WWE SmackDown has undergone some changes over the past 12 months and should be evolving even more in the new year.
With the calendar changing to 2026, there could be stars from the blue brand who make the choice to leave the show to find new opportunities within the company.
Whether it be going down to NXT or heading to Monday Night Raw, WWE has the chance to make some adjustments to the SmackDown roster that helps to boost the brand at this time.
Here are eight WWE SmackDown stars to potentially leave the show.
8. Roman Reigns
There might be some who are confused by Roman Reigns’ inclusion on this list, but if they go to the WWE roster page, The OTC is still listed as a SmackDown star.
Despite appearing mostly on Monday Night Raw throughout 2025, the company never made the official change and made Reigns an official Raw talent.
Reigns officially becoming a WWE Raw star should be something that the company has to do in the new year.
The OTC leaving SmackDown will leave a void that needs to be filled by another top star moving forward for the brand.
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7. Damian Priest
At the beginning of 2025, Damian Priest left Monday Night Raw and became part of the Friday Night SmackDown roster.
The former World Heavyweight Champion has played a major role on the SmackDown brand with several noteworthy rivalries.
Whether it be against Drew McIntyre or Aleister Black & Zelina, Priest has been a focus for the brand over the past year.
Now feeling like he has done everything he can do on the show, 2026 could see another brand change for Priest that might create some new intriguing feuds for the former Judgment Day member.
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6. Motor City Machine Guns (Chris Sabin & Alex Shelley)
In 2024, Motor City Machine Guns made their WWE debut and became members of the SmackDown brand.
Winning the WWE Tag Team Titles just two weeks into their run, Chris Sabin and Alex Shelley proved themselves to be one of the best tandems in the company.
While they have established themselves on SmackDown, Motor City Machine Guns could provide a much needed boost for the Monday Night Raw tag team division.
Going at it with the likes of The Usos, The New Day and AJ Styles and Dragon Lee, Motor City Machine Guns could play a more prominent role on WWE Raw moving forward.
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5. Shinsuke Nakamura
Another WWE star who moved from Raw to SmackDown in the past year or so is Shinsuke Nakamura.
The former two-time NXT Champion has played a lesser role and been very inconsistent with his appearances on the blue brand.
While still being a skilled performer inside the squared circle, The King of Strong Style feels like he is winding down his in-ring career.
Nakamura could provide something different to the mid-card scene on WWE Raw and potentially be in line to challenge Dominik Mysterio for the Intercontinental Championship if he makes this move.
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4. Chelsea Green
Chelsea Green has been one of the mainstays on the SmackDown women’s division over the past two years.
Now enjoying her second reign as WWE Women’s United States Champion, Green is sitting pretty and wanting to establish herself as the best women’s champion on the brand.
With everything she has been able to do on SmackDown, it might be better suited for her to work with the impressive crop of talent on Monday Night Raw.
Having the chance to mix it up with the likes of Rhea Ripley, IYO SKY and Stephanie Vaquer, Green would further elevate herself up the card and potentially become a world champion on Monday nights.
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3. Carmelo Hayes
In the WWE Draft 2024, Carmelo Hayes was called up to the main roster and became a first round pick for the SmackDown brand.
Since then, Hayes has tried his best to make a name for himself on Friday Night SmackDown.
Now finally gaining some momentum, it might be the right choice for WWE to move Hayes over to Monday Night Raw.
Following his strong showing against GUNTHER on the show, Melo could climb the ladder in a much more rapid rate if he was on WWE’s flagship show.
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2. Tiffany Stratton
2025 was one of the biggest years in the young career of Tiffany Stratton.
After cashing in her Money In The Bank contract, Stratton defeated Nia Jax to win the WWE Women’s Championship on the first SmackDown of 2025.
Holding the title for 10 months, Stratton firmly established herself as one of the very best that the WWE women’s division has to offer today.
After being so dominant over the entire brand for a year, Tiffany Stratton could be due for a change and moving over to the Monday Night Raw roster in a significant role.
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1. Randy Orton
Over the past two years, Randy Orton has been teasing a showdown with his former protege and real life friend, Cody Rhodes.
The 14-time WWE World Champion could find a more consistent and prominent role if he were to make the jump from SmackDown to Raw.
Considering where he is at this stage of his career, “The Legend Killer” could add a ton to the main event picture on WWE Raw.
Clashing with the likes of CM Punk, GUNTHER or Bron Breakker would immediately thrust Orton into the spotlight on Monday Night Raw moving forward.
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