Analysing Smackdown Live’s picks in the 2018 Superstar Shake-up

#3 Mandy Rose & Sonya Deville

Will Paige continue to mentor Absolution on Smackdown Live?

Absolution’s Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville were the first female superstars to be revealed as new Smackdown Live roster members.

This move makes sense with the Riott Squad heading in the other direction. Two similar female stables on the same brand would be unnecessary.

With their former mentor, Paige, now operating as Smackdown General Manager, it’ll be interesting to see how their relationship develops. Will they receive preferential treatment from the GM or will they now be forced to fend for themselves?

Either way, Rose & Deville will likely be given time to establish their own unique personas on Smackdown and will benefit from moving out of Paige’s shadow.