WrestleMania, WWE.com
Daniel Bryan announced that any current SmackDown Live female superstar can join in at WrestleMania and fight for the SmackDown Women’s Title, so else may show up?
With WrestleMania only weeks away, the line-up of matches is being finalized. As we saw on this week’s episode of SmackDown Live, after Alexa Bliss’ failed ‘Blissertation’ that Daniel Bryan announced she would defend her title at WrestleMania against any eligible female on the SmackDown Live roster. This could include any number of talents, so who else may show up?
There is an opportunity for the company to perhaps bring back a former talent for the night or for a run, or perhaps have an NXT call up or two. It was a smart move to do something like this, to include who is on the roster and have a women’s match different to Raw’s Triple Threat Title Match. We don’t need two Triple Threat Matches or even a Fatal Four Way, the brands need to feel different and have different options.
With this kind of a match it opens up the element of surprise, and any surprise entrants should be saved until the actual match is about to take place. Surprises at the big event are always fun, and it could really be a big boost for the SmackDown Live women’s roster. Especially if Alexa Bliss actually manages to hold on to her title with a countless number of participants being possible.
Let’s take a look at some possible names for the match.
5. Kelly Kelly
It has been rumored and talked about that Barbie Blank known as Kelly Kelly in her WWE tenure will be appearing at WrestleMania. She will be signing at Axxess, so we know she will be around for WrestleMania weekend. Is she a big enough name to make an impact for this match? Maybe, but it also could get attention from her non-wrestling fans as she has made a name for herself starring in the reality TV series WAGS.
She was someone who was not the greatest in the ring but over time she did improve, but she has been away from the ring for some time so can she still step in and participate in a match? If her appearance is just there for some attention, then she wouldn’t need to do much, but it would be beneficial if she did retrain a bit.
Could she potentially become the new SmackDown’s Women’s Champion? Probably not because it’s likely she is just making a one-off appearance, so having her win would not make any sense.
4. Victoria
How incredible would it be for the one and only Victoria to show back up and join in with this match? She has been missed in the WWE ever since she left, she was always one of the best and most hard working superstars they ever had. People still remember Victoria fondly, and she was the original Black Widow.
With Mickie James returning it would be very cool to see another classic name return, and Victoria could potentially have one last run here if she does show up. There is a lot of potential for her in this match, to lock it up with either of the current women on the roster and give us a damn good show. Victoria vs. Alexa Bliss could be gold, and if she were to stay I would run that match as soon as possible.
There is definite potential for her to capture the title at WrestleMania, but that would be a long shot. If she were to stick around, she deserves one last run, but that should wait until later in the year.
3. Peyton Royce and Billie Kay
Instead of bringing back former talent, perhaps NXT talent may show up for this match. Two very likely NXT stars are Australia’s Peyton Royce and Billie Kay who have been two staples of the NXT Women’s Division in the past few months. They are working as a team so if either is to come into this match, the other one must follow. Their duo works and there is no reason to stop that, they could easily work together to become co-champions on SmackDown Live.
They would certainly make an interesting dynamic in the WrestleMania match, since we have seen none of the women are getting along and these two would and not turn on each other. They could provide some good entertainment in the match, and they are both improving a lot. While they might work on Raw also, I think they are strong candidates for this match and for SmackDown Live down the line.
Could they walk out co-champions? I don’t like their chances, but I have no doubt they will look like strong contenders and could be good competition moving forward.
2. Naomi
Perhaps a big reason for this match being open is to still give Naomi the opportunity to return from injury and make WrestleMania. Her injury during the match in which she won the SmackDown Women’s Champion was extremely unfortunate and if she can make it back in time, her return would be very welcome.
WrestleMania takes place in her hometown, she would easily be the favorite going in and her chances of winning would be quite high. This could easily be a big comeback story, and seeing her have to relinquish her title was a heartbreaking moment. To have her return on the grandest stage of them all, in her hometown and win would be an epic moment and it is one this woman deserves.
Naomi has been one of the hardest working women for years, she deserved her title win and she deserves to recapture the title that she never lost. This could be a damn fine moment, and I am sure a lot of us are hoping for it to happen.
1. Asuka
But wait, she is the NXT Women’s Champion! Well yes, she is, however that could change at the next NXT: TakeOver, and even if she still is champion, why can’t she show up at WrestleMania? It has been speculated about that Asuka is ready to be called up to the main roster, and she is traveling with the SmackDown Live brand. What a way to debut than to randomly show up for this match? It would be one hell of a moment.
Asuka has done pretty much everything she can do in NXT, she has not lost a match since her debut and she doesn’t necessarily have to lose the NXT Women’s Title either. That is something she could relinquish in order to be on SmackDown Live, and well since she hasn’t lost a match this is a match she could very well win.
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It would be pretty impressive if Asuka did debut, win the title and debuts on the following SmackDown Live episode. This is something that will get people talking, and it would be something to be remembered.