Opinion
Power Ranking The Women’s Royal Rumble Entrants
With the Rumble fast approaching, Kevin takes a look at the competitors we know of, and Power Ranks them all! Let’s see who number 1 is!
I’m baaaaack!
Last week, as you may recall, I did a column power ranking the participants in the men’s Royal Rumble by who had the best chance of winning, in my eyes.
But we don’t have just ONE Royal Rumble match to dissect. That’s right, for the second consecutive year, the women of RAW and SmackDown will compete in their very own Rumble match!
So, in the spirit of the season, I’ve decided to break down the women’s Rumble in the same way, taking each of the announced competitors and ranking them in terms of who I think has the best shot of taking the whole thing, and punching their ticket to WrestleMania.
Let’s begin, shall we?
Wild Cards: Becky Lynch, Charlotte Flair, Alexa Bliss
So just to be brief: Becky Lynch is competing for the SmackDown Women’s Championship against Asuka at the PPV, but every inch of me believes that she will lose that match, and enter the Rumble at #30 to a wild crowd pop.
Charlotte Flair, while many (including myself) expect her to enter the Rumble, hasn’t officially declared her entry into the match at the time of this writing, and Alexa Bliss may be unable to compete due to her recent concussions. Still, if any of these three women make it into the match, I think they would all be considered among the favorites. As it stands, none of them are official, and therefore ineligible to make the official list.
15. Zelina Vega
While Vega has made huge waves as the business partner/manager of Andrade Cien Almas (that will always be his name, I refuse to conform), she hasn’t really been presented as a credible in-ring competitor yet. I think she’s going to have a busy WrestleMania season, but as a manager, not as a competitor for a women’s championship.
14-13. Billie Kay & Peyton Royce
It’s a shame, really, because I think these two have found a nice little niche for themselves over on SmackDown. Unfortunately, that niche seems to be that they’re always getting beat up after running their mouths, but hey, whatever gets you on TV, right?
These two just seem like they’re destined for a short stint in the Rumble, I’ll give the edge to Peyton Royce over Billie Kay just because I think she’s a better overall competitor.
12. Alicia Fox
Poor Foxy, she just doesn’t have much of a chance in this field. Still, I’ll give her a slight advantage over her competitors because she’s crazy, and also has a veteran’s experience and has been in this situation before, unlike a competitor like Vega, who wasn’t in last year’s Rumble.
11-10. Liv Morgan and Sarah Logan
I have a feeling that we might see some intriguing story work out of these two in the match. Do they work together? Does one turn on another? Do they team up on Ruby Riott? Does Riott turn on them? None of the above? It’s pretty enticing.
But as far as actually winning the match goes, I don’t see that in the cards for Morgan or Logan – at least not this year.
9. Mickie James
I’ll use the same veteran argument that I used for Foxy here for Mickie James. She’s been around a long time, she knows how to handle high-pressure situations, she was in this last year, etc.
But I could actually envision storylines that have Mickie James pulling this one out. I don’t think it will happen, but there are plenty of fans out there who would love to see James get one last push, and where better to start that at the Rumble? A pipe dream maybe, but nonetheless, she gets a spot in the Top 10.
8. Naomi
I have a feeling Naomi gets dumped by Mandy Rose here, since they’re so dead set on continuing this highly questionable love triangle story with Jimmy Uso, and that seems like a good way to further the feud, maybe even toward WrestleMania.
So no, I don’t think that Naomi will win. However, she’s got a good history in Battle Royals, winning last year’s WrestleMania Women’s Battle Royal, and a potential Naomi-Asuka WrestleMania match would make sense in story, and also would be an absolute banger of a match.
7. Natalya
Another crafty veteran, but one that’s been involved in or around the title picture in recent weeks. We already got Natalya-Rousey on RAW a couple of weeks ago, but wouldn’t it be even better with a few weeks of proper build? Don’t count out the Queen of Harts.
