Update On Entire WWE Raw Faction Jumping To SmackDown
Just how does WWE's latest surprise return change plans for this Raw stable?
WrestlingNews notes that WWE plans to move Rhea Ripley and the entire Judgment Day faction from Raw to SmackDown imminently, but Charlotte Flair's recent return could scupper that call.
Flair made her surprise comeback on Friday night and defeated Ronda Rousey to become the brand new SmackDown Women's Champion. That's Charlotte's seventh reign with the blue belt, and it could have an adverse effect on Ripley's own designs on a title stint.
If recent reports prove correct, then Ripley, Finn Bálor, Damian Priest and Dominik Mysterio will all be SmackDown-bound within the next few weeks. That, in theory, would lead to a bumper showdown between Rhea and Ronda at WrestleMania 39 - this means Rousey would need to grab the belt back from Flair though, which seems unlikely.
Charlotte's return doesn't mean Ripley can't move from Raw > SmackDown and challenge her for the title instead. Flair was clearly presented as a revitalised babyface vs. Rousey, and the announcers went overboard to claim fan support for her moment.
Dominik moving back to SmackDown means WWE can finally put a bow on his feud with Rey too.