5 superstars who joined SmackDown Live in 2016 and have never changed brands since

Luke Harper and Randy Orton have never moved in the Superstar Shakeup
Luke Harper and Randy Orton have never moved in the Superstar Shakeup

WWE re-introduced the brand split in July, 2016 in order to freshen things up and raise the viewership of their 'B' show. SmackDown went from being a taped show to a live show which helped the show in gaining more viewers. WWE organized a draft so as to allow both the shows to pick the best of the superstars.

Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose were the first picks of RAW and SmackDown Live respectively. Both the shows had a fantastic roster but the writers tried to shake things up once in an year by the Superstar Shakeup.

In the Superstar Shakeup, any superstar can switch brands and in the 3 years of Superstar Shakeup, almost all the superstars have changed their brand at least once. But, there are a few exceptions to this list.

Also Read - The roster on the first episode of Smackdown Live: Where are they now?

In this article, we will have a look at the 5 superstars who have been on SmackDown Live since 2016...


#5 Aiden English

Aiden English is still assigned to the SmackDown roster
Aiden English is still assigned to the SmackDown roster

Aiden English joined SmackDown as a part of the tag team, the Vaudevillians. However, his tag team partner Simon Gotch was released by WWE as the Vaudevillians gimmick came to an end. English became a singles superstar soon but he was always directionless.

He aligned himself with Rusev and formed Rusev Day next, only to turn heel on the Bulgarian Brute. WWE had spiced up the SmackDown show by involving Lana in the mix but Rusev squashed English in a singles match to end that feud.

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Though the Drama King has now become a commentator of 205 Live, he is officially a part of SmackDown roster as per WWE's website. The Picasso of Pain has never been drafted to RAW since he became a part of the blue brand in 2016.

#4 Randy Orton

Randy Orton has been an integral part of SmackDown Live
Randy Orton has been an integral part of SmackDown Live

The Legend Killer, Randy Orton had been drafted to SmackDown Live with the goal of adding some star power to the 'B' show's roster. The Viper has entertained the fans with his unbelievable RKOs on Tuesday nights and he is still one of the premier members of the show.

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Though he is rumored to move to WWE RAW in every Superstar Shakeup, the rumor has always proven to be false as the Apex Predator has never left SmackDown.


#3 Rowan

Rowan is one-half of the SmackDown tag team champions
Rowan is one-half of the SmackDown tag team champions

Rowan was a part of the Wyatt Family during the 2016 Draft. However, the Wyatt Family was split up in the Draft as the stable's muscle, Braun Strowman joined RAW. Bray Wyatt, Rowan and Harper moved to the blue brand.

Also Read - The roster on the first RAW after the 2016 brand split: Where are they now?

Inspite of the fact that his master, Bray Wyatt has moved to RAW since 2017, the Bearded Beast has continued to be a part of the 'B' show.

#2 Harper

Harper had asked for his release last month
Harper had asked for his release last month

Another member of the Wyatt Family, Harper has been loyal to Vince McMahon's 'B' show and has never left the show ever since joining the roster in 2016. Luke Harper's latest status as a WWE Superstar has been very controversial. He had asked for his release last month but WWE declined it.

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Nevertheless, he continues to be a part of SmackDown Live in 2019.


#1 Carmella

The Princess of Staten Island
The Princess of Staten Island

The former SmackDown Women's Champion, Carmella had made her main roster debut on the first SmackDown episode after the brand split. She has been one of the most successful female superstars of the blue brand. Carmella has often been paired with male superstars on WWE TV.

But still, she has managed to win the Money In The Bank briefcase twice, the SmackDown Women's Championship, the second season of WWE Mixed Match Challenge and also the WrestleMania 35 Women's Battle Royal.

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These achievements have made Carmella one of the biggest assets of SmackDown Live.

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