WWE SummerSlam 2019 will have a number of potential instant classics, but Bayley vs. Ember Moon could easily be the show-stealer. Here are three reasons why The Hugger should retain the SmackDown Women’s Championship in Toronto.
This will be the first SummerSlam match in Ember Moon or Bayley’s career. The fact that it’s the first of Ember’s career isn’t surprising since she’s only been on the main roster since WrestleMania 34. But Bayley has been a key star on the main roster since 2016, yet WWE SummerSlam 2019 will be her first match at The Biggest Party of the Summer.
Bayley also has an interesting history with Toronto. Recall that before her Extreme Rules match in 2017, Bayley was booed by the Toronto crowd when revealing an injury. So not only would Bayley have a chance to make her mark at her first SummerSlam by having a great title match, but it’d also be extra sweet for her to get a great response from the notoriously unpredictable Toronto crowd.
Moon is a tough challenger for Bayley since she’s a future women’s champion and could conceivably win her first title at SummerSlam this year. However, Bayley should be the one to retain the SmackDown Women’s Championship as she continues her great reign with the prestigious title. Here are three reasons why Bayley should win on Aug. 11.
Bayley needs to be the face of the brand for FOX
As of right now, Bayley, Kofi Kingston, Becky Lynch, and Brock Lesnar are the four main champions heading into WWE SummerSlam 2019, and they could very well be the world champions heading into October’s move to FOX. That would make Kingston and Bayley the faces of the SmackDown brand on FOX in the fall, and I can’t think of two better representatives on the roster.
Bayley has been a fan favorite for years and is currently at the top of her game. She can do media with grace, she reaches a wide variety of fans, and she has the in-ring skills to fit as the champion on a sports-centric SmackDown on FOX.
Since winning the SmackDown Women’s Championship at Money in the Bank via cash-in, Bayley has held the prestigious championship with class. She’s continued the legacy of this title, which became WWE’s most important championship during the feud between Charlotte Flair and Becky Lynch that began last year when The Queen emerged victorious at SummerSlam.
She should be headed for a lengthy run with the title, and it would be fitting for her to pick up a big win at SummerSlam heading into the fall. From there, she can make the title feel special for FOX and work towards passing the torch with a WrestleMania or Royal Rumble program.
Ember Moon isn’t ready to win yet
As much as this pains me to say, Ember Moon isn’t ready to win the SmackDown Women’s Championship. She is one of the best wrestlers on the roster, but it seems like many fans are still trying to figure out what she’s about as a character. Much of that is on WWE for not giving her much to work with, beyond standing up to backstage bullies Sonya Deville and Mandy Rose in brief scenes.
Moon has an intriguing character that is just waiting to blossom, and it does seem like many fans are being harsh on her. But this title match with Bayley should be more of a step towards stardom rather than the destination point. Fans are still waiting to get fully behind Moon as a babyface. She can impress them with a classic match against Bayley at SummerSlam before raising her stock further in the fall. Moon is a great candidate to win her first title in 2020, perhaps even at next year’s SummerSlam.
Honestly, it would be more than fine if Moon were to win the SmackDown Women’s Championship next month. Again, she’ll be a future champion at some point and is already a high-level performer inside the ring. But I think there’s something missing when it comes to fan engagement. They are behind her, but they aren’t itching for her to win, especially not against another beloved wrestler in Bayley.
Bayley still has more work to do as champion
The best thing about Bayley’s championship reign has been her willingness to put over up-and-coming superstars. Before last night’s episode of SmackDown Live, Bayley tweeted “let’s have a match” to every up-and-comer on the roster, including Liv Morgan and Zelina Vega.
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Bayley then requested a match against Moon during the show after teaming up with her to defeat Sonya Deville and Mandy Rose in a tag match (Moon got the winning pin). She has always wanted to face future superstars like Moon, and she can now do that after putting the past (Alexa Bliss) behind her at Extreme Rules.
But Moon is just one wrestler who can benefit from a feud with Bayley, who is one of the biggest stars in all of wrestling. As a champion, Bayley moves the meter, so anyone who steps into the ring benefits with her. Even if they lose, they only stand to gain, especially since the match will be great. And as Bayley racks up more wins and her championship reign grows in length, her credibility as champion increases. This, in turn, leads to future opponents getting a bigger rub.
Bayley can still help elevate Zelina, Liv (who will be returning with a new gimmick at some point), and even tag team wrestlers like Kairi Sane and Sonya Deville. There is no shortage of great opponents in the loaded SmackDown Women’s Division.
And after Bayley is done having great matches with everyone, she can circle back and pass the torch to one of those breakout superstars. Out of all the wrestlers listed, Ember Moon, as of right now, looks like the perfect choice to succeed Bayley as champion.
It’s just not happening at WWE SummerSlam 2019.