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Superstar Shakeup Fallout: The RAW Landscape

The Superstar Shakeup was upon us again as the WWE gets to mix up the two rosters.  The common feeling among fans is that SmackDown Live (SDL) soundly defeated RAW.  When one looks at the names drafted it’s easy to see why the popular opinion is that the Blue Brand is the current “A” show.  Here’s a look at how RAW faired and how the landscape looks following the Superstar Shakeup this week.

Main Event:

(Roman Reigns, Kevin Owens, Brock Lesnar, Braun Strowman, Finn Balor, Seth Rollins)

Despite losing Jeff Hardy, Samoa Joe and Big Cass to SDL Raw kept it’s main event scene together.  They still have Universal Champion Brock Lesnar, current era John Cena Roman Reigns as well as the workhorse pair of Rollins and Balor.  A big keep is the insanely popular BRAUUUUUUN  who is still a big star for Raw.  The addition of KO is vital.  With Miz gone the main event scene lacked a really good talker and a good heel.  Owens fills that gap well, is better in the ring and most importantly has great chemistry with the Big Dawg.  While Raw lost some talent they have kept an amazing main event scene together.  The fresh matchups between Owens and each individual are exciting enough.  As is the continued interaction between Balor and Rollins. Should Reigns be crowned champion in Saudi Arabia he has no lack of strong challengers in the Raw main event scene.

From the looks of it, Raw will continue to have strong main event feuds and continue the streak of good TV matches.

Upper Midcard:

(Baron Corbin, Big Show, Elias, Jinder Mahal, Kane, Bobby Roode, Sami Zayn)

Not everyone can be a main eventer.  Sometimes a main event guy needs a winnable feud to keep them occupied or to heat them back up.  What we also have here is potential main eventer’s for B PPV’s or future Intercontinental Champion.  For there role, there is a nice mix here.  The veterans Kane and Big Show are established enough that losing does not hurt them too much.  They can easily win the IC title or challenge the Universal champion or they can work with the midcarders to put on good matches.  Mahal is the big heel here.  Put anyone up against him and you instantly get the fans to cheer his opponent.  The pivotal member here is Sami Zayn.  Zayn is the workhorse who always get’s a reaction, he can put on good matches with anyone in the Upper card or the main event scene and believably beat anyone or lose to anyone.  That, coupled with the KO link and the partnership/potential rivalry could be a big story for Raw.  To round out the upper midcard we have rising stars Baron Corbin and Elias.  Corbin was always floating around the title picture in Smackdown and is someone the company is high on.  Elias is another big keep for Raw.  His concerts always manage to get a reaction and prove highly entertaining, he is another potential big star and we should see him challenge for and maybe win the IC title within the next year.  The last member is the GLORIOUS former US and NXT Champion Bobby Roode. The last few months have not treated the glorious one well as he lost his US title at Fastlane before failing to reclaim it at WrestleMania.  Roode is a veteran of the business and is one of the cleanest and most professional workers the WWE has and if given promo time coupled with a heel turn we could see him become a highlight of Monday Night Raw

Raw’s upper midcard looks a little worse for wear than last year but the potential is there for it to do it’s job and get some midcarders over or work well in entertaining matches or feuds with the main eventers.

205 Live:

The cruiserweight division offers something unique to Raw.  With Cedric Alexander leading the way as champion and a talented roster to boot.  The 205 Live show has been in star building mode with Triple H taking the reigns recently.  It awaits to be seen if the Cruisers get to showcase their new talents on the main roster

Women’s Division:

The Raw Women’s division managed to keep Sasha Banks and Bayley which could be the marquee feud of the division.  They added the Riott Squad (Ruby Riott, Sarah Logan & Liv Morgan) who will fill in the role of Absolution perfectly.  Keeping Alexa Bliss retains Raw’s identity.  Bliss has been the star of the division for the last year and keeping her was an important move.  Adding ring general Natalya is a smart move as she is an asset to either division.  Finally, we have the wildcard Ronda Rousey. The most recognizable woman in Sports and the biggest women’s star in the WWE since the 80’s whether she takes part in the division or continues to feud with the McMahons she is a huge star for Raw.

Tag Division:

The RAW tag team division is extremely thin.  The new addition of Dolph Ziggler & Drew McIntyre will help as the main heel tag team who can put on good matches and currently the Woke team of Matt Hardy and Bray Wyatt are the best thing in the division.  The only problem is outside those two teams you only have The Revival, Titus Worldwide and The Ascension three teams that lose far more than they win or in the ascensions case haven’t been seen in months.  Breezeango will provide some entertaining moments but won’t win the titles which is the same for the duo of Rhyno and Heath Slater.

The Rest:

Raw is not lacking in manpower.  With 3 hours of time to fill they need to have competent and entertaining midcarders and jobbers etc.  This is where Goldust is vital, the veteran can do anything and does it well.  There is a chance to shine for the likes of Mike Kanellis and Zack Ryder who will almost surely get more TV time than they did on SDL.  There are a few guys to look out for who will aim to stand out from the pack and move up the card like Mojo Rawley and Chad Gable.  Raw needs the deeper roster due to the extra hour of time.  Because of that, they need more bodies.  The midcard will see more action than on SDL and the guys mentioned here will be on TV a lot over the next year.

The Newbies:

The Raw After Mania is almost it’s own event at this point.  One of the most exciting night on the WWE calendar and this year again saw some New Arrival for Raw.   Authors Of Pain (Akam & Rezar) the monstrous duo add to the weak tag division.  In NXT, fans became used to seeing the two monstrous men ransack opponents.  A heel run as champions or a chase as the badass tag team, will be a treat to see for tag fans.  The  biggest return from the night after Mania was Bobby Lashley.  The MMA fighter became one of the best wrestlers in the US during his run as Impact World champion.  A return was inevitable as his in ring ability improved by leaps and bounds as did his character work.  Lashley will slot right back into the Upper Midcard or Main Event scene as fans await the dream Brock Lesnar match.  No Way Jose was custom made for the main roster.  The partying character works a treat with live crowds and was made for the big arena’s and house shows.  Jose will be a valuable addition to the midcard for Raw.  The final call up is Ember Moon the former NXT Women’s Champion is one of the best women’s wrestlers in the WWE.  Her cool character and entrance theme help make title matches feel bigger.  Her only issue is that in NXT her character work and promos left a lot to be desired.  That isn’t to say she will fail but she needs to improve in some areas and mainly focus on her ring work at the moment as that is her biggest strength.  Along with the sick Eclipse finisher.  She strengthens the Raw women’s division and helps make it that bit deeper than it was last year.

Overall Analysis:

The Raw roster lost some great talent in the Shakeup but they managed to keep their core guys.  The addition of Kami and Lashley’s comeback have added to the top of the card.  Where Raw really looks strong is the mid to lower card.  Between the 205 Live guys and the talented midcarders they will not have nearly as much trouble filling time as I predict SDL will.  The tag division is now in limbo until AOP claim their crown.  Where Raw will excel this year is the women’s division.   It is deeper than ever with a tonne of talented female wrestlers as well as the biggest star in the company in Ronda Rousey.  Keep an eye on the Raw women’s division as I expect this to be a fantastic year for all of the girls involved.

Alex Richards, LWOF Editor

Alex Richards, LWOF Editor

An experienced football writer, Alex is also a long-time wrestling and gaming writer. He brings lifelong experience and passion for both mediums to his writing. He aims to cover each with niche accurately and thoroughly.

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