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If WWE wanted to make a huge impact in several ways with the 2019 Superstar Shake Up, then their mission was accomplished.
While it did make sense for AJ Styles to move over to Raw and Roman Reigns to move to SmackDown since they've both feuded with or wrestled practically their entire rosters, some moves left fans and pundits alike scratching their heads.
It was very likely that some divisions would be strengthened (Raw's Tag Teams, SmackDown's Women's Division) while others were weakened (SmackDown's Tag Teams, Raw Women's).
Every move was going to be scrutinized in some fashion, but there were certainly some things that did or did not happen throughout the whole shake up for one reason or another.
The Viking Experience?
A big reason why a change was made to the former War Raiders is likely two-fold, with the first being that the word war isn't one that WWE likely wants one of its superstars to have attached to his/her name due to the PG rating.
That part of the change is understandable, but is speaks to the discord between Mr. McMahon and his knowledge of one of the major brands under the WWE's umbrella.
Had he not been aware of a bunch of superstars from 205 Live or NXT UK, that would have been a little more understandable.
But the fact is NXT is where the main portion of the active main roster came from. Where did Seth Rollins, Roman Reigns, Bray Wyatt, Charlotte Flair, Becky Lynch, Alexa Bliss, Richochet, Aleister Black and Bobby Roode all come from? NXT.
Mr. McMahon obviously has left Triple H to run NXT as he sees fit, but not having a clue about the top acts and champions of that brand doesn't do the rest of the WWE any favors if 'the Chairman' doesn't keep up with it.
McMahon is also the second reason for the name change not being the best because he often has to tweak call-ups in some way to truly make them 'his creations'.
Otis, Tucker, Viktor, Konnor, Ali and Andrade are just a few examples of superstars from NXT who've had their names shortened in one form or fashion.
While he might have thought the Viking Experience was the best name for them, he could have opened up a dictionary or thesaurus.
Names like 'the Gatecrashers' or something like the 'Reavers' or 'Ravagers of Valhalla' are exponentially better than what they settled on.
No 'International' brand superstars, mainly Pete Dunne
When WWE announced i Superstar Shake Up for this year, they billed and marketed as the 'first-ever International Superstar Shake Up'.
That made some people, including myself, believe that we would be getting an addition or two from NXT UK to either SmackDown or Raw.
And the whole idea that Pete Dunne's record-setting reign of over 600 days was ended at TakeOver New York by Walter was certainly making his arrival seem like a foregone conclusion.
While he did get his rematch this week, he was likely going to lose again after having such a long reign.
But Monday and Tuesday came and went and no one from NXT UK showed up as new members of the main roster.
Rhea Ripley could have been another possibility because Raw needs some believable heels that are butt-kickers, as Nia Jax is hurt and not exactly the safest or most technical in the ring.
Ripley is and her persona would be perfect for the main roster. Maybe both Ripley and Dunne will be a part of NXT going forward, but what was the point of announcing the Shake Up as 'International' if no one from the main international brand showed up? Will something happen next week?
Braun Strowman and Shinsuke Nakamura both needed a change
While Braun Strowman has often been booked as one of the top stars on Raw, he has failed at every major milestone thrown his way.
His one title in on the main roster was a Raw Tag Team title win with Nicholas at WrestleMania 34 and they 'vacated' the titles the next night on Raw.
While he did win both the Greatest Royal Rumble and this year's Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal, where did those wins lead him?
They have become consolation prizes with no title shots attached or other potential advantages given in other matches, like an automatic spot in Money in the Bank or a bye in an upcoming tournament.
And that's not to mention that Strowman is 0-5-1 in matches for the Universal Championship. If anyone needed to move to SmackDown it was Strowman.
The same goes for Nakamura, but to a lesser extent. He's won the US Championship and challenged for the WWE Championship, but at least he won a Royal Rumble.
He's been on a downward trend after losing to Styles last year, and the jury is out as to whether his current partnership with Rusev will lead to tag team gold or not.
While guys like Andrade and Eric Young didn't necessarily need to go to Raw, Nakamura certainly would have benefited more since he has already been close to the top.
Only two NXT acts (The Viking Experience, Kairi Sane)
Raw got the Viking Experience, the current NXT Tag Team Champions from NXT while SmackDown got Kairi Sane as a part of Paige's new tag team with Asuka.
And that was the totality of NXT's new contributions to this year's Superstar Shake Up. While WWE had called up several prospects earlier this year (Ricochet, Aleister Black, Lacey Evans, EC3, etc.), they hadn't been assigned to a permanent brand until this week.
Had WWE put them one place or another, then it would have at least given them something to do rather than sporadically walk down a ramp or pose in front of a mirror backstage.
The planning for those call-ups might have been stunted because of panic to raise the ratings, but they've been doing this for years and have debuted numerous superstars.
While it is exciting to see someone who's been on one show move to another, like AJ Styles or Ember Moon, but the fact is often the superstars who are new to the main roster sometimes are just as anticipated.
They could have called up the Street Profits or the Undisputed Era because neither of those teams/groups are holding gold at the moment. The Viking Experience were/are.
Both have challenged for or held the titles, but both were currently primed for a call-up. While the Undisputed Era will likely be sticking around to help NXT transition, it just feels like they picked the wrong team and immediately gave them three feet of rope to climb up a six foot wall.
Not adding more exciting names to the Raw Women's Division
When all was said and done on Raw, the red show gained Naomi, Zelina Vega and Lacey Evans.
While Evans may become someone pushed heavily by management, the other two names aren't exactly world-shaking.
Naomi is perfectly fine in the ring, but the whole glow character gimmick doesn't exactly scream main-event talent.
She is probably the most athletic women on the main roster, but her time as a champion has likely passed with so many talented women now with her on the main roster like Asuka, Sane, Ember Moon, Flair, Lynch, Ruby Riott etc.
And those aren't even counting the numerous women from the other brands that will be coming up within the next year.
As much as management may value Natalya, she's like Dolph Ziggler unfortunately, but at least Ziggler is good on the mic.
Natalya seems like a robot and stumbles through her promos. She's even managed to miss a few spots during matches lately, including her stomp to the back that is followed by her basement drop kick.
Her time as a believable threat to the top women in WWE has definitely come and gone. Had Raw kept even Bayley or Moon or moved Sonya Deville or Mandy Rose, then it would have left them in much better shape.
Someone else from NXT could have been added, like Bianca Belair, Candice LeRae or Mia Yim. Two of those three women are tested vets who could help some of the younger women grow.
But unfortunately for the red brand, the top stars are Lynch, Evans, Riott, a much-overbooked Nia Jax and Alexa Bliss. And what happened with Nikki Cross?
