Ranking the top 5 picks of the 2018 WWE Superstar shake-up

Who
Who's the best pick?

Wrestlemania season has ended and WWE have embarked on a new journey starting with the Superstar Shakeup. This possibly will be an annual post Wrestlemania event going forward.

This year's shakeup (read draft) has created a possibility of fresh feuds and newer storytelling possibilities.

A lot of superstars switched brands, some hired after being fired and many called up from NXT.

The Superstar Shake-up allows the stars that had a slump in the previous year to get a new start. This allows stars from NXT to be called up and make an impact right away.

Not to forget, those on the injured list come back with a clean slate and look forward to getting a jump start.

In this list, we try to rank the top five picks for each brand based on what they have done so far and what the possibilities are for them in their new brands.

Here's a rundown of the complete list of superstars from the shakeup.

Moving to Raw -

Jinder Mahal with Sunil Singh, The Riott Squad, Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn (signed to Raw contracts Stephanie McMahon)

Zack Ryder, Breezango, Natalya, Mojo Rawley, Dolph Ziggler, Drew McIntyre, Baron Corbin

Mike Kanellis, The Ascension, Bobby Roode, Chad Gable

Moving to Smackdown Live -

The Miz, Jeff Hardy, Absolution, Samoa Joe, Sanity, Big Cass, Asuka

Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson, Cesaro and Sheamus, R-Truth

Andrade "Cien" Almas and Zelina Vega

#5 The BAR - Cesaro and Sheamus

Related image
The BAR's move to Smackdown live strengthens the tag-team division

The BAR have truly been excellent in their work as the Raw tag team champions. In a roster that did not offer much for the tag team division, the BAR have been able to shine brighter than the rest.

The fans connect well with both the superstars and moving to smackdown live will lead to fresher and better feuds for them.

The blue brand has a flourishing tag team division and adding the BAR to the mix only makes it better.

Even if WWE choose to split the team, Smackdown would have still gained two excellent superstars.

Sheamus is a former world champion and Cesaro can easily fill up the upper mid-card and move to the main event.

Will they become tag team champions once again or will both superstars move on to bigger things is a question that everyone wants to be answered quickly.

#4 Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn

Image result for Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn
Will they be a team or split up?

Ever since Kevin Owens moved to Smackdown Live he hasn't been in top form. The lacklustre feud with Shane McMahon did not help.

Sami Zayn was then added to the mix which finally resulted in a Wrestlemania match. Even that got overshadowed by the returning Daniel Bryan.

Zayn has done some excellent work a villain along with Kevin Owens. The two are a great pair that can add value to the Raw brand.

Technically they are not part of shake-up since they were fired from Smackdown and hired by Stephanie McMahon, nevertheless, we consider the move and WWE have decided to bring them back as part of the shake-up.

Much like the BAR, Owens and Zayn are the best either way - they are great assets individually or will be used to make the Raw tag team division something to watch out for.

#3 Jeff Hardy

Image result for jeff hardy us title
Will Jeff Hardy move up to the WWE title picture?

WWE has always had high hopes for Jeff Hardy. He is an excellent in-ring talent and now a veteran.

Bringing the US champion to smackdown provided a great boost to the otherwise lacklustre title picture.

Hardy is someone who will be placed in the upper mid-card and occasionally move event scene.

He started his first week on the blue brand with a really good tv match with Shelton Benjamin.

The Charismatic Enigma is poised to start a feud with Randy Orton before he moves on to the likes of Samoa Joe, Rusev, Nakamura and Styles.

Moving away from Matt Hardy allows him to continue without being part of the woken (or broken) story with Matt and Bray Wyatt.

Moving the Charismatic Enigma to Smackdown Live is a welcome move that brings about a ton of possibilities.

#2 Asuka

Image result for asuka
How will the empress perform in the land of opportunities?

The former unbeaten NXT champion stared at her first loss at Wrestlemania. This might turn out as a blessing for Asuka.

Telling a story with one person always coming out on top is difficult, however, with this loss Asuka's storylines can now have a much-needed depth.

Moving to Smackdown Live opens up a bunch of possible feuds with many of the female Superstars and she can have another crack at the SmackDown Women's Championship.

Asuka is an excellent worker. She is a talent around which you can build the women's division in Smackdown.

The Smackdown women's division never really took off and always featured just one or two feuds at a time. The Inaugural women's Royal Rumble winner might be the catalyst to bring about the positive change.

Superstars who almost made the cut - Honorable mentions

Bobby Roode

Related image
How will Roode impact RAW?

Roode has not really been able fully to embrace his persona on the main roster. His best work will be as a heel and he could not get a change in direction in Smackdown.

We saw a glimpse of it when he dropped the US title but there were no further developments in that direction.

Moving to Raw might give the glorious one the right combination of people to feud with that will further enhance his character.

Jinder Mahal

Related image
Will we see Jinder capture the IC title?

Jinder Mahal had a roller coaster 2017. He was the WWE champion for a while having a long feud with Orton before dropping the title to Styles.

The Modern Day Maharaja is a hard worker but just was not ready for the main event. He looked much more comfortable as the US champion.

On Raw, Mahal will be one of the top heels in the upper mid-card. He has to potential to occasionally move up to the main even scene but lacks to star power to stay there.

The former world champion would be a good addition to the Monday nights.

The Miz

Related image
What will happen when Daniel Bryan meets The Miz?

The Miz is rare talent with exceptional mic skills. He can go toe to toe (or should I say mic to mic?) with the greats like John Cena and The Rock with a mic in his hand.

The Miz is an excellent heel and his feud with Daniel Bryan has been two years in the making.

Adding him to the amazing smackdown live mid card would give it a good depth and make for some great storytelling.

#1 Samoa Joe

Image result for samoa joe sportskeeda
Who will Samoa Joe feud with first?

This pick is one of the biggest reasons why people are claiming that Smackdown Live has won the superstar shake-up.

When Joe walks out, people notice. He keeps the audience engaged and guessing. He can cut excellent promos and back it up in the ring.

With Joe around, it will be interesting to who will be Smackdown Live's top heel - Joe or Nakamura.

He cut a promo on his first week in Smackdown Live putting the top-tier talent on notice. His intentions are clear - he's coming after the title and he will be the top guy.

The potential feuds for Joe give a mouth-watering amount of different opportunities like - Orton, Styles and Bryan.

He is someone who can quickly rise to the top. So all we can say is watch out Smackdown Live locker room. This is why he's got the No.1 spot on this list.

Quick Links