualms in letting Seth go off to become her brothers problem. The shakeup would also do wonders for Rollins and Ambrose who could have some great Intercontinental matches.

3. John Cena for Roman Reigns.

- Now before you give me a super man punch hear me out. A lot of speculation has already been going on about a Roman/Styles shakeup and that’s been one of the bigger theories out there. I'm not saying it isn’t likely, I’m saying its not the strongest avenue to go. SmackDown needs name’s, and AJ is just that, as well is Roman. That’s not saying Cena isn’t, but Cena most likely will be taking some time off and living that part timer life. There’s already claims Nakamura was brought up to fill the void of Cena. What better way to fill the Cena void than with John Cena 2.0? Not to mention Roman still needs grooming. His match with Taker was atrocious. Styles is a working veteran that can feud with Roman for the Heavyweight title, and help shape Roman while still getting a push of his own. Leaving AJ on SmackDown and adding Roman into the mix just makes sense. Plus Raw is the perfect spot for John Cena to make part time appearances in.

4. Sasha Banks for Natalya

- The Boss is going to be getting buried on Raw with the Nia Jax and Bayley pushes, as well as Charlotte being the fucking queen of wrestling. A change of destination for Banks would not only do well for her but as well for SmackDown. Plus Raw could be a good landing spot for Natalya, she’s one of the few female veterans on the roster, and I mean come on she’s a Hart. Adding her into the mix with Charlotte, Bayley and Nia is a breath of fresh air to an already strong female roster.

5. Luke Harper for Sami Zayn

- First off, it’s going to be awfully tough for Dean and Luke to keep up the charade of wearing the same outfit, and if you haven’t noticed the two haven’t been on screen at the same time lately due to this wardrobe issue. Moving Luke to Raw solves one issue, but it doesn’t solve the what Dean would be left to wear dilemma. Plus Sami isn’t getting much of a push on Raw. The cards are so deep he just gets buried. Adding him to SmackDown adds a perfect piece for Daniel Bryan to tinker with.