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Vince McMahon is always saying about how he needs to shake things up.  Never has that been more apparent than in today's WWE.  Ratings have dropped so low that they have actually had to stoop to offering money to get people to watch.  The Million Dollar Mania is a short term fix to what has become a long term problem.  People are bored with WWE programming.  Instead of trying new things, the current creative team seems to be content to just do the same things over and over again.  They have a chance to change that with the upcoming WWE Draft.  Last year, they chose to make Raw stronger, while making both Smackdown and ECW weaker.  Let's hope this year, they might learn from their mistake.  In this column, we will take a look at superstars that could use a change of scene, and where they should go.  (Note from Doug: We will be looking at the moves from an individual standpoint, not from the standpoint of the company should make all the moves that I suggest.)

 

 

Batista - Batista has really done about all he can on Smackdown.  While he is getting ready for another title opportunity against Edge at Night of the Champions, what's left after that?  Vladmir Kozlov?  Big Daddy V?  With Batista being in his forties, we do not know how much longer he will be able to compete at this high of a level.  There are more big money matches for him over on Raw.  They could have a third and deciding match with Shawn Michaels, he could get that feud with Randy Orton that did not get to happen because the Legend Killer got hurt, or his biggest money match of all against John Cena.

 

Jesse and Festus - Jim Ross would have so much fun calling the matches of these guys on Monday nights.  We could see a return of Dave's beloved "Animal Hat Trick."  They have the type of personality that would play well on the flagship show.  I am not a fan of their current losing streak.  I don't know why when they were getting over with the fans that WWE Creative suddenly felt the need to start jobbing them out.  I could understand John Morrison and the Miz, and to a lesser extent Curt Hawkins and Zack Ryder, but Deuce and Domino?  I would like to see them go to Raw, and help what is a struggling tag team division.  Maybe then, they can finally get a taste of some gold.

 

MVP - Like Batista, MVP has nothing left to prove on Smackdown.  With the exception of the Big Show, he has faced all the top babyfaces on the brand.  He has a ton of fresh matchups waiting for him on Raw against Triple H, Michaels, Cena, Mr. Kennedy plus he could get more matches with Chris Jericho and Jeff Hardy.  MVP also has the over the top persona that Vince likes for Monday nights, and he has in-ring skills that need to be taken to the next level.  They could even have him do some funny stuff with Cryme Tyme.

 

Vladmir Kozlov - I was surprised when this guy showed up on Smackdown, because he had been working the Raw brand house shows.  I think Raw would have been the better choice for him.  There are already too many big guys on Smackdown.  Kozlov reminds me a lot of Ivan Drago (Dolph Lundgren's character from Rocky IV).  He would make a perfect opponent for Cena.  If this were done back in the 80's, this would have done huge business.  He would also be one of the few guys that Cena would almost certainly be guaranteed a babyface pop against.  Michaels, who comes from a U.S. Miltary family, would also make a good storyline foe for Kozlov.  Triple H could also use fresh opponents for his title.

 

Mark Henry - After the whole situation involving Smackdown lead writer Michael Hayes, how can they possibly make Henry stay there?  One would think he almost has to come to Raw.  Even looking at the circumstances from an in-ring perspective, unless he turns face, he's done all he can as a heel on Smackdown.  While, I don't think he could contend for the WWE Title (especially after being practically squashed by the Game), he could make the Intercontinental Title situation more interesting.

 

Deuce and Domino - They were given a little bit of a jump start by dumping Cherry and hooking up with Maryse.  However, if you look at the big picture, they have still got a long way to go.  Ever since they lost the tag team titles, the greaser duo have been jobbers to the stars.  Personally, I like the 50's gimmick.  I have a 50's style diner that is just five minutes from my house that I eat at twice a week.  A jump to Raw would give them a chance to start fresh.  With Lance Cade and Trevor Murdoch breaking up, Raw needs a heel team.  Plus, with as many matches as Cody Rhodes and Hardcore Holly have lost lately, Deuce and Domino could sneak in there and become champions again.

 

The Boogeyman - He's been missing in action lately with a calf muscle injury.  Out of the three programs, Raw is probably the most vignette heavy.  We all know that wrestling is not the Boogeyman's strong suit.  His strong suit is popping up backstage, and scaring the heck out of people.  He's perfect for Raw.

 

Natalya, Victoria, and Michelle McCool - I group them together, because I would love to see them come to Raw and continue to help the Women's Division grow.  Victoria should have never been taken off of Raw in the first place.  Natalya and Michelle would both benefit from getting the chance to wrestle against more accomplished divas.  Together, they could help form a really good women's division with Mickie James, Melina, Jillian Hall, Katie Lea Burchill, and Beth Phoenix.  Let the ones that are better off as eye candy get drafted to Smackdown or ECW.

