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WWE: 10 Things We Needs to See For Women’s Wrestling in 2017

img_9107 2016 will forever be known as the year that the women of WWE transformed from being divas to being equal counterparts to the male competitors. It was present not just in the amount of ring time that they were given, but the marquee matches that they competed in, the storylines that ensued, and the support from the WWE Universe that women’s wrestling has finally come full circle, and again an attraction worth mentioning —even surpassing that of the Golden Era that featured Lita, Victoria, Jacqueline, and Trish Stratus. Women main evented Monday Night Raw twice, had the closing match on SmackDown!, opened four pay-per-views, and main evented a pay-per-view. It was indeed the year that was women’s wrestling.

As we transition into the new year, there are high expectations in place for what’s to come for the women of the WWE. While early indications hint this will be a huge year for the likes of Bayley and Charlotte, there’s a plethora of women who most definitely are ready to make a lasting impression for the WWE Universe. Below is a list of 10 things that would ensure not only the progression of the division for the company, but for years to come. 1. More Marquee Matches: Women’s Royal Rumble & Money in the Bank Ladder Match — In 2017 we saw women compete in Tables, No Disqualification, Falls Count Anywhere, Submission, Ironman, and Hell in a Cell matches. The amount of talent present on the roster willing to risk their bodies night in and night out continues to increase by leaps and bounds. With two active women’s championships on the roster, what better time to introduce a women’s rumble match where the winner is guaranteed a championship match at WrestleMania, the same as the male competitors receive. There is definitely enough talent to have 15-20 competitors. Incorporate some legends to return for one night only and call up some NXT talent. With the women’s tournament also planned for 2017, maybe using some of the talent in that allowing them to get an opportunity as well. Including the feud with Renee Young and Maryse, there are officially seven active storylines featuring the women of Raw and Smackdown. It is definitely time to maximize on that. With that being said, the progression of the women’s division is almost certain to yield to the first ever women’s ladder match. Money in the Bank would be the perfect opportunity for that to take place. To afford the opportunity to women on both shows, the match could be contested at WrestleMania oppose to the MITB pay-per-view, which SmackDown! has. MITB typically produces the next big star and could be a great send off for stars such as Carmella, Dana Brooke, or Naomi to catapult into title contention. 2. Returns: Mickie James, Paige, Eva Marie, Tamina, Summer Rae — One thing that must be present for the expansion of the Women’s Evolution to be successful, is the return of some of the loyal women who have been with the company for some time. While Summer Rae may seem as someone completely under the radar, her absence on television has definitely gone noticed by those of the WWE Universe. There have been several tweets requesting insight on her return. Lets not forget the role she was on prior to her injury; she had quality matches with Sasha Banks in the late spring of 2016. Aligning her with a dominant female competitor, or even sending her back to NXT for some time before making a thunderous return, would do great for the division. Maybe aligning herself with Emmalina, who is sure to make a thunder when she returns. The two have already had similar rants on Twitter against Sasha Banks and Charlotte. Also injured on the Raw brand, is the powerhouse of Tamina. When you reflect on her career, Tamina has always been aligned with someone in her time with the company. While she definitely was effective in the Diva’s Revolution storyline as a member of Team BAD, there has never been a one on one push for Tamina, as there has been for Naomi and Sasha Banks. Termini’s veteran status should be used to boost the talents of Nia Jaxx, who needs formidable competition, or even send her on SmackDown! to conclude her ties with former partner Naomi, who is in desperate need of a storyline. Or, on the SmackDown! realm, there is arguably the most hated woman since Vickie Guerrero… Eva Marie. Her suspension came right in time when it seemed her career was on its path to rocketing her into a premier position in SmackDown!’s division. Why not have her return to lock horns with any of SmackDown’s women who have been creating one hell of a division in her absence. Suspended at the same time as Eva Marie, is former Diva’s Champion Paige. As one of the women responsible for the