6. Mandy Rose
Like I mentioned earlier, I think that Mandy Rose will get the jump on Naomi and send her packing from this year’s Royal Rumble. But again, I think that Naomi-Mandy should get the WrestleMania treatment, although I wish the storyline were about two women who just flat-out hated each other, rather than a woman trying to break up a marriage just for kicks. That’s kinda messed up.
But Mandy is clearly someone who Vince is high on, and therefore she has to be seen as at least a fringe contender to bring the whole thing home.
5. Carmella
Carmella’s been flirting with the main event scene again for the first time in a few months, just narrowly missing out on the chance to challenge Asuka for the Women’s title, so instead she’ll be competing in the Rumble match to try ad fight her way into a title match at WrestleMania.
But Carmella does, by way of winning the Mixed Match Challenge, have an advantage over the rest of the field: The coveted #30 entry. She’s going to be the freshest competitor in the whole match, and that should play to her opportunism quite well. She’s also been doing quite well as a fan favorite, and would probably get a decent-sized pop if she won, which is important.
4. Bayley
I don’t think she’s going to win. She hasn’t exactly been presented as a threat recently, even though she did pick up a pinfall victory in six-woman action on RAW. But could you imagine if Sasha wins the RAW Women’s Championship, and Bayley wins the Rumble, then we could FINALLY get that Sasha-Bayley WrestleMania dream match that we all deserve.
But, while we will see that match someday, it’s not going to be at WrestleMania. Sorry, everyone.
3. Sonya Deville
I may be stretching out on a limb here, but I’m a HUGE fan of Sonya Deville. I think she’s pretty close to the total package, and should be in line for a push. The best place to start a push is the Royal Rumble, isn’t it?
Even if she doesn’t win, which I don’t think she actually will, she should put on a star-making performance, solidifying herself as one of the top dogs in the SmackDown Women’s division.
2. Ruby Riott
Another superstar who’s basically just waiting on a chance to burst out and become one of the top women in the company. I could actually genuinely see her winning this match, to tell you the truth, one of two women outside of the wild cards that I actually could believe will win.
What will inevitably stand in her way, besides 29 other competitors, is her tie-in with the Riott Squad. I think Ruby either lasts until the Final 4, or takes a surprise exit courtesy of Liv Morgan and/or Sarah Logan. Plenty of interesting ways that story could flesh out.
1. Ember Moon
Give Ember Moon a title shot already! She’s one of the most exciting competitors to watch on either show regardless of gender, the fans love her, and yet she wasn’t even on RAW this week. I actually have a feeling we won’t see her again until the Royal Rumble, giving the fans somewhat of an element of surprise.
But I want her to win. More than Becky and Charlotte and Alexa, who don’t need it to stay in title contention. More than Ruby or Sonya, who may be a year away. Ember Moon is ready for superstardom NOW. Catapult her to the gosh darn moon, have her eliminate six or seven competitors and win the whole thing, going on to WrestleMania to challenge Rousey or Banks or Asuka (!!!). It’s what the people want, and it’s what I want!
There you have it, guys and girls! That’s my list, Do you love it? Did you hate it? Do you wish to have my head examined? Drop a comment!
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Opinion
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Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY – Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
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Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
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Opinion
AJ’s Top 3 Favorite SummerSlams
AJ is back with his annual opinion article, and this time the SummerSlam buzz got him wondering about his personal Top 3.
It’s been a while since I have done any form of writing and SummerSlam is this Saturday. Of all the SummerSlams I’ve seen over the years; which ones are my favorites? While it’s not a revolutionary idea, I figured everyone loves to debate favorites of well, anything. Don’t worry though because this isn’t just going to be pure recency bias. I’ve watched the majority of them so with the ones I put on the list, it hit me more in some way shape or form whether it was story, a really good match or it just felt like a solid event.
At least this proves WWE is trending in a good direction for me, when it gets the ol’ brain juices flowing just because a show is around the corner!
