This week in WWE presents the Superstar Shake-up for both RAW and Smackdown. This article will give analysis of the April 16th and 17th 2018 episodes.
Jinder Mahal was the first superstar to change sides, and lost his newly crowned United States title to Jeff Hardy in singles action. Hardy would return with the title to Smackdown and defeat Shelton Benjamin. Benjamin initially thought it would be Randy Orton in competition, but The Viper’s spot was usurped. However, for Mahal, he will get his rematch clause and opportunity versus Hardy in Saudi Arabia at the Greatest Royal Rumble.
In a rematch of last week, the AOP, Authors Of Pain Akam and Razar without Paul Ellering defeated Heath Slater and Rhino. In other developments, Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn were returned to RAW, courtesy of Stephanie McMahon. On the Smackdown side, led to Natalya’s return who defeated Mandy Rose. Sonya Deville was at the side of Rose during this match.
Courtesy of Daniel Bryan led to the calling over of The Miz, who is now a Smackdown superstar. Miz will be without the Miztourage, of Curtis Axel and or Bo Dallas. Breezedango’s Tyler Breeze and Fandango debuted versus Sheamus and Cesaro, known collectively as The Bar.
On commentary, we had RAW women’s champion Nia Jax during Ember Moon’s victory over Mickie James. Sasha Banks and Bayley was a no contest, due to the arrival of the Riott Squad. The Riott squad’s Ruby Riott, Sarah Logan and Liv Morgan as a trio made their claim by putting women’s division on notice.
Samoa Joe interrupted a Roman Reigns promo. However, Joe would be moved to Smackdown and defeat Sin Cara. Joe would promo against Reigns again, laying out his claim for Backlash, and then the Greatest Rumble. Joe will face Roman at Backlash, and he is staking his intent for the IC title versus Seth Rollins at Greatest Rumble.
In other action, Baron Corbin was announced to RAW. Kurt Angle made a tag team title announcement, as Braun Strowman and Nicholas relinquished their titles. Angle said the following winning teams on RAW match-up’s would then face each other at Greatest Rumble to crown new champions. Matt Hardy and Bray Wyatt defeated Revival’s Scott Dawson and Dash Wilder. Therefore, Matt and Wyatt will face The Bar. Dolph Ziggler made his appearance, but was not alone as Drew McIntyre debuted. Both of them laid out Titus O’Neil and Apollo Crews.
In the main event had Bobby Lashley, Seth Rollins, Finn Balor and Braun Strowman team with a mystery partner for a ten-man tag. This mystery partner would make his first appearance on RAW. Their partner was Bobby Roode in a successful win versus The Miz, Miztourage, Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn.
On Smackdown, the shakeup continued. In developments, we had Charlotte interrupt the Mella celebration. Carmella cashed in her briefcase to become champion, after the Iconic Duo laid out Flair. However, this week led to Charlotte and Billie Kay in singles action. Then, Asuka would arrive on Smackdown.
In other announcements, The Bar and The Club’s Gallows and Anderson would be announced as a transaction from RAW. Big Cass, Sanity’s Eric Young, Killian Dane and Alexander Wolfe (without Nikki Cross) would debut. Additionally, former NXT champion Andrade Cien Almas was announced as main roster additions. Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville would also arrive from RAW. Quite honestly, RAW has acquired a better roster, but the problem lies in- how do you push these new additions? As it stands right now, only Seth Rollins is IC champ. There are no other secondary or tag titles. Plus, with Brock Lesnar retaining the belt (at least until late April’s Rumble PPV)- he will not become a full time RAW wrestler, or defend his championship more often.
In other matches, Jey Uso lost in singles competition to Luke Harper of the Bludgeon Brothers. Both respective partners in Jimmy Uso and Erick Rowan present at ringside. There was a no contest earlier to start the show, pitting Rusev and AJ Styles. This led to interference and a re-working of the match, which would evolve into the main event.
The main event to close out this episode was a tag team match, which ended in a disqualification due to Shinsuke Nakamura. The match was Styles and Daniel Bryan teaming up versus Aiden English and Rusev.
