10 Things We Learned From WWE Raw (April 10)
All shook up.
With the 'Ultimate Thrill Ride' now already in WWE's rear view mirror, the Vince McMahon-mandated 'Superstar Shake-up' has ensured a host of new parings to aid the customary annual malaise between WrestleMania and Summerslam.
Debuts abounded last week whilst the company made camp in Orlando for both live television productions following 'The Show of Shows', but the newcomers weren't set to be the only fresh faces appearing on the respective rosters as several massive superstars looked set to make the jump.
Clues and hints were dropped beforehand as to the potential whereabouts of several talents, but WWE has had a habit of dropping bombshells on the roster and audience seemingly more for the moment of surprise than any potential longterm planning. This year's 'Shake-up' thankfully seemed like a logical attempt to reshuffle the deck and combat any potential lethargy.
If the post-WrestleMania shows have now become a closing ceremony for WrestleMania, this episode of Raw marks the official beginning of the new WWE year. With the raft of talent arriving from Smackdown Live!, a gloriously elaborate angle, and some clear direction for several key performers, it was noble season opener.
Here are 10 things we learned from the April 10 edition of WWE Monday Night Raw.
10. Power Couple
Arguably Smackdown Live!'s best all-rounder since the 2016 draft, The Miz was rewarded for his tireless work on the blue brand with a move to Monday Nights.
It will be an engaging new challenge for 'The A-Lister' and wife Maryse, as they look to maintain the tremendous momentum they have stolen from the John Cena/Nikki Bella match despite the humbling defeat they were booked to suffer in the match itself.
The idiotic opening salvo with fellow Smackdown escapee Dean Ambrose did little to establish the couple on their new home, but a wholesale removal from the Cena programme and debut victory over a floundering Sami Zayn was much stronger.
With Brock Lesnar ruling over Raw, it seems unfortunately unlikely that Miz will get a deserved run at a top title in the near future. However, his stretch with the Intercontinental Title last year saw that prize elevated beyond anybody's expectations, and could happen again should WWE decide to reset the pieces with Dean Ambrose.
Regardless of how his future pans out on the red brand, the switch seemed an acknowledgement from management and audience alike that the duo are indeed as 'awesome' as they proclaim.