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Bayley has been the MVP of the pandemic era for WWE to so many fans. Her incredible performance as the longest reigning SmackDown Women's Champion and anchor for the women's division was unmatched throughout the past 16 months. With her recent injury taking her out of action for nine months, the company will be scrambling for answers.
This week's SmackDown saw a lot of changes due to the surprising injury of "The Role Model". The WWE Universe witnessed two call-ups from NXT and another vignette teasing the debut of another. With the draft on the horizon, there could be a complete overhaul of both Raw and SmackDown rosters in the weeks to come.
With Bayley's torn ACL, her absence leaves a huge void in the women's division for the company. There is an influx of talented women that are fully capable of stepping up in the next few months. In this article, let's take a look at the five WWE Superstars that could fill Bayley's spot.
#5 Tegan Nox - WWE SmackDown/NXT
One of the biggest complaints about WWE SmackDown over the past month has been the lack of women available on the show. With all the releases in 2021, the roster has been depleted and needs some fresh talent. This was answered on the July 9th episode where NXT stars Tegan Nox and Shotzi Blackheart made their main roster debuts.
Although the two ladies were introduced in a tag team, there is a lot of potential in both women being singles stars. Shotzi Blackheart has a unique look and a daredevil style in the ring, but it is arguable that Tegan Nox could be the star of the two. "The Girl With The Shinest Wizard" has seen many starts and stops in her WWE career due to injury.
Following her return from ACL surgery, now might be the time to go full trottle on a push for the Wales superstar. Nox has a certain likability and makes for a genuine underdog that the fans can get behind. Many of her traits are reminiscent of a young Bayley. At just 26 years old, Tegan Nox could have what it takes to fill Bayley's spot and be a top babyface in WWE.
#4 Zelina Vega - WWE SmackDown
Zelina Vega has been in the headlines since her release from WWE late last year. The controversy concerning her untimely departure from the company became a hot button discussion. The topic of WWE Superstars having third party sources of income during the pandemic was wildly polarizing and led to her release. However, her return opens the door for bigger opportunities for the former manager.
Zelina Vega returned to WWE on the July 2nd episode of SmackDown and was named as a participant in this year's Women's Money In The Bank Ladder Match. Although she lost to Liv Morgan in her in-ring return, there is a great deal of optimism about the company seeing more in Vega.
Zelina has been very successful in the past as a manager of Andrade El Idolo, leading him to the NXT Championship and United States Championship during his time with the company.
She has exceptional promo ability and a unique look that stands out among other women on the WWE roster. The WWE Universe have only gotten brief glimpses of Zelina Vega in the ring, but she has shown athleticism and poise in those few appearances.
Her character also fits perfectly with winning the Money In The Bank contract, especially with her history with current SmackDown Women's Champion Bianca Belair. Vega has a lot to offer and could soften the blow of Bayley's absence.
#3 Liv Morgan - WWE SmackDown
Liv Morgan has gained a lot of momentum over the past few weeks on WWE SmackDown. Since the release of her tag team partner and best friend Ruby Riott, fans have seen Liv go on a winning streak to qualify for the Women's Money In The Bank Ladder Match. It hasn't been the smoothest road to this huge opportunity though.
Liv Morgan's career has seen ups and downs. She debuted on the WWE main roster as a member of the Riott Squad with Ruby and Sarah Logan. The group was thrown together, but they were able to gel and become a cohesive unit. Just when they seemed destined for WWE Women's Tag Team Championship gold, they were split when Liv Morgan was drafted over to SmackDown.
Her run on the blue brand was always halted by the dreaded "plans are subjected to change." When Paul Heyman was thrust into creative power on WWE Raw, he saw something in Liv Morgan and made plans for a big role for her. She made her return to television in Lana and Bobby Lashley's wedding segment. However, it was never fully followed up as well as it could have.
Morgan was then reunited with Ruby Riott. Widely considered the only true women's tag team, it always seemed like they would win the Women's Tag Team Titles, but Riott's release stopped all those dreams. Liv Morgan is an organic underdog babyface with a level of sympathy from fans. She has what it takes to really step up with Bayley out with injury now.
#2 Asuka - WWE Raw
While SmackDown has a new influx of talent, WWE Raw presents plenty of women who could make the jump over to fill Bayley's spot. At the top of the list has to be Asuka. The former Raw and SmackDown Women's Champion is a versatile performer who consistently delivers whenever she is given opportunities.
Asuka has pretty much done it all in WWE. "The Empress of Tomorrow" went on a dominant run in NXT with the longest undefeated streak in company history. For 510 days, she reigned as the NXT Women's Champion before relinquishing the title to move up to the main roster. She followed up this NXT run by winning the first-ever Women's Royal Rumble in 2018.
Although her streak eventually ended at WrestleMania 34, Asuka would later win the SmackDown Women's Championship, defeating Charlotte Flair and Becky Lynch at WWE TLC 2018. She has gone on to become a grand slam winner, claiming the Raw Women's Championship on two occasions and the Money In The Bank contract.
Despite Asuka's main roster success, a lot of fans feel that she has never gotten her just due. WWE always seems to favor the Four Horsewomen over The Empress, but she has seen more focus when those ladies have been out of action. Bayley's injury opens up the opportunity to bring Asuka over to SmackDown and give her a bigger push that everyone knows she will capitalize on fully.
#1 Toni Storm - WWE SmackDown
WWE doesn't have a lot of talent under the age of 25 on the main roster right now, whether male or female. One of the youngest prospects available to the company is the 24-year-old Toni Storm. The July 9th episode of SmackDown featured a vignette teasing the debut of Storm and excited the WWE Universe.
The former NXT UK Women's Champion has been a ready-made talent since signing with WWE in 2018. Prior to this, Toni Storm made a name for herself on the UK independent scene and in Japan. She was the first-ever Progress Wrestling Women's Champion and also won the SWA World Championship in the World Wonder Ring Stardom promotion.
Following her signing to WWE, Toni Storm won the 2018 Mae Young Classic, defeating Io Shirai at the Evolution pay-per-view. She used this win to propel herself to her first gold in the company by beating Rhea Ripley for the NXT UK Women's Championship at NXT UK TakeOver: Blackpool.
Storm jumped over to the NXT main brand last year and seemed poised to become the NXT Women's Champion. Despite losses to Io Shirai in her few opportunities, she is still considered one of the best that the brand has to offer. Now with her call-up to SmackDown, Toni Storm has all the capabilities to become the best women's wrestler on the WWE main roster.
With all the previously mentioned accolades, Toni Storm is on a path to new heights on the main stage. Bayley is a superstar who can be viewed as a complete package. She has an identifiable look, superb promo skills, and is an excellent in-ring worker. All those traits can be said for Toni Storm as well.
Toni Storm has worked hard to climb the ladder of success in her career. She has reached the top of the UK independent scene, Japan and NXT UK. At just 24, she has years and years to add even more to her game. As one of the very best wrestlers in the women's division, Toni Storm has to be considered the WWE Superstar who has the most potential to fill Bayley's spot.
