Triple H’s appreciation of women’s wrestling was always apparent when he was running NXT, and he’s brought that passion to WWE Raw and SmackDown over the last few months. The red and blue brands already had strong rosters, but Vince McMahon never seemed interested in utilizing anyone outside the big names. It’s not tough to read between the lines of his choice to allow the Raw women’s tag team championship to lay dormant after Sasha Banks and Naomi walked out in mid-May.
It became clear that bright days were ahead for Raw when Damage Control made its debut at SummerSlam. WWE typically gave the likes of Rhonda Rousey and Charlotte Flair spots on the marquee, but the division, on the whole, didn’t feature the same depth as their male counterparts. That has rapidly changed over the last two months, as Triple H has booked the Women’s Division with great care and attention to detail. That’s how feuds between Roman Reigns and Brock Lesnar would have been handled under McMahon, but not the Women’s Division. Fans were lucky to have one consistent ongoing women’s feud on both Raw and SmackDown, with the four horsewomen swapping places and fighting each other on most nights.
Since the end of July, WWE’s Women’s Division has been treated with respect, featured compelling stories, and is more loaded than ever. Not only has Damage Control and the makeshift faction of Alexa Bliss, Asuka, and Bianca Belair been featured prominently on air, but they’ve also been given a ton of time to wrestle each week. Re-signing Dakota Kai and calling up IYO SKY for SummerSlam was just an appetizer. It seems like Nikki ASH is about to undergo a dramatic character shift that could propel her up the card, while Candice LeRae finally made her Raw debut on September 26. Rhea Ripley has also been featured heavily in the ongoing Judgement Day vs. Rey Mysterio saga, as she was the catalyst for Dominik Mysterio betraying his father in the first place. Imagine how off the charts the division would be if Becky Lynch and Carmella weren’t injured and Flair was back and active.
There are some exciting angles taking place on SmackDown as well. Liv Morgan has settled into her role as the blue brand’s women’s champion, and her feud with Ronda Rousey has elevated her. There’s also the looming connection between Rousey and Shayna Baszler, which has been teased in several backstage segments. Rousey being allowed to behave like the baddest woman on the planet has also been a blast to watch, and it might be the strongest character work of her career.
NXT has some top-notch talent developing on the brand too. It feels like only a matter of time before Mandy Rose and Toxic Attraction are called up as a faction, while Cora Jade, Alba Fyre, Zoey Stark, Indi Hartwell, Nikkita Lyons, and Roxanne Perez are all honing their craft and all under the age of 30. Anytime Triple H feels like the Women’s Division needs fresh blood, he’ll have plenty to pull from in NXT. The amount of talent on WWE‘s roster is astounding, and it’ll only get better as things start to click in the new-look NXT.
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