10 Ways SmackDown Can Save WWE

8. Naomi Joins The Bloodline

Seth Rollins
WWE

If SmackDown stands any chance of convincing long-serving wrestling fans that WWE can still do any of this, the show needs to logically and creatively show that it can see a storyline through to a natural and satisfying conclusion.

Philosophically, SmackDown must be good enough that lapsed fans think Raw can be the same.

Enter Naomi, entering The Bloodline.

The vastly under-appreciated former SmackDown Women's Champion returned to the blue brand in the summer with much of her glow toned down. How else should she be expected to feel? Makeshift tag teams came and went (as, in some cases did the partners from the company in mass releases), half-a*sed pushes frittered away to nothing, and everything that made her Royal Rumble 2020 entrance so special was strangled by a combination of the pandemic and grim systemic ineptitude.

It no longer has to be that way. The simplest route is absolutely the best here, and Naomi challenging Becky Lynch for SmackDown's top heel spot (and that title) would represent the boost that division has needed for most of this year.

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Michael is a writer, editor, podcaster and presenter for WhatCulture Wrestling, and has been with the organisation over 7 years. He primarily produces written, audio and video content on WWE and AEW, but also provides knowledge and insights on all aspects of the wrestling industry thanks to a passion for it dating back over 30 years. As one third of "The Dadley Boyz", Michael has contributed to the huge rise in popularity of the WhatCulture Wrestling Podcast, earning it top spot in the UK's wrestling podcast charts with well over 50,000,000 total downloads. He has been featured as a wrestling analyst for the Tampa Bay Times and Sports Guys Talking Wrestling, and has covered milestone events in New York, Dallas, Las Vegas, London and Cardiff. Michael's background in media stretches beyond wrestling coverage, with a degree in Journalism from the University Of Sunderland (2:1) and a series of published articles in sports, music and culture magazines The Crack, A Love Supreme and Pilot. When not offering his voice up for daily wrestling podcasts, he can be found losing it singing far too loud watching his favourite bands play live. Follow him on X/Twitter - @MichaelHamflett