 

 

Chris Jericho - Well it didn't take too long after his return, but Jericho is already getting lost in the shuffle on Raw.  He is currently the #5 babyface on Raw behind Cena, Michaels, Triple H, and Jeff Hardy.  Even if he turns heel, Jericho has already feuded with those guys several times over.  Jericho has fresher matchups waiting for him over on Smackdown.  He has stated in interviews that he has always wanted to face the Undertaker (whose latest sabbatical hopefully won't be too long).  Matt Hardy is also someone that I don't recall if Jericho has ever faced, or if he has, it has not been very many times.  Jericho could also be a fresh title challenger for Edge. 

 

Paul London and Brian Kendrick - These guys should have never been taken off of Smackdown.  On Smackdown, they thrived as the top tag team.  For nearly a year they were the champions.  Ever since coming to Raw, they have floundered.  They managed one title reign that lasted only a few days on an international tour.  London and Kendrick have better matchups waiting for them on Smackdown against Morrison and Miz, Hawkins and Ryder, and one I would love to see against Jimmy Wang Yang and Shannon Moore.  They could also use these two to restart the cruiserweight division, but I guess that might be more of a pipe dream.

 

Umaga - Apparently, it has already been decided that at some point Umaga is going to Smackdown.  Career wise it is a good move for him.  Umaga has been a guy that has been involved in big matches, puts forth a good effort in those matches, but never wins those matches.  With the budding "Super Heavyweight" division on the Smackdown/ECW roster, Umaga might have found himself a home.  He fits right in with the Big Show, the Undertaker, Batista, Kane, Big Daddy V, the Great Khali, Vladmir Kozlov, Bam Neely, and Mark Henry.  Do I smell a second annual Monster Mash Battle Royal for Halloween?  He could even have some fun with the smaller guys such as Rey Mysterio, who owes him some payback for a previous attack prior to last year's Wrestlemania.  After battling Jeff Hardy, the Samoan Bulldozer could move on to big brother, and U.S. Champion Matt Hardy.  Throw in a wild brawl against Finlay, and you have yourself a perfect fit.

 

Snitsky - This is the only roster left for them to try to get something out of him.  Most fans would probably rather see him released than in a wrestling ring.  The unofficial "Super Heavyweight" division that has developed on the Smackdown/ECW roster might be the best place for him.  Wrestling against fellow giants would allow us to not set our sights too high on match quality.

 

Carlito - Young Mr. Colon needs a career jump start very badly.  His career is going nowhere on Raw.  There were reports last year about him wanting to leave, but he was talked out of it.  The knock on him has been his work ethic.  Maybe a move to a different roster, would help to get his head screwed on straight.  The guy has too much talent to be stuck in a second rate tag team with Santino Morella.  On Smackdown, he would have the chance to work with veterans like Matt Hardy, Rey Mysterio, and Finlay.  If those guys can't bring out Carlito's "A" game, no one can.

 

The Highlanders - They are another duo that needs a new home.  WWE did a ton of vignettes bringing these guys in.  Robbie and Rory got a good initial push, but it did not last.  Since then, they have been just above jobber status, and now with Heat gone, they need a new place to work.  With Smackdown placing more of an emphasis on tag teams, the Highlanders would be better off trying there.  If they stay heels, they have potential opponents in Yang and Moore, as well as Jesse and Festus, or Tommy Dreamer and Colin Delaney.  If they try to become babyfaces, they have potential opponents with Deuce and Domino, or Hawkins and Ryder.  They may even work themselves into a rematch with Morrison and Miz.

 

Elijah Burke - Burke has gone as far as he can in ECW.  He has repeatedly lost C.M. Punk, and I do not see him fairing any better against Kane.  Burke has the skills to compete with anyone on the roster, but WWE Creative has seen fit to have him routinely clobbered.  I do not think he is quite ready for Raw, but he is primed for a return to Smackdown.  Burke would be perfect for the U.S. Title division.  With Ron Killings coming back to the company, maybe they could be paired up to form a new tag team?  The options are definitely there.

 

Kelly Kelly, Candice Michelle, and Maria - I placed these three together, because they are in similar situations.  All three are beautiful women, who are trying to develop into good workers.  They do some things well, and some things not so well.  In fact, all three of them would be better off as valets, until they learn to get better.  After reading the spoilers, I understand we are now going to get a "Divas" title for the Smackdown women.  I personally don't like the idea, because Smackdown only has three good female workers on its roster, and a bunch of others that range from mediocre to awful.

