WWE: State of the Women's Division

From the desk of:  VINCE SR.'s WORST NIGHTMARE

I first became passionate about wrestling as a single-digit midget back in the mid 1970s when all territories were still under the umbrella of the NWA and kayfabe ruled the day.  Our local territory was then known as the WWWF, and was owned by Vince McMahon Sr.  At the time, his son Vince Jr. was doing little more than cutting promos and ring announcing.  When Daddy Mac decided he'd had enough, he made Vince Jr. promise to not break up the territory system.  So what did Sonny Mac do?  He swallowed up the competition with haste thus ending the territory system.  Vince Jr. would argue in the same spirit that Brett Hart screwed Brett Hart, the various territory owners killed the various territories.  My son and I constantly debate the evolution of wrestling from when I was a kid through today's era of Sports Entertainment.  It is therefore my honor and privilege to introduce to you the newest contributor of the Brooklyn Trolley Blogger, my son, Michael III.

Several years ago, the WWE promised a “Women’s Revolution” where the women of the WWE would be featured more prominently and get the same opportunities as the men did.  The company for the most part has delivered on that promise. Women like the Four Horsewomen, Nia Jax, Alexa Bliss and now Ronda Rousey have all been featured in prominent spots on pay per views, even main eventing a few.  The first ever women’s Royal Rumble, Money in the Bank and Hell in the Cell matches have all taken place in the last few years, something previously thought impossible several decades ago. However, with every success there are always missteps and the WWE is in the midst of a roadblock when it comes to the presentation of the Women’s Division.  

The major problem facing the women of Raw and Smackdown is the fact that the WWE writer’s only seem capable of juggling one major women’s storyline per show.  When Sasha Banks and Charlotte were feuding for the Raw Women’s Championship several years ago, it was the only women’s story that mattered on Raw. Too often the titles on both shows are the centerpiece of women’s storylines while the other women are usually crammed into multi person tag matches that don’t really matter much.  While the title should always be the focus for a main event feud, the ability to tell multiple compelling stories is something the WWE writing staff has struggled with for years. This problem is currently fairly evident on Raw and Smackdown right now. With Summerslam quickly approaching, the WWE has a chance to fix this problem and actually deliver some compelling material the women of Raw and Smackdown can sink their teeth into.  

Fixing RAW

On Raw, there is currently two major storylines taking place for the women right now.  The first is Ronda Rousey’s quest to get revenge on Alex Bliss and finally capturing the Raw Women’s Championship.  The Rousey storyline will ultimately culminate at Summerslam with Rousey most likely beating Alexa Bliss and establishing herself as the top face on Raw.  While there is nothing inherently wrong with this program, the road to Rousey winning the title should have been a little bit longer. Rousey herself has stated that she didn’t want to jump the line and go right into the main event picture but be a regular Superstar.  Yet in her second ever match she was challenging Nia Jax for the title. Now, I understand the WWE has to capitalize on Rousey’s star power but they really are rushing her ascension.

At the conclusion of the Rousey Vs. Jax match, Alexa Bliss cashed in her MITB briefcase, robbing both women and walking out with the title.   Now people love to get on Roman Reigns for getting multiple main event pushes and being shoved down the throats of the fans. If that’s the case, Alexa Bliss has to be the Roman Reigns of the Women’s Division.  She has dominated the Women’s Division since her NXT call up despite not being very good in the ring. She’s amazing on the mic but that’s really about it. Her title win here will add more heat and make the moment Rousey ultimately defeats her more satisfying.  Even still, Nia Jax who finally won the big one at Wrestlemania, is now being shuffled to the background and probably won’t be relevant again for a while. Turning Jax heel and setting her up as a monster against Rousey will set up a compelling feud for both. Maybe even aligning Jax with Stephanie McMahon would make sense seeing Steph still has unfinished business with Rousey.  Throw in the eventual betrayal by Rousey’s bff Natalya and Ronda’s got months worth of worthwhile feuds to occupy her for the rest of the year.

While Jax and Rousey battle it out, Alexa Bliss should move onto a feud with Ember Moon.  It will help Ember get over more than the endless matches with the Riot Squad have. With two fresh feuds ready to go, we turn our attention to the other major storyline happening on Raw: the never ending breakup of best frenemies Sasha Banks and Bayley.  These two have been engaged in an on and off again feud since 1946. There has been no payoff and when it seemed like we were finally going to get the big pay per view match we were promised, Sasha confessed her love for Bayley last week turning this into an episode of General Hospital.  If something worthwhile doesn’t finally come from this program I’m going to lose my mind. With Summerslam right around the corner, the logical thing would be have these two finally face off in the same building that they made history in during their time in NXT, the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.  

There are currently rumors that Stephanie McMahon is set to return tonight to announce the creation of a women’s only pay per view and the introduction of women’s tag titles.  If the writers are not going to have Sasha and Bayley face off at Summerslam, they should have them team up and become the inaugural Women’s Tag Team Champions. Having them work their differences and ultimately triumph and become champs can be just as compelling a story as them beating the crap out of each other.  Having them defend it across both Raw and Smackdown would give them compelling matchups against teams like the Riot Squad, the IIconics and even maybe their fellow Horsewomen, Becky Lynch and Charlotte.

Fixing Smackdown

Smackdown’s problems are even more profound than Raw’s.  Literally the only woman’s storyline going on at any given time is Carmella and her cheating to keep her title.  Carmella, like Alexa Bliss, isn’t very good in the ring but solid on the mic and an amazing heel. The only problem with her is that her title reign has made a mockery out of any worthy challenger.  Charlotte fresh off beating Asuka’s undefeated streak dropped the title to Carmella and hasn’t been seen since. Asuka, at one time the most dominant woman in NXT history, has been pinned by Carmella more times than anyone would like to acknowledge.  Her aura and credibility have been completely eviscerated. The only hope Smackdown has to end the reign of Carmella is Becky Lynch.

Lynch finally looks poised to re-enter the title picture and she should finally be the one to dethrone Carmella at Summerslam.  Becky Lynch may be the most natural babyface in the WWE aside from Daniel Bryan. She is a hero the kids can get behind and she should be rewarded for her hard work with a lengthy title reign.  Her first reign as champ did not last long at all but this time around she should sit atop the Smackdown Women’s division for several months.

Aside from the championship picture, the other women of Smackdown are relegated to meaningless tag team matches.  The IIconics, Naomi, Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville really do not have anything to do. Hopefully the introduction of the Women’s Tag Team Titles will reinvigorate these women along with the other female Superstars on the roster.  As far as Asuka goes, a heel turn should fix her issues. She has lost several times to Carmella that it is finally time for her to snap. Turn her heel and have her regain her momentum by systematically destroying anyone in her path.  When Charlotte Flair returns, Asuka should be standing in her way ready to resume their Wrestlemania feud. The two of them had the best match at Wrestlemania and they can have an enormous feud while Becky Lynch defends her title against Carmella and the other heels on Smackdown.