Nice Monday Night's RAW kick-start of the week!
Since SMACKdown Live already has their team determined, it was time for RAW to put it's whole picks on the table!
Actually I am a little bit disappointed, because they decided not to bring Emma to Survivor Series storylines! I still have a hope that they will "push" her in a nice feud against Dana Brooke, to keep them busy. But adding Alicia Fox to the team is a sort of compensation. I'm happy for Foxy, because she was always a great athlete and put a lot of good fight in her matches.
Since both divisions exchanged a sort of analyses for each other, i the form of verbal insults - inter- and inner-brand's, we decided to check on these teams, member by member!
TEAM SMACK DOWN LIVE!
I am starting from the Blue Brand, because it's team looked more packaged and determined to earn the victory!
NIKKI BELLA - THE SURPRISING CAPTAIN
Many trolls and haters will say that Nikki Bella earned her spot only because she is John Cena's girlfriend and Daniel Bryan's sister-in-law. Well, John Cena is out of the spotlight these days, you know the focus is on AJ Styles, Dean Ambrose and James Elseworth, storyline. Daniel is just a GM, who is working well with Shane McMahon.
Back on Nikki! Nikki Bella earned that spot officially. She defeated Natalya for it, but ... I am not a huge fan of Total Divas Nikki, but I can't be honest if I don't confess the fact that she is one of the most improved and accomplished women in the whole WWE as wrestler and character. I was just a little bit of disappointed that they pick her, but at the end the important part is that she deserves it. We expect a good fight from her and some intrigue in the match, between her and Carmella.
WWE SMACK DOWN WOMEN'S CHAMPION BECKY LYNCH -
THE LASS-KICKING FLAME OF THE TEAM
Yes, some of us thought that as champion Becky is automatically determined for Captain of team SmackDown Live!
Well, the creative team decided not to use that unofficial rule and to put Nikki on charge. Becky Lynch walked a long way to be on top of SDL's women's division, she worked hard and put a lot of heart and soul (plus fire). Becky is undoubtedly future Hall of Fame material and her future might be bright. She is fan favorite. She is a ultimate fighting machine. Team RAW better watch out for her, because she will caused them a lot of troubles.
Beware of the flames and kicks, girls!
ALEXA BLISS - A LOT OF FURY AND RAGE IN A SMALL PACKAGE
As a fan I am supposed to "boo"-ed this one! She is one of hellishness threat!
I adore her Harley Queen look-alike gimmick I don't know why they jump from one image to another with her. Her HQ gimmick is not 100% copy of the movie's character. It's fresh and really suits her. #WeWantPigtails! :)
Now back on the topic! Alexa evolve as a character - she still has that old NXT magic in her, but she and Carmella quickly fit into the main roster. It's nice that creative team of SDL used these fresh talents immediately with serious pushes. Alexa is really competitive and serious villain, who everyone must respect. Her well balanced style is working well for her and we expect her to accomplish even more in 2017! At Survivor Series PPV, this one can play a vital role and put a good offense, but I can't see her as a soul survivor for the Blue Brand.
P.S.: Come on WWE.com refresh that profile picture of hers. Use this one it's in the site's roster style! #WeWantRefreshAlexaPigtailsProfile!!!
The Glowing Dance Goddess! The underrated Champion Material!
Naomi is so talented, so compact as both heel or face, woman with unlimited and constantly evolving moves-set. We desperately hope to see her as Champion soon. A little retrospection: I, personally still can't forgive WWE, that they didn't allow her to win WWE Divas Title at the time!.
Naomi is a difference maker, but I am afraid that she is put in a role of stepping stone for the newcomers. Her Glow-gimmick (and entrance) is ideal for her, but I don't think that it would be enough for her team. We expect her to be a good obstacle for RAW's women, but I can't see her as a winner for her team.
If Bayley is RAW "weakest link" (which is not true), then Carmella with her run-from-the-fight attitude, must be SDL's official "weakest link". We have her rivalry with the Captain - Nikki Bella, as another bib, negative con, for the Princess.
Carmella is a really good NXT Alumna. She can wrestle really good and her modified headscissors submission is one of those maneuvers, that can be reversed mostly by a strong style-using opponent (like Charlotte, Nia Jax). Of course Carmella is in the team to rise the intrigue and the inner tension in SDL's team.
RAW - the brand with a lot of history and tradition's in WWE women's wrestling history. With the legacy from many great women (like Trish Stratus, Lita, Beth Phoenix, Eve Torres, Mickie James, Gail Kime, Victoria, Molly Holly and etc.) as foundation, RAW team looked destined to win!
I adore her Harley Queen look-alike gimmick I don't know why they jump from one image to another with her. Her HQ gimmick is not 100% copy of the movie's character. It's fresh and really suits her. #WeWantPigtails! :)
Now back on the topic! Alexa evolve as a character - she still has that old NXT magic in her, but she and Carmella quickly fit into the main roster. It's nice that creative team of SDL used these fresh talents immediately with serious pushes. Alexa is really competitive and serious villain, who everyone must respect. Her well balanced style is working well for her and we expect her to accomplish even more in 2017! At Survivor Series PPV, this one can play a vital role and put a good offense, but I can't see her as a soul survivor for the Blue Brand.
P.S.: Come on WWE.com refresh that profile picture of hers. Use this one it's in the site's roster style! #WeWantRefreshAlexaPigtailsProfile!!!
