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Just like other professional sports, injuries are a part of the game for WWE Superstars. Whether they are minor ones that do not require surgery or serious ones that do, injuries cannot always be avoided.
Sometimes a freak accident leads to someone getting hurt. Or perhaps a nagging injury that hadn't been addressed got even worse. The fact is that very few Superstars are able to go through their entire career without suffering at least one injury. The Miz may be an exception to the rule, but not everyone is as lucky as the A-Lister.
2019 has seen a lot of up-and-coming wrestlers suffer unfortunate injuries. The likes of Ember Moon, Lars Sullivan, and Ruby Riott have all suffered some type of injury at various points of the year. While some occurred earlier in the year like the one to Sullivan, others have occurred recently (Ember Moon).
Many Superstars, owing to injuries, were left out of the recent draft and that means that they are currently unassigned to a particular brand, but can be drafted into either brand once they are cleared to fight.
Here are six such Superstars who should be drafted to one particular brand once they return from injury.
#6 Ruby Riott - SmackDown
Unfortunately for Ruby Riott, she suffered an injury to her right shoulder that required surgery in May of this year. She then went on to have surgery on her left shoulder in August. Recent reports from Riott suggested that she was hoping for a return in early 2020. Could that put her on track to return at the 2020 Royal Rumble?
Whenever the former leader of the Riott Squad does return, it should be as a member of SmackDown. I'm not of the mind that they'd reunite the Riott Squad again, once it disbanded after the Superstar Shake-up. I could be wrong, but who knows where she'll land. She is still listed as a member of RAW on WWE's website.
SmackDown would be the ideal brand for her because she could go out on her own as a heel or a face. She's only received one big shot at a title on the main roster, facing Ronda Rousey during her reign as RAW Women's Champ. Riott is an untapped talent who could do great things in WWE if given the chance.
#5 Sheamus - SmackDown
The Celtic Warrior had initially been dealing with Spinal Stenosis, a condition that cut short the careers of both Paige and Edge. While Sheamus' condition wasn't as bad as that of the other two wrestlers, it was still something that was always bound to have an impact on his career.
Spinal Stenosis, however, is not why the Celtic Warrior has been out of action. After WrestleMania 35, Sheamus suffered a concussion in a match on SmackDown. He has been out of action ever since and many people have wondered if his career was finished because of the injury.
It was reported last month that Sheamus was cleared for action but the creative had nothing for him at that point in time. WWE was gearing up for both SmackDown's move to FOX and the WWE Draft, so perhaps they felt that holding things off for Sheamus was the right move. There are numerous places where he could return, like on Team Flair, at Survivor Series or in the Royal Rumble.
Another report came out only a week or so ago stating that he was heading to RAW. He's currently listed as a member of SmackDown on WWE.com, so I think that it would make sense to remain on the blue brand. He could come back as a heel to battle the likes of Shorty G and Ali or he could revisit his history with Daniel Bryan.
Another strong possibility is that he could reform the Bar with Cesaro. SmackDown needs another quality tag team like the Bar to help balance things out between the two brands. RAW has the Street Profits, Viking Raiders, the OC, the Authors of Pain and Ryder and Hawkins. SmackDown's four "premiere" teams competed on the most recent episode as Heavy Machinery and the New Day battled the Revival and the team of Dolph Ziggler and Robert Roode.
Being in a tag team again would also help protect Sheamus a bit. He'd be able to share the action rather than carrying a match as a singles star. The familiarity with Cesaro would also help Sheamus ease back into things.
#4 Mickie James - RAW
Mickie James underwent surgery on an ACL injury in the middle of July. The former multi-time Women's Champ said that she'd be out a while, which could mean at least six months. She's been doing commentary on main event lately, but should still be utilized in the ring when healthy.
She's a good veteran for some of the younger wrestlers to learn from. James is as valuable as Natalya when it comes to helping others along, but she doesn't usually get as many title shots as the Queen of Hearts. James did get one shot against Alexa Bliss but came up short in the end.
It would be a good storyline to book if James was looking for one more title run before she retired. It wouldn't be hard to get the crowd behind her, especially if she doubts herself or if her career is on the line. She may or may not be done with the in-ring part of her career, but if she is not, she'd be a great addition to either RAW or SmackDown.
As things sit, James is listed as a part of SmackDown. Since the rosters are relatively similar in terms of numbers, I'd put her on RAW. RAW needs more of a roster due to the three-hour run time and James would be helpful as a part of a team or as a gatekeeper for younger stars (like Sarah Logan and Liv Morgan).
#3 Ember Moon should join SmackDown
Ember Moon just can't seem to catch a break regarding her health on the main roster. She was hurt at the Royal Rumble but returned in time to take place in the Women's Battle Royale at WrestleMania 35.
After a run on SmackDown following the Shake-up, she received her biggest chance on the main roster when she faced Bayley for the SmackDown Women's Championship at SummerSlam. She ended up losing to Bayley and would then lose her next few matches on the Blue brand, including one to Charlotte Flair.
That ultimately led to Moon having to be taken off of TV once again due to what was reported as an Achilles or ankle injury. If it is an Achilles injury, then the War Goddess will be out of action for almost a year. If the injury is to her ankle, then she'll still be out for a lengthy amount of time but not nearly as long as if her injury is to her Achilles tendon.
Listed as a member of SmackDown on WWE.com, Moon should return to the Blue brand when she's ready. There will be more of a chance to finally win a title on SmackDown since Flair and Lynch are likely to rule RAW for a long time.
#2 Lars Sullivan should join SmackDown
Braun Strowman might have joined Friday nights, but that by no means should mean that Lars Sullivan shouldn't return to the Blue brand. Due to a knee injury, Sullivan was forced out of action in June of this year. The recovery time listed for his return is six to nine months, but other reports have suggested that his return date will be closer to WrestleMania 36.
Whenever he does return to terrorize the WWE once more, he should go back to SmackDown. The money match with Strowman still exists and so would a potential feud with The Fiend. It would likely depend on which brand's executive director would want him more, Paul Heyman of RAW or Bruce Prichard of SmackDown.
Sullivan would also be a good foil for either Roman Reigns or Daniel Bryan who both reside on SmackDown. He could work on either show but it seems like keeping him on Friday nights would help to showcase his "freakish" athletic skills and enormous hands.
#1 Nia Jax should join RAW
Nia Jax is still listed as a member of RAW. There's no reason for her to change brands, especially for a few reasons. She's already feuded with two of the bigger names on SmackDown in Bayley and Sasha Banks. While those two ladies are heels, Jax is better suited as a heel.
The money feud would be on RAW with Becky Lynch. They can easily play on their history as Jax literally knocked Lynch out of a match with Ronda Rousey at last year's Survivor Series. Rousey and Lynch still haven't faced off one on one and neither have Jax and Lynch.
She also hasn't really spent much time in a feud with Flair. That would be another top feud that could be booked for RAW. If they want her in a tag team once more, they could pair her with someone like Sarah Logan or Liv Morgan.
There are opportunities for Jax on either brand, but she has unfinished business with Lynch. Therefore, she should come back to RAW.
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