5 ways Mia Yim could debut on WWE SmackDown

Mia Yim is arguably one of the best signings WWE has made in a long time. She's got an amazing look, she's incredibly talented - both on the mic and in the ring - and she's just plain cool. So when WWE brought her up to RAW last year it was… as part of a group and wearing a mask?

What?

Thankfully, she's out of that group, (presumably) on her own, and (supposedly) making her SmackDown debut this Friday. Of course, how she debuts is still up in the air - unless a big spoilery article about it gets posted somewhere as I write this. Believe me, it’s happened before.

So, we put on our thinking caps and came up with a number of ways the former(?) RECKONING could introduce herself to the Friday night audience. Check ‘em out below.

#5 Mia Yim gets the usual WWE debut

Mia Yim

I feel like some of you are reading that heading with a tone of sarcasm, but I meant it with utmost sincerity. The “usual WWE debut” is usually pretty awesome.

It usually starts with one of WWE’s typically well-produced video packages. In Mia Yim’s case, it probably would consist of some of her best moments from NXT, as well as any indie footage from promotions WWE is friendly with. Maybe a bumper before the commercial break - “Mia Yim comes to SmackDown… NEXT!”

The show gets back from break, camera trained right on the electric display in the middle of the ThunderDone, Suddenly, it screams (not literally, that would be terrifying) “MIA YIM!” with probably a lot of graffiti and interspersed with things like ‘HBIC” and other related stuff.

Mia Yim comes out and does her thing, and then defeats… I don’t know. Who’s on “put the new gal over” these days? Anyway, she wins and then we cut backstage to a segment with, I dunno, Roman Reigns or something.

All things considered, that’s not a terrible way to make your debut.

#4 Mia Yim comes to SmackDown… as RECKONING

Reckoning

Hey… the headline is “Mia Yim could debut,” not “should."

During her main roster singles debut against Dana Brooke this past November, RECKONING’s mask was torn off. Rather than scramble to put it back on, the performer, obviously Mia Yim, sat there glaring at Brooke while the cameras clearly made her face visible to the viewing audience.

Maskless Mia Yim

Now, the announcers didn’t shout “that’s Mia Yim from NXT!” (as if we all didn’t know that already, but they didn’t so that’s OK), or anything like that. In fact, it was barely mentioned.

Now, however, the RAW viewers who don’t watch NXT associate that face to “RECKONING.” So, it’s a distinct possibility that WWE will simply have her keep that name - as well as the same ring gear - and just have her debut on SmackDown as, well… RECKONING.

This isn’t the worst idea, really. Sure, “RECKONING” is a terrible name, but it’s workable. She could be “The Reckoning” Mia Yim or something slightly less stupid.

The point is that, RECKONING - the member of RETRIBUTION - is a blank slate, and it could give Mia Yim a chance to reinvent herself, while still incorporating elements of her own gimmick.

It’s not the best idea, but it’s not really the worst, either.

#3 Mia Yim could combine the two previous entries

I know we used this one already, but it totally fits this entry.

If viewers are going to associate Mia Yim with RECKONING, you might as well make a big thing out of her dropping the persona. For this, we go back to our old friends, the WWE video production team.

Have the video start out with Mia Yim in full RECKONING gear, maybe staring at her mask that’s being held in her hands. Do the “I was misled, but now I’m free” thing. Or have her stand next to a trash can on fire and then have her toss her ring gear in it.

I know Dean Ambrose did that a couple of years ago with his Shield gear, but he’s in AEW now so, to WWE, he might as well have never existed. Then cut back to the ThunderDome and the “old” Mia Yim - or a “new” one, whatever - comes out and takes on Liv Morgan or Carmella or someone.

#2 Mia Yim comes to SmackDown… with a returning Keith Lee

Mia Yim and Keith Lee

Mia Yim and Keith Lee are engaged to be married, just in case you were wondering why we picked Keith Lee out of everybody in WWE. That's why. For those of you who did know that, we apologize for wasting your time.

This could go one of two ways, and they’re both contingent on Keith Lee being cleared to compete. And, also moved to SmackDown. And also pigs flying.

Now, I know what you’re thinking. “Just because the two are an item and engaged doesn’t mean they need to be paired together.” And I agree. It’s just that WWE doesn’t.

They’ve also had a short-lived pairing in NXT - including a parody of the Gargano’s dinner segments.

So, Mia Yim could be a part of Keith Lee’s big return - coming to the ring with him as he makes his entrance… or coming to back him up during a match. I dunno, there’s plenty of ways this could go. None of them are really very good, but they could happen.

Let’s just… move on.

#1 Mia Yim is a good friend of Sonya Deville

Who's the boss?

Full disclosure: We don't know if Mia Yim and Sonya Deville are good friends. But, for the sake of this entry, we'll assume they are.

One of the best things about recent WWE programming has been Sonya Deville. Her work “backstage” with Adam Pearce is not only entertaining, but it has also been a big help in moving angles along on both shows. So it makes sense to have Sonya bring in Mia Yim for any number of reasons.

Does Sasha Banks want to be a part of the WWE SmackDown Women’s title match at WrestleMania Backlash? “OK,” Sonya could say “if you can beat my hand-picked opponent, I’ll make it a triple threat match on Sunday.” And that opponent is Mia Yim.

Does anyone need a last minute tag team partner? Sonya’s got just the superstar for her.

Sonya Deville has been such an important part of these shows that having her introduce Mia Yim to SmackDown carries a lot of weight

How do you think Mia Yim, if she does, will debut on SmackDown this Friday? Let’s discuss it down in the comments. I’ll even join you down there.