18 Ups & 15 Downs For WWE In 2023

13. Revamped Damage CTRL

For all the criticism rightly heaped on Damage CTRL for its failures as a group this year, there needs to be an acknowledgement of the successes of the last two months.

The trio was floundering when Kairi Sane made her triumphant return to WWE at Crown Jewel, helping Iyo Sky retain her WWE Women’s Championship. The addition of Sane immediately jolted the stale group, which then received another shot in the arm when Asuka joined Damage CTRL, making it a powerful quintet that immediately became the focal point of the women’s division.

The change in dynamics also presented a challenge for group founder Bayley, who now finds herself on the outskirts of the faction. The writing is on the wall for everyone – except Bayley – can see: The newly constituted Damage CTRL no longer needs the Role Model, and they’ll soon rid themselves of her. When that happens, it should make for a fantastic story.

These developments don’t excuse the wasted year for the group, but it does close out 2023 strongly and sets the table for a great story leading into next year.