Weekly Wrasslin’ Wroundup (4/16-19)

Nobody in this promo image switched brands!

OK. A lot of people switched brands during the Superstar Shakeup, so many I couldn’t keep track and had to rely on news reports. I’ve broken everything down into chunks. And no, there really weren’t any other events of significance this week that need covering.


MAIN EVENT: MEN

Samoa Joe to Smackdown: This would be a better idea if Joe weren’t in the middle of a feud with Raw’s Roman Reigns that’ll last through Backlash, but Joe tearing it up with Styles and Bryan and etc. on the blue brand makes me excited.

Big Cass returns from injury to Smackdown: They definitely seem to be positioning him for a high level feud, probably with Daniel Bryan. It remains to be seen how long he’ll stay near the top of the card.

Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn to Raw: They were officially reinstated by Stephanie McMahon, overriding Kurt Angle. I’m putting them here because they were main event talent on Smackdown, but I have a bad feeling Raw won’t have anything for them to do.

MAIN EVENT: WOMEN

Asuka to Smackdown: This is a wise move, since during the Streak Era,

MIDCARD: MEN

Jinder Mahal to Raw / Jeff Hardy to Smackdown: The US Championship played two night ping-poing, ending up back on Smackdown over the shoulder of Jeff Hardy, who I have to assume they want to keep out of the Woken Universe except for special occasions. For the time being, this means no more Jinder-Orton matches of any kind, so there’s that, at least.

The Miz to Smackdown: They need him there to get the Miz-Daniel Bryan program they’ve been flirting with almost since Bryan had to retire, so that’s fine. The Miztourage stayed on Raw, so they’re fucked.

Bobby Roode to Raw: Hey,half the Smackdown midcard came over. He ended up being the final reveal in the main event, which may mean bigger things for him, or may not.

Baron Corbin to Raw: YAWN.

Andrade “Cien” Almas and Zelina Vega to Smackdown: I don’t know if Vega will be wrestling, since she made her in-ring debut on NXT on her way out this week. Almas should do fine on Smackdown, but I’m still struggling to connect with him.

MIDCARD: WOMEN

Natalya to Raw: That makes sense.She faced Mandy Rose, and got rescued from a post-match beatdown by Ronda Rousey, so it’s a clear face run for Natty, which I think is long overdue.

Riott Squad to Raw, Absolution to Smackdown: This is a largely meaningless swap.

TAG TEAMS:

The Bar to Smackdown: That needed to happen, since The Bar beat everyone on Raw before losing to Braun Strowman, so a fresh start was needed on both fronts.

Breezango to Raw: They got a pin over the departing Bar, but that probably doesn’t mean anything.

Sanity to Smackdown: This is exciting. They left Nikki Cross behind to help bolster the depleted NXT Women’s Division, which I hope means she actually wrestles more. I’d like to see some trios matches with New Day.

Dolph Ziggler and Drew McIntyre to Raw: I assume they’re teaming up, at least. They were paired up, and there’s no reason to pair them up if they’re not going to tag.

The Clerb to Smackdown: Finally, they’re not on the same show as The Revival, so no more Lookalike Baldies fighting each other.

The Ascension to Raw: Only interesting if they continue working with Breezango.

BARREL SCRAPINGS:

Chad Gable to Raw: I love Chad Gable, but unless they’re going to reform American Alpha once Jason Jordan returns from neck surgery (fairly soon) or even just make them a proper Team Angle like they were always modeled after, I can’t imagine them doing much with him.

Zack Ryder and Mojo Rawley to Raw: I assume they won’t be teaming. Or wrestling. Or winning.

R. Truth to Smackdown: OK.

Mike Kanellis to Raw: I had to find this out deep on the Internet. Good news, mIke Kanellis still has a job.