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History was made last night at RAW as the female WWE Superstars finally received their due. For the first time in history, the WWE will have an all-female pay-per-view. Evolution is set for October 28th, more than three month's away, so there is plenty of time for the planning of what is sure to be a historic show.
The WWE has announced that more than 50 women will appear at Evolution. Evolution will encompass talent from the company's three main brands (RAW, Smackdown, and NXT), as well as NXT United Kingdom. The WWE has also announced that a new UK championship will be defended and the event will also feature the finals of the second annual Mae Young Classic.
Furthermore, WWE Hall of Famers Trish Stratus and Lita have also been officially named for the event and Beth Phoenix was also mentioned on last evening's RAW broadcast.
Despite utilizing talent from multiple brands, 50 roster spots will prove difficult to fill. Undoubtedly the WWE will have to utilize talent from its past to fill positions, just as they did for January's inaugural Women's Royal Rumble. We take a look at 5 female Superstars from WWE's past who should appear at the historic Evolution pay-per-view.
#5 The Bella Twins
Arguably, no two Superstars are more synonymous with the Divas Era than Nikki and Brie Bella. The two reality stars are widely known for Total Bellas and their romantic interests (John Cena and Daniel Bryan); however, their in-ring ability also deserves praise.
No two Superstars should be more synonymous with the term "Evolution" than the Bella Twins. When the two first appeared on Smackdown in 2008, they were more valet than wrestlers and the WWE pushed the twins as eye candy. As women's wrestling began its evolution; however, so did the Bellas and their in-ring work became remarkably more refined, polished, and improved.
Nikki Bella, in particular, rose through the ranks to become one of the greatest female Superstars in wrestling history and it doesn't do justice to history to fail to mention that she is the longest reigning Divas Champion of all time.
Brie Bella has settled down into family life. She is now married to Smackdown Superstar Daniel Bryan and the pair already have one child, Birdie. Brie has mentioned that they would like to have more; but, no official announcement has been made yet, leaving her physically able to compete in the wrestling ring. Brie has also repeatedly mentioned that she would like to return to the ring and with Evolution some 90 days away, the opportunity is ripe for the picking.
The newly single Nikki Bella has a serious neck injury that prevents her from competing full-time; however, she has also expressed interest in returning in a limited capacity. With her focus now off former fiance John Cena, her eyes will quickly turn to the upcoming Evolution pay-per-view.
Both Bellas have dropped hints at competing as a tag team again and with the IIconics essentially doing a Bellas Tribute gimmick, a match against the Australian duo is an inevitability.
#4 Maryse
The word backstage is that Maryse is done with in-ring competition and focused entirely on being a mom. She and her husband The Miz recently welcomed baby Monroe Sky into the world. The former Total Divas stars now have a new reality show of her own, The Miz and Mrs., which focuses on the couple's family life.
If Maryse ever returns to the WWE full-time, she will likely return at her husband's side in a managerial capacity. Evolution; however, is a one-time event with no long-term commitment. Maryse, one of the most memorable Divas Champions in history, was unable to compete at the historic inaugural Women's Royal Rumble. At the time she was six months pregnant and forced to watch from home.
Watching her contemporaries return no doubt gnawed at Maryse, whose competitiveness is world renowned. Now, the new mom is no longer pregnant and Evolution is another historical moment. Don't bet on this French Canadian Superstar to watch from home.
#3 Michelle McCool
The former LayCool member retired after losing a Loser Leaves Town Match to former partner Layla. McCool was bruised, beaten, battered, and admitted as much in a post-retirement interview with WWE.Com. Throughout her career, she was hospitalized multiple times. She has suffered broken ribs, a broken sternum, a broken toe, a broken xiphoid process, torn joint capsules and a torn MCL. To add, the former Divas Champion also announced that she was suffering from skin cancer in 2016.
None of these injuries or maladies prevented McCool from returning to the WWE for the Women's Royal Rumble, where she was quite simply outstanding. McCool appeared in even better physical condition than she had during her WWE career and showed jaw-dropping athleticism. She was arguably one of the top stars that evening.
When it was all said and done, McCool has scored the most eliminations in the match in a Kane-like Royal Rumble performance that saw her oust 5 women over the top rope. The performance was not lost on the WWE, nor McCool, who despite her long list of maladies has expressed some interest in returning to the company. It is with little doubt that every effort will be made to ensure her participation in the historic Evolution.
#2 Kaitlyn
Kaitlyn had a meteoric rise to success atop the Divas Division; but, just as soon as she launched to the top, she was gone. Shortly after winning the Divas Championship, Kaitlyn left the WWE to focus on her family and newfound clothing line. Many believed she left too soon, in the prime of her career leaving fans scratching their heads and wanting more.
Three years later, Kaitlyn caught the wrestling bug once again & decided to hone her skills in the indies. It was in the smoke-filled bingo halls of independent wrestling that Kaitlyn learned to be a better worker,
"Since I came back, I had the opportunity to work backward and really nail down the fundamentals and the basics -- things that I really lacked during my first run with the WWE Now I am bringing these newly honed and developed skills that I have acquired recently and I am combining that with my fearless attitude. And because I don't have this rookie vibe about me, now I can really concentrate on surprising the WWE universe with all the things I have learned."
Earlier this month, WWE Executive Vice President of Talent, Triple H, announced that Kaitlyn would make her return to the company as part of the Mae Young Classic.
It is this writer's humble estimation that Kaitlyn will be wrestling in the finals of that tournament at the October 28th Evolution pay-per-view.
#1 Kelly Kelly
Who better to return for Evolution than the woman whose career was so decorated you had to say her name twice? Barbie "Kelly Kelly" Blank has recently expressed interest in returning to the WWE and Evolution is the perfect opportunity to do so.
Kelly Kelly retired at the age of 24 due to neck injuries that left her in near constant pain. Kelly Kelly since pursued reality television and went on to star on the E! hit reality series WAGS. After a well-publicized breakup with former husband and NHL standout Sheldon Souray, Kelly Kelly is leaving the door wide open for a WWE return. She recently told WrestlingNews.co,
"I always say never say never. When I left....I left the door open so when I got the opportunity to come back and be a part of the Royal Rumble, I was so excited about it. We have a great relationship – me and WWE so the door is open so you never know.”
According to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, a Kelly Kelly return is imminent. There is no better time than October 28th's Evolution.
Who would Kelly Kelly's dream opponent be? She recently told the Daily Star that it would be none other than Charlotte Flair.
