5 WWE Superstars who could replace Sonya Deville as an authority figure

Based on Sonya Deville’s recent WWE SmackDown segments, it looks as though her time as an authority figure is about to come to an end.

The latest episode of SmackDown saw Naomi issue an open challenge to anyone in the women’s division, prompting Deville to interrupt her. Naomi then demanded a match against Deville, who responded by cutting her fellow Total Divas stars’ microphone.

Deville said Naomi has had “chance after chance after chance” in WWE but she “constantly drops the ball.” WWE’s security team then escorted the former SmackDown Women’s Champion out of the arena.

At the time of writing, a match between Sonya Deville and Naomi has not yet been announced by WWE. However, it is clear from the recent developments on SmackDown that the two women will go one-on-one in the near future.

Assuming that the match happens, there is a real possibility that Deville could become a member of the women’s division once again. That would presumably open up a spot for someone to replace Deville to work alongside WWE official Adam Pearce.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at five WWE Superstars who could realistically replace Sonya Deville as an authority figure.

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#5 Sami Zayn could replace Sonya Deville

Sonya Deville’s television time has been surprisingly limited since she became an authority figure in January. She has not exactly done a bad job as a WWE official, but past on-screen decision-makers have been far more influential in storylines.

If WWE wants to take a different approach with her possible replacement, perhaps Sami Zayn could be the suitable candidate.

Granted, some people might think it would be a waste to turn the former Intercontinental Champion into an authority figure. But, much like Baron Corbin in 2018, he would be allowed to compete in matches and appear in several talking segments throughout shows.

Zayn’s conspiracy theorist character is one of the best in WWE. Not only can he produce incredible matches when called upon, but he is among the most entertaining superstars on the microphone right now.

The best authority figures can participate in comedy segments one minute and serious segments the next. Zayn is one of the few WWE Superstars who ticks both of those boxes.

#4 Eva Marie could replace Sonya Deville

While Sonya Deville’s heel character has the respect of WWE fans due to her impressive in-ring skills, the same cannot be said for Eva Marie.

Marie, a model and former reality star, returned to WWE in May after almost four years away from the company.

With respect to the 37-year-old, it is fair to say that her in-ring ability is not at the same level as other female superstars.

A lack of in-ring skills would usually result in someone being sent back to WWE’s developmental system. However, in Marie’s case, WWE protects the former Total Divas star by only booking her to compete sporadically in short matches.

Whether fans like or loathe Marie’s character, it cannot be denied that she receives loud reactions from crowds. This week, for example, the RAW star was roundly booed when she claimed to be good enough to win the RAW Women’s Championship.

Moving forward, if WWE wants to replace Sonya Deville, Marie could offer something completely different as a WWE authority figure.

Vickie Guerrero is regarded as one of the greatest WWE General Managers of all time. Much like Marie, fans despised Guerrero’s character and often booed her before she even started to talk.

Marie would be a hugely unpopular choice as an authority figure, but she is the closest thing WWE has to a Vickie Guerrero-esque heel GM.

#3 MVP could replace Sonya Deville

MVP would almost certainly thrive in the role that Sonya Deville currently holds on RAW and SmackDown. After all, the Hurt Business founder has proven over the last year that he has what it takes to elevate everyone around him.

The careers of Bobby Lashley, 45, and Shelton Benjamin, 46, have been revived under MVP’s guidance. Cedric Alexander, 32, also received more television time than ever before while working with The Hurt Business.

WWE announced earlier this month that MVP is out “indefinitely” after suffering a broken rib at the hands of Randy Orton on RAW. In reality, the 47-year-old is currently sidelined after undergoing knee surgery.

For that reason, MVP is unlikely to be back on television as a possible replacement for Sonya Deville in the immediate future. However, he could still perform in that role when he presumably returns in the next few months.

As the post above shows, MVP reacted to The Hurt Business’ reunion this week by saying he has “extra incentive to get back to BUSINESS.”

Of course, it would make sense for MVP to join forces with the rest of The Hurt Business as soon as he has recovered from surgery. But if WWE wants to shake things up on RAW and SmackDown, perhaps the former United States Champion could also work as an authority figure.

#2 Zelina Vega could replace Sonya Deville

While Zelina Vega is undoubtedly a highly skilled in-ring competitor, she would likely be a better fit as a WWE authority figure than Sonya Deville.

Vega returned to WWE in July and went on to lose her first eight matches back with the company. Wins and losses do not count for much in WWE, but a series of defeats can still harm someone’s credibility as a title contender.

After the upcoming draft, Vega’s win/loss record is going to prevent her from being taken seriously as a possible RAW or SmackDown Women’s Champion. For that to change, she would benefit from taking a break away from the women’s division for at least a few months.

As she proved during her alliance with Andrade, Vega is too talented on the microphone not to be used regularly by WWE. Similarly, Sonya Deville has shown in the past that her in-ring skills are too good to be ignored.

With the draft on the horizon, maybe WWE could swap the two women’s roles in the coming months. Deville could be reintroduced to the women’s division on SmackDown, while Vega could replace her as Adam Pearce’s new sidekick.

#1 Happy Corbin could replace Sonya Deville

Baron Corbin and Sonya Deville had vastly different experiences performing as WWE authority figures. While Deville’s television time has been limited as a WWE official, Corbin was used in multiple segments every week on RAW.

Corbin, known as Constable Corbin during his authority figure stint, also wrestled regularly on weekly television and pay-per-views. His long-term feud with fellow authority figure Kurt Angle even led to a match at WrestleMania 35, which Corbin won.

Speaking to Sporting News, Corbin mentioned how much his character grew during his time as RAW Constable in 2018 and 2019.

“I don’t think I was overexposed. I think it was a good thing for me because coming from The Lone Wolf as this big, angry guy that just tried to beat everybody up, it gave me a lot of depth in becoming Constable and giving me the microphone and playing off of Kurt and the other superstars and abusing power,” Corbin said.

Fast forward to 2021, Corbin would still be an outstanding fit for the authority figure role. Now known as Happy Corbin, the 2019 King of the Ring winner has recovered financially after falling on hard times earlier this year.

Corbin’s character works best when he believes he has power over other superstars, which is why he is the perfect replacement for Sonya Deville.