It’s the second day of WWE’s 2018 Superstar Shakeup, where they juggle the Raw and SmackDown rosters to freshen things up as we start the long road to WrestleMania 35. Even with the identities of Team Red’s newest Superstars (and one going the other way) already announced on the April 16 Raw, there’s still lots of excitement about what we’ll find out on the April 17 SmackDown.
So much so, in fact, that in addition to the usual gossip/speculation and backstage reports, this year, folks are analyzing flight details and social media travel plans to see who could be joining the blue brand tonight.
We therefore shouldn’t need to remind you... the usual disclaimers apply.
And if you want the real results of the Shakeup, follow along with tonight’s show with us in the live blog here.
Important reminder: Rumors are just that -- rumors. None of this has been confirmed as legitimate news or fact, it’s just circulating around the pro wrestling rumor mill. Remember, take it all with a grain of salt.
- The move most people were probably anticipating might be spoiled by a PWInsider report - new United States Champ Jeff Hardy is backstage in Providence, Rhode Island.
- On to social media watch, Wrestling Inc’s tracked pictures posted from or featuring Roman Reigns, Finn Bálor, Cesaro, Sheamus, Nia Jax, Sasha Banks, Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville which show them en route to Cape Town, South Africa. Which doesn’t mean they won’t be announced in absentia, but it seems unlikely WWE wouldn’t want big names like most of those Superstars on hand for their reveal on SmackDown.
- No photographic evidence, but Braun Strowman, Seth Rollins, Titus O’Neil, Samoa Joe, Asuka, Bayley and Bray Wyatt are all advertised for the South African swing. Names who WEREN’T promoted for this week’s international tour: Elias, the aforementioned Jeff Hardy, Matt Hardy (who tweeted he was travelling, but without a pic), The Revival, Luke Gallows, Karl Anderson, Mickie James, Dana Brooke, Curt Hawkins, Goldust, Rhyno and Heath Slater.
- On the latest Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer again said WWE officials have discussed calling up Velveteen Dream. He also mentioned SAnitY as a possible pending promotion.
- Big Cass has been backstage with WWE recently, and should be returning to television soon. PWInsider had him at Raw last night.
If you have heard of any interesting rumors that you’d like to add, feel free to post them in the comments section below. Just remember they are rumors and not confirmed as fact, so please take them as such. Have fun with it.