WWE is on the warpath heading into WarGames at Survivor Series. We know who the men facing off in Chicago will be, but the question is which women will do WarGames. WWE Monday Night Raw is giving fans the signature event, and Roman Reigns is out again. Therefore, it is safe to say the women will compete on the SmackDown side. Who jumps into the dual rings can shape the division’s future as it starts to heat up.
There are many talented superstars on Smackdown, so if WWE decides to book the match for Friday’s audiences, they have options. While it would be great to see WWE feature all of the women who don’t get enough screen time, they will probably strike a balance between rising stars and established names to help sell the match as a co-main event to compete with names like Cody Rhodes, Sami Zayn, and Jey Uso.
Heel Side Prediction: Iyo Sky, Bayley, Kairi Sane, B-Fab
The most apparent group for WarGames this year is Damage CTRL. Their slow separation as IYO SKY grows increasingly angry with Bayley for trying to steal her shine underpins every interaction. Then WWE gave fans a significant moment when Kairi Sane returned.
Introducing a friend from IYO’s past will likely lead to IYO and Sane vs. Bayley and Dakota Kai at some point. However, Kai isn’t clear on a return yet. This means that WWE can tease the split heavily now that Kairi is back in the company; they will hold off on doing it until all four women can be together. It also means they need at least one more competitor, assuming the four-person layout announced on Raw is the plan for 2023.
SmackDown has a few talented names to consider, but the one that makes the most sense is B-Fab. With Hit Row gone, she was recently reintroduced as a possible recruit for Bobby Lashley’s slow-moving supergroup. Whether she joins the faction or is an entry for somebody else who might be interested is a fair question.
Either way, though, she fits the spot nicely. She is already a heel and has no history with anyone else on the team. If she is pitching herself as a hand for hire looking to impress and find a new home, it would make sense to try and impress Damage CTRL or the Lashley project in Chicago.
Face Side Prediction: Charlotte Flair, Bianca Belair, Asuka, Jade Cargill
The big name on this side of the match, which matters the most, would be Jade Cargill. Jade is the perfect example of which women will do WarGames. The match will give her a huge stage and a signature moment or two in her first premium live event.
Even if SmackDown isn’t her final landing place for the next month, Jade must be a presence that dominates on Friday nights. The WWE Universe is patiently waiting with enthusiasm for Jade to make an impact. WWE has promised she will since signing, and Survivor Series is the time for AEW’s longest-reigning champion. Where she goes after could vary depending on other plans.
It could make sense for WWE to put her in a filler singles feud for a month or two to let her build up wins. B-Fab, as mentioned above, would work. Or she can pin the champion and be the next significant threat for IYO SKY, who won’t have a team behind her by that point.
— Jade Cargill (@Jade_Cargill) October 14, 2023
The rest of the women’s team on the face side would be somewhat “paint by numbers” for WWE at this point, barring a strange swerve just for the sake of it. Asuka has a history from WWE and beyond with IYO and Kairi, so her inclusion is guaranteed.
Charlotte and Bianca have also backed one another up recently and fractured a ton in the title scene throughout 2023. What might be more interesting is to see how they react to the new performer in this scenario. Cargill has already had at least one interaction with a possible teammate that did not go especially well.
That adds to the drama of the match. Also, all four women want a shot at Iyo for the title, so it is a fair question as to how well they will get along if they feel their position at the top isn’t secure. It could result in a shocking twist if the men’s match doesn’t already have one planned.
Why Which Women Will Do WarGames Matters
Deciding which women will do WarGames is critical for WWE. The match is always a viral hit. Likewise, strong performances in the cage have helped launch several feuds and careers. Would Pat McAfee be as beloved by the WWE Universe as he is now without his cage match?
Also, would Sami Zayn’s role in The Bloodline and subsequent separation been a hit without his run in WarGames? It is hard to say, but you could easily make the case that the answer is no.
This possible matchup does everything WWE could want. It allows a marquee to highlight the final dissolution of IYO SKY and Bayley’s alliance, with new teams forming. It lets WWE rebuild B-Fab as a solo star, possibly within Bobby Lashley’s new super group.
On the face side, it gives several of the biggest stars in WWE get on the card, and if Jade shows up and wins the match for her team, it would be a statement. Building new stars, showcasing top talents, and creating dramatic moments for your rivalries is all anyone can ask of a Survivor Series match, and this would give WWE all of that on a platter.
What Comes Next for the Winning Women?
The faces winning makes the most sense and provides WWE with the most options. It introduces Jade as a dominant force, possibly involving her in a future angle or the SmackDown title scene. Even in a loss, the heel side of Smackdown gets incredibly interesting—the final separation between Dakota Kai, Bayley, Io Sky, and Kairi Sane.
Asuka, Charlotte, and Bianca don’t truthfully need any more shine, but their inclusion elevates everything else going on for SmackDown. There will be a lot of focus on Cody Rhodes and Raw, given his status as Roman Reigns’ apparent successor. The women of SmackDown, though, have all the makings for an incredible showcase that WWE should capitalize on.
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