WWE Backlash 2018: Five Cross-Brand Women’s Matches We Want To See
By Harmony Cox
Credit: WWE.com
NIKKI CROSS VS THE IICONICS (HANDICAP MATCH)
OK, this may be pure fantasy booking on my part. As far as we know, Nikki Cross was not included in the Sanity call-up to the main roster. Apparently Nikki was left behind to bolster the gutted NXT Women’s Division after the loss of Ember and the IIconics. So technically, there is no way that Nikki could wrestle at Backlash.
However, Triple H has recently discussed plans for elevating NXT’s brand to the same status as Raw and SmackDown, and the potential for superstars to be able to move between the more established brands and the “alternative” brand of NXT. If superstars will be able to cross from NXT to SmackDown and Raw and vice versa, there’s no reason they can’t show up on the co-branded pay-per-views either. And what’s the fun of a WWE pay-per-view that doesn’t have a couple of real tricks up its sleeve? They can’t all be Sami and Kevin at Hell in a Cell, but a surprise guest is a fun swerve. Why not Nikki?
And look, I just miss Nikki Cross. Nikki is one of the best all-round women’s wrestlers on any roster, and her character is a lot of fun. Don’t let the madwoman gimmick fool you. Nikki is a great technical wrestler and she gives every opponent she had a great match.
She also has a history of conflict with the IIconics. Nikki cost Peyton multiple shots at the NXT Women’s Championship, and Nikki has also run-in on matches between the IIconics and other competitors to mess up their matches. Their mutual animosity would make the foundation for a fun feud, and give Nikki some in-ring time on the main roster while still allowing her to remain on the NXT.
The IIconics have made a huge impact in a short amount of time on SmackDown. I love them as monster heels, but I think they’re at their best when they’re flexing their arrogance and then get taken down a peg. Imagine if they issued an open challenge for a handicap match at Backlash, and Nikki was the one who ran down the ramp to take them up on it? Book it, Backlash!
And if you want to throw Ruby Riott in there too, well, I wouldn’t complain.