The Women’s Revolution has been a success. While the ladies of WWE haven’t headlined WrestleMania or had their own Royal Rumble, no one can deny that 2017 has been a ground breaking year for women in wrestling.
The Women’s Division has more momentum than ever and it looks like they could be hitting an unprecedented stride once 2018 arrives. With the arrival of Asuka and the pending debut of Ronda Rousey on top of the potential return of the Bella Twins, WWE will have its biggest opportunity yet to turn women’s wrestling into a money tree.
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That said, who will lead this charge? Well, we’ve done some heavy prognosticating and have figured out exactly how the hierarchy will look in a year’s time. Let’s go!
Get ‘Em Next Year
First, let’s check out the names that will be just outside of the lauded Top 5 in 2018. Our condolences…
Bayley
For Bayleyย to crack 2018’s Top 5, a near miracle would have to happen. Somehow she’s built up an odd disdain with the WWEย fan base. There’s potential for a decent enough heel turn there, but man, it would be quite the risk.ย
Alexaย Bliss
We’re big Bliss fans here at Pop Culture. That said, she’s had a splendid run and may be due a cooling period. Normally, she’d be a lock for anyone’s version of a Top 5, but WWEย will be introducing some new faces in the near future that could temporarilyย steal some of her thunder.
Sashaย Banks
There is the possibility that The Boss makes us look silly and becomes the great women’s wrestler of all time. Banks reminds us of a sassy version of Bret Hart, which is great. But her hollow runs as Champion makes us lift an eyebrow. Could WWEย be unsure about Banks? This doubt keeps her out of the Top 5.ย
5. Nia Jax
Why She Made the Cut:ย
Before you smash your B-O-S-S glasses or strangle your Bayleyย streamer, you need to understand one thing: Niaย Jaxย is not like most. This little phrase is Jax’sย personal mantra of hers, but it’s all too valid. Nia’sย size and power are her greatest weapons. As an anomaly, Jaxย has value. It is in a WWE’sย Superstar’s best interest to stand out, and Jaxย and WWEย have done a great job in distinguishing her from the pack.ย
This time next year, Jaxย will have likely had a short turn with a Women’s Championship. Whoever she loses it too will benefitย greatly which adds another layer of value to Jax: she can make a star. Hell, Jaxย may be so good by the summer of 2018 that Vince McMahon may have her put over Roman Reigns.ย
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Why She’s Only #5:
By Alexaย Bliss riding the art of the promo to multipleย long reigns with the RAW and SmackDownย titles, she illustrated the importance of being able to talk. Jaxย has yet to flaunt this ability. However, she’s an assassin on Twitter so it may be a talent that lies dormant.
4. Nikki or Brie Bella
Why She (They) Made the Cut:
Last month Nikki made an emphatic claim that Total Divas was just as responsible for the Women’s Revolution as 4-Horsewomen – and she’s right.ย
Through Total Divas and Total Bellas, WWEย has reached a market that was once laughably out of theirย reach. While the show may never win an Emmy, it sure adds considerable exposure for WWE. In short, both Nikkiย and Brie Bella have penetrated pop culture. This matters.ย
While girls like Sasha Banks and Bayley may turn their nose up at the orchestrated drama of E!’s shows, we should remind everyoneย that the ‘E’ in WWEย stands for entertainment. Wrestling is at its best when it resembles a soap opera more than actual competition. The Bella’sย understand this.ย
And then there’s this: Both Bella’sย are chocked full of goodwill. Brie’s been out of commissionย because she gave birth to wrestling royalty. Nikki has been out due to chronic neck issues. A tremendous babyface comeback awaits them.
Why They’re Only #4:
Health, mostly. While both of the twins have been adamantย about making a return to WWE, they have several factors working againstย them. A neck issue is nothing to mess with and Brie may have second guesses about raising a child as a WWEย Superstar.
3. Asuka
Why She Made the Cut:
This one shouldn’t take too much explaining. Asuka had the greatest NXTย career of all time. While not all NXTย success stories are world-beating, Asuka’sย floor is higher than mostย ceilings.ย
Rumors have already begun to swirl about Asukaย maintaining her undefeated streak upon arriving on the main roster. It sounds like WWE is already behind her and as we’ve learned, sometimes that’s all that matters.
Why She’s Only #3:
Asukaย is a starkly different character than Bayley or Alexaย Bliss. While this could be her greatest strength, it may take WWEย a couple tries to find her sweet spot.
That, and the obvious language barrier. But hey, Sting didn’t speak for nearly 2 years and that made him a Hall of Famer.ย
2. Ronda Rousey
Why She Made the Cut:
Ronda Rousey has something that no one else on this list truly possesses: star power. While she may never prove to be a great wrestler, 2018 may indeed be a monstrousย year for her. There’s already whispers about a WrestleManiaย 34 match with Charlotte. And if she does, in fact, make her WWEย debut at Survivor Series this November, that gives WWEย plenty of time to build her up for a title shot.
For a brief amount of time, Rouseyย will unlock several new demographics for WWE. This window of opportunity could make her a behemoth in the wrestling game or a quasi-publicity stunt. Like Mayweather/McGregor, you can pretend to not be interested, but whenย she steps inย the ring you’ll want to see it.ย
Why She’s Only #2:
Well,ย having never wrestled sure does handicapย her, right?
1. Charlotte
Why She Made the Cut:
Asukaย or Rouseyย could very well have this spot come 2018, but it’s Charlotte’s consistency that keeps her at the top of the mountain. Some athletes are so good it’s boring and that’s the quickest way for us to take them for granted. I’m starting the #DontTakeCharlotteForGrantedย train right now.ย
Charlotte has only been wrestling aย handful of years and she’s already the greatest women’s wrestler of all time. Even further, she’s just getting started.ย ย
Why She’sย #1:
For the most part, she’s taken off 2017. WWE sent her to SmackDown to see if she can be a babyfaceย the same way Lebronย James worked on his post-up game. She’ll be back on top in 2018.ย
