{"id":3790,"date":"2017-04-11T22:01:12","date_gmt":"2017-04-12T02:01:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonprowrestling.com\/?p=3790"},"modified":"2017-04-11T22:02:11","modified_gmt":"2017-04-12T02:02:11","slug":"wwe-superstar-shake-up-the-final-shuffle","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/2017\/04\/11\/wwe-superstar-shake-up-the-final-shuffle\/","title":{"rendered":"WWE Superstar Shake Up: The Final Shuffle"},"content":{"rendered":"

Tonight’s edition of\u00a0Smackdown Live\u00a0<\/strong><\/em>concluded a 48-hour exodus of WWE Superstars – the WWE\u00a0Superstar Shake Up<\/strong> – jumping brands that began shortly before last night’s\u00a0Monday Night Raw\u00a0<\/strong><\/em>began. Originally announced last week by\u00a0Vince McMahon<\/strong>, many expected something akin to previous Brand Drafts or trading between GM’s\u00a0Raw’<\/em>s\u00a0Kurt Angle\u00a0<\/strong>and\u00a0Smackdown Live<\/em>‘s\u00a0Daniel Bryan<\/strong>, but in reality that wouldn’t have made as much sense, especially the trades – after all, since the Brand Draft last summer, trades and free agency have\u00a0always\u00a0<\/em>been an option available for either brand, so two days of forced trades wouldn’t have fit the narrative. Instead, we were treated to a WWE version of “The Purge” – for 48 hours, all WWE Superstars seemingly had the option to switch brands in pursuit of other opportunities.<\/p>\n

So with the Superstar Shake Up complete, here’s your scorecard of who went where after this week’s\u00a0Raw\u00a0<\/em>and\u00a0Smackdown Live, <\/em>as twenty five WWE Superstars found new homes (plus two announcers).<\/p>\n

Smackdown Gets The New Day<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Photo: WWE<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The longest reigning Tag Team Champions in WWE history are still incredibly over and huge merch machines, but their roundabout feuds on\u00a0Raw<\/em> were beginning to get stale to many. With a jump to\u00a0Smackdown Live<\/em> and new faces to challenge, the WWE will ensure the New Day<\/strong> machine will continue to roll on. Kofi Kingston<\/strong> recently underwent ankle surgery, but he’s only expected to be out a few months. Which could be a good time to potentially push Big E<\/strong> for a singles preview.<\/p>\n

RAW Gets Bray Wyatt<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Photo: WWE<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Perhaps the most shocking “shake up” from\u00a0Raw’s<\/em> side, as Bray Wyatt<\/strong> has yet to have his WWE Championship rematch against Randy Orton<\/strong> (now planned for the\u00a0Raw<\/em> PPV\u00a0Payback<\/strong><\/em>), to too mention he’d just brought Erick Rowan<\/strong> back to join The Family. With Braun Strowman<\/strong> his only family member on\u00a0Raw<\/em>, will the two join forces or has Braun found the single life to be far more rewarding?<\/p>\n

Smackdown Gets Kevin Owens<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Photo: WWE<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Smackdown Live\u00a0<\/em>regained its secondary title – replacing the Intercontinental title it lost last night – when former WWE Universal Champion and current United States Champion Kevin Owens<\/strong> showed up as the first jump to\u00a0Smackdown<\/em>. But it appears that Owens’\u00a0Smackdown\u00a0<\/em>citizenship is dependant on Owens retaining the title at\u00a0Payback<\/strong><\/em> – GM Daniel Bryan announced that the winner of that match would become sole property of\u00a0Smackdown Live<\/em>, so should Jericho retain, he would head to the Blue team instead.<\/p>\n

RAW Gets Dean Ambrose<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Photo: WWE<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Two huge question marks when the Intercontinental Champion showed up on\u00a0Raw\u00a0<\/em>last night. First, how would\u00a0Smackdown Live\u00a0<\/em>suffer losing its secondary title (a question answered in the opening moments of tonight’s\u00a0Smackdown\u00a0<\/em>when US Champion Kevin Owens showed up). Second, was the Shield going to reunite?<\/p>\n

