The Shimmy 03.02.09: Shaking Things Up a Bit

Posted by Andy Clark on 03.02.2009

On Monday April 13 Raw will be host to the 2009 WWE Draft. In anticipation for the draft Andy Clark takes a look at who should switch shows. Who returns to Raw? What surprises are in store for ECW? Will SmackDown even make it in a MyNetwork TV world? Click the link to find out!

Hidey ho, Andy the Clark here, and welcome to The Shimmy. Last week WWE announced just where and when the annual WWE Draft will be: one week after WrestleMania 25 on Raw in Atlanta. This go around we'll witness the draft in the post-Mania time slot it held in 2002 and 2004 as opposed to the summer slot it has held since 2005. This seems to make more sense because if you were ever going to shake things up it should be at the start of the WWE's "season." Between now and then I'm sure plenty of people will give you their thoughts on who should or might switch brands, but hey, why not jump the gun? Here are my thoughts on some potential moves.

SmackDown to Raw: Triple H

We'll start with the easiest looking switch. I think most people figured Triple H would be moving back to Raw almost the second after he was drafted to SmackDown in last year's draft. His upcoming feud with Randy Orton makes me believe it is even more likely. No matter who wins at WrestleMania it would stand to reason that the loser will want some payback. Right now I'd say the WrestleMania favorite would actually be Randy Orton and Triple H, as the face, would be easier to push as the vengeful former champion. This would also leave The Game with potential matchups John Cena, Batista, and a heel I plan on moving from another brand. I also like the possibility of a potential double turn with Orton down the line with Triple H taking over the reins of Legacy.

Raw to SmackDown: Chris Jericho

Jericho has become a pretty big deal on Raw over the past several months and I think the time could be right for him to take over as the top heel on SmackDown. Jericho hasn't been on SmackDown since 2002 so unlike many of these roster moves this one would feel like a big deal. There could be a number of great matchups for the former Y2J on Friday nights, including a feud with Undertaker. This move seems like a win-win for both Jericho and SmackDown.

ECW to SmackDown: Christian

I think most people expected Christian to re-debut on SmackDown anyhow, so after being the short replacement for Matt Hardy I think we actually get the move. To be honest I see more potential for Christian as a heel, reuniting with Chris Jericho and Edge and maybe even the "Dark Cloud" Matt Hardy. His ECW run will more than likely just serve to get his feet wet and to allow Matt Hardy to do his thing on SmackDown.

Raw to ECW: William Regal

This is a move I've been hoping for since Regal came back from his suspension. Regal is never going to gain any real traction on Raw. He had his opportunity after his King of the Ring win and he blew it. On ECW though he could be a big fish in a small pond, with a legitimate chance to win a World Title. Of course there are also potential matches with Final which are always a treat, and Regal could even form an alliance with his old tag team partner Paul Burchill. ECW is a good place for veterans to work with the younger guys that get called up and Regal could really contribute there.

ECW to Raw: Evan Bourne

Even if Bourne doesn't get officially moved, I think it's a safe bet that he'll be spending a substantial amount of time on Raw once he returns anyhow. Bourne has proven to be the one "flippy guy" that WWE seems comfortable pushing and he clearly has the fan support. I think WWE is going to try and turn Bourne into their version of WCW's Rey Mysterio circa 1996-97. Bourne could be a great addition to the Raw roster and he could get a real rub from hanging out with some of the top superstars. Tell me Bourne vs. Shawn Michaels wouldn't be awesome.

SmackDown to ECW: Vladimir Kozlov

I thought this is where they were going with Kozlov during his feud with Matt Hardy, but alas it was not. By now WWE has to realize that Kozlov is nowhere near ready to being a prime player on the big shows (despite his upset victory over Undertaker on SmackDown) and ECW is a place where he could continue to be pushed but also continue to grow. Working a feud with a guy like Finlay could do wonders for him, plus he'd have that big fish-small pond scenario going on for his career.

ECW to SmackDown: John Morrison

Miz and Morrison appear on all three shows (and I wouldn't be surprised to see them on Superstars when it debuts either) so a move for either one really shouldn't matter much in the grand scheme of things, but I think the time is right for Morrison. I really wasn't sure which brand to bump Morrison up to but I settled on SmackDown to counteract the move of my next pick. I also like the idea of a Morrison-MVP or Morrison-Undertaker feud, as well as a possible relationship with Chris Jericho. I'd keep The Miz as an ECW regular and push Morrison mainly as a singles star, but the freedom of ECW superstars to travel should allow them to still team from time to time.

SmackDown to Raw: Shelton Benjamin

Raw is losing a few heels in my draft, Kane is getting older, and John Morrison should take up the role of athletic upper midcarder on SmackDown. I really think that if Shelton is ever going to break through to the main event (not a guarantee by any means) that this will be his year. I'd love to see a sustained feud with CM Punk or Evan Bourne, and a few matches with John Cena could provide some real gems. Shelton has had a really good run on SmackDown this past year but I think a trip to the red brand could be a good move. I also really like the prospect of him forming an alliance with a superstar I intend on moving from ECW.

Raw to SmackDown: Kofi Kingston

With the addition of Evan Bourne to the Raw roster you really don't need Kofi Kingston any longer (despite how great some more matches between he and Shelton Benjamin would be). While Kofi has done pretty well for himself on Raw, I just think he'd be a much better fit on SmackDown. SmackDown has been a better place for midcarders to shine and I think Kofi career could probably blossom better there than if he were to remain on Raw. Moving back to ECW doesn't seem like a good idea so to SmackDown it is.

