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Royal Rumble 2023: 3 potential winners for the women’s division

By Raphael Garcia

Jul 18, 2021; Fort Worth, TX, USA; Nikki A.S.H. (gold/blue) and Naomi (neon) and Natalya (reb/black) and Alexa Bliss (sliver/glitter) and Asuka (multi color) and Tamina (pink/black) and Zelina Vega (white/red) and Liv Morgan (white/green) battle in the Women's Money in the Bank match during Money in the Bank at Dickies Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 18, 2021; Fort Worth, TX, USA; Nikki A.S.H. (gold/blue) and Naomi (neon) and Natalya (reb/black) and Alexa Bliss (sliver/glitter) and Asuka (multi color) and Tamina (pink/black) and Zelina Vega (white/red) and Liv Morgan (white/green) battle in the Women's Money in the Bank match during Money in the Bank at Dickies Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /
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WWE Survivor Series: WarGames is right around the corner. That’s the final step before the lead into WrestleMania Season 2023. The first stop along the way is Royal Rumble. The pressure is on with the next edition of the show to use it as an opportunity to put the stamp on a new name to lead for the future. This is especially true for the women’s division, as the group needs fresh faces to carry the group outside of the Four Horsewomen. Looking forward to the Royal Rumble, here are three women that should be on the shortlist to pick up a victory.

Rhea Ripley

For years, WWE has hinted at a feud between Bianca Belair and Rhea Ripley. Injuries cut the matter short, but now both women are healthy and at the peak of their powers. Belair is enjoying a “John Cena”-like run as WWE Raw Women’s Champion. Ripley is dominating as the de-facto “leader” of The Judgement Day. They passed each other on camera on the November 7 edition of WWE Raw, with nothing more than a smile to set the stage. The time is now.

Ripley picking up a win at the Rumble puts her directly in the crosshairs of Belair. In fact, WWE should book Belair to pick Ripley as a challenger before Ripley even has an opportunity to make her choice. Make it clear that these two women know their futures are linked with big match opportunities in front of them both. Belair versus Ripley is a feud that could dominate women’s wrestling for years.

Mandy Rose

The Mandy Rose project back in NXT was fruitful. She held the NXT Women’s Championship for a year, improving in everything she does along the way. While some viewers will still have a disagreement with how strong Rose has been booked during her second stint on the brand, it’s still hard to ignore that the plan has effectively built her and the rest of Toxic Attraction.

Re-introducing Rose to the main roster in the Royal Rumble would be a big moment. She hasn’t been featured on the main roster since and that is a step to protect her. There’s still a debate about if she could carry either brand as a top champion. Getting her a big win at the Rumble would be a step in that direction, and with Toxic Attraction at her side, WWE can push her in a way that is still protective while giving her a “final test” as the main event star.

Naomi

Sasha Banks and Naomi made a major statement when they walked out of the WWE back in May. The two women made a stand for the entire women’s division by demanding the promotion put time into the tag division and the rest of the group. Months later, fans are still handling every step these women take outside the ring. And those steps have been plentiful and impressive. As rumors continue to grow about their return, Naomi should be one woman that WWE is thinking about with a Royal Rumble victory.

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Naomi has a lot of career accolades on her resume, but she doesn’t feel as big a star as fans recognize. She’s a two-time SmackDown Women’s Champion and held the tag titles with Banks. Fans want to see Naomi have a career-defining moment and imagine that moment coming with her being the last woman standing with a clear pathway to a women’s title match at WrestleMania.

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