WWE Raw: Examining The Best and The Worst of the Brand for 2017
By Bryan Heaton
Worst Superstar: Bayley
Ugh, the most disappointing words I have ever written in my life. I’ve gone on record before as saying I’m one of Bayley’s biggest fans from back in the day in NXT. But everything that worked for the Hugger in Full Sail has been forgotten, and many of her feuds this year were booked like garbage.
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At the height of Bayley’s popularity in NXT, it seemed like there was no possibility of her being anything but the top babyface in the women’s division. The brand split last summer seemed to make that a bigger possibility – Bayley could hold down one show, and someone like Becky Lynch could be top babyface on the other. But an extended stay in NXT – along with some injuries – slowed down her momentum.
In 2017, Bayley became number one contender for the Raw Women’s Championship, but lost her chance at winning the title at Royal Rumble. In a case of curious booking, super ultra babyface Bayley would win the title two weeks later on Raw with an assist from Sasha Banks. We already discussed the Alexa Bliss feud being trash, and since she returned from injury in the fall Bayley has been almost a complete non factor in the women’s division.
Going from Women’s Champion to cannon fodder for Absolution in less than 12 months is a rough showing. Hopefully 2018 is a better year for the Hugger.
Honorable Mention: Curt Hawkins
I mean, it’s his gimmick right now to be terrible, so I couldn’t fault him for that. And Gallows and Anderson were on Raw Tag Team Championship reign away from being here, too, so they’re not off the hookski.