NAOMI - FEEL THE GLOW
Naomi is so talented, so compact as both heel or face, woman with unlimited and constantly evolving moves-set. We desperately hope to see her as Champion soon. A little retrospection: I, personally still can't forgive WWE, that they didn't allow her to win WWE Divas Title at the time!.
Naomi is a difference maker, but I am afraid that she is put in a role of stepping stone for the newcomers. Her Glow-gimmick (and entrance) is ideal for her, but I don't think that it would be enough for her team. We expect her to be a good obstacle for RAW's women, but I can't see her as a winner for her team.
CARMELLA - THE PRINCESS WHO WANTS TO BE A QUEEN
Carmella is a really good NXT Alumna. She can wrestle really good and her modified headscissors submission is one of those maneuvers, that can be reversed mostly by a strong style-using opponent (like Charlotte, Nia Jax). Of course Carmella is in the team to rise the intrigue and the inner tension in SDL's team.
The only problem is that the team is created by strong individualists and rivals. We have 3 faces, lead by one heel and another heel powerhouse who don't want to work with anybody. What will happened? We can only imagine...
CHARLOTTE FLAIR - THE EVIL QUEEN
Three times RAW Women's Champion, inaugural! The last Divas Champion! Undefeated on PPVs! One of the first two women, who have ever competed in Hell In A Cell match!
What else can we say?
Love it or hate it, this is Charlotte Flair's career, at this point, in WWE. She's talented, skilled and athletic, and arrogant, egocentric and rude, at the same time. Maybe one of the best negative formula for champion. Genetically superior or not, Charlotte earned her place as a Captain of team RAW, despite her bad relationships with the other women on the roster (especially Bayley and Sasha Banks-mostly The Boss). Charlotte is a force on the ring, that can't be underestimated and if SDL women did that, they will end in a certain, unpleasant way - at the losing end, for sure!
SASHA BANKS - DO IT LIKE THE BOSS OF WWE RAW!
If you have any doubts that this amazing woman, should be included in team RAW, this Monday's show prove you wrong. The Boss is here and RAW's chances are increased and it looks like only The Sky Is The Limit!
Very competitive! Extremely dangerous and full of surprises, The Boss is one of the women, who can turn the tables and earned her team the victory. Of course there are almost two weeks to Survivor Series and we have one RAW episode, in which everything can turn against Sasha Banks - you heard that Charlotte still, have Dana Brooke in mind as a teammate. Both blond villains can caused any trouble to Banks, prior the PPV, to ensure that both of them will be at the show, as part of the team. I hope that here is the point where Emmalina can return and safe The Boss to evoke a fight with her former friend Dana!
We hope that the Boss will make it to the PPV and that will be a serious misfortune for the Blue Brand's ladies.
BAYLEY - ALWAYS READY FOR A HUG-PLEX!
The creative team of RAW, knows very well, that if they miss this one, there are going to be rebellion. WWE Universe confirm their concerns, by not letting Charlotte to say a word, this Monday at RAW! :)
Bayley is the lovely, role model, good example how former NXT underdog, can reach to the top spot and be one of the most all-time favorite wrestler and character! Bayley has a lot of chances in that traditional eliminations tag team match, despite the Captain's announcement that she is the "weakest link". Bayley is not the weakest link, despite the appearance of former rivals and friends in the SDL's team. Bayley is a real fighter and winning or losing, she will never lose her Heroic aura.
NIA JAX - FORCE OF DESTRUCTION
Some of AWOW editors/team (me and Toni Serano), are huge fans of Nia, since day one. Yeah, she is a heel, we are supposed to dislike her and bla-bla... But we are not just a fans of characters, we are looking beyond the curtain. But actually we enjoy her in-ring persona, too.
Strong, individualist, independent! Hungry for a win! We, actually didn't see that kind of woman-warrior, since Beth Phoenix and Kharma's departure. Natalya and Tamina are sort of power-houses, but Nia is a pure force. As I have said it before, the powerhouse characters role is to put a challenge for the other competitors, to outgrow their possibilities, so there is a place for physically strong women in any promotion. Now when I get with the fact that she is drafted to RAW, I can honestly enjoy her slow career evolution (from beating jobbers to fighting against her fellow Superstars). The title soon will be in her gaze (I am sure that it secretly, already is...) and it's a matter of time (booking), to see her as a champion, eventually! I will support the commentators words - just imagine Nia Jax putting her hands on Nikki Bella! I can't wait!
ALICIA FOX - HERE COMES THE FOXY ONE
I love the way that commentators from the announcing table described Alicia Fox - "almost 10 years experience in ring (WWE)", "see many to come and go", "former champion".
Totally agree! Alicia Fox is a veteran, who deserves a lot of respect. She is like chameleon over the years, but despite changing hair color and appearance only (like some fellow Superstars), she evolved, progressed, from wedding planner to well prepared for every battle competitor. I am so glad that WWE RAW creative team decided to book her as a part of that team. For me this is a nice form of respect! I can still remember Foxy's victory over The Glamazon Beth Phoenix in the past and that was epic. She may not reach to the point to be a soul survivor, or maybe she will (who knows), but one thing is certainly clear - Fox will bring a lot of experience, athleticism and fight in the ring, at November 20, 2016.
