WWE SmackDown star to join Raw roster: Three names who could benefit most from a change

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Across all of WWE there are names who feel like they’re stuck where they’re at, with SmackDown especially housing many who fall into that category.

Whether due to a lack of opportunities, stale creative, or simply better storyline possibilities elsewhere; these three names could certainly benefit greatly from a move to Monday Night Raw:

Carmelo Hayes

After an excellent end to 2025 which saw him capture his first United States Championship, it seemed as if 2026 would be the year where everything clicked for Carmelo Hayes on the main roster.

Despite the fans vocally wanting Melo, WWE made the decision to take the US Title off of him less than a month before he would have defended at WrestleMania 42; a decision that must have been a tough one to take.

Any hope that WWE would make good on this post WrestleMania 42 has expectedly fallen flat. While he has remained in title contention, Hayes has yet to recapture the gold, yet his former tag team partner Trick Williams has continued to excel.

Unless WWE finally book a proper Trick vs. Melo feud, leading to the latter winning the US Title back, he would certainly be better off moving to Raw and fighting over the Intercontinental Title.

Jordynne Grace

One name who has been linked to a change in creative direction lately is former TNA Knockouts World Champion Jordynne Grace.

‘The Juggernaut’ hasn’t been seen on WWE SmackDown since April, with her most recent in-ring outing being on Main Event back in June.

While that certainly is puzzling – especially given that she was only called up to SmackDown from NXT in January – Grace could be set for a tag team run with fellow WWE absentee Ivy Nile.

The idea of Grace and Nile forming a team has been reportedly pitched backstage in WWE, and it’s hard to see any downsides to this potential pairing. Both are incredible athletes who just need an opportunity to show it regularly, and with WWE needing more tag teams it truly is a win all around.

Damian Priest

Of the names on this list, Damian Priest is, at least on paper, not got an urgent need for a change, as he just got a long-awaited heel turn and appears set to press on in a role that he’s more comfortable in.

However, while a feud between he and former tag team partner R-Truth will be nice in the short term in order to tie a knot on their story, there are more exciting prospects for Priest on Raw.

A reunion with Judgment Day for one would be a story worth pursuing. Priest was at his best in the group, and they very much need a shot in the arm after falling down the WWE pecking order in 2026.

Also, from a real-life perspective, Priest’s girlfriend Lola Vice just got called up to Raw rather than SmackDown, so sending him there also would at least keep them on teh same touring schedule.

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