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Every year number of WWE superstars switch brands during the superstar shake-up (earlier known as WWE Draft) and this year too we will get to witness a huge Superstar Shake-up on 15 and 16 April at the Bell Centre in Montreal.
The superstar shakeup has become an annual tradition and it attracts a huge amount of viewers every time. The event always creates opportunities for some new and exciting rivalries on the main roster. Multiple NXT superstars are also called up to the main roster and are either drafted to SmackDown Live or Raw.
This year's Superstar shake-up is a little bit more significant than the past ones as SmackDown will be moving to Fox this year and Fox has demanded multiple changes in the SmackDown programming.
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First of all, Fox wants SmackDown Live to focus more on the in-ring competition, they want to portray SmackDown Live as a sports-oriented program. They also want to have major cross-promotions with other sports. Furthermore, Fox wants some of the top tier superstars on SmackDown Live. These changes will hugely affect how WWE will book Superstar Shakeup.
With keeping the changes in mind, here is a list of superstars who might switch brands.
#5 AJ Styles
AJ Styles has been a part of the SmackDown roster since 2016. AJ has had a phenomenal run in SmackDown with becoming WWE and US Champion twice during his run on the blue brand.
He is currently scheduled to face Randy Orton at WrestleMania 35 and it will definitely be an incredible match. But after WrestleMania expect AJ to make a move to Raw.
AJ has accomplished most of the things that the blue brand has to offer and he has had feuds with most of the top tier superstars on SmackDown Live. With a move to Raw, AJ will have more opportunities for new and fresh rivalries as well as a chance to accomplish various feats that he has never achieved in WWE like becoming the Universal Champion.
#4 Finn Balor (IC Champion)
Finn Balor has been a victim of improper booking. With becoming the Intercontinental Champion and facing Brock Lesnar at Royal Rumble to losing the Intercontinental title to Bobby Lashley in a controversial manner. We can easily say that his recent run on Raw was full of ups and downs.
He earned the opportunity to face Bobby Lashley for the Intercontinental Title at WrestleMania by defeating Lashley and Jinder Mahal in a 2 on 1 handicap match on a recent episode of Raw.
Balor will most probably walk out of WrestleMania as the Intercontinental Champion and keeping that in mind I think that Balor will move to SmackDown Live because generally the mid-card championship holders switch brands during the shakeup and I think this trend will continue this year also.
Balor didn't use his potential fully on Raw due to different factors and with a move to SmackDown, he might have an opportunity to use it efficiently. He can create some dream rivalries with the likes of Daniel Bryan and Rey Mysterio.
Also, taking into account the Fox deal, WWE will not find a better superstar than Finn Balor to create 5-star matches on SmackDown Live.
#3 The New Day
This team has to move to Raw if WWE doesn't change its gimmick. As it has been established in the first slide that Fox wants to portray SmackDown as a sports-oriented program, we all can agree that the gimmick of The New Day does not help that case at all.
The New Day is a fun loving and pancake throwing faction. No doubt, all three men can create extraordinary matches but their gimmick is something that makes it a little harder for the people to take them as a serious threat.
Currently, Kofi Kingston is all set to face Daniel Bryan at WrestleMania 35 for the WWE Championship. Although his current run has been fantastic and all of us hope that he wins the title but it seems like that his push will end at WrestleMania.
Some rumours suggest that not all babyfaces will walk out of WrestleMania as champions and Kofi Kingston is most probably that babyface. Daniel Bryan's run as the planet's champion has been extraordinary and WWE could decide to go on with Bryan as the champion.
After WrestleMania, The New Day might make a move to Raw. The faction will be an amazing addition to the current tag team roster and could create some amazing and fresh rivalries with the likes of The Revival and the team of Aleister Black and Ricochet.
#2 Samoa Joe (United States Champion)
Joe has incredible in ring and mic skills and can create amazing matches but he has been misused by WWE on every stage. He has not been booked as a monster that he is and WWE is doing a huge mistake by doing that. WWE needs to build Joe back and WrestleMania could be the launching pad for Joe's monstrous run to the top.
Samoa Joe is scheduled to defend his US Championship against Rey Mysterio at WrestleMania. Though Rey is hugely over with the fans, Samoa Joe has more chances to win this one.
Rey's son Dominic will be at ringside during Rey's match, WWE could use this opportunity by making Joe look like a monster by decimating Rey Mysterio in front of his son. This move will make Joe the most hated heel on the roster.
After successfully retaining his US Championship at WrestleMania, Joe could move to Raw as the Intercontinental Championship will be on SmackDown Live and generally the mid-card championships are not on the same brand.
Raw will serve as a new platform for Joe and he could create some exciting rivalries with superstars like Elias and EC3.
#1 Ronda Rousey
The biggest name that Fox reportedly wants on SmackDown Live when it moves to Fox is Ronda Rousey. It is not a surprise that Fox wants Rousey on the blue brand as she has been a household name for years and gets major mainstream attention.
Rousey's current run as the Raw Women's Champion has been exceptional and since her heel turn, she has been much more aggressive on the mic as well as in the ring which adds legitimacy to her character. Fox wants that kind of legitimate character to represent SmackDown Live.
Rousey is scheduled to face Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair in a triple threat match at WrestleMania for the Raw Women's Championship and according to some rumours, she will drop her title to Becky at WrestleMania.
As it is a triple threat match she doesn't have to necessarily take the pin to lose the championship. Becky could pin Charlotte to win the championship, this move will also protect Rousey's character.
After WrestleMania, expect Ronda Rousey to switch brands. Rousey could create new and exciting feuds with the likes of Mandy Rose and Asuka.
Which superstars according to you will switch brands this year? Sound off your opinions in the comments section below
