WWE Raw: Is Mickie James Really Just The Third Wheel?

Mickie James and Alexa Bliss have had a hot-and-cold relationship ever since Bliss “brought” Mickie back to WWE. Now, James is back on Bliss’s side, but how long will their friendship last? And are they actually on the same page?

Prior to the Elimination Chamber pay per view, Alexa Bliss knew that she needed an ally, and it was interesting that she immediately sought the help of the experienced Mickie James. The two had a bitter rivalry in the fall, culminating in Bliss defeating the veteran at TLC and, later, on an episode of WWE Raw with a slap.

Bliss and James have quite the history. It was Bliss who brought James to WWE in order to defeat Becky Lynch in their feud over the title on SmackDown Live. Recognizing that she was used as a pawn by Bliss, James turned babyface, and she would later be traded to Raw with Bliss.

Almost a year since they first joined Raw as enemies, Bliss and James are back together again after The Goddess successfully recruited the six-time Women’s Champion to her side.

Even though Asuka, who won the Women’s Royal Rumble, selected Charlotte Flair as her opponent after having already defeated Bliss before, Bliss still needs Mickie’s help. Her current rival is Nia Jax, who figures to be Bliss’s opponent for the Raw Women’s Championship at WrestleMania 34.

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Over the past few weeks, Bliss has been bullying Nia, specifically making fun of the Force of Greatness’s weight. The promos have been uncomfortable, and all of Bliss’s nastiness has made it clear that Nia needs to end up victorious in the end.

Most expect Jax to win at WrestleMania, with Nia finally receiving her first reign as Raw Women’s Championship now that she’s ostensibly turned babyface in this harsh feud with WWE’s resident “Mean Girl”.

But what about Bliss’s partner-in-crime? Although Mickie hasn’t said nearly as many awful things about Nia as Bliss has, she’s been complicit in the bullying. Mickie, who has felt the wrath of Bliss’s tongue in the form of insults about her age, has encouraged Bliss and also clearly made fun of Nia in a “secretly recorded” backstage segment.

Although Mickie has been Bliss’s “buddy”, there was a sign that she has ulterior motives. When Bliss came out gloating about her victory at the Elimination Chamber, Mickie was by her side, feeding her ego. However, Mickie spent a lot of time eyeing Bliss’s Raw Women’s Championship. And if you recall, her main beef with Bliss on SmackDown was the fact that Bliss never gave her the title opportunity that was promised.

James is  just the third wheel in this story now that Bliss vs. Jax is officially set for WrestleMania, but the timing of her alliance with Bliss is noteworthy, as is the suddenness of this unexpected partnership. Surely Mickie isn’t foolish enough to align herself with Bliss yet again? Surely she couldn’t have been coaxed into trusting Bliss that easily? Surely she hasn’t forgotten how Bliss humiliated her by defeating her with a mere slap?

Next: WrestleMania 34 Match Predictions

Mickie has been around the block several times, so I wouldn’t put it past her to be lurking in the background, waiting to pounce at the opportunity to take advantage of Bliss at some point.