There’s no question that WWE’s talent pool for women wrestlers is the strongest it’s been in years. With the likes of Bayley, Sasha Banks, Charlotte and Becky Lynch providing us with excellent programming on NXT, the potential is there for the main roster divas division to be just as exciting. However, there’s actually been one hidden gem in the main roster who I believe could be a truly great top diva if given the chance. She started life as a funkadactyl but now it’s time for Naomi to shine on her own.
Technically, she’s been a singles wrestler for a while. Ever since she broke up with Cameron in 2014, Naomi has been mostly in singles competition. However, it wasn’t long until she was put into a faction as part of the “divas revolution.” While I feel that Team B.A.D. was by far the strongest faction of the three stables that were introduced and had a lot of potential that WWE failed to capitalise on, it’s extremely difficult for wrestlers to stand out as singles stars while being a part of a group. It was especially difficult for Naomi to stand out as part of Team B.A.D. when a fellow member was the most over woman in the company. Some could argue that being affiliated with Sasha Banks actually helped Naomi but now Naomi is in a very sticky situation.
Team B.A.D. have now broken up, with a Divas Championship reign being planned for Sasha in the near future. It’s very difficult for Naomi to break out on her own as Sasha will most likely come out the strongest out of the three members of the group after Fastlane. Where does that leave Naomi and Tamina?
What helps Naomi’s case is that she’s got all the things that you’d want your top diva to have. She’s got a great look, she’s got a great personality and she’s a great worker. She is someone that stands out from the crowd and is not your average diva. You know why AJ Lee and Lita were both as over as they were? The answer is simple. When women looked at AJ and Lita, they saw women that looked normal. Women wrestling fans will look at these girls and think to themselves “she looks just like me.” It’s a similar reason as to why the Hardys were over. They looked like a bunch of cool dudes that you could hang out with at a skate park or something. They stand out because they don’t come off as intimidating figures. Naomi has the personality of someone that you could hang out but also has a look so unique that you could recognise her in an instant.
In WWE, the biggest way to get yourself noticed by those running the ship is to have a certain look. Lita had a certain look. AJ had a certain look. Sasha Banks has a certain look. Her look combined with her mic skills and in-ring ability are all a major part of why Sasha’s been so over in the past year. What’s funny about this is that Naomi also has a good look, good mic skills and good in-ring skills herself. She might not be as great in those categories as Sasha but Naomi has also never been booked as well as Sasha during her career. Sasha was a major part of the women’s roster in NXT and has been protected to a degree by WWE on the main roster. Naomi has never really been given much of an opportunity to get over that greatly. She’s been involved in small title feuds before and she was a part of Team B.A.D. but there’s still been a huge lack of direction for her character ever since she debuted as a funkadactyl.
Creative direction is not something Naomi can control, which is a little sad. Naomi has even talked about frustration with creative on social media and it’s clear that she’s just waiting for that opportunity. As much as I loved Team B.A.D., their break-up might be just the thing she needs. It was just the thing Sasha Banks needed but I think at least one more member of the group can benefit from the break-up. Now she’s on her own, Naomi can finally stand out as an individual. All WWE needs to do is give her a shot.
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