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The Raw after WrestleMania generally gives us a glimpse of the events that are in store for us for the remainder of the year. However, things seem a little different this year, considering that the week following the Raw after WrestleMania was far more eventful than the Raw preceding it.
In this fantastic episode, we got our first glimpse of the Superstars that moved from SmackDown to Raw as a result of the Superstar Shake-Up. And after a surprisingly fantastic episode Raw that saw a lot of surprise appearances, we bring you a comprehensive list of those men and women who moved in this piece. Read on!
#1 The Miz and Maryse
Raw began with John Cena’s theme music, but instead of John and Nikki, we were graced by the appearance of The Miz and his wife, Maryse, who continued to parody Cena and his fiance like they did before Wrestlemania. The Miz is a man who carried SmackDown on his shoulders for the duration of last year, completely reinventing his character.
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We wonder if he will be booked as strongly on Raw as he was on SmackDown Live. Considering that he lost in his first Raw match, we don’t really think so. The good news is that he can still compete for the Intercontinental Championship thanks to the next Superstar who shifted.
#2 Dean Ambrose
Dean Ambrose carried the Intercontinental Championship from SmackDown to Raw, this week (does this mean that Kevin Owens is carrying the other mid-card championship, The United States Championship, to SmackDown?). He mistook The Miz and Maryse for John Cena and Nikki Bella, a mistake not anyone in the building actually bought.
Then he delivered a Dirty Deeds to the A-Lister. If Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins actually remain on Raw even after the trades on SmackDown actually transpire, we wonder if we could see a Shield reunion.
#3 Kalisto
Kalisto has moved from SmackDown Live, a brand where he was not really making too many waves, to Raw right now. We wonder if he’ll eventually join the Cruiserweight Division and be a part of 205 Live, considering that Neville really has no challengers after his feud with Austin Aries is done. Moving on...
#4 Apollo Crews
Apollo Crews moved to SmackDown Live after the brand split last year and while he was initially pushed quite a bit, he slipped down the ranks soon after. We genuinely wonder if he will make waves on the red brand and if he’ll be booked strongly.
Considering how Raw books talent, we don’t think so. One can genuinely hope for the best, though.
#5 Heath Slater and Rhyno
Heath Slater and Rhyno were the first tag team champions after the brand split. The rags to riches story of the makeshift team resonated quite well with the WWE Universe. Unfortunately, they soon lost steam and were relegated to the undercard.
We wonder if things will improve for them on Raw, a show where their push can be renewed. However, with teams like the Hardy Boys and The Revival on the same brand, we don't think so.
#6 Bray Wyatt
Finn Balor made short work of Jinder Mahal this week, only to be confronted by a rather menacing Bray Wyatt, grinning on the big screen. This is an acquisition for Raw that will severely impair the SmackDown Live roster’s depth.
However, we cannot wait for a program between a man who controls dark powers like Bray Wyatt and another man who can tap into his dark side, like Finn Balor. The outcome is bound to be quite awesome indeed. We wonder if Erick Rowan has followed Wyatt to Raw or if he'll remain on SmackDown Live, on his own.
#Honourable Mention: Elias Samson
Elias Samson lost a ‘loser leaves NXT’ match to Kassius Ohno but still made a reappearance under a luchador mask. shortly after in the very next episode. Samson gets a great reaction from Corey Graves every time, and that dynamic should be interesting. We wonder what role he'll play on Raw though. Only time will tell.
#7 Alexa Bliss
Alexa Bliss interrupted Sasha Banks, who seemed like she was on the verge of a heel turn. Raw’s women’s division has been getting repetitive and she can really add new life to the Raw women's championship picture with her incredible promo skills.
Did we mention that she’s absolutely drop-dead gorgeous? Unfortunately for Alexa, another woman from SmackDown followed suit soon after.
#8 Mickie James
Alexa Bliss went into shock when she heard a familiar theme song. WWE veteran Mickie James is on Raw, and she's all set to have dream feuds we never thought we’ll see with the likes of Sasha Banks and Bayley. This is awesome...clap...clap...clap...clap...clap.
#9 Curt Hawkins
He came, he did not conquer and was knocked out by The Big Show. Not much to report, quite honestly. Can't wait to see who moves to SmackDown! Tuesday can't come soon enough.
#10 Byron Saxton
It was announced in the Raw Fallout (immediately following Raw) that Byron Saxton had been drafted to SmackDown Live. This week, he was a part of the SmackDown announce team, and he did a fine job.
#11 David Otunga
David Otunga will make his debut on Raw next week as the new announcer. Nothing much to report here, but we doubt he’ll be as enthusiastic about Bayley’s inflatable tubes as Saxton was.
#12 Kevin Owens
SmackDown Live this week started with a bang, as the United States Champion made his way to the blue brand. ‘The Face of America’ carried his mid-card championship to SmackDown, like Dean Ambrose did with the Intercontinental Championship on the red brand. Kevin Owens should be a great addition to the brand and we’re certain he’ll elevate SmackDown Live to the next level with his matches and promo skills.
#13 Sami Zayn
These two men are really destined to fight forever. Though Sami Zayn teased staying on Raw, it turns out that he’s now a part of SmackDown Live. We think SmackDown will definitely book the man in the right manner. Honestly, this trade should be more of a boon for Zayn than anyone else at the moment. We do hope they’ll keep Owens and Zayn apart for the foreseeable future, to keep their rivalry fresh.
#14 Jinder Mahal
The interesting thing about Jinder Mahal is that he was slowly rising the ranks on Raw. We believe SmackDown could do justice to his character, and make him a believable mid-carder. As long as Jinder Mahal doesn’t pick fights with members of the New England Patriots, that is.
#15 The Shining Stars
The good news for The Shining Stars is that they’re going for the top tag team in the division, straight off the bat. The bad news for American Alpha is that this means they’re probably being relegated to the mid-card. Let’s hope Primo and Epico are booked strongly on SmackDown Live. They certainly can work!
#16 Tamina
Shane McMahon came out to address the state of the SmackDown Women’s Division, seemingly as a prelude to introducing Charlotte. Teasing Charlotte's entrance, McMahon introduced Tamina. Needless to say, the crowd was not happy. In any case, Tamina is a welcome addition to the division.
#17 Charlotte Flair
Charlotte Flair is probably the greatest women's wrestler who ever lived. And she’s on SmackDown Live right now. After running through every woman on Raw, this gives her a fresh crop of opponents to work with. We’re certain the future for the blue brand will be grand, with the Queen in charge.
#18 Sin Cara
Last we saw of him, Sin Cara had decided to join the Cruiserweight Division, and in our opinion, he should have stayed there for better career prospects. With all due respect to the man, we don’t think he’ll be one of SmackDown’s top players.
#19 Lana
When Alexa Bliss got drafted to Raw, our hearts went with her. SmackDown Live retaliated by bringing in the most ravishing name in sports entertainment. Now our hearts are in both brands. Can’t wait to see Lana again!
#20 Rusev
It’s best to calm down our excitement, considering Lana's husband is coming to SmackDown as well. Rusev had lost some of his momentum on Raw, feuding with Enzo and Big Cass for many months. This may just be the career reboot he needs. Who knows really...maybe Rusev could even become a future world champion in the blue brand in due course of time.
#21 New Day
WWE saved the best for last. While they did not show up this week, The New Day is coming to SmackDown Live. This team will surely inject some momentum and character into the dead tag team division. With due respect to Owens, Zayn and Charlotte, this acquisition is just what SmackDown needed. A fresh start is what this trio needed too.
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