5 Startling changes WWE made in SmackDown and RAW in 2019

The WWE delivered an absolute blockbuster event this past weekend; surpassing all expectations at WrestleMania 35. The 'Mania card comprised several pleasant surprises such as the return of "The Doctor of Thuganomics" John Cena, as well as the fall of Brock Lesnar and Daniel Bryan.

Moving forward, on the "RAW after 'Mania", things seemed to have carried over the craziness of WrestleMania week. The latest episode of Monday Night RAW, featured the main roster debut of Lars Sullivan, whilst also witnessing the farewell of Dean Ambrose after RAW went off the air.

Additionally, this week's SmackDown Live episode saw several potential storylines emerge, which insinuate that the WWE Universe could expect the mania after 'Mania (pun intended) to continue in the weeks to come.

Today, we take a closer look at a few startling changes in WWE SmackDown and RAW in 2019, and how said changes could affect the landscape of the WWE Universe as we move forward...

---

#5 Braun Strowman teases a feud with Samoa Joe on SmackDown Live

Braun Strowman is likely to move from RAW to SmackDown sooner rather than later

The WWE's Superstar Shake-Up is set to take place next week, and with that in mind, the professional wrestling rumor mill is now abuzz with banter that prominent RAW Superstar Braun Strowman could potentially end up being drafted to the SmackDown brand in the days to come.

Speaking of which, "The Monster Among Men" did indeed make an appearance, or rather should I say a huge impact, on this week's episode of SmackDown Live.

While WWE United States Champion Samoa Joe had asserted his dominance over R-Truth in an in-ring segment on SmackDown, Strowman made a surprise appearance on the show -- marching down to the ring, and confronting Joe. A brief back-and-forth tussle ensued, which Strowman appeared to get the better of.

Now, what has truly captured our attention, is not merely the fact that Joe may have found his next opponent against whom he could put his US Title on the line...No, Ma'am! What intrigues us is Strowman potentially making a long-term move from RAW to SmackDown...On that note...

#4 Bray Wyatt finally returning with his long-awaited, new gimmick

Bray Wyatt seems primed to make an impact upon his WWE comeback

Alright, to be honest, if we are to pit the RAW and SmackDown brands against one another; the red brand does currently have a considerable amount of firepower. However, this balance of power could change drastically very soon!

With top-tier RAW Superstars such as Braun Strowman likely to jump ship to the SmackDown Live brand, it only makes sense for a few of the blue brand's premier performers to cross over to the RAW side of things.

Well, out of all the Superstars discussed in this article, I truly believe that Bray Wyatt could end up on either main-roster brand, and excel just as well irrespective of where he wrestles.

It's presently unclear as to which brand Wyatt will end up performing for after the Superstar Shake-Up, but with his long-awaited, new gimmick already having been teased ahead of his on-screen comeback; the stage is set for this former WWE Champion to once again get back on the path to glory...

#3 Drew McIntyre and his sudden disappearance from the main event of SmackDown Live

Drew McIntyre didn't have a good showing on SmackDown Live

One of Monday Night RAW's most valuable Superstars right now, is without a doubt, Drew McIntyre. "The Scottish Psychopath" may have come up short in his bid to kick "The Big Dog" Roman Reigns out of the latter's own yard -- however, their WrestleMania 35 matchup's brilliance has most definitely ensured that both performers' star-power remains intact despite one of them losing clean.

Well, on this week's episode of SmackDown Live, McIntyre was one of the participants in the 6-man tag team match main event. Nevertheless, rather surprisingly, McIntyre had little-to-no-impact on the matchup, and was essentially non-existent as his team ended up on the losing end.

McIntyre's showing or lack thereof, on SmackDown Live, could potentially be attributed to the fact that the WWE higher-ups plan to retain him on RAW -- Owing to which, they didn't really feature him as prominently on SmackDown as opposed to what they usually do on RAW...

#2 The MMA bigwigs -- Ronda Rousey and Brock Lesnar -- are gone... at least for the time being!

Ronda Rousey and Brock Lesnar aren't likely to perform for WWE in the ensuing weeks

"The Beast Incarnate" Brock Lesnar's long and tyrannical reign as the WWE Universal Champion finally came to an end at WrestleMania 35, courtesy a well-timed low-blow followed by a hellacious Curb Stomp by Seth Rollins.

The vast majority of professional wrestling experts believe that the reason behind WWE booking Lesnar to drop the Universal Title to Rollins at WrestleMania 35, is that Lesnar is likely to compete in an MMA fight this August.

Lesnar is likely to fight reigning UFC Heavyweight Champion Daniel Cormier for the latter's title in a 5-round Mixed Martial Arts bout at UFC 240.

On the other hand, just like former UFC Heavyweight Champion Lesnar; ex-UFC Women's Bantamweight titlist Ronda Rousey too isn't likely to compete in a WWE ring. However, unlike Lesnar, Rousey isn't returning to the UFC's famed Octagon for an MMA fight.

Instead, Rousey is rumored to be dealing with an injury which she sustained during her Triple Threat "Winner Takes All" match against Charlotte Flair and Becky Lynch at WrestleMania 35.

Considering all of that, it's very important to note how two of RAW's biggest attractions are likely to be absent for several weeks in a row -- thereby giving the brand advantage to SmackDown Live...Speaking of which...

#1 The Becky Lynch conundrum

Becky Lynch now holds the WWE Women's Division in the palm of her hand

"The Man" Becky Lynch presently holds the WWE RAW as well as SmackDown Women's Championships. While the fiery Irishwoman has undoubtedly earned her spot at the top of the WWE, it's indisputable that the WWE would be better off having two women's world champions.

After all, "The Man" isn't superhuman, and won't be able to work every day of the week on both RAW and SmackDown TV tapings in addition to the house shows.

That said, it'll be highly intriguing to see how the WWE handles this situation from this point moving forward. The company's higher-ups are now faced with the task of making a decision as to whether they want the wildly popular Irish megastar on the RAW or the SmackDown brand.

As of this time, the professional wrestling community is divided between wanting Lynch to continue on SmackDown -- now that she has dethroned RAW's top female Superstar Ronda Rousey and sent the latter into an injury-induced exile -- whereas others want Lynch to move to RAW.

Moreover, a few members of the WWE Universe have also been advocating for Lynch to split time between both RAW and SmackDown -- something that's quite challenging, since she already has the added responsibility of holding both brands' Women's World Titles.

With the ongoing power struggle on WWE RAW and SmackDown, which brand do you think will emerge as the victor at the end of the 2019 calendar year? Sound off in the comments!