The WWE Raw brand seems to be going full speed ahead to the huge one-year anniversary of its Netflix premiere on January 5, 2026.
With the calendar about to turn over to 2026, there could be some talent that are on their way to leaving the red brand to pursue opportunities on either SmackDown or NXT.
From top names to often-overlooked talent, these stars leaving Raw will open up opportunities for themselves elsewhere, while making the landscape of Mondays a lot clearer moving forward.
Here are seven WWE Raw stars to potentially leave the show.
7. The New Day (Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods)
Ever since turning heel, The New Day have felt like they have been pushed aside instead of focused on.
Despite winning the WWE World Tag Team Championship at WrestleMania 41, this reign did not last too long with The Judgment Day dethroning them after only 72 days.
After losing the gold, Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods have not been featured consistently on Raw. Now following their loss to The Usos on the December 15 WWE Raw, The New Day find themselves at the back of the line for another title shot.
The New Day moving to SmackDown could open up some compelling matchups for the 13-time WWE World Tag Team Champions in the new year.
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6. The War Raiders (Erik & Ivar)
Back at WWE WrestleMania 41 Night One, The New Day defeated The War Raiders to win the World Tag Team Title.
After losing the titles at Mania, Erik and Ivar have not had a prominent role in the Raw tag team division.
Looking at the SmackDown tag team scene, there are a plethora of quality duos like Street Profits, DIY, Motor City Machine Guns and Fraxiom.
With The Wyatt Sicks and The MFTs feuding over the WWE Tag Team Titles right now, The War Raiders would be an ideal addition who could match the size and destruction that those two teams can produce.
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5. Bayley
In 2025, Bayley has felt often overlooked despite being one of the most decorated female stars on the WWE roster today.
The former WWE Women’s Champion was pulled from the WrestleMania 41 card and was not on the SummerSlam lineup either.
Considering her resumé, Bayley should be positioned as a top star regardless of which brand she is on.
With the SmackDown women’s division needing top talent to work alongside Jade Cargill and Tiffany Stratton, Bayley feels like an excellent addition who could bring star power and experience to the WWE Women’s Championship picture.
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4. Lyra Valkyria
Speaking of Bayley, her recent tag team partner over on Monday Night Raw is Lyra Valkyria.
2025 has been one of the biggest years of Lyra’s young career, becoming the first ever WWE Women’s Intercontinental Champion and putting on one of the best feuds of the year against Becky Lynch.
Now, Valkyria finds herself in the WWE Women’s Tag Team Title scene along with Bayley, and has the potential to achieve a lot more.
Valkyria moving to SmackDown could see her and Bayley become more prominent contenders for the tag straps or could see the Irish-born star go after the top prize for the women’s division on Friday nights.
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3. Penta
During his Last Time Is Now Tournament match against Solo Sikoa, Penta suffered an apparent shoulder injury that has kept him out of action since then.
The masked luchador has taken WWE by storm since making his debut in January and has seemed on the cusp of becoming champion throughout 2025.
Despite having several opportunities at championship gold, Penta has been unable to achieve his goal as of late. Meanwhile, Penta’s brother Rey Fenix has found himself in a similar position on SmackDown since debuting in April.
With the Lucha Brothers reunion delayed at the recent December 20 AAA Guerra de Titanes event, WWE could pull the trigger on uniting Penta and Rey Fenix in the tag scene by moving the former AEW star to Friday Night SmackDown with his family.
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2. Rhea Ripley
There might not be a more popular star on the current WWE roster than Rhea Ripley right now.
Often receiving the loudest reaction of any performer in the company, Ripley has created a connection with the fans that is unmatched in pro wrestling today.
While she is focused on tag team action alongside IYO SKY, it should only be a matter of time before Ripley is back in the world title picture sooner rather than later.
Ripley heading over to SmackDown could open things up and greatly benefit the women’s division on Fridays heading into 2026.
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1. GUNTHER
At the December 13 edition of WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event, GUNTHER defeated John Cena in his final match.
After submitting and retiring the record-breaking 17-time world champion, “The Ring General” has become the most hated heel on the WWE roster at this point.
Following this historic victory, it feels like GUNTHER should be in line for an opportunity at the title Cena last held earlier this year.
With 2026 on the horizon, GUNTHER could move to SmackDown where he should immediately be in contention for Cody Rhodes’ Undisputed WWE Championship.
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