Women’s Evolution, we have seen a neglect from Paige since the Summer of 2016, due to both injuries and personal issues. Raw’s division definitely needs her talents to return and stir things up with the likes of Sasha Banks, Bayley, and Nia Jaxx. And most definitely, the return of Mickie James is highly appreciated. Mickie is a beyond talented veteran in the business and will produce some classic matches with the likes of Becky Lynch, Nikki Bella, and Natalya. What we need, however, is the return of Psycho James. Mickie’s crazy fan run from 2005-2006 was one of the most over heels in women’s wrestling history, that ultimately led to her eventual face turn. It will most definitely be welcomed on the SmackDown roster! 3. Three-Four Women’s Matches at WrestleMania — Typically, there has been one match featuring the women, with the exception of 2004 and 2006. That all changed at last year’s WrestleMania that produced two very well matches, one of them arguably the match of the night. What better way to showcase the support for the women’s division then providing them with a tremendous amount of opportunities to showcase their capable of handling multiple opportunities to steal the show the same as their male counterparts. There are two Women’s Championships, and both are featured as premier championships on their respective brands, unlike 2008-2010 with the Women’s and Diva’s Championships respectively. Both championships should be contested in compelling, action packed matches that tell a great deal of story behind them. And with the current champions being Alexa Bliss and Charlotte, there’s no reason to believe the two won’t walk in with the championships. But why stop there? WrestleMania is about making history and WWE has arguably its greatest women’s roster to date that deserve that opportunity. A massive one-on-one match, like Sasha vs. Mickie, should also be featured on the card, and a high stakes marquee match, like the first ever women’s ladder match for a future championship opportunity. 4. The Passing of the Torch: Askua vs. Ember Moon — One could argue that NXT is responsible for the opportunities being afforded to women’s wrestling presently. After the division’s major decline from 2010-2014, the division was foreseen as an after thought. With the debut of NXT and the chances given to the likes of Paige, Emma, Charlotte, Sasha Banks, Bayley, Becky Lynch, and others, an interest and support for women’s wrestling reached new heights. Currently, Askua has been reigning supreme in NXT for a year and a half. While other talent continues to grow and evolve, there’s one name in particular that fans are awaiting to cross paths with the current NXT Women’s Champion: Ember Moon. Ember’s charisma and abilities in the ring are unmatched by any other woman, except the champion. Askua has done virtually all there is to do for the NXT division, and her main roster debut is highly anticipated. It should also be noted that both women are indeed undefeated. The question isn’t if the golden feud will take place, but when. Askua’s transition to the main roster should be very similar to that of Sasha Bank’s in 2015. Ember’s first challenge to Askua should be at Takeover Orlando, in which she should take her first loss to the champion. Similar to Bayley’s resurgence in 2015, Ember should challenge Askua again at NXT Takeover: Brooklyn III and take the championship from Askua. Askua would go down as the longest reigning champion, outlasting that of Charlotte, and challenge in a rematch to main event the next NXT Takeover event, likely for Survivor Series. While this is beginning, have Askua begin to transition slowly onto the main roster with some sort of rivalry on RAW, with the likes of Charlotte or Sasha Banks, and the torch officially passed to Ember as the gem of the NXT division by making their score 2–1 in one on one matches. 5. Less Charlotte, More Bayley/Becky Lynch — The greatest rivalry of 2016 was hands down Sasha Banks vs. Charlotte. The two women put on absolute classics when in the ring with one another. Even with three championship wins, Sasha’s time never got the full threshold or centerpiece it deserved. Charlotte emerged as the queen of the women’s division for not just all of 2016, but half of 2015. There is no denying the incredible skills she possesses both in the ring and on the microphone, but 2017 should begin to shy away from the overuse of Charlotte’s dominance, and more on the likes of Becky Lynch and Bayley. Becky is the lone wolf of the NXT Four Horsewomen on the Smackdown Live roster and has become the face of their women’s division. This year should be another year full of big moments for the Irish Lass Kisser. She should bring to an end her hot feud with Alexa Bliss and transition into a program with soon-to-return