Superstar Shake-up 2019: 10 Superstars That Could Be Drafted

The Superstar Shake-up is a crucial process in ensuring how WWE handles their two biggest brands over the course of the next year, as the slightest mismanagement of rosters can lead to a huge problem in overall booking, superstar pushes and the utilization of wrestlers.

The last Superstar Shake-up saw WWE move their biggest assets over to Smackdown Live, while Raw received less than stellar superstars in return, and when taking into acccount that Smackdown Live will be moving to FOX in a high stakes deal, could we see WWE push their biggest stars to the blue brand?

It was noted that this could be a possibility, as WWE wants to make Smackdown Live a premium show in the company, and if that does occur, what happens to Raw? We will answer all those questions now, as we look at the possible moves WWE could be making in this Superstar Shake-up.

#10 Sami Zayn

Sami Zayn is a somewhat of a nomad at the moment, as 'the Underdog from the Underground' made his return to the squared circle on Raw this week, and he brought his incredible work rate with him, but left his respect for the WWE Universe at home.

Sami came to a realisation that is no pleasing the fanbase in the wrestling industry, as no matter how high the competitors and WWE sets the bar in terms of delivering quality television, the fans will never be pleased.

The funny thing about Sami's grievances with the WWE Universe is that he took it up with the Raw and Smackdown Live crowds, which means his narrative at the moment could be centred towards the former NXT Champion finding a crowd that deserves to witness his work. That could be an interesting story thread heading into the Superstar Shakeup where he will most likely be drafted.

#9 Drew McIntyre

The one thing that WWE got wrong at WrestleMania was the fact that Roman Reign beat Drew McIntyre in such a monotonous manner, and while many knew that Drew would lose, no one thought that the company would do it with such little fanfare.

However, it seems that WWE is moving on from that match result, as McIntyre made his first appearance on Smackdown Live after returning to the company this week, which could indicate a move to the blue brand for the former NXT Champion.

This would be an exceptional thing for Drew, as he needs to be kept as far away from Raw, a place where he will never succeed with Reigns being the top dog. Therefore, Smackdown Live is a place where Drew can flourish, and that would see WWE make the best of his potential.

#8 Finn Balor

Finn Balor's time on Raw has been a disastrous time, as WWE has not done anything of importance with this man ever since he had to vacate the Universal Championship due to his injury. But it seems that Finn is set to become a major player in the company now, as WWE appears to have restored their faith in him, which is why he is the new Intercontinental Champion.

Finn being the Intercontinental Champion could see him on his way to Smackdown Live, as it just seems certain that the midcard titles across both brands will switch brands, and we saw a hint of this on Smackdown Live this week when Bruan Strowman involved himself in Samoa Joe's affairs, which could set up a titanic clash between both men. And that now leaves Balor with a clear path to Smackdoen Live, which could end up being WWE's best decision.

#7 Sasha Banks

WWE has an unhappy employee on their hands

The main superstar that WWE has dropped the ball with on Raw is Sasha Banks, you know no matter how much some members of the WWE Universe can hate Banks, the fact of the matter remains she might be the only superstar in that women's division that can pull off the boss persona without feeling awkward.

But WWE has left Banks reeling over the last years, as her role in the WWE has gotten smaller and smaller, and her loss at WrestleMania signifies that Banks needs to become that top heel once again that ran the women's division. With rumours circulating that Banks wanted to quit during the WrestleMania weekend, could we see the boss get a bigger place in WWE's plans?

#6 Brock Lesnar

WWE could use Lesnar for their new vision for Smackdown Live

Brock Lesnar has been on the fence with WWE and UFC over the last few years, as many have speculated that Lesnar used a possible return to the UFC as means of leveraging a better deal with the WWE, but now it seems imminent that the former Universal Champion will head to the octagon.

Lesnar has reportedly not made a date for his showdown with potential opponent Daniel Cormier, but one wouldn't expect this fight to not happen after the insane amount of attention it has garnered over the last few months. Therefore, when Lesnar does have his fight in the UFC, expect him to wind up back in WWE.

