WWE Draft 2021: Five Women That Need To Change Brands

“It’s time to shake things up again!” The famous catchphrase Mr. McMahon once used when announcing an upcoming draft for WWE. The draft in WWE is generally put in motion whenever WWE needs to shake up both RAW and SmackDown. When both brands get stale for an extended period, the switching of shows comes to play.

At first, the WWE Draft used to take place post WrestleMania. Now, the shakeup occurs in the latter half of the year in October. With the draft coming up in one week, it only fits to determine which superstars will switch shows.

With that assertion, here are five women that need to change brands.

5) Bayley

Ever since Bayley became a member of the SmackDown brand in 2019, she has proven that she can deliver, whether as a face or a heel. When Bayley turned heel, the WWE Universe saw a whole other side of her. Instead of hugging the fans, Bayley portrayed a ruthless and antagonizing person who would do whatever it takes to remain on top. Throughout her time on SmackDown, she made history by becoming the longest-reigning SmackDown Women’s Champion.

Although Bayley is currently on the sidelines for nine months due to a torn ACL, she can always get some mention on television by the revelation of her getting drafted to RAW. The last time Bayley was on television dates back to June, in which she and Bianca Belair were battling for the SmackDown Women’s Championship. Since Bayley’s estimated time to heal is up to March 2022, she can always make a return after WrestleMania by challenging whomever the RAW Women’s Champion may be.

4) Shayna Baszler

When Shayna Baszler got called up to the main roster in early 2020, she jumped straight to the main event scene, pursuing the RAW Women’s Championship. Even though Baszler came up short numerous times, she won the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship alongside her former partner, Nia Jax.

There is so much potential with Baszler, especially now with the revival of her vicious character. Last Monday on RAW, Baszler competed against Jax, where she finished off by choking out Jax. After the match, Baszler put noticed that she was making a statement. Baszler would continually beat Jax down by stomping her arm in the steel steps, thus putting Jax out of action indefinitely.

Now that Baszler is back on her singles run, there’s a lot of direction for her in the women’s division. Since there are so many heels in the RAW brand, especially with Charlotte Flair currently holding the RAW Women’s Championship, it only fits for Baszler to move to the SmackDown roster.

Baszler moving to SmackDown can help shake up the brand a lot. With Baszler gradually becoming a monster heel, she can always make an impact by entering the SmackDown Women’s Championship picture. If Bianca Belair can defeat Becky Lynch for the SmackDown Women’s Championship at Extreme Rules, Baszler could start a program with her former rival back on NXT.

3) Alexa Bliss

If there’s someone who can shift roles in an instant, it’s Alexa Bliss. Bliss shocked the WWE Universe when she aligned herself with The Fiend. It was unexpected of occurrence when Bliss transformed herself to a sinister look. Bliss also shocked the world when she turned on The Fiend on WrestleMania, notifying everyone that she prefers to be on her own.

With Bliss likely losing to Charlotte Flair this Sunday at Extreme Rules, it only wonders what is next for “The Wicked Witch of WWE.” A move to SmackDown wouldn’t be bad for Bliss at all. Bliss can always go to SmackDown and play mind games with another big star such as “The Man” Becky Lynch or even poke fun at Carmella and Zelina Vega.

2) Rhea Ripley

Rhea Ripley can make a massive difference on SmackDown. Rhea has accomplished everything on RAW by winning the RAW Women’s Championship at WrestleMania and becoming one half of the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions alongside Nikki A.S.H.

Currently, SmackDown runs a thin line of babyfaces in the women’s division. Rhea can fill that role of babyfaces by challenging Becky Lynch, whom she has never faced before. She can also fulfill her role in the tag team division by working with Shotzi and Tegan Nox. Besides these open matches, Rhea may encounter her past rivals in NXT, such as Bianca Belair and Toni Storm from NXT UK.

1) Sasha Banks

No matter where Sasha Banks stands when it comes to brands, Sasha will always be a made name and someone who’s always stealing the show. Sasha Banks has been part of the SmackDown brand for almost two years. Her tenure in the blue brand signifies that it’s time for a change.

Maybe it’s finally time for Sasha Banks to move back to RAW. During her time on SmackDown, she became “Two Belts Banks” and one of the top female babyfaces of that show. Banks also made history with Belair at this year’s WrestleMania by becoming one of the first African American women to main event WWE’s biggest event of the year.

This past summer, Banks made her return but established herself as a heel once again. Initially, Belair and Banks were supposed to have their WrestleMania rematch at SummerSlam, but Banks was pulled for unknown reasons.

Hopefully, Banks will be back in time for the draft so she can reclaim her mark. A trade to RAW is the right move for her, now that Belair has her hands full with Lynch. With the possibility of Banks joining RAW, the WWE Universe could see another classic rivalry between her and Charlotte for a championship that Banks has never held for longer than a month.