Several new acquisitions have been teased for Friday Night SmackDown in recent weeks, with WWE NXT stars Je’Von Evans, Trick Williams and Joe Hendry potentially bound for the blue brand.
With new faces arriving, we could see some members of the SmackDown roster depart for new opportunities on Raw or NXT.
Here are seven WWE SmackDown stars to potentially leave the show.
7. Ilja Dragunov
The special Boxing Day edition of Friday Night SmackDown saw Ilja Dragunov finally succumb to defeat in what was his eight United States Championship defense since winning the gold on October 17.
After dropping the title to the increasingly popular Carmelo Hayes, Dragunov’s future on the blue brand looks somewhat uncertain without his title.
While he will, in all likelihood remain on Friday nights for now, there are arguably more opportunities for him to ascend up the card over on Raw.
Specifically, a move to Raw presents the opportunity for Dragunov to resume his classic rivalry with GUNTHER heading into 2026 – with “The Ring General” riding high off his win over John Cena in the 17-time world champion’s final match at Saturday Night’s Main Event.
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6. Rey Fenix
Another star that has greater prospects over on Raw is one half of the Lucha Bros, Rey Fenix.
Fenix and his brother Penta have mostly been kept apart in WWE since their respective arrivals in the company in early 2024, but it’s beginning to feel like the timing could be right for a reunion.
While Penta remains a popular figure on his own, Fenix has struggled to connect with the audience in the same way on Friday nights.
This could certainly change with enough creative investment on WWE’s part, but it feels more likely that the company will bring the Lucha Bros together on Raw heading into WrestleMania 42 season.
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5. Giulia
On the Boxing Day edition of SmackDown, Giulia picked up a pinfall win over reigning WWE Women’s United States Champion Chelsea Green in a tag team match also involving Kiana James and Green’s Secret Hervice agent Alba Fyre.
This sets Giulia up for a rematch for Green’s title, which she lost on the November 7 episode of SmackDown.
While there’s every chance that Giulia could recapture the gold, it’s arguable that a more significant booking decision is needed in order to turn around the Japanese star’s fortunes on the WWE main roster.
A move to Raw could give Giulia more of a shot in the arm, especially considering the wealth of talent and potential opponents for her. Whether it be feuds with former NXT rival Stephanie Vaquer, compatriot IYO SKY, or perhaps an allegiance with the Kabuki Warriors – Raw presents a great amount of possibilities for Giulia.
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4. Jimmy Uso
One SmackDown star who already has one foot out of the door is Jimmy Uso.
Much like his cousin Roman Reigns, Jimmy has spent a lot of his time away from his own drafted brand in 2025, and that doesn’t seem set to change in 2026.
With Jimmy reuniting with his brother Jey and now once again WWE World Tag Team Championships, The Usos look set to remain on Raw for the near future at least.
While Roman Reigns could reportedly be in line to resume his rivalry with Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes heading into WrestleMania 42 – and thus remaining a part of SmackDown – it makes far more sense for Jimmy to make the red brand his home in 2026.
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3. Street Profits
On the subject of tag teams, former WWE Tag Team Champions the Street Profits have been gone from SmackDown since early October.
With their two most recent bouts instead coming on WWE Main Event, also in October, Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins seem in need of a big change.
Whether it be turning heel together, going their separate ways or potentially getting a full character makeover – the Street Profits are too talented to remain on the bench.
A move to Raw would not only help further strengthen the reinvigorated World Tag Team Championship division, but also potentially put them in view of Paul Heyman’s The Vision faction – a group that one or both Ford and Dawkins could potentially join.
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2. Tiffany Stratton
Another star who has been absent for quite some time on SmackDown is former WWE Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton.
After spending almost the entirety of 2025 atop the SmackDown women’s division, Stratton lost her championship to Jade Cargill at the November 1 edition of Saturday Night’s Main Event in Salt Lake City.
While wrestling logic would suggest that Stratton will make a big return to seek revenge on Cargill in the new year, what we may see instead is “Tiffy Time” show up on Monday nights.
With WWE Jade Cargill already having potential WrestleMania 42 opponents in the form of Bianca Belair and/or Rhea Ripley, Stratton could find success by returning as a heel and challenging Stephanie Vaquer for the Women’s World Title in Las Vegas.
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1. Santos Escobar
There is nobody on the WWE roster who’s status is as uncertain as Santos Escobar.
The Legado Del Fantasma frontman looked poised to exit the company when his WWE contract expired in October, however, he would ultimately end up re-signing on new and improved terms just a day into his free agency.
Despite reportedly being backstage at the October 27 episode of WWE Raw, Escobar has yet to reappear on television.
With a renewed push and brand new creative direction, we could see Escobar show up on the red brand during the first Raw of 2026 on January 5.
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