This week’s Raw & SmackDown episodes used Superstars from both the red & blue brands fairly interchangeably. At times, it felt like we already in the midst of the April 15 - 16 Superstar Shake-up.
NXT will definitely be part of the mix next week. Call-ups may not be as big a factor as they’ve been the last couple years, considering the main roster already has lots of talent that’s been moved up over the past six months they’re already not using on a regular basis. But a pair of rumored names from the WrestleMania Women’s Battle Royal, and Paige’s announcement she’s bringing a new tag team to challenge Women’s champs The IIconics next Tuesday already had folks thinking about a few possible promotions.
This news from the black-and-gold brand will only fuel speculation:
Shayna Baszler will defend her NXT Women’s title against Kairi Sane on the April 17 episode of NXT. Their rivalry began in the finals of the first Mae Young Classic, and has seen them exchange this belt on two previous occasions. As such, General Manager William Regal agreed with Baszler’s requirement that if the Pirate Princess loses, she can no longer challenge for the championship.
Which certainly seems like a way to write Kairi off Wednesday nights so she can hit the road with the red or blue roster. Possibly with her Sky Pirates partner Io Shirai as Paige’s new clients, a move many fans started fantasy booking as soon as the former SmackDown General Manager revealed her plan last night?
If the Japanese Superstar shows up on Monday or Tuesday next week, there may not be a ton of suspense for Sane/Baszler V. Of course, if you don’t mind spoilers, there doesn’t need to be any suspense in it now, either.
Head here to find out what happens, and please keep discussions which include the outcome to that comment section, too.