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Roughly a month has passed since the 2018 Superstar Shakeup that occurred just after WrestleMania. Overall there were 25 changes between Monday Night Raw and SmackDown live involving WWE Superstars, tag teams, and factions.
The Superstar Shakeup is a way to reset the roster after WrestleMania; which enables the WWE to create fresh feuds since the brand split that occurred in the summer of 2016.
In comparison to the Superstar Shakeup of last year, there were four additional moves made this year. While SmackDown Live stayed the same with 10 moves, Monday Night Raw had 15 total moves this year compared to 11 in 2017.
This article will take a look at five of those WWE Superstars who have moved from SmackDown Live to Monday Night Raw. Just like in school, I'll give a letter grade for the first month's overall performance ranging from the best grade (A+) to the worst (F).
The first duo we'll take a look at was technically "fired" from SmackDown Live, but still counts as a move in the Shakeup...
#5 Sami Zayn & Kevin Owens
One of the great unexpected moments of 2017 was when Sami Zayn turned heel to help his buddy Kevin Owens when he faced Shane McMahon inside of Hell in a Cell. Since that moment there have been some ups and downs in the relationship, but they are still a cohesive unit that is defying authority at every turn.
The first few episodes of Monday Night Raw since the Superstar Shakeup didn't do many favors for Sami or Kevin as they were basically being fed to Braun Strowman and Bobby Lashley on a weekly basis. Things looked up this week with Kevin qualifying for the Money In The Bank Ladder Match; while Zayn could be in a feud with Lashley.
Both men should be contending for the WWE Universal Championship, but that belt is on a milk carton right now with Brock Lesnar holding it. Until this week, the grade would have been lower, but still it's just above average for me at this point.
GRADE FOR SAMI ZAYN & KEVIN OWENS: C+
#4 Riott Squad
The Riott Squad was behind the 8-ball from their debut on SmackDown Live this past November. They made their debut the day after Absolution and basically did the exact same things that Paige, Mandy Rose, and Sonya Deville did, just not as well.
Though Ruby Riott has shined since the call-up, she's being held back by Liv Morgan and Sarah Logan. It's going to take a lot for people to care about the Riott Squad and not think of it as a second-rate Absolution. Losing this week on Raw in a six-women tag match didn't help matters either.
At this point, I think Ruby is the only one that belongs on the main roster; while Morgan and Logan would be better served to head back to NXT and get a few feuds under their belts.
GRADE FOR THE RIOTT SQUAD: D
#3 Natalya
Natalya is an amazing talent that should have more championship reigns in her career. It was great to see her as WWE SmackDown Women's Champion for 87 days towards the end of last summer. Some of the matches she had with Charlotte Flair were great, but now she has moved over to Monday Night Raw.
With the move to Raw came a babyface turn for Natalya as well; who worked all of 2017 as a heel. I feel that Natalya does much better work as a babyface, and the fact that they're pairing her with Ronda Rousey is huge.
I'm not 100% sure what the future holds for Natalya and Ronda, especially with Rousey's title chance against Nia Jax coming up at Money In The Bank, but so far so good with Natalya.
GRADE FOR NATALYA: B+
#2 Dolph Ziggler & Drew McIntyre
The biggest surprise of the Superstar Shakeup was Drew McIntyre showing up to attack Titus Worldwide with Dolph Ziggler. I honestly thought that Drew would be in the NXT Championship picture with Aleister Black, but as they always say in pro wrestling, the card is subject to change.
Never in a million years would I have thought of pairing Drew and Dolph together, but whoever made that call deserves a raise because this duo has made a major impact in the past month.
I can see Dolph winning the WWE Universal or Intercontinental Championship down the line and that's where things get iffy between the pair and they feud for either title. With the way that Drew has reinvented himself, I can easily see him holding either championship at some point.
GRADE FOR DOLPH ZIGGLER AND DREW MCINTYRE: A+
#1 Bobby Roode
Bobby Roode was one of those wrestlers from Impact Wrestling I was glad to finally see get a chance with the WWE. In the short time he's been with the company, he's held the NXT Championship and the WWE United States Championship.
So far this month, the feud with Elias has just been average. Not terrible, not great. If there is anyone that desperately needs a heel turn right now, it is Roode. Just watch anything he did as a heel in NXT and you'll see why.
Just like Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens, Roode gets a slightly higher grade here because of this week's Raw. Roode won a qualifying match for the all-important Money In The Bank Ladder Match after defeating No Way Jose and Baron Corbin.
GRADE FOR BOBBY ROODE: C