#3: 2022 (Ol’ Brock Lesnar Has A Farm)
Starting off the show, we get Bianca looking for a rematch against Becky from last years SummerSlam and it was better than the 21 second affair that everyone claims was a squash. This time Bianca holds her own and beats the Man in a fairly decent match, good way to get the event started. Next up is the heat seeking missile, Logan Paul against the former heat seeking missile because, well he wasn’t cut out for it and wasn’t a guy in everyone’s eyes, The Miz. After they had their blow off at Mania with Logan coming out on top which… isn’t awful, I just don’t like Logan Paul because he has that dude bro aura and swagger to make him more hateable than any other person on the card. Which I suppose is his gimmick…so…kudos?
First Championship match is for the US Championship and it’s as expected that in Theory, he should never beat someone to the caliber of Bobby Lashley which is no surprise. Dominik and Rey still back when Dom wanted the good fight against the Judgement Day before joining them later. The former Colts players, which they hammered it dahn in this match up showed that the canal swimming, trash talkin’, podcastin’, current RAW Color Commentatin’ goofball we all love, Pat McAfee came out on top again Bum Ass Corbin.
Usos putting the Street Profits on lockdown in the penitentiary since I believe this was peak Bloodline with the belt collecting and running all of WWE. Liv beat Ronda Rousey which isn’t astonishing but it’s not something people had on their bingo cards for anything with WWE so it was a nice little shock factor. The most memorable part of the night is obviously the Main Event, Lesnar brings the tractor, Roman catching the Microphone and Brock stands on top of the vehicle. Damn good match that showed off what they do in the ring since Roman caught his stride as the main bad guy and Brock… liked people after all of this? That is still a weird statement in my head. Brock being a good guy people person. If Liv wasn’t on bingo cards for wrestling, that is not on bingo cards in any aspect of life really.
That is more of the event that had solid matches and story going for it. No weird double count out, multiple people involved, 5 tag matches on the card. Things made sense and weren’t convoluted, had shocking moments that were great to see like Liv actually getting a title defense and there were the results we all expected at the time like Theory losing in 4 minutes to Bobby Lashley.
#2: 2009 (Are You Ready for The Return?)
This event wasn’t that strong. It was strong with the star power involved in 2009 with guys like Rey Mysterio as Intercontinental Champion, Orton and Cena for the WWE Championship as it was becoming as stale as month old chips and CM Punk was facing Jeff Hardy before he ultimately returned to TNA at the beginning of 2010 after this PPV. For me, it’s not so much of the show itself, it was more of the memories because the Balai as our friends Chris Platt and Rey Cash like to call my brother and I, we were just coming back into wrestling and we were TNA Fans. We didn’t watch WWE that much really, it was just what came on after another channel had old ROH shows before they moved to three hours and swallowed the 8pm Eastern Slot. No, the reason why this has so many memories for me is three main reasons. First, Orton and Cena. They have had their rivalry since the beginning it seems, being each others foils like Hogan and Piper before them and there had to be a stipulation where if Randy was Counted Out or DQ’d, he’d lose the championship regardless. This was prime Viper Randy and the obvious joke we had of Super Cena where he very rarely lost, unless it was SummerSlam surprisingly enough.
Number two reason was CM Punk and Jeff Hardy. Hardys known for the Ladder and TLC matches in the past and this being the penultimate match for this feud and it was a banger of a match. If you didn’t know Punk before, it was a great introduction to his wrestling. I used to like Punk a lot because of this match because he could talk, wrestle… and not insanely personal with things in wrestling. In all seriousness, this was a great match. Ultimate risks, high reward for Punk grabbing the World Heavyweight Championship and he was given his next feud because of the final boss of SmackDown at that time. Thanks, Teddy Long.
The main and final reason though why this match gave me the memories flowing back is more of the fact that one of my closest and longest termed friends of 23 years, also loves wrestling. Back when we were younger, he’d do MoCap videos on YouTube with his figures. We’d have friends come over for parties at his house and we’d do the one thing WWE always told us not to do and that was try it at home. He was always stronger than me, I was always more charismatic. He had the power aspect and did things with brute force, I could talk my way out of trouble with parents if we did something wrong. There was always one thing that our respective mother’s always called us though… it’s on the tip of my tongue… oh right, ‘Degenerates’.