 

 

Jeff Hardy - Of the three brands, this is the one in need of the most help.  If WWE would ever take this brand seriously, and put some thought into it, Jeff Hardy would be the perfect guy to build around.  Hardy has never been more popular in his career than he is right now.  After returning from his second Wellness Policy violation, there is probably some hesitation about giving him a run with the WWE Title or the World Heavyweight Title.  If I were in the booker's position, I would give him a test run with the ECW Title.  Not only could Hardy bring credibility to the title, but think of the match possibilities.  There may be no other guy on the roster who has a style that is a mesh of the old ECW with what I think WWE wants the new ECW to be.

 

Super Crazy - I am still trying to figure out why Super Crazy is on the Raw roster.  When was the last time he was on regular TV?  It amazes me that they are letting a guy with his kind of talent go to waste.  I thought when ECW was relaunched that he would be a shoe-in for the roster.  Hopefully, that will be finally corrected with this year's draft.  It would also give them another ECW Original to have on the roster.  With Nunzio, Matt Striker, Colin Delaney, and now Matt Sydal, maybe they can restart the cruiserweight division on ECW.  With Heat now gone, hopefully this will mean that they are going to let him move to a brand that will actually use him.

 

Charlie Haas - Haas is another guy that is so underutilized it's criminal.  He got a decent push when he first came back to Raw, but after that, he has been buried mercilessly.  Haas is one of the best in-ring technicians on the roster, and a former three time WWE Tag Team Champion.  He has a ready made feud waiting on him in ECW with former partner Shelton Benjamin, or maybe they could reform the World's Greatest Tag Team to challenge Morrison and Miz.  Haas could also help bring along some of the younger guys like Kofi Kingston.  Anything's got to be better than his current "Lucha" gimmick.

 

Val Venis - There is no guy that is in more need of change than the Big Valbowski.  His porn star schtick has been stale for a long time.  Venis has the talent both in the ring and on the stick, but has been relegated to mostly Heat.  Since they seem to want to start some of their younger guys with ECW, I think he would make a good teacher for them.  They may want to start by repackaging him with a new name and a new persona.

 

Cody Rhodes - The son of the American Dream has been impressive in spurts.  The problem is his TV time has been few and far between.  Unless a change happens between now and then, the Night of Champions will be the first time that he and Holly have defended the World Tag Team Titles on pay-per-view.  I would like to see him move to ECW, and help turn that into a showcase for a youth movement in WWE.  This would allow him to work out any kinks in his armor, and develop into the star that it looks like he could be.

 

D.H. Smith - Smith is in a similar boat as Rhodes.  Being a young guy, there just are not that many opportunities for him on Raw.  Smith started off good, but then ran into a problem called the Wellness Policy.  While some stars get their spot right back when they return from a suspension, Smith has seen his push become non-existent.  I think he's only been on TV a handful of times so far this year.  ECW would be a place for a fresh start.  I have heard a lot of good things about the kid, and if given the proper platform maybe they will be proven true.        

 

Kenny Dykstra - Dykstra was one of the WWE farm system's top prospects at one time.  He was then a 19 year old rookie that onlookers thought wrestled better than some ten year veterans.  People raved about his matches.  Then came the Spirit Squad.  He has never recovered.  Dykstra has been off TV for a long time now, but recently started working house shows again here and there.  He is still young enough to where they have a chance to rebuild him.  ECW would be a great place for him to start over.  It is a smaller audience, and there is also more time to make mistakes, and learn from them.  Maybe then Kenny can find that talent that so many enjoyed at OVW.

 

Santino Morella - How much more humiliation can the poor guy stand on Raw?  The only positive is that fans enjoy his butchering of the English language on a regular basis.  Morella started off with a bang by winning the Intercontinental Title in his first match.  The good will quickly evaporated to where he is now just a comedy wrestler like Doink, the Bushwhackers, and Bastion Booger.  The sad thing is that he doesn't have to be one.  Morella has some skills, but with certain opponents that he faced, it has been hard to show them.  On ECW, he could re-establish himself.  I have often thought he and Nunzio would make an entertaining new version of the Full Blooded Italians.

 

Ashley Massaro and Maryse - These are the two worst of the female workers on either of the big two rosters.  With the way Ashley has been dressing lately, she would be better suited for the "Land of Extreme."  With all the sexual innuendo that Maryse used to do on Smackdown, she would also be a good candidate to move to ECW.  Both would be better off standing in someone's corner as a valet or cheerleader, but WWE seems to want them to try and wrestle.  I guess they could always give Kelly and Layla a break from each other.