10 New Directions For WWE After SummerSlam 2016

One woman who could have challenged Charlotte is the returning Nikki Bella, but judging by her involvement at SummerSlam it seems that she’s instead been drafted to SmackDown.

In what was Nikki’s first match in ten months, she proved to be the difference-maker in evening up the odds for Alexa Bliss and Natalya against Naomi, Carmella and Becky Lynch. After debuting her slightly adapted finisher, she’d score the pinfall over Carmella to emphatically confirm her return.

Based on that evidence, it would seem that Nikki’s going to be pushed as the top female star on SmackDown. Given her superior pedigree it’s difficult to argue with that kind of decision, although less clear cut is whether she’ll be doing so as a heel or a face.

Initially you’d have thought the former would be the best option, as that would open up the possibility of a top-tier feud with Becky Lynch—probably the most over female on the SmackDown roster. Then again, after that super strong reaction she received on Sunday, perhaps Nikki could have a decent face run in her?

Either way, heroine or villain, expect to see Nikki take SmackDown by storm.