Smackdown Gets Charlotte Flair<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Photo: WWE<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Smackdown\u00a0<\/em>won the Women’s Division shake up, acquiring the 4-time Women’s Champion and one time Divas Champion\u00a0Charlotte Flair<\/strong> to bolster their division. Separating Charlotte from long time rival\u00a0Sasha Banks<\/strong> opens up the doors for matches versus another Four Horsewoman,\u00a0Becky Lynch<\/strong>, as well as rekindling her feud from last year with Natalya<\/strong>, not to mention current champion,\u00a0Naomi<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

RAW Gets The Miz & Maryse<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Photo: WWE<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The first two Superstars to make the jump on the\u00a0Raw\u00a0<\/em>broadcast (following Apollo Crews<\/strong>‘ jump pre-show), for the opening seconds, many in attendance initially thought it was John Cena<\/strong> and Nikki Bella<\/strong>, thanks to their trolling in the CeNikki gear and Cena’s music. Miz was one of the standout performers on\u00a0Smackdown Live\u00a0<\/em>last year and there’s no doubt he’ll continue that trend on the Red brand.<\/p>\n

Smackdown Gets Sami Zayn<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Photo: WWE<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Underdog from the Underground followed his lifelong best frenemy Kevin Owens to the Blue squad to seek the Land of Opportunity and immediately got into the US title picture in a three way versus\u00a0Baron Corbin\u00a0<\/strong>and\u00a0AJ Styles<\/strong>. Since last year’s Brand Draft, most felt Sami Zayn<\/strong> was a natural choice for\u00a0Smackdown<\/em>, and it seems WWE has finally corrected that early mistake.<\/p>\n

RAW Gets Alexa Bliss<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Photo: WWE<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Arguably the pop of the night as far as Shake Ups went was when 2-time Women’s Champion\u00a0Alexa Bliss<\/strong> arrived to interrupt\u00a0Bayley\u00a0<\/strong>and\u00a0Sasha Banks<\/strong> from having a moment in the ring. The overwhelming crowd nearly rattled Bliss who was trying hard to avoid grinning from ear to ear. Bliss has come a long way the past year and will be a focal point of\u00a0Raw’s\u00a0<\/em>women’s division in 2017.<\/p>\n

Smackdown Gets Rusev\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Photo: WWE<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Great move for the Bulgarian Brute as he gets a fresh start on\u00a0Smackdown<\/em> with some new feuds and away from Roman Reigns<\/strong> and Enzo & Big Cass<\/strong>. Hopefully he can regain the thunder and devastating ways he had early in his career and moves away from the comedy of the past few months.<\/p>\n

RAW Gets Mickie James<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Photo: WWE<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The\u00a0Raw\u00a0<\/em>women’s division got some veteran leadership when Bliss’ former mentor turned enemy\u00a0Mickie James\u00a0<\/strong>arrived on the Red brand moments after Alexa herself did. The multi time World Champion will give some depth and leadership, not only in the ring but in the locker room.<\/p>\n

Smackdown Gets Lana<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Photo: WWE<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

When she wasn’t mentioned with Rusev during his announcement (the way that Maryse was with The Miz), many wondered what Lana<\/strong>‘s fate was. But she was later announced individually, and WWE’s Twitter revealed she was heading to bolster the Smackdown Live<\/em> Women’s Division. Lana has been wrestling the past few months for NXT<\/strong> at their non-televised Live Events, so it looks like her time to enter the ring is upon us.<\/p>\n

<\/h3>\n

RAW Gets Kalisto<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Photo: WWE<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

While most felt Zayn should have been\u00a0Smackdown\u00a0<\/em>from the beginning last summer, they felt the same about Kalisto<\/strong> being on\u00a0Raw<\/em>, especially when the Cruiserweight Division became\u00a0Raw<\/em> exclusive. Kalisto could bring more eyes and excitement to the Cruiserweight Division and\u00a0205 Live<\/strong><\/em>.<\/p>\n

Smackdown Gets Sin Cara<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Photo: WWE<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Just as everyone thought The Lucha Dragons may be reuniting on\u00a0Raw<\/em> with Kalisto going Red, Sin Cara was announced as heading to\u00a0Smackdown Live<\/em>. Strange move, but I guess the\u00a0Smackdown\u00a0<\/em>Live Events gets to continue to sell masks?<\/p>\n