As soon as we were called that, we kind of parodied the DX line. I was limber enough to do the HBK pose and do a Superkick before it became the new DDT and he would just Spinebuster people and knew how to do the water spit. So what do you think was the main reason we even ordered this PPV for his 13th Birthday? I think the two guys we were pretending to be were set to return on a tank and toss out some glow sticks. The return of DX, Shawn Michaels coming back after Mania with Triple H to deal with the Legacy problem was an amazing return for them and made everything so much fun.
So we have the solid card and this one has a personal story… what’s my number one SummerSlam? Is it personal? Well yes but not going into that. Is it a good card? To me, it was a phenomenal card! Is it memorable? Seeing how wrestling fans still mention at least three matches to this day.
#1: 2005 (Octopus in the Washer, Lover’s Quarrel and Where the F%#$ is Vickie?)
Quite possibly some of the best matches I’ve seen and one that was just the most hilarious moments of overselling in wrestling history, I know why I love this SummerSlam but it’s also a really good card at the same time. Redacted beats Orlando Jordan in 25 seconds for the US Title and they made jokes about it like, he can make a coffee faster than he beat Orlando and stuff like that, it’s pretty funny. Angle getting sick of Eugene’s antics for his Gold Medal was also a great bit they had play up, the Year long feud of Randy Orton and Undertaker was still going on where Orton comes out on top this time around to get the win back from Mania, Jericho returning for the match with Cena in a whole promotional thing for each other’s groups, Fozzy for Jericho and the Chain Gang doing Bad, Bad Man for Cena leading up to a match for the WWE Championship. JBL won a 20 man battle royal on SmackDown to win the Championship…… Opportunity to face the newest member of SmackDown, Batista but the three main matches that a lot of people talk about to this day; Edge vs Matt Hardy, Rey vs Eddie for Dominik and Hogan vs HBK in the Main Event.
I have reasons to enjoy the Hardy/Edge match but it looked like a real fight, it really made us believe that Matt Hardy was going to kill Edge because real names were dropped during this tirade from Hardy. It wasn’t Edge and Lita, it was Adam and Amy. Matt was so dead set on beating the hell out of Edge that they made a situation into gold and it was a great moment for this match to happen, I believe it was also an Unsanctioned Match too which added the intensity until matt got concussed and knocked senseless that it looked like he couldn’t fight for anything but the build up was what made it seem like a marque match. It made it feel real, it made it feel awesome and it made it feel personal.
Eddie kept tormenting Rey Mysterio about Dominik not being Rey’s but Eddie’s for the summer. That’s all you heard from Eddie being the weasel he was is hanging out with Dominik, making the world believe it’s his son and what not (Let’s not do a fast forward to today where he has the mullet, mustache and everything like Eddie) but they settle this in a Ladder Match where the top of it is a document for the custody of Dominik and my god, this match is better than it should have been. I expect nothing else from Eddie because the man hated having a bad match, Dom got involved and stopped Eddie, Vickie was late and stopped Eddie. The whole match was good it was just very weird with the premise but was a great match. I wonder if Rey regrets his decision to win the match now…
Octopus in a Washing Machine… those five words have resonated with Shawn Michaels’ performance in this match, forever. It was supposed to be an amazing match up between Hogan and Michaels, Icon vs Icon it said and suddenly Hogan’s back gives out, can’t do a trilogy of matches so we can only do the one and then pull out of everything after. This match was set up to be a classic and instead turned into the most unbelievable sell fest ever. A Hogan big boot caused Shawn to tumble 3 or 4 times, getting crotched on the ropes had HBK bouncing higher than he should have, being tossed out of the ring made it look like Shawn never broke his back in 1998 from how much he flopped and flipped around like crazy. It’s bad… or maybe even good that a lot of current wrestlers watched this match that went, “I can sell like that, I want to be a wrestler” and did. So good or bad, I don’t know but for some reason this PPV has always had a place in my heart for how memorable it was.
Those are my top three SummerSlams so far but who knows, 2024 has potential to maybe bump something or at least get me to consider a shift. Should be fun to see how the show plays out! What are some of your favorite SummerSlams?
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
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Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!