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We might be three months in, but WWE had its Christmas last week with WrestleMania 35, and now, it's time for the WWE New Year to begin. Tonight and tomorrow, the rosters of Raw and SmackDown will jump around to create a fresh start and new possibilities. Fortunes can be made or broken during this time. A jump to another brand can either kickstart a superstar or see his or her fortunes tumbling down a cliff.
Here are five superstars in particular that you should keep an eye on this week, those who the superstar shakeup should affect the most.
#1 Bray Wyatt
Let's keep this one in check for now. We've seen much chatter about Bray Wyatt's return since his leave of absence began last summer. None of it has ever actually came to pass. So we've been left wondering. But now, for the first time, we're seeing actual hints on television rather than the rumor mills that Bray Wyatt is set for a return.
That video certainly looks like it's referring to him. Unfortunately, it looks like Bray Wyatt, should he return now, will be stuck with the same stale gimmick that has already been discredited to the ends of the world and back.
Nevertheless, a return to Raw (and that's looking like the place where he'd land if he does indeed come back) could give him some momentum by virtue of his long absence. A shift to SmackDown might be better for him, as a stint on Raw would probably leave him vulnerable to being a filler feud for Seth Rollins, or worse, re-ignite the Finn Balor feud of 2017.
Still, if the hokey segments and promos are kept to a minimum, Bray Wyatt can be a solid mainstay on the red brand.
#2 Charlotte Flair
Absent following her WrestleMania loss, Charlotte Flair will be one of the biggest names involved in the shakeup. If she moves to Raw, which is a real possibility, the division will get a massive makeover. If she stays on SmackDown, the division will reform under her tutelage, particularly if the brass wants to present SmackDown as a sports-centric show when it moves to Fox this October.
Either way, all eyes will be on her. She's one of the biggest names that can move.
#3 Braun Strowman
It looks like Braun Strowman might be moving to the blue brand. Such a move would be a seismic shift on SmackDown, and would be the best thing that can happen for the Monster Among Men, who has exhausted his possibilities on Raw, or at least it seems that way.
It's possible that Samoa Joe moves to Raw with the US title instead, but it would be better for them both to have their big feud on SmackDown. These two guys can bring a UFC feel to the blue brand when it moves to Fox this fall. They're both titanic personalities that bring a monster fight feel.
#4 Kairi Sane
The main roster women's division hasn't seen a new face in a while, but there's every indication that's about to change. Kairi Sane appeared to wrap up her NXT commitments at Full Sail during last week's tapings and was backstage at SmackDown last week.
Added with Paige's comments, it seems a lock she's on her way to the blue brand.
Whether in singles or tag team action, she'll be a sight for sore eyes to a SmackDown women's division that has only had three credible top competitors for the past year.
#5 Drew McIntyre
Drew McIntyre should be a force to be reckoned with wherever he goes. If he stays on Raw, a major program for the Universal Championship will be in the works between him and Seth Rollins at some point. It's a real possibility he wins the title some time this year.
If he goes to SmackDown, however, the chances that he emerges as a world champion before the end of the year are even higher.
Keep your eye on McIntyre, because whatever show he winds up on, he should be a main event mainstay.
