10 Predictions For WWE SmackDown Superstar Shake-Up Tonight

1. AJ Styles Leaves After All

New Day Smackdown
WWE.com

AJ Styles has made more headlines than anyone else throughout the Superstar Shake-up's build. His switch to Raw seemed set in stone after defeating Shane McMahon at WrestleMania 33, but he didn’t show up last night, thus putting the move in doubt. There’s absolutely nothing stopping WWE from conducting the transaction on tonight’s SmackDown, however, and given the evidence, there’s a strong chance that this’ll be the last time fans see AJ on SD for a while.

Having carried the blue brand for long periods since the 2016 draft, Styles will be sorely missed. He’s the consensus best wrestler in the company, and while Raw’s roster isn’t short of enticing trade chips, none are as individually valuable as AJ. He’s the only full-time performer who can be considered legitimately irreplaceable at this point, and while somebody like Seth Rollins would help mitigate the damage, SD would likely slump afterwards.

This trade would leave SmackDown short-handed, particularly at the top of the card, but that’s just the way these things go. WWE gave the blue brand a rough deal in the initial draft, and they won't think twice about doing the same again tonight.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.