RAW Gets Apollo Crews<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Photo: WWE<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The first announced WWE Superstar to jump ship,\u00a0Apollo Crews<\/strong> never fully found his footing on\u00a0Smackdown\u00a0<\/em>despite an early run trying to capture the Intercontinental title from The Miz. A change of scenery would do him good at this stage of his young WWE career.<\/p>\n

Smackdown Gets The Shining Stars<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Photo: WWE<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Primo<\/strong> and Epico<\/strong> are former Tag Team Champions on\u00a0Smackdown\u00a0<\/em>during the previous Brand Split, and a change of scenery is just what they need to properly showcase their abilities. Starting off with a feud against American Alpha would do just that.<\/p>\n

RAW Gets Heath Slater & Rhyno<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Photo: WWE<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Raw<\/em> added another tag team to its ranks, featuring crowd favourites\u00a0Heath Slater\u00a0<\/strong>and\u00a0Rhyno<\/strong>. Whether they continue as a tag team or split off is yet to be seen.<\/p>\n

Smackdown Gets Jinder Mahal<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Photo: WWE<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Hard Body Mahal was the talk of the web today after it appeared he’d legit knocked out Finn Balor in his match last night on\u00a0Raw<\/em> but any dreams of a 3MB reunion with\u00a0Raw<\/em> bound Heath Slater were dashed when Jinder Mahal arrived on\u00a0Smackdown Live\u00a0<\/em>tonight to face the man he had beef with in the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal at\u00a0WrestleMania 33<\/strong><\/em>,\u00a0Mojo Rawley<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

RAW Gets Curt Hawkins<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Photo: WWE<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Well, I suppose\u00a0Braun Strowman\u00a0<\/strong>must have wanted to some more competition.<\/p>\n

Smackdown Gets Tamina<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Photo: WWE<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Her intro prior to Charlotte being announced trolled the entire audience and left the crowd winded and slightly disappointed, but hopefully this time around Tamina<\/strong> gets to show more of the skills she displayed when she debuted with the Usos than she has in past years.<\/p>\n

Raw Gets “The Drifter” Elias Samson?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Photo: WWE<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

While Elias Samson<\/strong> was observed ‘drifting’ around\u00a0Raw<\/em> last night, he was never officially announced as being brought to\u00a0Raw<\/em>\u00a0via the Superstar Shake Up. He seemed to just be wandering around following his exile from NXT.\u00a0Despite the understated cameo, it’s expected Samson will become a full fledge main roster member, most likely with\u00a0Raw.<\/em><\/p>\n

Announce Team Shake Up<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Photos: WWE<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Raw\u00a0<\/em>and\u00a0Smackdown Live\u00a0<\/em>swapped broadcasters post-Raw,\u00a0<\/em>with\u00a0Byron Saxton\u00a0<\/strong>going Blue and\u00a0David Otunga\u00a0<\/strong>seeing Red. Saxton made his\u00a0Smackdown Live\u00a0<\/em>debut tonight, while Otunga joins\u00a0Raw<\/em> next Monday.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Main Photo: WWE<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Tonight’s edition of\u00a0Smackdown Live\u00a0concluded a 48-hour exodus of WWE Superstars – the WWE\u00a0Superstar Shake Up – jumping brands that began shortly before last night’s\u00a0Monday Night Raw\u00a0began. Originally announced last week by\u00a0Vince McMahon, many expected something akin to previous Brand Drafts or trading between GM’s\u00a0Raw’s\u00a0Kurt Angle\u00a0and\u00a0Smackdown Live‘s\u00a0Daniel Bryan, but in reality that wouldn’t have made as […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":649,"featured_media":3799,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[2,12,25,26,317,3,320],"tags":[168,509,224,162,147,73,604,333,390,51,202,106,148,714,55,47],"class_list":["post-3790","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-featured","category-news","category-raw","category-smackdown","category-women","category-wwe-universe","category-wwe-women","tag-alexa-bliss","tag-apollo-crews","tag-bray-wyatt","tag-charlotte","tag-dean-ambrose","tag-kevin-owens","tag-lana","tag-mickie-james","tag-new-day","tag-raw","tag-rusev","tag-sami-zayn","tag-smackdown-live","tag-superstar-shake-up","tag-the-miz","tag-wwe"],"modified_by":"Jamie Greer","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3790","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/649"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3790"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3790\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3799"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3790"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3790"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3790"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}