Nikki Bella’s Role in WWE SmackDown Women’s Division
By Sarah Hirsch
Nikki Bella’s return to WWE placed her on the SmackDown Women’s Division, which is much needed considering Raw’s strong Women’s Division. Her position should stay clearly defined as the division takes off and takes shape in the new era.
Nikki Bella has recently returned to the WWE, appearing at SummerSlam as a SmackDown Superstar. Bella came back as the replacement opponent for the recently suspended Eva Marie. Bella would gain the win for her team, pinning home favorite Carmella. The following Tuesday, fans saw Carmella attack Bella from behind, and has continuously attacked the fearless Superstar when she least expects it.
While Carmella is doing well showing off her aggressive side, now fans have to get used to rooting Bella on. Ideally, the fans are supposed to gain sympathy for Bella when she looked to have returned as a heel. It may be confusing at first; however this was merely the purpose. It was almost as if WWE played a joke on the fans because of how they would book The Bella Twins in the past. The Bella Twins played the “tweener” role; one week they were cheered and the next week they were booed. It was almost as if the company couldn’t make up their mind of what they wanted The Bellas to actually be in terms of heroines or villainesses. This time, it looks to be Bella is the heroine next to Becky Lynch.
It looks like if anything else, it was a double turn as Carmella was the one who flipped the script. This is a good start for both Superstars, who both needed a good feud to bring attention to the SmackDown Women’s Division. Now with her sister Brie semi-retired, Bella has the chance to shine on her own now that she has returned to the squared circle. She is already established as a singles Superstar thanks to her historic Divas Championship reign. With this new era taking shape, it offers WWE the chance to decide for sure what direction they want her to go in.
Bella’s direction may steer the SmackDown Women’s Championship course if she becomes the inaugural champion. Bella is among the favorites to capture the Championship, but if the win
gives her an ego, then WWE is back at square one with her character. The flip-flop character direction will happen again, and fans will lose interest quickly. If Bella is to lose, then the booking ought to dictate Carmella having something to do as to why Bella didn’t win. The potential is there for the ladies to have a standout secondary feud.
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Total Bellas will also be debuting this month, which poses interesting scenarios for Bella. WWE will be advertising the show to the max especially with Bella’s longtime boyfriend John Cena on the show. Bella has to stay the good girl as WWE strongly promotes the new show. There’s no fun in advertising her in her own show and fans are supposed to boo her. It goes back to the “tweener” role that WWE must avoid with Bella.
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Overall, Bella returned from injury at just the right time. SmackDown needed the addition and helps the Women’s Division balance out between the veterans and rookies. Her feud with Carmella has enough substance and options to play out past Backlash if the company allows it. Perhaps after the feud is over, Bella can set her sights on the Women’s Championship. While it is too early to tell how the storylines will play out, for now it’s on with the show.