“Transfer Window” Teased on WWE SmackDown: Roster Shakeups Coming in 2025?

If there’s one thing to know about the Paul Levesque era of WWE, it’s that every detail matters—no line, moment, or background shot is without purpose. That philosophy was on full display during this week’s WWE SmackDown, as a small but significant comment could signal a major roster shakeup in the near future.

During the opening promo segment featuring Cody Rhodes, RAW’s Chad Gable—alongside The Creed Brothers—surprisingly made an appearance on the blue brand. While it might seem odd for RAW Superstars to crash SmackDown, Gable quickly explained that “the transfer window is about to open,” hinting at a potential move to SmackDown. He further noted that SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis was already working behind the scenes to bring him over.

To add fuel to the fire, Michael Cole followed up on commentary, stating that when RAW officially moves to Netflix in January 2025, fans can expect significant changes to both SmackDown and NXT. Cole’s comment left little doubt that trades, roster shake-ups, and call-ups from NXT are on the horizon as WWE prepares for a new era across its brands.

What Does This Mean for WWE?

  1. Roster Trades and NXT Call-Ups: WWE has teased a “transfer window” concept, which opens the door for Superstars to swap brands. This could see major names move between RAW and SmackDown, as well as emerging talent from NXT getting called up to the main roster. It’s a fresh and exciting way to bolster the rosters ahead of RAW’s move to Netflix and the rumored third hour of SmackDown.
  2. Commentary Shake-Up: Michael Cole’s mention could also serve as a transition for WWE’s broadcast teams. With rumors of Pat McAfee returning to SmackDown commentary, it makes sense for Michael Cole to head back to RAW, while Joe Tessitore and Wade Barrett are said to be joining Corey Graves on the blue brand. These moves will give WWE’s commentary teams a refreshed dynamic heading into 2025.
  3. The Third Hour of SmackDown: Another significant takeaway is the speculation surrounding SmackDown expanding to a three-hour format. If this happens, the blue brand will need a deeper roster to fill the extra time, and the “transfer window” could be WWE’s storyline explanation for these roster additions.

Why This Matters

WWE is clearly preparing for a seismic shift in 2025 as it adjusts to new deals and platforms. The “transfer window” could be a game-changing way to keep storylines fresh, create buzz around Superstar moves, and elevate talent from NXT. It also ties into WWE’s growing partnership with Netflix, giving fans plenty to look forward to as WWE embarks on a new era.

For now, details are scarce, but the groundwork is being laid. Keep an eye on SmackDown, RAW, and NXT in the coming months because when the “transfer window” officially opens, the WWE landscape could look very different.