It's no secret that WWE is moving Smackdown Live to FOX later this year, and reports have indicated that FOX wants the blue brand to feel more sports oriented, which means the entire concept of the brand will change. And if you want a more fight like feel to the brand, Lesnar is the guy to legitimise things.

#5 Samoa Joe

Samoa Joe has been a fantastic addition to WWE's roster, and while that isn't enough for many of Joe's fans out there, you are not wrong, as Joe just might be the most believable talker on the mic, which is something that many superstars might never be able to master.

Wrestling is all about twisting reality to make everything scripted feel genuine and no one in the business does it better Samoa Joe, and along with AJ Styles, Joe might be WWE's best acquisition from TNA. But unlike Styles who has been treated like a WWE legend by the creative team, Joe has been just getting along, and that is a mistake.

That needs to change, and it seems like it could, as Joe's altercation with Braun Strowman on Smackdown Live this week could see the US Champion move over to Raw, and that would be big for the Samoan destroyer.

#4 Andrade

Andrade is the next big thing in the WWE, and this is something you have heard a thousand times since Andrade become a WWE superstar, but it is just true, as this third generation superstar is all they say he is and more.

That megastar look, the in-ring ability of a world-class athlete, and the credibility to tell a fulfilling story, what more could WWE want from their next top star? Well, they might not need more if they move Andrade to Raw, as Andrade could be big on the red brand, since he has the star power to hold his own with the likes of Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns.

While many feel the Raw creative team is terrible at handling talent, rumours have indicated that Vince McMahon is high on the Tranquilo superstar, so that seems like a good way to know that Andrade would be huge.

#3 Asuka

Oh Asuka, from destroying future Wrestlemania main eventers on a weekly basis to losing to Carmella with the help of James Ellsworth, what has WWE done with this once Goldberg like superstar?

In NXT many thought that Asuka would have the main roster in the palm of her hand when she debuted, as Triple H and his creative team were so high on the Japanese sensation, they booked her like some sort of invincible force, but on Smackdown Live it's safe to say that Asuka is just another face. This something WWE needs to change, and it seems like they could.

Asuka moving to Raw would be redundant if we were being honest, as Asuka needs good booking no matter her brand, but it seems like the weak Raw women's division could use Asuka to legitimise it, and it would be beneficial for Asuka to get away from Charlotte for a while.

#2 Buddy Murphy

The cruiserweight division is one of the most underrated areas in WWE at the moment, as we have seen some matches that would be WrestleMania worthy being contested on a daily basis between some of the most talented yet overlooked stars in the company at the moment.

And in the midst of all the action is one star many thought would never see a big match after his partnership with Blake in NXT was over, and his name is Buddy Murphy. But WWE took a chance on Buddy Murphy, and here we are rooting for the man to become something bigger than he was ever intended to be.

Murphy is just phenomenal, and in the ring, he is a beast who never misses a step, which is impressive when you consider the speed these wrestlers go. Buddy needs to be exhibited on a bigger stage, and if WWE attempt to make him a prominent star he will become an even greater one, as this guy is on another level when it comes to his work rate.

#1 AJ Styles

We spoke about many great superstars on this list, who can fly higher than most, some can mat wrestling better than others, and others who can light the mic on fire, but we never speak about the one man that is just a step ahead of the rest, and his name is AJ Styles.

AJ Styles is out of this world, as which other superstar working today can make his opponent look better than they have every right to be, Styles improves everything around him, and it is without a shadow of a doubt that he might be the best wrestler in the industry today.

From his in-ring tactics standing the test of time to the accuracy he displays when implementing his moves, everything is perfect when Styles is in the mood, and that is something WWE understand. Which is why it's no surprise that he could move to the red brand soon.

Raw has been calling for AJ Styles for a while now, but WWE has kept him on Smackdown Live, however, it seems like we could be seeing AJ make his way to Raw, and that will be the best thing that could happen to the show, as everyone knows Raw needs him.