There are a lot of different changes that have been happening across all of the brands in WWE, especially Monday Night Raw.
After the recent addition of Je’Von Evans and even more NXT stars expected to be called up, it should lead to some Raw talents expected to leave the show in the near future.
From top stars to up-and-coming names, there should be a litany of talent who move over to Friday Night SmackDown or even help to fill some holes on the NXT brand in the weeks and months to come.
Here are nine WWE Raw stars to potentially leave the show.
9. El Grande Americano
Since debuting in the beginning of 2025, El Grande Americano has been a star to watch on Monday Night Raw.
Splitting his time between Raw and Mexico for Lucha Libre AAA, Americano has garnered plenty of attention and turned heads with his character.
With 2026 now underway, Americano may need a change of scenery to reach the next level in WWE.
Heading to Friday Night SmackDown, Americano could get a whole new crop of talent to compete and interact with that could push him further up the ladder in the company.
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8. The War Raiders (Erik & Ivar)
Heading into 2025, The War Raiders had won the World Tag Team Championships and sat atop the Raw tag scene.
However, things changed dramatically for Erik and Ivar after losing the titles to The New Day at WrestleMania 41.
Looking over at the SmackDown tag team division, there is more depth in that scene compared to Monday Night Raw.
The War Raiders moving to Friday Night SmackDown would help to revitalize the tag team division on the blue brand and create some tantalizing matchups with some top duos, such as Motor City Machine Guns, DIY and Fraxiom.
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7. The Creed Brothers (Julius & Brutus Creed)
Another WWE Raw tag team that could move over to the SmackDown brand is The Creed Brothers.
Julius and Brutus Creed have not been used quite often on WWE television as of late, but they could find a more consistent role in the near future.
While the Raw tag team division has not been regularly featured, the SmackDown tag scene has more duos that could mix it up with The Creed Brothers.
Whether it be in their American Made stable or just the two of them, The Creeds could find themselves in contention for the WWE Tag Team Championships immediately upon moving to SmackDown.
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6. Chad Gable
Speaking of American Made, the group’s leader Chad Gable has been sidelined with a shoulder injury since the summer of 2025.
Recently, there have been reports circulating that Gable is gearing up for a return to the ring in the near future.
With a brand new physique and more motivation, Gable could propel up the card when he makes his in-ring return down the line.
Gable moving from WWE Raw to SmackDown upon his return would be interesting to see if he could climb the ladder faster on Friday nights than he had done on Mondays.
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5. Rusev
Back in April 2025, Rusev made his return to the company for the first time in five years.
Making a name for himself back on WWE Raw, “The Bulgarian Brute” looked like he was going to play a prominent role in the promotion.
However, Rusev has been limited in his recent appearances and has played more of a sporadic role on WWE television in the past few months.
Rusev heading to SmackDown could see him become a main event player where he can compete for championship gold on Fridays.
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4. Lyra Valkyria
2025 had to be one of the most successful years of Lyra Valkyria’s career with the Irish-born star establishing herself on Monday Night Raw.
In January 2025, Valkyria became the inaugural WWE Women’s Intercontinental Champion. From there, she helped to establish the new title and put on one of the best rivalries of the year against Becky Lynch.
While she found success throughout the past 12 months, Valkyria finds herself in the tag team scene alongside Bayley to close out 2025 and start 2026.
After a series of losses, it might be time for Valkyria to move to Friday Night SmackDown where she could help bolster the women’s scene in a major way.
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3. Bayley
Speaking of Lyra Valkyria, her current tag team partner Bayley is another WWE Raw star who could benefit from moving to SmackDown.
Back on the blue brand, Bayley was a former WWE Women’s Champion and played a significant role in the women’s scene.
If she went back to Friday Night SmackDown, Bayley could help bring more eyes to the women’s division on the blue brand that has been lacking over the past year.
Bayley making the jump to SmackDown could create some exciting matchups against the likes of Jade Cargill, Tiffany Stratton, Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss upon making that move.
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2. Sheamus
Ahead of competing in the Last Time Is Now Tournament, Sheamus was not medically cleared to wrestle due to needing to undergo shoulder surgery.
“The Celtic Warrior” has been one of the most reliable and dependable in-ring performers on the WWE roster today.
When he is ready to make his return, Sheamus could come back to Monday Night Raw or make the move to SmackDown where a major change has taken place.
After Drew McIntyre captured the Undisputed WWE Championship from Cody Rhodes on the January 9 SmackDown, Sheamus could return to the blue brand where he could battle his former friend for the top prize on the show.
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1. Penta
Since arriving in 2025, Penta has taken WWE by storm as one of the most exciting new stars on the roster.
The former AEW World Tag Team Champion has showcased his spectacular lucha libre ability in the ring and his undeniable charisma.
Considering his brother Rey Fenix signed with the company and went to SmackDown, it would make sense if WWE finally reunited Lucha Brothers.
Penta and Fenix could be just what the SmackDown tag team scene needs and would make for some compelling battles that elevates the division to kick off 2026.
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