Complete WWE Roster after Superstar Shake-up: List of Superstars in Raw and SmackDown Live
What’s the story?
This week, both the brands of the WWE underwent a roster shuffling process called the Superstar Shakeup. Many notable names jumped ships, changing the landscape of both brands. The Superstar Shakeup coupled with the NXT call ups that took place last week have left Raw and Smackdown Live with a unique blend of superstars.
In case you didn’t know...
Since July of 2016, the brand split proved to be a huge success as it rejuvenated the Smackdown brand and allowed WWE to execute more storylines and introduce more championships. The superstars performed exclusively for their respective brands and built up more compelling and long-term storylines.
In a surprise move, WWE decided to shuffle their roster yet again to provide a breath of fresh air to both their weekly televised shows.
The heart of the matter
The names that made the move from Smackdown Live to Raw are:
Miz & Maryse, Dean Ambrose, Apollo Crews, Kalisto, Heath Slater, Rhyno, Curt Hawkins, Alexa Bliss, Mickie James and Bray Wyatt.
The superstars that made a switch from Raw to Smackdown are:
Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn, Jinder Mahal, Epico, Primo, Charlotte Flair, Lana, Rusev, Sin Cara and the New Day.
Tamina made her return to Smackdown Live whereas Elias Samson made a brief appearance during the 8-man tag team match on Raw.
The complete list of superstars at Raw and Smackdown Live are as following:
Raw:
General Manager: Kurt Angle
Male superstars: Apollo Crews, Bo Dallas, Big Cass, Big Show, Braun Strowman, Bray Wyatt, Brock Lesnar, Cesaro, Chris Jericho, Curt Hawkins, Curtis Axel, Darren Young, Dash Wilder, Dean Ambrose, Elias Samson, Enzo Amore, Finn Balor, Goldust, Heath Slater, Jeff Hardy, Kalisto, Karl Anderson, Luke Gallows, Mark Henry, Matt Hardy, The Miz , R-Truth, Rhyno, Roman Reigns, Samoa Joe, Scott Dawson, Seth Rollins, Sheamus, Titus O’Neil
Female superstars: Alexa Bliss, Alicia Fox, Bayley, Dana Brooke, Emma, Maryse, Mickie James, Nia Jax, Paige, Sasha Banks and Summer Rae
Cruiserweight division/205 Live: Akira Tozawa, Ariya Daivari, Austin Aries, Cedric Alexander, Drew Gulak, Gran Metallik, Jack Gallagher, Lince Dorado, Mustafa Ali, Noam Dar, Neville, Rich Swann, Tajiri, The Brian Kendrick, TJ Perkins and Tony Nese
Smackdown Live
General Manager: Daniel Bryan
Commissioner: Shane McMahon
Male superstars: Aiden English, AJ Styles, Baron Corbin, Big E, Chad Gable, Dolph Ziggler, Epico, Erick Rowan, Fandango, James Ellsworth, Jason Jordan, Jey Uso, Jimmy Uso, Jinder Mahal, John Cena, Kane, Kevin Owens, Kofi Kingston, Konnor, Luke Harper, Mojo Rawley, Primo, Randy Orton, Rusev, Sami Zayn, Shinsuke Nakamura, Sin Cara, Tye Dillinger, Tyler Breeze, Viktor, Xavier Woods and Zack Ryder
Female superstars: Becky Lynch, Carmella, Charlotte Flair, Eva Marie, Naomi, Natalya, Nikki Bella, and Tamina
The impact
The Superstar Shakeup has left both brands with a balanced number of main eventers, mid carders, women and tag teams. Expect a lot many ‘never seen before’ feuds for the year as WWE have successfully managed to give each brand a unique mix of superstars.
Author’s take
Though I feel that shuffling of rosters is a must every year, I feel that it happened earlier than it should have. Some of the storylines had to be nixed midway or ended prematurely due to the Shakeup, such as the Ambrose/Corbin and Nia/Charlotte storylines whereas the outcome of the rest has become quite predictable.
Though it is rumoured that the Superstar Shakeup has been in talks for quite some time, it looks as if the final list of transfers were decided just a day or two before the Shake-up.
In spite of the Shake-up’s execution, the futures of each brand looks solid and interesting due to the introduction of new superstars.
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