We have previously reported that Smackdown Live did a pretty good job at the old Superstar Shakeup process. They were able to grab pretty big names from the Raw and NXT brand that will help them to generate some fresh feuds.
The inclusions of names like Jeff Hardy, Samoa Joe, The Miz, Big Cass, Asuka, Iconic Duo, SAnitY, Cien Andrade Almas and more have made this the A-show.
We have to consider that there are names like AJ Styles, Daniel Bryan, Shane McMahon, Shinsuke Nakamura, Charlotte Flair are already in the mix.
These are more than capable of giving us some rivalries that we have never seen before. But, there’s a certain problem that was pointed out by Dave Meltzer, recently.
In a report on Wrestling Observer Newsletter, he dissected the entire Smackdown Live roster. There is lack of babyface names who can carry the brand, forward. Now, this can’t be right in the presence of AJ Styles, Daniel Bryan, Jeff Hardy or Randy Orton.
But the fact is that most of these names are not full-time performers. The only name who is the rightful name to carry the load on his shoulder is none other than AJ Styles. But then again, he is growing old.
After going through the rigorous schedule of the WWE over the entire year, his body might give up at any time.
Check out the quotes from the veteran wrestling journalist: (courtesy stillrealtous.com),
“They don’t have a lot of depth in — they do have like when you look at Randy Orton and AJ Styles, Jeff Hardy, and Daniel Bryan it looks like a really strong big four. But of the four the only one who’s a full-timer when it comes to going on the road would be AJ and AJ’s you know… getting older.
AJ’s going to have to carry the ball unless they make some changes or something like that. So they definitely need one more full-time top guy on the babyface side, and I think down the line that guy is gonna be Andrade, but I think Andrade has to start with a heel along with Zelina Vega at least a year before they make that turn.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4UB9tyqGmsQ
So, the Smackdown Live brand needs a young name that can carry the show in the future. There are certain names who might get the role. The former NXT Champion, Andrade would be a great choice and so will be Rusev, now that he is a hot favourite to the WWE Universe.
But, WWE is happy to keep him in his heel spot despite the top-most merchandise selling. We will see if the trigger is getting pulled for anyone from the young guys.