With last week having the post-WrestleMania excitement, this week continues building anticipation because it is time for the Superstar Shake-Up. The biggest event of the week sees trades in the rosters of Monday Night Raw and SmackDown Live, setting the stage for the next year. This could also affect the card for the Greatest Royal Rumble next week. Of course, 205 Live and NXT are continuing their own successes as well.
Monday Night Raw (4.16.18)
This week’s episode of Monday Night Raw marks the first night of the Superstar Shake-Up, so we will know what Superstars are leaving SmackDown Live before we know which ones are leaving Raw. Last week, Raw saw a big shake-up in its own right with several debuts and returns. From NXT, we saw the main roster debuts of No Way Jose, The Authors of Pain, and Ember Moon. On top of that, there was Samoa Joe and Jeff Hardy returning from injury as well as the WWE return of former two-time ECW Champion Bobby Lashley.
There are two confirmed matches for this exciting night, too. Last week started the Tag Team Eliminator, a mini-tournament that would decide who will face The Bar for the Raw Tag Team Championships at the Greatest Royal Rumble event. The Revival defeated Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson while Matt Hardy and Bray Wyatt defeated Titus Worldwide. This week, Hardy and Wyatt battle the former NXT Tag Team Champions to see who takes on Sheamus and Cesaro.
The second confirmed match seems too soon to be true. After tension has grown between friends Bayley and Sasha Banks, they have a one-on-one match for the first time in a long time. This does not seem to be the end of things, but it will probably be more of a catalyst for what’s to come.
To round out the show, WWE.com is teasing repercussions for Ronda Rousey’s attack on Stephanie McMahon, a battle between Roman Reigns and Samoa Joe, and the future for Bobby Lashley.
SmackDown Live (4.17.18)
Of course, SmackDown Live is participating in the Superstar Shake-up alongside Raw. Last week should not be overlooked for the blue brand, however. Since Daniel Bryan is back to being a full-time wrestler, he was replaced as General Manager by the recently retired Paige. SmackDown Live also saw some NXT call-ups in the form of the IIconics (Peyton Royce and Billie Kay), whose attack on Charlotte Flair led to Carmella winning the SmackDown Women’s Championship.
Outside of the Shake-Up, there is nothing advertised for SmackDown this week.
205 Live (4.17.18)
Now that Cedric Alexander is the Cruiserweight Champion, he already has gotten attacked by Buddy Murphy. This should be followed up on this week. Also, Gran Metalik and Lince Dorado will face Hideo Itami and Akira Tozawa in a Tornado Tag Team Match, slightly changing up the usual formula.
WWE NXT (4.18.18)
This is the first episode of NXT from the new tapings and Johnny Gargano will be here to talk about his huge victory over Tommaso Ciampa at NXT TakeOver: New Orleans. Killian Dain will also get a rematch against Lars Sullivan after their clash a couple weeks ago was cut short.
