5 SmackDown stars who can replace Aliyah on the Survivor Series team

Aliyah had her debut match in the lead up to Survivor Series on SmackDown this past Friday as she teamed up with Naomi and Sasha Banks to defeat Natalya, Shotzi and Shayna Baszler.

However, Sonya Deville brought some bad news to the young superstar. She said that the newcomer will no longer be part of the SmackDown Survivor Series team.

Although Aliyah may have lost her opportunity to be a part of the Women's Survivor Series team, it just means that another superstar will have the chance to enter the traditional elimination pay-per-view match.

From hungry up-and-coming superstars to multi-time champion veterans, we will take a look at the list of superstars who can possibly step up to the opportunity.

Here are five stars who could take Aliyah's spot on the SmackDown Women's team for this Sunday's Survivor Series Elimination match:

---

#5. Up-and-coming SmackDown star - Toni Storm could do well at Survivor Series

Toni Storm made her debut on the July 19th episode of Smackdown with a win over Zelina Vega. The former NXT UK Champion has defeated the likes of Rhea Ripley, Io Shirai, and Shotzi during her stint with NXT.

Her biggest moment yet on Smackdown was when she confronted Charlotte Flair. Storm issued a Challenge to the Women's Champion but Flair quickly rejected her and walked out of the ring.

This could mean that WWE is considering Storm to be in the Smackdown Women's title picture and that big things might be coming for her. In order to make her a more viable contender for The Queen's title, she needs to prove herself first to the WWE Universe.

A good way to do this is for her to be a part of this Sunday's Women's Survivor Series Elimination Match. An impressive showing from Storm can help her become a serious contender against the Queen.

#4. Two-time SmackDown Women's Champion Naomi

Naomi is a two-time SmackDown Women's Champion and can be considered one of the most tenured female superstars in the company heading into Survivor Series 2021. If there is someone that deserves to represent the blue brand, it could be the veteran superstar.

Recently, Naomi has not been "feeling the glow" due to the tension she has with Sonya Deville. For weeks, she has found herself on the "bad side" of the SmackDown authority figure, who is not doing her any favors.

Storyline-wise, Sonya has lots of reasons to deny Naomi the chance to be a part of the Survivor Series team. However, if her goal is to put a rift between the possible budding friendship between Aliyah and the former Women's Champion, it is the way to go.

---

3. Xia Li could show up at Survivor Series

If there is someone that can help Team SmackDown dominate Team RAW at Survivor Series, it will be Xia Li. The Tian Sha member has plowed through her competition in NXT and is now set to debut on the blue brand.

Xia Li is one of the most intimidating superstars and best precision strikers in the business. This is an asset that can make her viable as a member of the team SmackDown. A debut match in one of the biggest pay-per-views of the year as part of the traditional elimination match is a great way to raise her stock.

#2. Former Smackdown Women's Champion Asuka

Asuka has been out of WWE television for months now and a return as part of the Smackdown Women's Survivor Series team could be possible. The Empress of Tomorrow has been dominant for the entirety of her career and that might not change once she returns.

Due to her months of absence, WWE can decide to tweak her character and make her debut as a heel. That way, she can pledge allegiance to Sonya Deville and become the authority figure's handpicked representative of the brand.

This will boost not only Smackdown's chances of winning the match but also their Women's division overall.

---

#1 Smackdown Authority figure Sonya Deville could insert herself into the traditional Survivor Series elimination match

For weeks, Sonya Deville has been antagonizing Smackdown's female babyfaces, especially Naomi. The most notable of which was when she faced the former champion together with Shayna Baszler in a handicap match.

This past week, she removed Aliyah from the blue brand's Survivor Series women's team without any explanation at all. This could be the perfect opportunity for her to insert herself into the match.

The move will further elevate Sonya as a heel authority figure and will provide a good storyline for months to come.