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The 2018 Superstar Shakeup is done and dusted with. This year's edition of WWE's annual roster reshuffle was quite an eventful one. Names like AJ Styles, Roman Reigns, Finn Balor and The Miz switched brands during the Shakeup while The Viking Experience and Kairi Sane debuted on the main roster from NXT. Overall, this was perhaps the most newsworthy roster shuffle in WWE since the 2016 Brand Extension.
With both RAW and SmackDown getting some new faces, there are a number of fresh matches and feuds that fans can expect to see in the coming weeks. With competition starting at its face in the form of AEW, WWE needs to pull its socks in order to maintain their spot as the undisputed king of the pro-wrestling business and the only way they can do it is by giving fans something new and fresh.
Here are five matches that fans would love to see following the 2018 Superstar Shakeup:
#5 The Usos vs The Viking Experience
One of the WWE best tag teams in the past one decade, the Samoan duo of Jimmy and Jey Uso has been able to establish their dominance over the blue brand's tag team division for the past few years. They have held the SmackDown Tag Team Championship for a record four times and had excellent feuds against the likes of The New Day and The Bar. The Usos were drafted to the red brand during the Superstar Shakeup where they would once again look to lock down teams in 'The Usos Penitentiary'.
Another team that has been able to obliterate the competition has been the team of Erick and Ivar, collectively known as The Viking Experience. The duo debuted on the main roster this past week on RAW and made a huge statement by pinning one half of the RAW Tag Team Champions, Zack Ryder. Although the duo getting a name change on the main roster did receive a lot of flak, it is unlikely to deter their position in the card. The current NXT Tag Team Champions will be looking to add another pair of gold around their waist especially after their explosive debut.
A feud between The Usos and The Viking Experience over the red brand's tag team titles will completely revitalize the brand's ailing tag team division. The Usos and The Viking Experience are without a doubt two of the best tag teams in the business today. To see them face off against one another will be a surreal experience.
#4 Samoa Joe vs Braun Strowman
One person who was conspicuously absent from the Shakeup was the United States Champion, Samoa Joe. After raking up the biggest victory of his WWE career by literally squashing Rey Mysterio and successfully defending the US title at WrestleMania, The Samoan Submission Machine was attacked by Braun Strowman on SmackDown last week, hinting towards a potential feud between the duo.
Ever since losing decisively to Brock Lesnar at Crown Jewel, Braun Strowman's credibility has taken a huge hit. The Monster Among Men has been through a rough patch for the over past few months and although he won the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal at WrestleMania, it was essentially a filler match.
Although Joe name wasn't mentioned during the Superstar Shakeup, it is almost a given that he will be moving to the red brand as Finn Balor, the Intercontinental Champion has moved to SmackDown. Joe and Strowman didn't have a great 2018 and both of them have suffered due to the company's inconsistent booking. But the duo would be looking to start afresh following the Superstar Shakeup and facing off against one another would be the perfect way to do that. Seeing these behemoths lock horns inside the squared circle will be a sight to behold.
#3 Finn Balor vs Shinsuke Nakamura
Finn Balor has been a mainstay on the red brand ever since he was drafted to RAW in the 2016 Brand Extension Draft. Balor was the first NXT Superstar to have been drafted and went on to become the inaugural Universal Champion. Balor was one of the first Superstars to move to the blue brand during the Superstar Shakeup and picked up a hard-fought victory over Ali in his debut match on the brand.
Shinsuke Nakamura's main roster run has been a trainwreck of epic proportions. The character of the King of Strong Style hasn't clicked as fans hoped due to the company's poor handling of the Japanese Superstar ever since he arrived on the scene following WrestleMania 33. His tag team with Rusev has been a damp squib so far with the duo losing the majority of their matches.
Nakamura and Balor have previously battled during their time in NXT and New Japan Pro Wrestling. Nakamura is in a desperate need of a feud that can revitalize his WWE career following his disastrous run in 2018. Both these Superstars are incredible in-ring performers and with the right booking, they can create something special.
#2 Ember Moon vs Becky Lynch
It is crazy to think that Ember Moon hasn't had a singles match for a women's title after almost a year into her main roster run. The former NXT Women's Champion debuted on the main roster on the RAW after WrestleMania 34. Moon was never able to grab that brass ring during her time on the red brand despite showing signs of brilliance during some of her early matches. Moon got injured earlier this year at the Royal Rumble that kept her out of in-ring action for the next two months. Moon returned at WrestleMania 35 during the WrestleMania Women's Battle Royale and moved to the blue brand during the Superstar Shake Up.
The War Goddess wasted no time in making her presence felt on the blue brand as she traded verbal with the RAW and SmackDown Women's Champion, Becky Lynch. The Man has been on a career-high and while the double champ already has a challenger in the form of Lacey Evans, it is still not clear whom she'll face for the SmackDown Women's Champion.
A feud against The Man would be the perfect way for The Shenom to start her new innings on the blue brand's champion. The Texas-native was one of the most captivating performers during her time in NXT and a feud between her and Becky has the potential to be one of the best feuds of the year.
#1 Seth Rollins vs AJ Styles
The mover in this year's Superstar Shakeup has undoubtedly been AJ Styles. The former WWE Champion was revealed as part of the red brand during the main event of RAW where he teamed up with Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins to defeat Baron Corbin, Drew McIntyre, and Bobby Lashley. Styles picked up the win after hitting Lashley with a Phenomenal Forearm. This was Styles first match on the red brand since October 2017.
The Phenomenal One has been at the forefront of the blue brand's resurgence after the brand extension. When Styles says that 'SmackDown is the House that AJ Styles built', it is hard to argue with that as he has been the face of the brand for the majority of the time that he has been there. But now, Styles has a new home and he will surely be looking for new challenges.
Styles vs Rollins is a dream match fans have wanting to see for years. Although the duo has been a part of a few tag matches, they have never faced off against one another in a singles match in WWE. A feud between the two has the potential to be one of the biggest highlights of 2019
