This may seem like a bit of a throwaway match to some, but it’s actually the perfect match to highlight the three main feuds of the Smackdown Live women’s division in one match, all of which are still in the earliest of throes. If we’d only gotten one match-up, the other two stories would have instantly felt far less significant. This match will let all three shine and only help Smackdown Live‘s storylines going on. In usual WWE fashion, the three combatants on each team are the opposed on the other side by their current feuding nemesis, but in this case it’s actually not a bad way to showcase who these players are, especially considering that the Royal Rumble – one of the WWE’s traditional Big Four events – gets far more casual fans watching that many of the other ones.
The first square off is between Nikki Bella and Natalya, the furthest developed storyline of the three. Rooted in the backstage attack on Nikki Bella back at Survivor Series ’16 in November, it was ultimately revealed last month that it was Natalya who had attacked her out of jealousy, and thus two long time friends became bitter enemies. The two haven’t even truly gotten in the ring together since this feud began a few weeks back on Smackdown Live, but they’ve shown a physicality that no one knew Nikki was capable of – especially considering she’s just returned from a near career ending neck surgery. Now that they’re finally in the ring, it’ll be nice to see if that physical action continues to escalate. And with it being a 6-woman tag, it means they only have to unleash it in doses. It should be a nice preview of what’s to come when these two finally get each other one on one in the ring.
The second features the reveal from two weeks back, when it was revealed that La Luchadora, the masked woman who was aiding Women’s Champion Alexa Bliss in her attacks on Becky Lynch, was returning WWE Superstar and former 6-time World Champion Mickie James. James has returned pissed off and angry, upset at the new Women’s Revolution for ignoring the accomplishments of the women athletes prior to the Divas Era. James is returning to the psycho character of old, the stalker who followed Trish Stratus, from arguably her best work in the WWE. As evidenced by her recent pairing with NXT Women’s Champion Asuka at NXT Takeover: Toronto, James is still a great talent in the ring. This may actually be the best wrestler Becky has faced during her time in the WWE (no offence to Charlotte, Sasha or Bayley, but they just don’t have the miles and experience of Mickie yet) and we should finally see what Becky truly has to offer. Again, this will be a nice sneak peek as to what we can expect from these two once they square off one and one.
The last pairing is the most recent. A returning Naomi, off for several months nursing a re-injured ankle, jumping straight back into a feud with Alexa Bliss. Although when Naomi left, Bliss was merely a contender. Now she’s the Champion. Naomi has long been one of the more unheralded wrestlers in the women’s division and unfortunately a few pushes stalled due to injury. She has tastes of the main event before, in small feuds with past Champions like Eve, Nikki Bella and Paige, but never captured gold. Hopefully she remains healthy this time around and maybe she’ll finally pull off her lifelong dream and hold the World title, either at Elimination Chamber ’17 or Wrestlemania 33.
With the feuds all in their infancies, it would do all three storylines an advantage if the heels were victorious at Royal Rumble to kick off three very personal wars for these women. And while the heroes will likely prevail at some point down the line, don’t expect it to be this Sunday.
Main Photo: WWE.com