Raw to ECW: JBL

JBL probably could end up on SmackDown just as easily, but having a guy of JBL's stature on ECW would really make the show seem more important. Let's face it, JBL's best days of being at the top of the card are clearly behind him. He still has something to offer but I think that something would be best offered on ECW. JBL could be a great test for the younger wrestlers to overcome before moving up to the next level.

Raw to SmackDown: Rey Mysterio

The one year experiment of Rey Mysterio on Raw was worth a shot but ultimately I think Rey is better off on SmackDown. Potential matchups with Edge, Chris Jericho, and John Morrison are too great to pass up and Raw seems kind of top heavy on the face side of things anyway. SmackDown will always be Rey's home and while I'd be intrigued to see Rey on ECW, I think a move to SmackDown is a smarter play.

SmackDown to ECW: R-Truth

The Sun Tanned Superman certainly has potential, but I'm not sure how bright his future is on SmackDown. I know I've said it plenty of times before but Truth would be a relatively big fish in a small pond on ECW and he might have a better chance at moving up the ladder. He's already been NWA Champion, perhaps he could add ECW Champion to his resume as well.

ECW to Raw: Jack Swagger

Swagger has done what he's needed to do on ECW, now its time to join the big boys. I'd expect big things from Swagger, probably being the No. 2 heel on Raw behind Randy Orton. He could work great with Shawn Michaels and John Cena, and a feud with Batista interests me as well. I'd also love to see him work together with Shelton Benjamin, perhaps forming a tag team reminiscent of the Shelton-Brock Lesnar tag team from their developmental days. WWE officials are high on Swagger so I doubt this is out of the realm of possibility.

SmackDown to ECW: Mr. Kennedy

Kennedy actually has a shot at a fresh start on SmackDown when he returns from injury, but at this point I think a strong run on ECW could help rehab his image as a star. Kennedy could very easily be the No. 1 face on ECW and a good run on Tuesday nights could prepare him for an even bigger run on one of the bigger shows. Kennedy could use the opportunity to show that he really is main event material and that he can stay injury free for an extended period of time. If nothing else it could give them an excuse to go through with that Kennedy-Regal feud.

Raw to SmackDown: Candice Michelle
We usually always get at least one Diva move and I think this one is it. Its possible Mickie James could move instead, but I think Candice Michelle is more likely. She hasn't gotten much screen time as of late on Raw and a move to Fridays to join the Diva's Title hunt could be good for both Candice and the division. While it seems like a silly reason I could actually see WWE officials being hesitant about this move because it would put Candice Michelle on the same brand as Michelle McCool and we know how name conscious people in that company are.

SmackDown to ECW: The Brian Kendrick

Why not? You know WWE would like to push Ezekiel Jackson on his own so let Kendrick go to ECW to tear things up there and leave the big man on the main show. This would probably be a lateral move for Kendrick but he'd surely provide some good matches on Tuesday nights.

SmackDown to ECW: Hurricane Helms

After being built up pretty nicely for a run at the United States Title when he returned from his injury, Hurricane Helms' push seems to be over as quickly as it began. A move to ECW could just be a change of scenery for him. A feud with the aforementioned Kendrick could be really fun too.

SmackDown to Raw: Jim Ross

Raw to ECW: Jerry "The King" Lawler

ECW to Raw: Matt Striker

Raw to SmackDown: Michael Cole

I'll go ahead and talk about these four moves all at once. The first two I think we could see during the live draft show while the other two would probably happen during the Supplemental Draft. I think it's fair to say that Michael Cole on Raw has not been a great experience. I wouldn't put all of the blame on Cole though, as it's rumored that he's been turned into Vince McMahon's earpiece whipping boy lately, so I'd imagine it's hard to do your job that way. His chemistry with Jerry Lawler has also not been very good either. Cole has actually been a very good announcer when paired with other color men, it's just that he and Lawler have not seemed to mesh well. I say give JR his spot on Raw back (a move I could see happening if only because JR seems to be enjoying himself on SmackDown) and reunite Michael Cole with Tazz on SmackDown. Here's where things get interesting though. While JR and King could continue their work on Raw, I'd be interested to see Matt Striker get a shot at working the A-show with the A-announcer and let Lawler work alongside Todd Grisham on ECW. Lawler could even wrestle more often on ECW, maybe trading off announcing duties with JBL from time to time. I think three announce teams of JR-Striker, Cole-Tazz, and King-Grisham could be a nice mix.

Well there you have it, some of my suggested roster moves. I doubt that WWE has even really considered who will be moving so there's no telling how off base I really am. I guess we'll see in a few weeks. Feel free to offer your suggestions and opinions on the 2009 WWE Draft as well.

The Shimmy Likes it Raw!

What's on tap for tonight's show?

Winner Faces Undertaker at WrestleMania: Shawn Michaels vs. Vladimir Kozlov; I think everyone will be cheering for HBK in this one, the question is whether or not he'll actually end Kozlov's unbeaten streak (by the WWE standards of "breaking" anyhow) or if we'll get a cheaper finish than that.

We still don't have an official WrestleMania main event. Might we get some news on the WWE and World Heavyweight Title Matches on the big show?

Who else will qualify for Money in the Bank? Last year's winner CM Punk is in, who will join the Intercontinental Champion in the match?

Well that does it for this week's column. Have a good week, everybody. Until next time, don't die. Clark…out.