Mickie James, that should display excellent wrestling matches. What could be even more huge for Lynch would be a heel turn that NO ONE sees coming. Heading into the summer, a Lynch heel turn pitting her against who holds the torch on Smackdown’s women’s division will add more versatility to her already impressive resume. Push her into more marquee matches; she displayed she can handle the spotlight in main event matches, as well as her tables match with Bliss. Make her name one of the top two to thrive in the discussion, oppose to the last. And then there was Bayley. When her fellow running mates were called to the main roster, Bayley became the focal point of NXT Women’s Division and would not only steal the show twice with her epic matches with Sasha Banks, but make future stars in Carmella, Alexa Bliss, and Nia Jaxx, who all made their main roster debuts prior to Bayley. When she finally passed the torch to Askua, there was little doubt of her time coming to the main roster. Poor booking due to the success of Charlotte and Sasha’s feud has had her lost in the sauce until more recently. 2017 will most definitely  be the year of Bayley. Expect her to become the Women’s Champion at WrestleMania. Her reign, unlike any of Sasha’s or Becky’s for that matter, shouldn’t be short lived. She should lead the pack with several high profile feuds and programs in this calendar year and culminate with the feud that made her the star she is today… 6. Overdue Push: Naomi, Emmalina — If you look at the entire women’s roster, there are two women who have yet to earn their due diligence. Emmalina has yet to have a big moment in the company. She’s had very little story lines or impact, despite being over with the crowd when she made her main roster debut. That all appeared to change when she returned to NXT to have a tremendous series of matches with Askua and aligning herself with Dana Brooke. When the duo made their big screen debut to the main roster, it appeared Emma’s time had finally come. And then, she was injured. While her return to television is anticipated in the coming weeks, her star power should not be wasted. Her match at NXT Rival in 2014 with Paige proved that she is capable of handling the spotlight. If that wasn’t evident enough, watch her program with Askua. Whether she returns as a face or a heel, there’s quite the room for her big breakout to take place on the RAW roster in 2017 with the likes of Sasha Banks, Charlotte, Bayley, Paige, Nia Jaxx, and even Dana Brooke, awaiting her return. But the woman most overdue for her push is without a doubt Smackdown Live’s only woman without a storyline for the second running month straight, Naomi. Naomi joined the company in 2012 and has grown into one of the most entertaining talents on the entire roster. Her style is unique displaying a great sense of athleticism and emotion when she competes in the ring. It seemed her time was coming in 2014 to become the Diva’s Champion, but she suffered an injury that derailed those plans. Fast forward to 2015, the heel turn that no one saw coming. Even with how over she became as a heel, the plan was to jump start the Diva’s Revolution and have Nikki Bella shatter AJ Lee’s record as longest running Diva’s Champion, so again— Naomi’s big moment never came. As a key player in the Diva’s Revolution, Naomi would eventually take a backseat to the debuts of Becky Lynch, Charlotte, and former ally Sasha Banks. In 2016, Naomi returned after the draft with a persona that is arguably the most over she’s been since her debut. The fans have been behind her wholeheartedly. Her in-ring work is as fine as its ever been. Yet, there’s no push for her greatness. With WrestleMania returning to her hometown, what better way to show Naomi she hasn’t been forgotten then provide her with the opportunity to have her big moment at the grandest stage of them all? Even if it isn’t a championship match, something historic to show her that her work is appreciated. Allow 2017 to be the year that her in-ring work isn’t just noticed, but rewarded with meaningful, dynamic storytelling. 7. Return of More Legends — Mickie James has officially made her return to the WWE and will no doubt be a draw to the SmackDown women’s division. Dream matches with the likes of Bayley, Becky Lynch, and Alexa Bliss, will make for great television. But why should the company stop there? There have been several big names in women’s wrestling history who would have dynamic matches with current talent, even if for one night only purposes. Perhaps the return of some of the greats of the Golden Era? Or the likes of Melina, Beth Phoenix, or Michelle McCool — women who could’ve been the cornerstone of the women’s division at a time when the diva’s division lacked true interest and engagement. Still need more convincing? Imagine the likes of some of these dream matches in 2017: Alexa Bliss vs. Melina, Molly Holly vs. Becky Lynch, Mickie James vs. AJ Lee, Beth Phoenix vs. Nia Jaxx, Jazz vs. Askua, Victoria vs. Paige, Alundra Blayze vs. Natalya, Gail Kim vs. Sasha Banks, Bayley vs. Trish Stratus, Michelle McCool vs. Charlotte. I’ll stop there. 