5 women who should not win the first-ever women's Royal Rumble

Despite the women's revolution becoming a universally-accepted moniker for the development of female superstars in the WWE, it is without question that the women’s division desperately needs a jolt to sustain the excellence and attention it has so aggressively fought for.

The injection of the “Riott Squad” and “Absolution” as two female-led stables are new wrinkles to a division that has become all too satisfied with 6-women tag team matches over, and over, and over again.

With the ubiquitously loved announcement that, for the first time ever, there will be an all-female Royal Rumble come January, the women’s division is set to make 2018 another year to push the brand and female wrestling further.

But, as with all WWE bookings, we are afraid the company may squander the potential of such a momentous occasion. So here are the 5 women that should NOT win the all-female Royal Rumble.

Ruby Riott

Ruby Riott recently made her main roster debut

This one isn't that complicated. Smackdown’s Ruby Riott and her “Riott Squad” appear to be nothing more than an imitation of the Raw group: an imitation that lacks the gravitas of a former champion like Paige and well-executed promos.

I fail to see what the women’s brand gains from putting Ruby Riott over in the “over-the-top” battle royale. It’s clear as day that a better version of Ruby winning the Rumble is Paige winning the Rumble.

Asuka

Asuka is yet to match the impact she made on NXT, on the main roster

I understand the deep admiration and affection the WWE Universe has for Asuka. Her title reign on NXT was as glorious as even Bobby Roode could imagine – and her title defenses against the totality of the women’s roster on the developmental brand were some of the best women’s matches of the year.

But does nobody want to be surprised? If Asuka wins, it will go down as the most predictable ending any of us could have possibly imagined. Remember when the Undertaker lost to part-time Brock at Wrestlemania? You do because it shocked the hell out of you. Asuka being thrown over the top rope will put a jolt and some intrigue into a women’s division that desperately needs it.

Sasha Banks

Is the Legit Boss winning the rumble a good idea?

In short, we’ve done this before. Sasha Banks and Charlotte Flair have arguably dominated the women’s division and main event-caliber match cards for the greater part of 2 years. We’ve endured way too many weeks of title exchanges between the two, and have already seen Sasha preform in the first female Hell in the Cell event.

This is a movie we’ve already seen, and with the injection of new female talent on both the Raw and Smackdown rosters, it’s safe to say that someone else deserves to reign supreme in the “land of opportunity.”

Bayley

The WWE Universe have turned their backs on Bayley in the recent past

Truthfully, there isn’t much to say here. Bayley has truly struggled to find her niche in the WWE Universe after defeating Charlotte Flair at Fastlane for the Raw Women’s Championship. A great number of fans saw this as a disservice and a dishonoring of Charlotte’s supreme in-ring ability, and has undoubtedly set Bayley back with a fanbase that was nothing more than excited to see where she would eventually end up.

Was Bayley defeating Charlotte at Fastlane the final nail in the coffin? Not at all, but we need to ease up on Bayley for some time. Listen to the Universe – they want something new. Bayley's career isn't over, but she isn't exactly "over" either.

Any Part-Timer

Ronda Rousey's WWE debut rumours have been around for a while now

I don’t care who it is. A Bella Twin, Ember Moon, or Ronda Rousey. If you’re not on the main roster, putting in the work before thousands of fans each week, then you shouldn’t be winning a historic first for the women’s division.

The women’s division of WWE has, without question, come a long way in recent years. The announcement of the first-ever all women royal rumble is a true testament to the work that female superstars have been putting in.

Want to trivialize all that hard work? Have a former UFC star show up and take the crown dozens of female superstars have been clawing towards for decades. You’re supposed to stand on the shoulders of giants, not decapitate them.