Report card for the top 5 Monday Night Raw additions after the Superstar Shakeup
Roughly a month has passed since the 2018 Superstar Shakeup that occurred just after WrestleMania. Overall there were 25 changes between Monday Night Raw and SmackDown live involving WWE Superstars, tag teams, and factions.
The Superstar Shakeup is a way to reset the roster after WrestleMania; which enables the WWE to create fresh feuds since the brand split that occurred in the summer of 2016.
In comparison to the Superstar Shakeup of last year, there were four additional moves made this year. While SmackDown Live stayed the same with 10 moves, Monday Night Raw had 15 total moves this year compared to 11 in 2017.
This article will take a look at five of those WWE Superstars who have moved from SmackDown Live to Monday Night Raw. Just like in school, I'll give a letter grade for the first month's overall performance ranging from the best grade (A+) to the worst (F).
The first duo we'll take a look at was technically "fired" from SmackDown Live, but still counts as a move in the Shakeup...
#5 Sami Zayn & Kevin Owens
One of the great unexpected moments of 2017 was when Sami Zayn turned heel to help his buddy Kevin Owens when he faced Shane McMahon inside of Hell in a Cell. Since that moment there have been some ups and downs in the relationship, but they are still a cohesive unit that is defying authority at every turn.
The first few episodes of Monday Night Raw since the Superstar Shakeup didn't do many favors for Sami or Kevin as they were basically being fed to Braun Strowman and Bobby Lashley on a weekly basis. Things looked up this week with Kevin qualifying for the Money In The Bank Ladder Match; while Zayn could be in a feud with Lashley.
Both men should be contending for the WWE Universal Championship, but that belt is on a milk carton right now with Brock Lesnar holding it. Until this week, the grade would have been lower, but still it's just above average for me at this point.
GRADE FOR SAMI ZAYN & KEVIN OWENS: C+