8. Big Moments: Dana turns on Charlotte, Nikki challenges for the Women’s Championship — The biggest lack of depth in the Women��s Evolution in 2016 is likely that of storytelling. The in-ring action was excellent. The feuds were compelling. But the narratives behind many of them lacked true emotion and ambition, beyond Sasha vs. Charlotte. In 2017, there are two major stories that could set both brand’s women’s divisions ablaze. Wisely enough, the already established veteran Nikki Bella, has yet to be in single’s pursuit of the Women’s Championship. She has been occupied with feuds with Carmella, and presently Natalya. Nikki’s growth inside the ring is very reminiscent of that of Hall of Famer Trish Stratus. Her popularity is uncanny; just see her surprise return at Summerslam last year. Many of young females fans get behind her, largely due to her appeal on Total Divas. Whether she claims the gold or not, a dynamic storyline showing her finally challenging the Women’s Championship would do two things. First, it would show a true payoff from her comeback. One that focuses on the goals of returning to the ring after being told you may never return, something that Nikki isn’t shy of reminding us of. Secondly, in the event she isn’t successful in her pursuits, imagine the credibility that would do to whom ever the champion is to knock off Nikki Bella, arguably the face of the Women’s Division for the past three years. Nikki’s quest should culminate at the likes of WrestleMania, but if written properly regardless, will be a story with high intrigue and payoff for fans and the SmackDown Live women’s division. On the RAW brand, WWE has been teasing a break-up between Dana Brooke and Charlotte off and on for months now, only to unite them with little tension whatsoever at the close of 2016. The pairing issues shouldn’t be ignored and left behind, like that of the Bella Twins in the close of 2014. Dana’s potential star power has continued to grow leaps and bounds since uniting with Charlotte, making her one of the greater heels in the women’s division. With Charlotte being the top heel possibly on the entire roster, male or female, imagine what turning on her could do for Dana’s career. Dana has yet to have a face run, and with growing jealousy of Charlotte’s success or mistreatment of her, why shouldn’t that culminate in Dana costing Charlotte the Women’s Championship at the biggest stage of them all: WrestleMania. 9. The Evolution of Bliss + The Boss — One of the hidden gems of 2016 was the rise of Alexa Bliss. Her potential was always evident in her time in NXT, but who would’ve ever anticipated it to take her to the heights it did in the fall of 2016. Her in-ring growth and progress caught the eyes of WWE officials who called her up to the main roster during the draft this summer and she has yet to disappoint audiences since. Minus one or two big stage jitters, Bliss has shined and thrived since her arrival. Her facial expressions and mic skills are easily the best on the entire SmackDown! women’s roster. The fan support she has gained as a heel have arguably been what has allowed her star to rise so quickly. Her winning the Women’s Championship in 2016 was a shock, but not at all to say she doesn’t deserve it. And her trademark entrances with the championship, from her finishes to her matches, continue to grow showing she’s not going to drop the title anytime soon. 2017 should continue to rely on Bliss as the centerpiece of the Women’s Division for SmackDown Live. While her feud with Becky Lynch should soon conclude, there isn’t hope the two will rekindle it perhaps in the close of next year, after the amazing matches they’ve put on. For the meantime, here’s hope Bliss rises in programs along the likes of Naomi, Nikki Bella, and Mickie James. And after the emotion displayed after her winning the Women’s Champion, can you imagine the emotion that’ll be expressed the moment she loses it? On the subject of losing, someone who lost three Women’s Championships too many in 2016 would be The Boss, Sasha Banks. Heading into 2016, there was little doubt that she was the not only the crowd, but company favorite to take the women’s division to new heights. The moment she walked into the arena following Charlotte’s defense against Becky Lynch, the entire crowd erupted with large yes chants and approval for her return. While her big moment may not have come as originally planned at WrestleMania, in