WWE SmackDown 5 Takeaways: Jinder Mahal Executing Role Perfectly

1. Branching Points for the New Women’s Faction

From the moment Charlotte Flair stepped into the ring as a member of SmackDown Live, we’ve seen many of the other female superstars tease tension and jealousy. That slowly escalated when Charlotte received a No. 1 contender’s match against SmackDown women’s champion Naomi, and all she had to do was ask the commissioner for that match. Furthermore, Charlotte’s very introduction to the blue brand included a snub of the returning Tamina, so it’s no surprise that the long-time WWE veteran is not on The Queen’s side.

Natalya, Tamina, Carmella, and James Ellsworth all banded together to take over the championship match between Naomi and Charlotte. Both Naomi and Charlotte fought back, which makes me wonder if those two will form an unlikely alliance against this faction while simultaneously feuding with each other.

You know who we haven’t seen much of lately? Becky Lynch, who is one of the biggest babyface stars in the company and easily the most over woman on either brand. Compared to Sting by fans frequently for the number of times her friends have turned on her, those in-storyline comparisons to the WWE Hall of Famer only seem apter now. Who will she side with? Will she side with Charlotte, who has been teased for a face turn, only for her real-life friend to turn on her in storyline?

Next: 5 Bold Predictions For Payback

A part of me worries that Tamina, Natalya, and Carmella won’t get enough time to individually showcase and improve their characters, but I love the creativity here from the WWE. I’m excited to see what this faction does, but the WWE needs to make sure they don’t drop the ball here. These three women (and Ellsworth) need to be menacing and effective, and there needs to be a real payoff for their actions. Out of all of them, I would consider Carmella the most likely for a run at the SmackDown women’s championship.