the summer of 2016 Banks would win her first Women’s Championship in one of the greatest matches of the entire year. Since then, however, she traded victories back and forth with Charlotte for the championships a whopping six times, with Sasha closing the year losing the gold to Charlotte for a third time in December. As the company looks to lean towards a Charlotte/Bayley feud for 2017, it should be well noted one key factor: both Charlotte and Bayley’s greatest foe is Sasha Banks. In NXT, Charlotte/Bayley was never the draw emotionally, systematically, or in the ring that Sasha/Charlotte or Sasha/Bayley was. From just glimpses of their story now, it won’t be quite as compelling. Sasha Banks to this date remains the greatest female heel that NXT has ever seen. The reason she was turned face in 2016 was to rival Charlotte, who had gone heel, and her enormous popularity amongst the WWE Universe. Banks may have her hands full presently with Nia Jaxx, but this feud should not exceed February. Sasha belongs in the main event picture. With all due respect to Charlotte, her spotlight has been on for well over a year, and the torch should be passed for the time being to allow her to develop feuds with fellow stars in the division, and not holding onto quick title reigns to help her challenge Trish Stratus or her father’s record of sixteen championship title reigns. Its as if Sasha’s purpose was to propel Charlotte even further as a performer with the audience, as she did, unlike her feuds with Paige, Natalya, and even Becky Lynch, with in each of those feuds fans chanting “We want Sasha”. 2017 needs to rebuild and reshape the Boss. Following her feud with Jaxx, Sasha should slowly transition into a heel turn as the year continues, with feuds between her and Emma or Paige gradually throughout the year, possibly even an innerpromotional feud/stint on SmackDown Live. Banks has been hinting since the summer that she is interested in the blue brand and in a world where she wrongfully feels to be becoming third string, perhaps the blue brand could be the best for her in 2017.  However, eventually this should all boil down to what will ultimately reignite the flame that we are all awaiting towards SummerSlamish or Winter of this year heading into 2018 for WrestleMania Season… 10. Sasha Banks vs. Bayley— The moment that Bayley pinned Sasha Banks to win the NXT Women’s Championship at NXT Takeover: Brooklyn, the wrestling masses lost their minds. The match was voted as the best NXT match of that year, and the second-best match of the entire year from all brands of WWE. The rematch the two had at NXT Takeover: Respect would become the first women’s match to not only headline a WWE Network Special, but also be contested as Ironman Rules, giving the women the two best wrestling matches of the Women’s Division of that year. And since that day, we’ve all wanted more. The moment that Bayley came as Sasha’s tag team partner at Battleground this year, we have wanted more. When Bayley arrived on the main roster, it was assumed that the end goal was to turn the best friends back into rivals. And there were small hints of the two beginning to build towards an eventual collision between the two. Tension began to surface all geared towards the Women’s Championship. And just when you thought it was going to be a reality, Charlotte regains the Women’s Championship and Sasha begins a feud with Nia Jaxx. While it is highly unlikely that the two will cross paths at WrestleMania, it is highly likely the showdown could occur in 2017. WWE should NOT WASTE any pointless one-on-one encounters. The boss should return to being the dominant heel that she thrived so well as in NXT and await patiently for her best friend’s championship victory. A story built on jealously and opportunity should ensue in either the summer, leading up to a big championship clash at Summerslam, or…ignite in the end of the year to set the stage for a collision at WrestleMania 34. The in ring chemistry that these two women can’t be ignored. The presence that both of them have with the audience is uncanny. They are easily the two most over stars on the roster. Sasha is a beloved heel who generates sensation heat and appeal from fans, while Bayley is the modern day Daniel Bryan. This shouldn’t  be a feud that first happens at a brand only event or on Monday Night Raw. Maybe move Sasha onto the SmackDown! Live brand. There is plenty of rivalries she could indulge in to rebuild her role as a heel before her grand return, maybe winning a women’s Royal Rumble in 2018 and challenging Bayley for the championship at WrestleMania. The possibilities are endless; the story should be perfectly written to bring to fruition, and above all else– NEEDS TO HAPPEN! It is literally what fans have been waiting for.